Your First Lesson

Whether you are starting riding lessons for the first time or you are a seasoned rider who has switched barns, we hope you will find the information on this page helpful for your first lesson at Grey Horse Farm.

General Expectations Before You ride

It is the general expectation that both you and your horse are neat and tidy. Your horse is to be groomed and tacked properly so that it is clean and nicely turned out. Which means you have groomed all visible dirt off the horse, its legs are clean, you have picked all dirt and rocks out of its hooves, and you have brushed its mane and tail. You have an approved and properly fitted equestrain riding helmet and boots with a 1/2" heel. Without these you will not be allowed to ride. If you have long hair, it is tied back in a ponytail or braid. You are not wearing clothing or jewelry that will be a safety hazard. No chewing gum in the arena. Proper riding breeches are recommended, but not mandatory.

Experienced Riders

We understand you have experience and likely know how long it takes you to get yourself and your horse ready for your lesson. Please arrive earlier than usual to familiarize yourself with the barn and properly prepare your horse and yourself for your first lesson. For intermediate and advanced riders, we do not have any barn staff or volunteers on hand to assist you. please ask for assistance from those around you. We are a very friendly barn and are more than willing to help. We hope you have fun!

Beginner Riders

All riders at Grey Horse Farm are expected to learn how to properly take care of the horse they ride both before and after their lessons. Please ensure you give yourself enough time on your riding lesson days to learn proper horse care, and practice proper barn etiquette of cleaning up after yourself and your horse.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Get Ready to Ride

Arriving 40 to 60 minutes early for your lesson at Grey Horse Farm is always a good idea. Not only will you have time to familiarize yourself with the barn and grounds, but you'll learn valuable skills such as proper grooming and tacking up your horse. Please remember that as a rider, it is your responsibility to clean up after yourself and your horse. We do try to have enough volunteers on hand to help new riders with their questions, and we always encourage our more knowledgeable riders to help out our new riders.

Arriving early also gives you a chance to learn how to assess your horse for soundness and readiness to be in the lesson. If your horse is injured you might not be able to ride them for your lesson that day and you will need enough time to go and get a different horse.

Before your head into the arean, make sure you are leaving your tack up station neat and tidy.

Your Lesson in the Arena

We understand that sometimes you may run late or experience unexpected delays. However, for the safety and enjoyment of all riders, please make every effort to arrive at your scheduled lesson on time. Our group lessons are scheduled to be an hour long, and if you arrive late your lesson will still end at the designated time. For safety of all riders and horses already in the arena, we generally do not let anyone join the lesson late once the arena door has closed and the lesson has commenced.

Three to five minutes before your lesson is to start, please safely lead your horse into the arena and wait for your instructor's guidance. Your instructor will then check your horse's tack to ensure that it is fitted properly before you mount your horse at the mounting block. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you in the arena!

After Your Lesson

Post lesson rider responsibilities can also take anywhere from 30 minutes or more.

Once your lesson is over, you are expected to dismount, and safely lead your horse out of the arena back to its tack up station in the barn alley to safely remove it's bridle and put on its halter. You then need to properly tie the lead rope attached to the halter to a twine loop.

If your horse is no longer required for any more lessons, you are expected to tack down your horse (remove all of the tack from your horse), groom your horse again, fluff out sweat spots to help them dry, or in the warmer months, wash away the sweaty spots on the horse. Most horses love to get groomed, and grooming them after your lesson is a way of thanking your horse for letting you ride it. Riding a horse is a privilege given to all riders by the horse. You are then expected to properly clean your tack and put it away in its designated spots. You will need to blanket your horse appropriately for the weather, and take it out to it's designated outdoor paddock. Finally, you are expected to clean the area, and the greater area of the alley by putting away your horses grooming bag, picking up all messes made by your horse (and you) by sweeping and possibly more. You will likely need help and guidance on how to do all of these tasks, and we encourage you to ask for assistance and guidance when needed.