What should I wear for my lesson?
Any shoe with a heel may be worn while riding, as long as the heel is about one inch in size. No sneakers please, they are very unsafe for riding and working around horses.
As you become a more proficient rider, you will want to purchase riding gloves, riding pants and boots. Two boot options are acceptable for lessons: tall boots, or paddock boots with half chaps.
Do I just ride or can I help take care of my horse?
How long is each lesson and when do I have to arrive?
Your first lesson will include extra time for you to learn about grooming and tacking up. Once you are proficient at tacking up, be sure to arrive at least 15 - 30 minutes before your scheduled lesson time for getting your horse ready. Your lesson time means you and your horse should be ready at that time. If you don’t arrive early to tack up your horse, your lesson time may be cut short until you are ready, as often there are scheduled lessons after your lesson time.
When you are through with your lesson, please plan enough time to cool out your horse, un-tack and put away all equipment.
Can I ride the same horse every lesson?
Do I have to pay for lessons I don’t take?
As a beginning student, every horse you ride will have something different to teach you. We try to have every student ride all of our school horses. After you have been riding for awhile and are competent at the walk, trot and canter, you will have an opportunity to lease a school horse. This is the only way you will ride the same horse every time. If you would like more information about leasing, please talk to Karin.Horseback riding is a sport in partnership with the horse. This means you have to prepare yourself and your horse for your riding time. This includes grooming, tacking up before and un-tacking after your lesson. If you arrive and your horse is already in a lesson, you can take the valuable learning opportunity to watch the lesson until it is finished. Quite often they may be working on the same thing you are.
We want to be able to accommodate everyone who wants to ride the best we can. Because of this, we have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Full payment is required for lessons cancelled in less than 24 hours. In case of unavoidable emergencies, this policy may be waived at the instructor's discretion.
Late arrivals can ride the remaining time of their lesson and pay the full lesson charge. Students arriving past the appointed lesson time are considered No-shows. No-shows must pay the full lesson charge and if possible time open, the lesson may be made up at the instructor's discretion - if no times are available, the lesson is forfeited and full lesson price paid
If a lesson is cancelled or missed more than 3 times in a row, you may lose your lesson spot.
What if it the weather is bad on the day of my lesson?
When weather is uncertain, please call to verify that lessons are being held.. If lessons are cancelled by LBF, there is no charge for the lesson. We try to ride as long as it is not pouring or thunder storming. If it is very cold or icy, lessons may be cancelled; otherwise, we do ride all winter.
Where do I park?
Please park to the left as you enter. Owners of vehicles that are blocking the exits to the barn or driveway will be asked to move their vehicles. Park as closely as possible to the other vehicles so everyone will fit.
Can my friends come and watch my lesson?
Friends and family members of the students are of course welcome to stay and watch you ride - all visitors, however are required to stay out of all areas where horses are loose, or in the ring while lessons are in progress. Visitors are reminded to stay off all equipment for safety reasons. While all our lesson horses are well trained and safe , sudden movement and loud noises startle them. Therefore, for the safety of everyone present as well as the animals, running or yelling anywhere on the property is not permitted.
Can I bring my dog?
Because there are several dogs at the barn, we strongly suggest that pets be left at home. Pets brought to the barn are done at the owner's risk. LBF is not responsible for pet injuries resulting from fights, being stepped on or kicked. Also understand that if your pet is left in the car, the other animals may jump up on the car. LBF and its employees are not responsible for any damages that may occur to the vehicle.
