Individual Training sessions with long term commitment
$20/session
Lesson Horse Fee
$5/lesson
DBH Haul-In Fee
$5/horse
Red Creek Stables Travel Fee
$5/rider
A note on session duration-
Please notice that I do not charge by the hour. While most sessions last about 45 minutes, they can range from 30 to 60 minutes. When a student makes a breakthrough on a skill or concept, the very best reward I can give to both rider and horse, is to quit for the day.
Sending Your Horse For Training
Sending your horse to a trainer is a big decision. It's one you, as the owner, need to be very comfortable with. Owners are encouraged to ask many questions, and get a good feel for the methods and training philosophy of SW Dressage. We work hard to make sure that goals are stated in our training contract, and that both owner and trainer are working towards a common goal. SW Dressage maintains an open door policy. Owners are always welcome to come and watch any schooling sessions, and are encouraged to be active in the training of their horses.
If you are thinking about sending your horse for training, please take a moment to read this VERY helpful article by Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law and Author of Equine Law & Horse Sense: http://www.horsereview.com/Features/Jullie%20F/equinelegal15.htm. Also, please feel free to download a copy of the SW Dressage Training Contract. This will outline the general conditions of training. Remember that each contract is tailored to fit the needs of the individual owner and horse.
Lesson Cancellation Policy
Cancellations due to emergencies or inclement weather will not be subject to a fee.
* A note on inclement weather: If you'll ride in it, I'll teach in it.
24 or more hours notice
No Charge
Less than 24 hours notice
100% of scheduled lesson fee
Lesson Scheduling
Currently, lessons are scheduled for throughout the week. Lessons are offered in Bath at Red Creek Stables on Fridays for Red Creek boarders only. The best way to schedule a lesson is to email me at
dressagefun@yahoo.com
at least three days prior to your desired lesson date. This allows me to check my calendar and arrange things accordingly. Lessons can sometimes be scheduled with less notice, but there is no guarantee. Lesson slots are filled on a first come, first serve basis, so scheduling well in advance is a good idea.
Appropriate Student Attire
All students are expected to be appropriately attired for their lesson. Acceptable clothing includes:
Riders under 18 must wear an ASTM approved riding helmet at all times when mounted
Weather appropriate shirt
Long pants, preferably breeches or jods
A shoe with a heel, preferably riding boots
Chaps, half-chaps, and gloves are not required. However, if they are worn, they should be well fitting, and weather appropriate.
Approved Horse Turnout
The horse should be neatly groomed for riding. This does not mean spotless and show ring ready. The mane and tail should be brushed and tidy. The hooves should be picked and free from stones or other objects. The saddle and girth areas in particular should be free from any source of irriation, such as mud, dirt, loose hair, and shavings.
The horse's equipment should be well fitting, in good repair, and relatively clean. The saddle pad and girth in particular should be clean so as to avoid irritation to the horse.
Each horse should wear an appropriately fitted bridle, preferably a plain snaffle. Tom Thumb bits ('cowboy snaffles'), gag bits, twisted wire bits, elevator bits, excessively long shanked curb bits, and pelhams are not allowed. Kimberwicks, mechanical hackamores and bosals may be used if necessary.
Each horse should wear a well fitting saddle. As long as the saddle fits both horse and rider, it may be of any type.
Running martingales, standing martingales, german martingales, tie downs, and drawreins are not allowed in lessons without prior instructor permission.
Student Conduct
All students are expected to be prepared for their lesson to begin on time. Depending upon your riding level, and the skills that will be worked on in your lesson, this could mean several different things.
*Pre-Red, Red, and Yellow: Beginners are taught to prepare their horses for riding as part of the lesson. This includes catching, grooming, tacking up, and warming up. In this case, the student should be at the barn, appropriately dressed, and ready to go at the start of their scheduled lesson time.
*Blue: The intermediate rider has progressed to the point where they can safely and confidently catch, groom, and tack their own horse without instructor supervision. (However, it is not recommended that students engage in any equine activity without adult supervision.) Intermediates should have their horse neatly groomed, tacked up, ready for the warm up, but NOT yet mounted when the instructor arrives. The instructor will double check all tack for proper and safe adjustment, fit, and placement before the student mounts.
*Advanceds: The advanced rider is capable of safely and properly preparing themselves and their mounts for a work session. They are expected to have their horse neatly groomed, tacked up, warmed up, and ready to begin the lesson when the instructor arrives.
Students are encouraged to ask questions as often as they arise. Theory is an integral part of becoming a knowledgeable and capable rider. Fine points of theory are often discussed in sessions during warm up, walk breaks, and cool down.
Riding well is difficult, and many students experience moments of frustration. This is normal. However, it is never acceptable to take your frustration out on your horse. Rough handling of the horse due to rider frustration or anger will NOT be tolerated. Students will be asked to dismount and put their horse away if they cannot treat their horse fairly.
Students, once they have the ability to ride safely on their own, are expected to practice OUTSIDE of their lessons when possible. Riding without an instructor directing each movement is important to the development of an independent, thinking, feeling rider.
Students are expected to be polite and respectful to themselves, their horses, their instructor, and their fellow riders at all times.
Parent Conduct
Parents are always welcome and encouraged to watch their children's lessons. They are also encouraged to ask questions AFTER the lesson.
It is very important that parents allow the instructor to do the instructing during the riding session. It can be very confusing and unsafe for students to listen to two, sometimes conflicting, sets of directions.
Parents who are unable to be present for the lesson should make arrangements for their child to be supervised before the instructor arrives and after the instructor leaves.
