Reading / Understanding this "Welcome Letter"

is REQUIRED prior to scheduling any lesson.

 

Lessons:

• During inclement weather, lessons may involve ground, arena, classroom and/or barn activities to meet specific goals.
• Actual mounting for the 30 minute lesson is usually 20 minutes (tack up/untack is the other 10 minutes).
• Actual mounting for the 1 hour lesson is usually 45 minutes (tack up/untack and other horsemanship topics is the other 15 minutes).
• This means an additional 10-15 minutes will be spent working with horses and riders on the ground to saddle or unsaddle, put away, mucking or other horse activities.
• Students will be required to help prepare their horse for their level of riding.
• Please arrive/be ready for your lesson 30 minutes. prior to your lesson time. If you are late by less than 15 minutes, your lesson can continue (at the discretion of the instructor) but your "time" will be shorted. If you are more than 20 mins late your lesson time is forfeit and lesson fees are still owed to instructor.

 A word to the "Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s)":

• If the student is under 18 but and driving themselves to lessons a parent/legal guardian must be present during the 1st lesson / orientation.
• If the student is under 18 but and not driving themselves to lessons a parent/legal guardian must be present during the lesson however, a parent can designate (with the riding instructor's pre- approval) another adult to act as the "minor's adult representative" and this induvial must be present during the lesson.
• The student's parent/legal guardian must have signed the liability paperwork before they (the student) can ride. If you have a minor taking lessons, you (as the parent/legal guardian) CANNOT drop off your child and leave without assigning a "minor's adult representative" Assigning a "minor's adult representative" must be declared and approved by the riding instructor more than 12 hours in advance.
• If in a unique circumstance the instructor agrees to a "drop off" and pick up time, and you are "late" for the agreed upon pick up time, (without contact/reasonable excuse) the instructor has grounds to charge a "fee" and if repeated offence in this way stop offering services to you/your family.

MC Equestrian is NOT A CHILD CARE FACILATY/PROGRAM!

Payment:

• When booking lessons payment is required in full at the time services are rendered or on the first week of each month (Speak with Marilyn about this payment option)
• Please ensure all payments are deposited to Marilyn Coffey/Instructor on the day of riding lesson or the first week of each month if multiple lessons are booked.
• Payment recommended is Check or Cash.
• No payment equals no lesson!
• A $50.00 late fee will be applied to any monthly payment paid later than 10th of the month.
• Please make checks payable to Marilyn Coffey or MC Equestrian
• If you wish to pay via Venmo you must have paid for and received 5 or more lessons (paying with check or cash) from MC Equestrian.
• Returned or rejected checks will be assigned a $50 office fee.

"Travel Services" Payments and Fees (prices may vary):

• Mileage Fee for instructor to travel for Lesson/Events: $1.00 per mile round trip.
• No mileage fee for those who take lessons at the 4Him Ranch location.
• Mileage fee will only be charged per visit, not per rider/lesson and can be split among individuals.
• MC Equestrian will not haul "MC Equestrian lesson horse(s)" to client for lessons.
• MC Equestrian will not haul "client owned horse" for any reason at this time.

 

Lesson Rates at 4Him Ranch on lesson horse:

Private lesson 30 minutes (one rider)

$55.00

 

Private horsemanship/ground work lesson 30 min. (one person)

$55.00

 

Private lesson one hour (one rider)

$75.00

 

Lesson Rates at 4Him Ranch on your own horse(s):

Private lesson 30 minutes (one rider)

$55.00

 

Private lesson one hour (one rider)

$75.00

 

Semi private lesson (two riders of similar riding skill)

$35.00   -------- (Each Rider pays $35.00)

 

Lesson Rates at any other location on client/your own horse(s):

Contact Marilyn for a quote. (MUST have your own horse to use in the lesson)

 

Showing/Event Criteria:

If Student is interested in showing, after a minimum of 25 lessons the student will be evaluated for the privilege of showing MC Equestrians lesson horse(s If wishing to show your own horse (client owned) a separate contract for "coaching for shows" is given to client after 25 lessons with MC Equestrian.

HORSEMANSHIP RULES:

1. Be aware when walking directly behind the horse. Keep a hand on horse.
2. Do not over tighten cinches, which leads to nipping.
3. Do not run, yell, scream, or jump suddenly at a horse. Sudden and fast movements may cause a horse to startle/react causing injury.
4. Do not jerk on the reins. Jerking may cause rearing or movements that may cause loss of balance.
5. Do not allow the horse to run or trot without permission from instructor or instructor's direction.
6. PLEASE pay attention. It's for your safety.
7. Keep all gates closed. If in doubt, close it!
8. Tie only to designated poles. Do not tie to rails, gates, fences etc.
9. Only go into horse pens with permission from instructor! We need to know where you are at all times.
10. No one under 18 may ride without an onsite designated instructor or adult.

 

ATTIRE RULES:

To participate in this program, it is required to come dressed for riding

(every session)

• Boots with a half inch heel are a must.
• Full length pants are required, no shorts.
• No spaghetti straps which create a safety hazard.
• Helmets are REQUIRED for ALL students. We highly recommend rider purchase his/her own Helmet we cannot guarantee we will have a helmet available for you to barrow.
• No helmet NO RIDE!
• Helmet must be ASTM-SEI (Safety Institute) approved for equestrian activities.
• Helmets must be within the 5 year expiration of mfg date.
• Long hair recommended to be tied back, with ties positioned low SO as not to interfere with helmet fit.

