About Our Lesson Policies

At FSH Equestrian we focus on developing strong basic skills so students can  have a lifetime of successful horsemanship.  “Basic” emphasizes  balanced position,  physical fitness, critical  thinking skills, and a thorough knowledge about horses .  Levels are broken into convenient curriculum  blocks.  Learning to ride is a physically demanding sport that requires muscle training, developing muscle memory and endurance.  We do not expect students to go through a  level in 10 or 12 weeks .  Every student is different according to age, experience, attention span and physical ability. Students might complete a level in 10-12 weeks or they may stay at a level for a year. All courses will require homework and study.

Fox School of Horsemanship’s Lesson Policies

All of these policies apply to lessons held at the FSH barn and lessons taught away from the FSH barn, unless otherwise noted.

Registration:

All students or parents of minors are required to sign an accident release and a copy of the policies.

Dress:

We are very concerned that your clothing for lessons be as safe and as comfortable as possible. For sanitary measures we encourage the purchase of your own helmet. We can help direct you to places that carry what you need.

An ASTM/SEI approved horseback riding helmet is required for all students.  A beginning student may borrow one from FSH for the first few lessons if FSH has one of a suitable size.

Students will wear shirts that can be tucked in and also cover the shoulders as well as long pants. Jeans are fine but breeches are more comfortable to ride in.

Tennis shoes are not safe for riding because they don’t have a heel to keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup. A shoe or boot with a 1” heel that covers the ankle is best. Cowboy boots with more than a 1” heel are discouraged because they cause the foot to rock on the stirrup making the rider unstable.

Riding boots, chaps, half chaps are acceptable but are not required.

Horses:

FSH places the welfare of their horses at the top of the priority list, consequently because our larger horses are senior citizens, potential students must weigh under 198 pounds.

Students are expected to be kind to horses, whether it their own horse or FSH’s horse.

Students with their own horses are required to follow the instructor’s recommendation regarding equipment and biting, as well the care and handling of their horse.

Student horses are expected to be well cared for, clean, and brought to lessons with clean, well fitting tack. Students should supply hay and water bucket for their own horse. Please be sure to find out where you can take your horse while he is at the FSH barn.

Facility:

If a gate is shut when you go through it, be sure to shut it behind you.

Do not open stall doors unless you are told to by an instructor.

Pick up droppings made by your horse at cross ties or trailer.

There is no smoking on FSH property.

Lesson Time:

Please be on time.  Unless grooming and tacking is part of your lesson, please have your horse tacked up and ready to go by your lesson start time.  Lateness to lessons counts against your lesson.  If you have an extreme circumstance, call ahead and the instructor will adjust the time if it is possible.  Habitually late students will be asked not to continue in lessons.

It’s really easy to get over heated during the hot weather. Please bring a bottle of drinking water for yourself and let the instructor know if you need a water break.

Payment:

FSH has two payment options.  Lessons can be paid for at the time they are taken (pay as you go) or students can receive a significant discount for paying for 4 lessons in advance.

Cancellation:

FSH requires a 24 hour notice for cancellation of a lesson. Notice can be made in person to the instructor or a message may be left on the answering machine.
If lessons have been paid for in advance and lesson is not properly cancelled the fee for that lesson will be forfeited. If lessons are on the pay as you go plan, student will not be able to take another lesson until the missed lesson has been paid for.

Lessons that are properly canceled with 24 hour notice can be made up at the instructor’s discretion.

*Special policies for off property lessons:

Sometimes arrangements can be made with FSH instructors to have lessons on your own horse at your house or boarding place. The instructor will charge a travel fee per student, to any location that is beyond Doney Park. It involves more of the instructor’s time to travel out for lessons so promptness on the part of the student will be very important.