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Is my child ready for riding lessons?
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Q&A
We are always happy to answer your questions, but to save time we have assembled a list of the MOST asked questions and their respective answers! If you don't find the information you need, don't hesitate to ask.
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What riding gear/clothing do I need for my riding lesson?
We do not require that you to go out and purchase proper English attire for your first couple of lessons. However, you must have boots with a walking heel. A cowboy boot is fine. Good boots or shoes help protect your feet if they get stepped on, and help prevent your foot from sliding through the stirrup should you take a spill. Fashion boots, sandals or canvas running shoes have no place in the barn and are not allowed. Shorts, cargo pants and baggy jeans are not appropriate riding attire, also rethink anything white or that you would rather not get dirty!
What should I wear?
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Can my first lesson be with a group of my friends?
For safety reasons, beginner lessons and lessons for first time riders with us are always private, meaning only one person mounted on a horse at a time and one instructor per rider. This gives the rider 100% of the instructor's attention for the full hour. Our beginner riders also always feel safer and more confident when the instructor isn't splitting their attention between students. Even first time riders with us that have some experience are required to take private lessons until they meet the requirements for group lessons (walk, trot on their own, steer and stop!) and we can determine the best group for them. So, for the first lesson, we cannot accommodate a "group" with both of your children at the same time. I’m over 18 do I have to wear a helmet? Yes! Our insurance policy requires that everyone riding a horse that belongs to Deer Creek Stables must wear an approved safety helmet. Additionally, anyone participating in a jumping lesson must wear a helmet, whether it’s a DSC school horse or not. DCS has schooling helmets for those who do not have their own. I am an experienced western rider, am I still considered a beginner? Yes, The feel of an english saddle, rider position, dynamics and mechanics are very different than the same in a western saddle. Our definition of an "Experienced Rider" is one who can already walk, trot and canter in English tack. Will I learn to tack up the horses on my own? While some stables offering lessons will have the horse tacked up and ready to go, we have a different philosophy. In the beginning, the lesson includes ground instruction. We believe that it is very important that the rider learn good horsemanship and can safely handle horses, including grooming and tacking up. Establishing a relationship with the horse on the ground helps riders gain more confidence in the saddle and gives the horse the opportunity to gain trust in the rider. |
WEIGHT POLICY & EXPLANATION
The importance of weight and fitness in horse safety, for both the rider and the horse, cannot be stressed enough. Therefore, for our school horses the maximum weight limit is 200.
There is a safety issue for an overweight rider. If a fall occurs there is greater likelihood, of an injury to that rider. Imposing a weight restriction on riders is not done casually or out of any prejudice. It is simply a matter of safety for the rider as well as the horse.
The "standard" rule of thumb is that a riding horse "can" carry 20% of its weight (not 30%, and certainly not 35%!). This is a general rule as you are likely to find, but it should be regarded in the same light as the towing rating of a vehicle - the fact that a given vehicle is capable of towing a certain maximum number of pounds under ideal circumstances does not mean that it can safely do so at all times or under all circumstances or conditions.
It takes time and effort to find, train, and condition horses for a good school line and those horses must be looked after if they are to continue their work year after year. Most school horse programs are careful to protect their horses' backs and legs, and most stable owners realize that carrying too much weight will break a horse down, sooner or later.
The amount a horse can carry depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to (and in no particular order):
The importance of weight and fitness in horse safety, for both the rider and the horse, cannot be stressed enough. Therefore, for our school horses the maximum weight limit is 200.
There is a safety issue for an overweight rider. If a fall occurs there is greater likelihood, of an injury to that rider. Imposing a weight restriction on riders is not done casually or out of any prejudice. It is simply a matter of safety for the rider as well as the horse.
The "standard" rule of thumb is that a riding horse "can" carry 20% of its weight (not 30%, and certainly not 35%!). This is a general rule as you are likely to find, but it should be regarded in the same light as the towing rating of a vehicle - the fact that a given vehicle is capable of towing a certain maximum number of pounds under ideal circumstances does not mean that it can safely do so at all times or under all circumstances or conditions.
It takes time and effort to find, train, and condition horses for a good school line and those horses must be looked after if they are to continue their work year after year. Most school horse programs are careful to protect their horses' backs and legs, and most stable owners realize that carrying too much weight will break a horse down, sooner or later.
The amount a horse can carry depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to (and in no particular order):
- Conformation
- Condition
- Fitness
- Rider Ability
- Rider Strength and Fitness
- Rider Balance
- Tack Type