 

4Him Facility Rules:

(Relevant for when lessons are conducted at 4Him Ranch)

• 4Him ranch is gracious enough to host MC Equestrian Lessons/Training for your convenience.
• Only come on site by appointment/invite only.
• When you are on site do NOT go "wandering around" for any reason.
• Stay where the instructor has designated as "safe areas" for you to observe or wait.

 

If you break any of the rules above,

there is grounds for the instructor to end the lesson immediately.

If you break any of the rules above repeatedly

(after mutable warnings),

the instructor has grounds to stop offering services

to you/your family immediately and in the future.

ORIENTATION / EVALUATION

What is the Instructor looking for in me the possible student?

All new clients are required to book an "Orientation/Evaluation" before scheduling regular lessons. The purpose of the Orientation is for the potential student(s) to meet the instructor(s) and the lesson horse(s In addition, the Instructor will be evaluating (in person) the potential student ensuring that MC-Equestrian would be a good fit for the student. Participating in "Orientation" does NOT guarantee there is availability for you to book lessons. (Waiting lists are available).

 

List of things the Instructor would be assessing (but not limited to):

1. Able to follow basic instruction rules. (See forms for rules)
2. Dress code appropriate for when at the barn. (See forms or "What to Ware" above)
3. Helmet fit and the safety checks. (See forms or "What to Ware" above)
4. Check that all necessary forms signed and filled out appropriately.
5. Student meets the age requirements.
6. If student wishes to use their own equipment (i.e. saddle/reins) a safety check MUST be performed by instructors before use of any client equipment.
7. Student's cognitive function. (MC Equestrian is NOT able to accommodate those with special needs at this time Referrals available upon request.
8. If the Instructor deems it safe, and the student participates in an "Evaluation Ride" / "Sample Lesson" the student must be able to mount and dismount the horse independently.
9. "Mounting blocks" are used for when "Getting on" the horse. However, mounting blocks are NEVER used for when dismounting off the horse. (Rider must follow instructions directions and dismount safely to the ground Rider's level of fitness.
10. For mounted riding lessons the rider's weight limit is 20% of horse's weight (this is Industry Standard MC Equestrian's current strongest lesson horse can safely carry up to 200lbs. (See "Weight Limit" policy below).

 

Rider "Weight Limit" Policy:

• The safety and health of both the horses and riders is MC-Equestrians top priority! At this time, because MC-Equestrian is limited on the availability of lesson horse(s MC- Equestrian is in the position of having to set a (temporary) weight limit of 215 lbs.
• This weight limit is based off of "Industry Standard" (for the horse's safety and wellbeing) that a horse can carry appropriately 20% of their own body weight (including tack/equipment.
• For clients that wish to ride and are over this (temporary) weight limit a "waiting list" is available for if/when MC-Equestrian attains other lesson horse(s) that can accommodate.
• Also if a client is over the (temporary) limits "Ground lessons" (or non-mounted horsemanship lessons) CAN possibly be offered!

Cancellation Policy for individual lessons.

• If lessons are canceled by MC EQUESTRIAN due to weather, or any other reason, the lesson will be rescheduled.
• If lesson is canceled by client 24 hours (or more) in advance, there is no fee/charge.
• If client cancels with less than 24 hours notice (prior to lesson time), (including calling in sick), client will be charged full lesson fee and any travel fees (if traveling to any location except 4Him Ranch).
• If client fails to give ANY notice to cancel lesson, client will be charged a "no show" fee which is: Full lesson payment, instructor's travel fee and an additional $50 dollar fee (charged to the client).
• If client has more than two "no shows" within 30 days from each other, and is without reasonable excuse, client will be charged the "no show" fees plus an additional $55 dollars.

• In the event that the client/rider is deemed by Instructor to "...not be a safe to mount or handle any equine for any kind of lesson," the instructor, at her/his sole discretion, may stop/cancel the lesson until the time that the client/rider is deemed appropriate.

• In the event that this determination is made at the arrival of client/rider to the facility, the client will still be charged for that lesson fee and the instructor travel fee (if travel fee is applicable).

• In the event that the horse is deemed by Instructor to not be a safe mount for the rider's skill level and/or needs additional training/schooling, Instructor, at her/his sole discretion, may cancel the lesson until the time that the horse is deemed appropriate.

• Any requests by participant for training/schooling of the horse will be handled by separate agreement.

• In the event that this determination is made at 30 minutes or greater into the lesson, the full lesson fee will be required. A prorated fee will be required otherwise.

 

Closed Every Sunday (unless event)

Closed Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve/Day.

Other Holidays (on weekdays) will be considered a "riding day"

(unless given previous notice).

 

 Warning:

Under Oklahoma law, a livestock activity sponsor, participant or livestock professional acting in good faith and pursuant to the standards of the livestock industry shall not be liable for injuries to any person engaged in livestock activities when such injuries result from the inherent risks of livestock activities, pursuant to the Oklahoma Livestock Activities Liability Limitation Act, OK Stat. Title 76 50.3

Thank you for choosing MC Equestrian!

Phone: 918-899-8150 (text or call)

Email: marilyn.mcequestrian@gmail.com

Website: www.MC-Equestrian.com