LESSON PROGRAM
Lesson Program Policies and Procedures
Lesson Content: Lessons focus on horsemanship, safety, and riding skills. Initial lessons review of horse anatomy, safety, tack, and grooming. When a student has progressed to grooming and tacking independently, the student is then encouraged to arrive 10 minutes prior to the lesson to prepare his or her horse. While handling a lesson horse, students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent. Instructors are required to check all tack prior to the lesson to assure proper fit and condition. The lesson time begins from the time the student begins working with the horse until the horse is untacked, groomed and returned to the stall or pasture. Students are expected to care for their horse and return all to the appropriate storage area after they are finished riding. Students progress at their own comfort and ability level. Students who are interested in showing will be required to take lessons on show preparation including bathing, grooming, braiding, tack cleaning and showmanship. Further, any student who wishes to show should be riding at least once a week for one hour in a group session. There are additional costs and fees for showing.
Instructors: Instructors at Windswept must provide documentation of their riding and instructing experience. Instructors have specific lesson hours and students schedule directly with their instructor. Instruction is provided in English and Western Pleasure; Hunt Seat, Dressage, and Beginning Jumping. Instructors may set their own lesson fees.
Scheduling: Windswept refers new students to instructors based on the instructors’ availability and area of expertise. Windswept maintains a master schedule for weekly lessons; however, instructors coordinate the scheduling of their own lessons within their assigned hours. Students need to schedule and cancel lessons directly with their instructors. Lessons may need to be moved to accommodate special programs, or to make up lessons due to holidays. Students are expected to schedule weekly lessons, and to cancel infrequently. A 24-hour notice is required to cancel and avoid payment for the missed lesson. Frequent cancellations or extended absences regardless of the reason may result in students losing their preferred lesson time, being moved to a group lesson, or an increase in lesson fee.
Payment : Payment is due at the time of the lesson. Students are expected to pay the instructor directly in cash or check. Checks are written to the instructor not to Windswept Stables unless the instructor is a Windswept owner. (Note: There is a substantial penalty for returned checks.) If a student cancels less than 24 hours for any reason other than illness or severe weather they owe a $15 horse fee to Windswept, and may owe the lesson fee to their instructor. Payment is due at the next lesson.
Lesson Fees: Weekly and year round current students* @ $35 One-hour group or $40 One-hour private. New students (9/1/05) Seasonal/Occasional, alternating week riders @ $40/one-hour group lesson and $45/one-hour private lesson. **Weekly students who miss over 15% (8 lessons) will not earn the discounted lesson fee. New weekly students who ride for a full year with few cancellations may earn the discounted rate.
Safety : Students, family and guests are required to abide by the safety practices of the stables. These include but are not limited to the following:
1) NO smoking on Windswept property
2) Children must be supervised at all times especially in the barn.
3) Flash Photography is restricted; therefore, obtain permission from the instructor.
4) Dogs must be on a leash at all times and should not be near or in the lesson ring.
5) Appropriate attire is required of all students. Long pants and sturdy leather shoes (no sneakers) with a slight
heel is a minimum requirement. Helmets are required and provided by Windswept.
6) Guests should remain quiet, and refrain from talking with the instructor while a lesson is in progress.
Release of Liability : All students must sign a release, or if the student is under the age of 18 a parent must sign a release of liability. Riding is a high risk activity, and while all reasonable steps are taken to assure safety, horses may have an off day, and beginning riders may fall off as they are developing the skills and strength they need to master the next level of riding.
*If you have any questions about any Windswept rules, practices, or programs, please see your instructor or Windswept owners.