WINDSWEPT STABLES, 520 NORWOOD ROAD, COLUMBIA, PA 17512
(717) 684-3975
LESSON PROGRAM
CONTENTS
1. 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* @ $30 One-hour group or $35 One-hour private. New students (9/1/05) Seasonal/Occasional, alternating week riders @ $35/one-hour group lesson and $40/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.
7) Turn in: When the two large gates are across the road to move horses in or out of the barn, no one is permitted to open the gates or walk in the runway. Anyone needing to cross through the runway must obtain permission from a staff person to assure safety before walking through the gates.
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.
Programs and Services : Windswept provides Horsemanship programs and educational party programs.
If you have any questions about any Windswept rules, practices, or programs, please see your instructor or Windswept owners.
2. RIDER / PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM
PLEASE PRINT AND COMPLETE FORM AND SUBMIT TO WINDSWEPT STABLES
Windswept Stables · 520 Norwood Road · Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-3975 e-mail to daschuch@windsweptstables.com
RIDER / PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM
**MUST BE COMPLETED AT OR BEFORE FIRST SCHEDULED ACTIVITY AT WINDSWEPT**
PARTICIPANT NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE: ( )
SECONDARY/EMERGENCY PHONE:( )
PARTICIPANT BIRTH DATE: / /
HEIGHT WEIGHT
NOTE: RIDERS OVER 185 POUNDS MAY NOT BE PERMITTED TO RIDE. YOUNGER HORSES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BALANCE THEMSELVES AND THE RIDER, THUS CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. OLDER HORSES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT, THUS CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR BOTH THE RIDER AND THE HORSE.
PREVIOUS RIDING EXPERIENCE (indicate years, type of riding, name of stables and/or instructor, if participated in camp, lessons, etc.) :
RIDING GOALS (check all that apply): Western English Dressage Hunt Seat
PURPOSE OF TAKING LESSONS: Hobby Skills for Trail Riding Showing
Own or Lease a Horse Therapy
OTHER(specify):
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: To assure safety and a positive riding experience, the certain other information is helpful to aid in working with the rider or other participant. Please describe any condition or concern that may affect the participant's ability to learn to ride or participate in the specified activity.
MEDICAL/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS (such as seizures, asthma, allergies, visual or hearing impairments, back problems or other injuries):
EMOTIONAL / BEHAVIORAL / LEARNING CONCERNS (such as ADHD, slow learner, anxious):
CONTACT INFORMATION
IF PARTICIPANT LESS THAN 18 YEARS OLD:
PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME:
PARENT / GUARDIAN ADDRESS:
HOME PHONE: CELL PHONE: WORK PHONE:
IF PARTICIPANT 18 YEARS OR OLDER:
CONTACT OTHER THAN PARTICIPANT:
CONTACT RELATIONSHIP PHONE:
PARTICIPANT'S MEDICAL INSURANCE COMPANY :
MEDICAL INSURANCE IDENTIFICATION #:
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN :
PREFERRED HOSPITAL :
3. Indemnification Release and Hold Harmless Agreement
PLEASE PRINT AND COMPLETE AGREEMENT AND SUBMIT TO WINDSWEPT STABLES. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST HAVE SEPARATE AGREEMENT.
Windswept Stables · 520 Norwood Road · Columbia · PA 17512 (717) 684-3975
The undersigned assumes the unavoidable risks inherent in all horse related activities, including, but not limited to, bodily injury and physical harm to horse, rider, and spectator.
In consideration, therefore, for the privilege of riding and/or working around horses at Windswept Stables, located at 520 Norwood Road, Columbia, Pennsylvania, the undersigned does hereby agree to hold harmless and indemnify Windswept Stables, Stephen M. Schuch, Debra A. Schuch, and their heirs, and further release them from any liability or responsibility for accident, injury, illness, or death to the undersigned, or to any horse owned by the undersigned, or to any family member or spectator accompanying the undersigned on the premises. The undersigned agrees that Windswept Stables, its owners, agents, servants, and employees are not liable for the death, illness, and/or accident occurring at or in relation to any activity involving Windswept Stables, including incidental or consequential damages. The undersigned further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Windswept Stables for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property whatsoever caused to myself, my family members, guests, and/or invitees while at Windswept Stables.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Windswept Stables does not and will not insure tack, or any other personal property brought to or located at or upon the premises. The undersigned shall be responsible for carrying full and complete insurance coverage on said tack, and any other personal property located at or upon the premises of Windswept Stables.
My signature indicates that I have read and understand this release and hold harmless agreement. Further, my signature acknowledges that I was provided a copy of the lesson policy and procedures, which I have read and understand with respect to my obligations related to scheduling, payment, and safety as detailed in that document. I acknowledge that all the information provided on the registration form is accurate, and I understand that riders my be restricted to specific horses, or levels of instruction if at any time there is a concern for safety or well being for the rider or the horse. Further, I understand that some medical, emotional, physical, and/or other conditions may be exacerbated by being in a barn, around horses or other animals, or by riding, and I accept full responsibility for choosing to ride and for any exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.
Signature of Rider Date
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
Signature of Instructor Date
Signature of Windswept Owner Date