Lesson Policies

Please arrive for your lesson 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to assist in preparing your horse/pony.

Please arrive appropriately dressed for riding.

If you fail to cancel your lesson by 9:00 AM on your lesson day, you will be charged a $15 late cancellation fee. If you do not show up, you will be charged for your lesson in full.

Weather cancellation policy: Lessons may be canceled if:

• The temperature or wind chill is below 40 degrees.

• Winds exceed 25 MPH.

• There are tornado/hurricane warnings.

• There is severe rain/hail/heavy snow/thunderstorms.

**If it is raining, lessons may be rescheduled and/or moved to an alternate facility!**

Ground lessons may be substituted if weather is not suitable to ride. These are important for all riders, and should be treated as equally important as under saddle lessons.**

Lesson Apparel

Correct riding apparel is required for the safety of our riders. For the first lesson, leggings or well-fitted jeans may be worn, along with closed-toe shoes with a 1” or less heel. All riders will be required to wear an ASTM/SEI certified helmet (loaner helmets are available). Students will not be allowed to ride in sandals or heels, and shorts are strongly discouraged. Long shirts will need to be tucked in, and long hair must be pulled back. Please avoid dangly jewelry.

As students progress in their riding, items on the following list are recommended for each student:

• An ASTM/SEI certified helmet (NOT a bicycle helmet)

• Riding breeches

• Paddock boots and half chaps

• Riding gloves

Before riding at or under the instruction of Sweet Maple Stables, every rider or their guardian must sign and submit a copy of the Rider Release Form. If you are unable to print and bring a signed form before your first ride, we have extra printed copies on site!