We’re so glad you’re a part of our farm family! When you commit to taking riding lessons with us, you agree to the following policies:

PAYMENT POLICY

• The riding season is from August to the end of May, broken into two semesters. Lesson fees have been prorated to include 4 holiday weeks and 2 potential missed days so payments will continue uninterrupted throughout the season.

• All riding students must enroll in our auto pay system through Square that automatically charges a card on file on a weekly basis. Students must be enrolled before their first lesson. 

• Payments that are unable to process or cancelled will be charged an extra $5/week until resolved or your rider is removed from the program (after two non-payments).  Please contact us immediately if you need to update your payment method. 

• One-off lessons must be paid for at the beginning of the lesson. 

• If you choose to discontinue lessons at the end of the first semester, your auto pay will be cancelled at the end of the year, before second semester begins.  If you choose to discontinue lessons before the end of a semester, you must notify us at least two weeks in advance and there will be an additional $50 cancellation fee. There are no refunds if you choose to discontinue lessons without a prior two week notification. 

Cancellations, Missed LessonS, & holiday Policy

• Missed lessons are not refunded or credited.

• Absences:  Two sick/other absences are built into the season lesson fees, but you MUST contact your instructor at least 12 hours before your lesson or it will be counted as a No Show.  

• Tardies:  If you are running late, please let your instructor know as soon as possible. We usually build a little wiggle room into our lessons, but if you are more than 15 minutes late, you may not be able to ride. 

• Substitutes: If your instructor is unavailable and doesn’t contact you to reschedule, we will do our best to have a substitute or have you join another class that meets at the same time so your lessons are not interrupted.  Lessons canceled by Hidden Hills will either be rescheduled by your instructor or credited to an upcoming payment.

• Make up lessons:  In general, we do NOT offer make up lessons unless your instructor has cancelled and there is no substitute available to cover for them. Your instructor will set up a make up time with you. 

• No Shows: Lessons missed without prior notification are considered a No Show and will not be allowed any make up opportunity. After two No Shows, you will be removed from the program.

• Holidays and school breaks:  We do not teach the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Memorial Day (the last week of the second semester), though you are welcome to check with your instructor about scheduling a one-off lesson during those weeks. We generally teach during other holidays and school breaks. REMINDER:  Lesson payments will continue through the holidays, as those weeks have been prorated into your weekly lesson fees.

Inclement Weather

• Rain/storms: We are thankful for our covered arena so that lessons can generally carry on in the rain. We often teach HorseSense (ground) lessons on rainy days. Since storms are usually short-lived, we usually just hunker down during the storm and then resume lessons.  Your instructor will contact you if we choose to cancel lessons due to severe weather. 

• If you choose to cancel your lesson due to inclement weather, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.  All normal cancellation policies apply. 

• Cold Weather: We teach lessons year-round. If you take lessons during the winter months, be prepared with appropriate winter riding wear! 

COMMUNICATION

• We use the Slack app for most of our communication needs, including direct messages to and from your instructor or general announcements. You can request a link to our Slack channel by texting 423-488-3993.  Once you have Slack, add yourself to the hhriding-lessons channel.  You can add yourself to other unlocked channels as well, if you wish. 

• You can also call or text (best) the main farm number, 423-488-3993, if you need something communicated.

Lesson Procedures & Expectations

• DROP OFF/PICK UP:

  • Parents are welcome to drop off riders for their lessons. However, we are not responsible for any riders prior to or after their lesson time.

  • Riders should check in with their instructor before handling any horses.

  • Parents, siblings, and other guests are welcome to watch lessons from outside the barn. Please do not interfere with instructors or gather in or around the barn or work area.

• LESSON STRUCTURE:

  • All riders 9 and older are taught and then expected to prepare their horses for riding and care for their horses and tack after riding. Expect hour-long lessons to last a bit longer for riders to help with a few barn/horse chores.

  • New riders can expect the majority, if not all, of their first few lessons to be primarily groundwork. Once basic horse handling skills and ground skills have been learned, the amount of time spent in the saddle depends largely on how quickly the rider can get their horse ready.

  • Ground lessons are an integral part of our horsemanship education, and should be expected throughout the year.

  • We encourage our students to participate in schooling shows and other events hosted at Hidden Hills and off site.  These are great ways to “show off” learned skills and discover riding strengths and weaknesses.  Ask your instructor about upcoming events and how to prepare for it.  All events will incur extra fees. 

Riding attire

• Long pants, closed toed shoes, and an ASTM certified riding helmet are required for all riders.

• We provide helmets for new riders, but riders must purchase their own helmets within a month of beginner lessons. Please write your name inside your helmet/gear!

• If a rider forgets their helmet, ours can be rented for $5/use.

• Riders must purchase proper riding boots (smooth sole with 1” heel and half chaps for English riders) before beginning to trot/jog. It’s nice if they’re able to purchase proper riding wear for their discipline. For examples of proper attire, check out the examples we put together here.

• During cold weather, please be sure your rider is dressed warmly with appropriate riding gloves, warm socks/shoes, coats/coveralls, and under layers so that they can ride effectively.

• Our Rider Apparel Exchange is a great place to exchange, buy, or donate your good, clean used riding clothes and shoes! All items, unless otherwise marked, are $10 or can be exchanged.

stay informed!

Join our Slack community by downloading the Slack app, then text us at 423-488-3993 for an invite link!

The Beginnings of a Horse Girl