Lessons
Lessons
HOW TO SIGN-UP FOR LESSONS
Caper Acres Stables offers lessons in individual and monthly packages. Riding Instruction is available year round for both children and adults. An assessment lesson is required for all new students with previous riding experience before placing them into our group lessons. All new riders must take private lessons until they can confidently walk and trot off of the lunge line. Lessons are booked with Paige and require payment in advance of lessons. Application forms and lesson price lists are available on request. Before the first lesson or assessment, an acceptance of risk form must be signed by the student or a parent/guardian of students under the age of 19.
HOW TO CANCEL A LESSON
All cancellations must be with 24 hours notice. No make-up lessons will be granted to riders who cancel with less than 24 hours notice.
Lessons may be cancelled by calling or emailing the farm. If Caper Acres cancel due to bad weather or conflicting events (horse shows, clinics, illness of instructor), Paige will notify the student when there is an opening. These students will have priority on any available spaces.
HOW TO SCHEDULE A MAKE-UP LESSON
All make-up lessons must be scheduled within the same month. These lessons must be scheduled through Paige, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that we will not overbook a lesson to accommodate a make-up lesson. Make-up Lessons must fit into Instructors schedule, if you cannot make it with in the open times available you will lose your lesson even if 24 hours notice was given.
WHEN TO ARRIVE FOR YOUR LESSONS
Each student is responsible for properly grooming, saddling and bridling their horse. Students should arrive at least ½ hour prior to their lesson to allow time for these tasks. Students arriving late are still expected to thoroughly groom each horse. We will not hold lessons up for a late arrival. For all new riders who are still learning, help will be provided to these students.
STABLE PROCEDURES
Horses must be properly groomed before and after riding as well as cooled out and put away properly. All equipment must be cleaned and returned to their proper position. Please allow time before and after lessons for these tasks. Please note that all feeding of horses is to be done by staff only.
ROUTINE FOR PARENTS/VISITORS ACCOMPANYING RIDERS
We ask that only parents accompany riders into the stables for safety reasons. Siblings, additional visitors may watch the lessons from outside of the ring. No student or rider under the age of 12 may be left alone at the stables at any given time, for the safety of the staff, horses and riders.
WHAT TO WEAR
Please note that we have several helmets, which can be borrowed. After a two-month period we ask that parents purchase a helmet for their child if they are interested in taking more lessons.
Helmets—ASTM or SEI approved, with a secure chinstrap.
Boots—with a heel. We occasionally have used boots for sale.
Pants—riding breeches or jodhpurs. Leggings or sweat pants may be worn. No pants with zipper pockets. We also permit riders to wear half-chaps and full chaps, which can easily fit over jeans and other pants.
Gloves—for the winter months, and lightweight gloves for the summer months
Shirts - In the winter months, please ensure that your child is wearing layers, which can easily be taken off while mounted.
All riders in our lesson program regardless of age are required to wear approved headgear as set out in Equine Canada’s general regulations pertaining to approved headgear. We also encourage young riders to consider purchase of a safety (crash) vest designed specifically for equestrian sport, which will reduce risk of injury.
All riders, regardless of age or ability are required to wear footwear appropriate for horseback riding. This includes a boot with a minimum of a half-inch heel, maximum two-inch heel, no platform soles. Footwear appropriate for equestrian sport can be purchased at your local tack store Such as Greenhawk or Apple saddlery. If in doubt, please ask.
Safety stirrups are fixed to all school horse saddles as an extra safety feature to our riding program.
Absolutely no gum to be chewed as riders could choke on gum while riding.
FEEDING HORSES
Riders like to give their horse a treat after riding. Peppermints, apples and carrots or treats purchased at the tack store are acceptable. All treats must be approved by staff and fed using our “treat bucket”.
CHOOSING YOUR HORSE
Please note that coaches and instructors have chosen your specific horse for your skill level. If you have a problem with your horse, please discuss this with your coach.
RIDING DIFFERENT HORSES
Horses are like people. They are each individuals and you can benefit from each one. If you are especially keen to advance, consider taking two lessons a week, and switching from one horse to the next, applying lessons learned on the other mount to improve your own riding.
All horses selected for the lesson program are test-ridden and evaluated for suitability. When arriving at the facility, they undergo further training and test-rides by our staff to further evaluate level of training. Every lesson horse is regularly schooled by our staff to ensuhighest level of training, and to evaluate change, or address any problems.
As of January 2009, our current rates for lesson packages are as follows:
12 week package of group lessons = $ 150 per month x3 post dated cheques
(use of school horse)
12 week package of private lessons = $ 200 per month x3 post dated cheques
(use of school horse)
Individual One hour private lesson = $ 60
(use of school horse)
Individual One hour group lesson = $ 40 per person
(use of school horse)
Assessment lesson 35 min. - 45min. = $ 50
12 week package of group lessons = $ 120 per month x3 post dated cheques
(boarders with own horse)
12 week package of private lessons = $ 160 per month x3 post dated cheques
(boarders with own horse)
Individual One hour private lesson = $ 45
(boarders with own horse)
Individual One hour group lesson = $ 32 per person
(boarders with own horse)
**Please call to book your lessons or come see the barn & meet the horses.
**Outside Coaches are welcome with proof of coaching Insurance * for Boarders only
IMPORTANT: It is up to students, parents and/or guardians to update application information such as addresses and phone numbers, To ensure safety and communication.
Caper Acres Information and procedures may change with out individual notice, please refer to web site or ask Paige McWilliams about any questions you may have.