LESSON AGREEMENT

Always ask which horse to ride if it is not posted or already stated. Do not saddle up and ride any horse other than the one designated by the instructor.  

Everyone will be required to tack up their own horse. In the case of small children who are unable to do so alone, someone will help.  When the student can tack up on his/her own, the student can come to the lesson 15 minutes early to get the horse ready.  In the case of small children or those that need assistance, groom and tacking up are part of the lesson.

All horses must be well groomed prior to being ridden.  The appearance of one’s horse reflects on the rider.

All tack must be properly fitted. Check for the proper fit of both the bridle and saddle every time you tack up your horse. Even though the instructor  will always double check your tack, it is your responsibility to make sure that everything is adjusted properly for your lesson.  DO NOT MOUNT THE HORSE UNTIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR CHECKS YOUR TACK!

If the horse shows signs of illness or injury, notify the instructor prior to saddling so that it can be treated and determined if the horse is fit to ride.

A horse must be properly cooled out and cared for after the lesson. All tack must be wiped down and put away properly.

All non riding visitors must sit on the outside of the arena or in the car. Please do not wander throughout the barns unaccompanied by staff or instructor.   Please do not touch or feed any horse unless specific permission is granted by the owner.

Please read and follow our barn rules.

You can get riding boots at different places locally such as Amber Glen Feed Store on Park Blvd (which has consignment) or Spencers Western World on 66th Street and Foxwood Farms on 66th St after 94th Ave.  Foxwood offers 10% to Pinellas Horse Students on their riding package of boots, helmet and breeches.  You can also go online to craigslist and Ebay.

SEI/ASTM certified Riding Helmets must be worn while riding. It is recommended that the student obtain their own helmet, however loaners are available at the barn. No Bicycle Helmets are allowed.  Do not buy your helmet on consignment or used. 

You can either pay by cash or check in person or by check only through the mail PRIOR to the lessons being received. All lessons must be scheduled and paid for by the 1^st of every month to receive a prepaid discount.   PRE-PAID LESSONS ARE NON REFUNDABLE!   Missed lessons must be made up in the same month or you forfeit those lessons.

Any returned or bounced check will result in a $30.00 fee.

To cancel a lesson, you must contact me *24 hours in advance* (except when sudden rain) of the cancelled lesson. One chance will be given to make up the lesson will be rescheduled if you desire. There will be NO REFUNDS.  If you cancel your lesson within 12 hours of your lesson, a $20 cancellation fee will be assessed.

Lessons will not be giving during summer camps and on all major holidays. If your lesson falls on a holiday, please get with your instructor to reschedule. Usually we reschedule to right before or right after the holiday. Camps will be held on each day the children are off from school, spring, summer and winter breaks.  These will be scheduled in advance so that you will know when camp is. We offer discounted camp rates to lesson students.

We reserve the right to amend the lesson requirements at any time. If amendments are made to the lesson agreement, a new agreement will be passed out before lessons.  

Lesson Curriculum for Child and Adult Lessons
Beginner lessons are not all about riding; safety and care are part of the lesson which involves ground work.  Lessons run approximately 1 hour and run in 30 minute increments.  Your lesson will start with 30 minutes one on one with the instructor, the last 20 minutes of your lesson you will practice what you were taught in the first 30.  Another student will enter the arena and start their thirty minutes one on one with the instructor.  

 Beginner Level 1 Program: 

Safety
Basic Horse Handling – Haltering, Leading, Tying etc.
Basic Grooming – Tool Identification and Use on Horse
Basic Tacking
Safety in the Saddle
Mounting
Control
Seat and Leg position

To go on to next level:
Student must be able to catch, halter, lead, groom horse, tack up and show basic control and answer questions on seat and leg position

Beginner Level 2 Program:
Ground Lessons: 
Cooling out, hosing off, turn out, etc.
Mounted Lessons:
Control at a walk
Intro to riding patterns
Intro to the trot
Choosing your specialty English or Western

To go on to next level: 
Student must be able to answer questions regarding cooling a hot horse off, care of tack after use.  Student must be able to ride a pattern showing adequate control at the walk and trot.

Beginner Level 2 Curriculum English or Western:
Basic horse sense
Basic control and safety at a trot/jog using patterns
Equitation at the trot/jog for chosen style

To go on to next level:
Student must be able to answer questions regarding control at a trot/jog and equitation for their chosen style of riding.  Student must be able to ride test pattern and show adequate equitation and horsemanship at speed.



Beginner Level 3 Curriculum English or Western:
Advanced horse sense and beginning horse training techniques
Basic control and safety at a lope/canter using patterns that use all three speeds
Equitation at the lope/canter for chosen style
Trail Riding

Testing to graduate to Intermediate Level – 1 Hour Testing, Program Certificate given.
Student must be able to answer questions in all three levels.  A written test will be given on general horse knowledge and stable management.  A riding test will be given specific to riding style chosen.