Barn Rules for Students

Lessons:

We offer group riding lessons for beginner and lower level children and adults. Riding lessons last either 30 minutes or 1 hour depending on the class level. Ground work can be included as part of the lesson, although we try to maximize time mounted. Riders above the leadline level are expected to learn how to tack and untack their mount. Plan on an extra 15 minutes before and after your lesson for these activities. Leadline riders should arrive 10 minutes prior to the lesson to get fitted with a helmet.

We believe that group lessons are invaluable at the beginner and lower levels because students learn by watching each other. It also gives us the chance to teach basic riding safety in groups, since most riding is done with company.

Our lessons also emphasize having fun on horseback. When the rider becomes secure, we play games and may go on short trail rides.

Lesson Schedule:

The Lesson Schedule and Payment Information is attached to these rules. Lessons may purchased in discounted blocks of 4 lessons; we do ask for a tentative schedule of dates you plan to ride when booking the block. We DO NOT require that lessons are taken weekly or consecutively. (Culpeper County Parks & Rec lessons MUST occur as scheduled.)

Lessons may be canceled without penalty with 24 hours notice by contacting Margaret Bogie and rescheduling. Those contacts are:

540-729-4430

703-817-9576

You can leave a message on either telephone line if we are unavailable to take your call.

Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours will be subject to the lesson fee, unless we can find a substitute for your riding time. We do not guarantee our ability to find last minute substitutes.

Weather:

We ride outdoors year round weather permitting. Our ring has an all weather surface. Please come prepared to ride for the weather. It is recommended that you dress in layers in cooler weather. In the summer, apply sunscreen before riding and bring a full water bottle with you to the ring.

Lessons, or any portion of lessons, canceled due to inclement weather (i.e. thunderstorms, high winds, snow) will be made up. We will make every effort to contact you in advance of inclement weather. If you have any concerns about the weather call 540-729-4430. We will leave a message on the phone line at least 1 hour before our first lesson of the day if the weather is a problem.

Make-up Lessons:

If a lesson must be postponed for weather reasons, the make-up lesson will be made up at the end of the session. We will make every reasonable effort to assure that everyone gets their riding lessons in before we close our lesson program in November. 

Parking:

Please shut front gate after entering and leaving the farm. Park in the lot in front of the barn or on the circular drive in a manner that does not block the front door of the barn or other vehicles.

Arrival Time:

Please arrive 10- 15 minutes before the start of your lesson.

Check with your instructor regarding your assigned horse. In most cases, you will be riding the same horse for lessons, but there may be times when that horse is unavailable. We do not guarantee that a specific horse will always be available to a specific rider.

Please groom and tack up your horse prior to the start of your lesson.

Grooming tools are in the kits on the floor of the tack room. If you need help, please let your instructor know. Grooming and tacking up is an important part of horsemanship and all students are expected to learn how to do it by themselves. Students (except for leadline) are expected to have their horse groomed, tacked and in the ring at the start of their lesson.

Each horse has his/her own bridle which is tagged. Saddles should fit both the horse and rider, so consult your instructor about the appropriate saddle for you. Saddles are tagged. Consult with the instructor on the size girth to use. Remember that the same horse may take a different size girth depending on the saddle used.

In some cases, your horse may be in the ring doing an earlier lesson. Be sure your horse is offered a drink of water between lessons.

Your instructor will check the condition of your horse and your tack prior to the start of a lesson.

Lessons do start on time. If you are late, you will miss that portion of the lesson.

Group Size:

Our maximum class size is 5 riders. A group lesson must have 2 or more riders. On occasion, a student may find that she/he is the only rider for the lesson. In that event, we will provide a 30 minute private lesson either on or off the lunge line for the student as a substitute. In the case of leadline students, we will offer to combine it with another leadline class or simply reschedule it.

Private Lessons

Private lessons may be available on weekdays, Tuesdays – Thursdays if group lessons are not using the ring at the scheduled time. The rider must be enrolled in group lessons. Please contact Margaret Bogie for more information.

Riding:

1. Anyone mounted on a horse, at any time and for any reason, MUST have an ASTM/SEI helmet on his/her head. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this requirement. Bicycle helmets are not acceptable. If you do not have your own helmet, please use one of the helmets available for students in the tackroom.

2. All students must wear shoes or boots with heels while riding. No sneakers. If you have any questions about your footwear, please contact your instructor.

3. All students must complete a release prior to the first lesson. Releases are updated annually.

4. Horses are lead to and from the ring, unless the instructor indicates otherwise. Mounting will take place in the ring

Departure:

Horses must be untacked, groomed and returned to their field or stall at the end of the lesson unless your instructor has arranged otherwise. Your instructor will assist you in returning any horses to their field.

Pastures and Electric Fence:

We use electric tape fencing in our pastures. Please do not touch the electric fence unless you know it has been turned off. Take care when petting the horses over the fence when the fence is on. It packs a shock.

Students should not enter the pastures without their instructor or instructor’s permission. Our Fjord horses are very friendly and will come up to you in the field. Unfortunately, horses do squabble among themselves and you could be injured in the process.

Dogs:

Dogs are not permitted on the farm unless on a leash and under your control at all times. Dogs, leashed or otherwise, are not permitted in the barn or the ring.

Treats:

Our horses may be fed apples and carrots as treats. We recommend you feed them AFTER your lesson. Please feed with a flat, open hand to avoid harm to your fingers. Ask your instructor for help if you are unsure how to feed treats.

Guests:

Your guests are welcome and you are responsible for their behavior. Please be sure they are familiar with the barn rules.