RIDING RULES: HORSE USAGE
AGREEMENT for WINDY RIDGE RANCH, LLC
By signing this agreement, rider and guardian
(if applicable) request rider’s use of Windy Ridge Ranch, LLC (WRR) horses for
riding outside of WRR classes. Rider and guardian are aware that this riding
will not be supervised by WRR and accept the additional risks involved.
WRR students, practice riders, and lessees are
responsible for following all WRR rules, as posted in the barn or emailed, and
observing all messages posted on the WRR office whiteboard and bulletin boards.
Parents are expected to educate their children about the importance of
following rules for safety’s sake and to insure their continued privilege of
riding at the WRR. Infringement of these rules, no matter how slight, will not
be tolerated and may result in the loss of certain riding privileges or
dismissal from the WRR.
1.
Riders must follow the safe and proper skills learned and
practiced in WRR lessons. For example, riders may not ride horses with only a
halter and lead rope in place of a bridle. Students may not try something new
for the first time outside of a lesson, e.g., riding bareback, jumping, or
riding a particular horse for the first time.
2.
Practice riders must receive advance permission from Mark before
riding. Also, before riding, practice riders should log into the PR Log
binder and leave payment in the brass payment box in the WRR office.
3.
No stunts or dangerous riding allowed, e.g., racing (other than in
approved games), purposefully exciting the horse or causing it to buck or rear.
4.
No riding is to be done in the feed lot unless supervised by Mark.
5.
Riders under the age of 13 must have supervision at all times by a
parent or other responsible adult.
6.
The rider will not permit other riders to use the assigned horse or
ride tandem without specific WRR permission. DO NOT allow anyone (including
your children, parent, friend, sibling, other lessee, etc.) to ride your
assigned horse for any length of time (even a few seconds) without advance WRR
permission.
7.
Rider shall not use any other horse than the one assigned to them
without advance permission from WRR.
8.
First time riding to the nearby woods or park (outside of lessons)
must be authorized. Trail riders must note their names, horses and time of
departure on the whiteboard in the office. No riding on private property
without permission.
9.
Rider will give the horse considerable positive reinforcement, but
will not spoil the horse by allowing disobedience or dangerous behavior without
correction. Unnecessary or improperly timed whipping or kicking or hitting will
be grounds for immediate termination of riding privileges.
10. No strenuous riding
shall be done for up to one hour after the horse has consumed a full scoop or
more of grain. No grain or unrestricted access to water shall be given to a hot
horse. Horses should be cooled down before turning out. In winter, horses
should be reasonably dry before turning out.
11. Begin your ride soon
after bringing your horse in. Return your horse to the feedlot (or pasture)
immediately after untacking and grooming. Do not leave your horse unattended
for more than 10 minutes, before, during, or after your ride.
12. Horses shall be warmed
up slowly, walking for the first five minutes, then trotting and then cantering.
The horse shall not be worked beyond a point of healthful activity. Cantering
should be limited to periods of 5 minutes at a time with a total cantering time
not to exceed what is appropriate, taking into account the horse's total usage
for the day. Conditioning, age, and other health factors of the horse as well
as weather conditions and footing must be taken into consideration. When
working in a ring, riders should work horse in both directions equally.
13. Practice riders using a
horse that is under a WRR lease may be asked by the lessee to exchange that
horse for another. Unless you do not have experience on another horse or for
some other reason are uncomfortable riding another horse, please honor the
lessee’s request. Lessees have the right to request an exchange; practice
riders may accept or reject that request. The lessee is responsible for
grooming and tacking up the substitute horse.
14. Any rider using a horse
that is needed for an upcoming lesson that begins is required to forfeit use of
the horse to the student at least 15 minutes before class begins.
15. WRR has priority use of
its horses for classes and special events. Riders are required to make their
assigned horses available for any regularly scheduled class time or other
special event (trail rides, Girl Scout groups, etc.). Class rosters and special
event information are available so that riders may plan accordingly. A rider
may not directly request a student or special event participant to use an
alternate horse. Any requests for horse substitution for scheduled WRR
activities must be made directly to WRR.
16. No medications,
supplements, extra hay, grain (beyond a treat-sized portion) or additional
feedstuff (feed only carrots, apples, commercial horse treats or limited
amounts of sugar cubes), shall be given a horse without specific WRR
permission. Do not add bedding to a stall or feed a stall horse without
permission. Keep plastic bags out of the reach of horses. This includes the
area under the trough.
