Student Expectations

What to Bring

New students often wonder what they should wear or bring to lessons here. If you are an existing rider, we appreciate appropriate lesson attire, which includes riding boots with a heel, comfortable pants for riding (jeans generally not recommended due to seam issues), shirts that aren’t revealing or too loose-fitting (so we can see your seat more effectively), an ATSM-certified helmet, and appropriate riding gloves. Fun colors are encouraged. If you are new to riding, yoga pants work instead of riding breeches, but boots with a 1″ heel and a helmet are required. For current or aspiring riders who need riding equipment, check out The Rider’s Closet, a nonprofit that provides show and lesson apparel to riders who need financial assistance, or our Resource List of links to affordable starter helmets, multi-purpose boots, and comfortable gloves. Conversely, if you are a rider with used boots that you don’t use anymore, consider donating them to the Rider’s Closet through the Der Dau Trade-In Program.

For riders bringing their horse, any style of tack is welcome. Snaffle bits are preferred in the beginning, though if you are looking to improve your work on the double bridle specifically, please bring that as well. Whatever you use, it is best to bring the things that fit your horse the best and that your horse is happiest in, so if you’re debating whether to bring an all-purpose saddle that your horse likes or a dressage saddle that’s not as well-fitting, bring the all-purpose.

Most of all, bring an open mind and willing attitude. We do not judge you for where you are in your riding journey as long as you are eager to learn and willing to listen.

Time and Cancellation Policies

We ask that students arrive early enough to groom and tack up their horse before their lesson time so that the lesson can begin promptly at their scheduled time. This helps us with our scheduling and is respectful to the rest of the barn family’s time as well. Be prepared to groom your assigned horse if you are riding one of our horses and to tidy the tack-up area and clean their tack when done. If time is limited, we can tack up for you at an additional fee. We will show you their tack and grooming equipment in the beginning, but once you are established as a student with us, we ask that you perform these tasks unless you have a physical limitation (in which case, we’re happy to accommodate). For beginners, some of the lesson time will be taken with learning to groom and tack up the horse until they are independent. We feel this is a valuable skill for all horsemen/women to develop and hone, as you learn much about the horse through grooming and tacking up.

Please schedule and/or cancel lessons at least 24 hours before time. If you have to cancel your lesson after this deadline, you will be charged your lesson fee, as we usually cannot fill your lesson spot on short notice. We reserve the right to cancel lessons in case of severe weather (tornado warnings, lightning, white-out conditions, temperatures below 15F, etc.). However, we will still ride in rain, cold, and other similar mild conditions, as the indoor provides protection from the elements and is connected to the stables. Riding lessons can be traded for theory, Equicizer, PEMF, or Meadow Meditation sessions without penalty. Subscribers may reschedule their lesson as long as they provide 24 hours notice, but lessons may not roll over into the next month.

Payment is expected prior to or at the time of the lesson. We accept cash, personal check, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. If you incur a cancellation fee, you will be expected to pay before you may schedule your next lesson.