Rider's Guidelines

Our goal is to provide a safe and beneficial experience for our riders, volunteers, horses and staff

• All new students will be evaluated prior to acceptance in the program.

• Once a student is accepted, on-going evaluations will determine if riding therapy continues to be beneficial and our horses and volunteers are able to safely and effectively accommodate the student.

• Approved helmets must be worn at ALL MOUNTED TIMES.

• Any students riding in stirrups must use NARHA approved safety stirrups. (Peacock, Devonshire, Endurance).

• All releases, medical forms and doctors consent forms must be in our filer prior to participation  in classes.

• All students with Down Syndrome must have Atlantoaxial instability verification from their doctors on file.

• If we do not have enough volunteers present to provide a safe ride, sessions may need to be cancelled.
  Sessions may also be cancelled due to weather conditions.

• If a rider has to cancel, a call to both the farm and your Volunteer Coordinator should be made AHEAD of his/her scheduled day.

• "No Shows" will be recorded.  A "No Show" is an absence without a phone call or a phone call made within the hour prior to the scheduled riding time.

  • Two "No Shows" will result in riding by appointment only.

  • Three "No Shows" will result in the rider being dropped from the program.

Appropriate Attire

Your rider should be dressed in proper riding attire:

Long pants and shoes or boots with a heel. 
Approved helmets must be worn at all times. 
Dangling jewelry may be unsafe and should be avoided. 
Refrain from wearing perfume or cologne as it can attract insects

Etiquette

• Rider's siblings and/or their friends should not come to lessons.   
  This is required for reasons of safety and because of the distractions created for our riders and instructors.

• Do not bring your pets.  
  For the same reasons as above and, additionally, our farm dogs are territorial.

• Stay in the designated waiting areas until class begins.

• Parents...Do not leave the farm during your riders lesson.

• Call the barn AND your Volunteer Coordinator if your rider is unable to come to a lesson

• Do not give treats to the horses.
  Your carrots and apples are welcomed and will be given to YOUR horse at feeding time.

From Mount to Dismount

• Arrive at the barn 15 minutes prior to the scheduled riding time and stay in the designated waiting areas or bench outside until class begins.
  

• Make sure your rider wears long pants and shoes or boots with a heel.*
  

• Don’t forget your helmet.
  

• Remove gum or candy from your mouth prior to mounting.
  

• If you or your rider is allergic to insect bites, bring medication each time you come to the farm.  Let your team know you/your rider’s sensitivities and the location of the medication.
  

• Parents should sign in and out at each lesson and indicate the task they completed during that time. 
  

• Volunteers need to sign in each time you come.  Remember to wear your nametag.
  

• Parents/guardians not side-walking should check in the barn office for tasks that need to be completed.
  

• Parents/guardians need to be at dismount area at the end of their class to take responsibility for their rider.
  

• Volunteers need to sign out and return their nametags to the office.
  

• Tell everyone goodbye, including your horse!  Let your instructor and Volunteer Coordinator know if you will not be attending the following week, and write it in the sign-in book.  We all have “senior moments.”
  

• *Exceptions to the footwear rule may be allowed due to the rider need at the discretion of the Director