17. Limit practicing of
games to walk, trot and some easy cantering. Practicing games at fast speeds
should be limited to a maximum of two runs per day total (outside of lessons).
No jumping without advance permission. Jumping with permission shall not
include jumps higher than two feet and no more than 20 minutes of jumping total
per day (outside of lessons).
18. Tack and grooming
equipment shall be cleaned and returned to its correct storage area. Brushes
and curries should have hair and dirt removed. Saddles, girths, stirrup
leathers and stirrups that have become sweaty or dirty must be cleaned with
saddle soap. English stirrups must be properly run up and secured. Western
girths and latigos must be secured so they don't touch the ground when the
saddle is stored.
19. Horses’ tails and manes
may not be pulled or trimmed without specific approval (each time) by WRR.
20. Rider must clean up
after the horse, including manure, large clods of dirt from hooves, and shedded
hair.
21. Riders shall do
everything possible to make sure the tack fits the horse comfortably, e.g., the
saddle does not touch or put pressure on the withers, the girth is secure
without being too tight, and the bridle is adjusted properly.
22. Riders must not ride
horses suffering lameness, open girth sores, open wounds, signs of colic,
breathing problems, or other health problems. Riders with questions about
whether a horse may be ridden may call Mark. Please be sure to check for a
"do not ride" sign on the horse's halter/bridle hook.
I have read, understand, and will follow the WRR Horse Usage Rules as described
above.
Rider_______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian______________________________________ Date_____________________
RIDING RULES: STABLE AGREEMENT for WINDY RIDGE RANCH, LLC
ALL RIDERS – Please follow these rules to keep our barn
safe, neat, and enjoyable for everyone. Observe all posted notices. Each time
you ride check the bulletin board, white board, and your horse’s halter/bridle
nail for important information. Riders are responsible to inform their guests
of WRR rules.
Hours
Barn hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The last
person to leave will be responsible for “closing up”; see below.
Visitors/Guests
Adult visitors of riders are welcome to watch or wait for students
and lessees. In the riding arena visitors and guests should stay at away from
the path of horse and rider traffic. All children not riding (anyone under 13)
must be supervised by an adult at all times. Do not let children wander off by
themselves – NO EXCEPTIONS. Do not allow children to run, throw things, yell or
walk along the arena or fence lines.
“Hanging
Out”
Students and other riders should make
arrangements to be picked up when they are finished riding unless the rider
arranges, in advance, to help out with chores or participate in other
activities.
Use
of the Office/Bathroom
·
Seating in the office is limited. Do not store personal belongings
on the chairs.
·
Food and beverages should be stored in containers that won’t spill
or attract flies. Clean up any spills right away.
·
The phone is available for brief local calls out. It cannot
receive calls. There’s a phone book in the desk.
·
Due to our septic system, do not place Kleenex, paper towels or
any feminine hygiene products in the toilet.
·
Do not use the bathroom sink for cleaning tack.
·
Help keep the bathroom clean by wiping the sink when you are done.
·
Do not use hot water to warm your bit.
Security and Safety
·
No smoking in or near barns or outdoor hay/straw storage areas.
·
Always make certain that gates are securely latched after passing
through.
·
Close the little pedestrian gate behind you each time you enter or
leave the parking area.
·
Horses must be tied at designated spots only.
·
Do not turn off the electric fence.
·
No one is permitted in the tack storage stall or medicine/utility
closet except by permission.
·
Do not enter the ranch house or garage without first ringing the
doorbell and/or knocking and receiving permission to enter.
·
The ranch trucks, equipment and machinery are strictly off limits.
Do not allow children to play on these items.
·
Emergency numbers are posted on the bulletin board next to the
phone.
General Behavior
With
others: It is important to be polite at all times. Resolve
misunderstandings and problems in a polite, positive, and rational manner. Please
report rude or inappropriate behavior to Mark Ward. Remember, WRR is a place
for everyone to share a positive mental attitude.
With
horses: Be calm and keep control of your horse. Horses
must be properly restrained and carefully handled with safety in mind. Pedestrian
traffic receives right-of-way.
Trash
·
Throw trash away right away. Do not leave it in the troughs, in
the small barn, on the desk, or on chairs.
Empty your pop cans and water bottles before placing in trash. Use
recycle bin for cans and water bottles. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER ON THE RANCH
PROPERTY.
·
Please do not leave open pop cans anywhere. Keep your can with you
until you are finished and then recycle the can. Water bottles should be kept
in your tack container or bag or other personal belongings. Do not leave water
bottles at the ranch. Recycle empty water bottles in the recycle bin. Empty cans and bottles before putting them in
the recycle bin.
Personal
Belongings
·
You can store bags, coats, etc. under the chairs (not on the
chairs) in the office, or on hooks above the bridles. Grooming kits can be kept
under the troughs (not on or in the troughs).
·
For the safety of the horses, food in plastic bags (i.e. carrots,
sugar cubes, apples) should not be placed in the troughs or on the ground near
the troughs – the horses will grab the entire bag. This could lead to the death
of a horse from choking or colic.
·
Take all your belongings home with you every time. Do not leave
tack, clothing, hangers, cookware, water bottles, etc. in the office or
barn.
·
A lost-and-found bin is in the office. Anything found on the desk,
chairs, in the troughs or elsewhere in the barn will be put in the lost-and-found,
stored briefly and then given or thrown away.
·
Tack stall in the small barn: There is very limited space in one
stall of the small barn that is assigned to certain riders on a rotating basis
using a waiting list. You may store tack here if you have permission and if you
keep your items neatly stored and not in the way of others. Any grain stored by
lessees should be in a metal container to deter rodents
Use of Barns, Stalls, Arenas, Pastures
·
Whenever possible, the corridor should be kept free of all
obstructions (including horses).
·
When a lesson is underway in the indoor arena, tack your horse up
in the aisle. Begin tying horses near the east end of the aisle at post #6 so
that horses coming in after you don’t have to try to get around you to another
empty post. Feel free to remind riders of this policy.
·
You may tack up in a stall if it is not needed to feed oldsters
and if you clean up your manure.
·
The small barn is available for tacking up, riding or lunging on a
first-come, first-served basis.
·
Whenever possible, secure your horse with the panic snaps provided
rather than a lead rope.
·
The indoor and outdoor arenas are available for anyone’s use
except during riding lessons and special events.
·
Beginner riders have the right-of-way and are to receive every
courtesy from more advanced riders to ensure safety and a pleasant atmosphere.
·
Right of way: Riders at the walk should move 10 feet to the inside
of the rail if other riders are working faster in the arena. If you are using
the rail, keep to the right of opposing traffic. Keep other riders in mind at
all times.
·
When mounting, standing or adjusting tack, stay in the center of
the arena, in a corner, or otherwise out of the way of horses working in the
arena.
Hose/Water
Use
·
If you use the sink in the utility/medicine closet, make sure the
faucets are completely off.
·
Do not let hay, grain, manure, or other solid debris collect in
the sink. Clean the sink after you use it.
·
Water should be dumped outside away from barn entrances.
·
Frozen buckets are to be dumped against the “pen” – the small
pasture next to the wooden ring.
·
Keep the hose coiled and avoid spilling water in the barn corridor.
There is not a drain under the water spigot in the corridor.
·
If you unreel the hose it is your responsibility to recoil it or
inform the next person using it of their responsibility to recoil it when they
are done. Do not let the hose lie around waiting for someone else to use it.
·
During November – April the hose must be disconnected after each
use to prevent frozen pipes.
Last Person to Leave
the Barn -- “Closing Up”
The following procedure must be followed by anyone who is the last person to leave the barn. The security and safety of the ranch and its horses are in your hands. Read the message board in the office to find out if any special procedures are required for the day, (since sometimes horses are meant to stay in, heaters are meant to be set higher or turned off, etc.). Call Mark at 651-436-6557 or on his cell at 612-209-5027 if you have questions when closing up.
Please don’t forget to chain the pedestrian gate. The horses don’t really want to escape, but they can’t help themselves from being curious when they find a gate open. We never know when a horse might somehow get out of the feedlot area. It’s rare, but they even crawl under the fence sometimes. And on a very windy night, that pedestrian gate can actually blow open. So it’s very important to keep the “second line of defense” secure at night by putting the chain across at that gate that leads to the parking lot and of course, ultimately, the highway!
I have
read, understand, and will follow the Stable Agreement as described above.
Rider_______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian______________________________________ Date_____________________