student policies

FLYING FREE EQUITHERAPY- CLIENT/GUARDIAN POLICIES

APPAREL:

1. Shoes with heels and hard soles to prevent the foot from sliding through the stirrup are required. Tennis shoes, sandals and slip-on shoes are not allowed. Open toed/back shoes (including flip flops, sandals, clogs or mule shoes…NO open backs/toes) are not allowed to be worn by anyone on the premises, no exceptions. Braces and prostheses may be worn with whatever shoes are required for them. If student rides with no stirrups, they may ride in shoes that have a closed toe and heel.

2. Long pants are required. (NEVER wear shorts or dresses/skirts. The saddle can bruise unprotected legs. Stretch pants, jeans or riding pants are recommended for comfort. Corduroy and wind pants are too slippery for safety. Shorts may be worn by students who ride without a saddle.

3. All riders must wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet. We can provide an approved helmet. It is preferred that a student purchase one if able. The center can give you a discounted price. Please, ask for details.

ATTENDANCE:

1. It is the attendance policy of Flying Free that three (3) unexcused and/or un-notified absences during the year can lead to loss of students riding slot and possible dismissal from the program.

2. Excused absences may be made up, but not guaranteed by special arrangement with our staff. Make-up lessons are scheduled on a space-available basis.

3. Three or more excused absences in a quarter can also lead to loss of time slot or dismissal from the program. Unless guardians arrange for make up times.

4. We must be notified 24 hours before the scheduled lesson time for the absence to be excused. The exception to this is for an emergency or sudden illness, which will also be considered an excused absence if we are notified as soon as possible after the onset of the illness or emergency. As soon as possible does not mean 5 minutes before lesson was to begin or after lesson time has begun.

5. If a student arrives late for their lesson, the student will only ride the remaining time available for their time slot.

6. If a student is 10 minutes late for a 30 minute session or 15 minutes late for a 45 minute session their horse will be put away and an alternative activity will be provided if student shows up before the end of their lesson time (unless notification of tardiness is given)

7. There are no make-ups for closure due to vacation, horse shows, unexcused absences and holidays.

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

1. In case of severe weather, mounted classes will be cancelled for a minimum of 24 hours following the end of severe rain/weather to allow the grounds to dry. Ground or alternative lessons will be given instead, if there is safe access to the barn.

2. Classes will be cancelled if the temperature in the barn/arena exceeds 98 degrees or drops below 45 degrees. Ground lessons or alternative lessons will be scheduled instead in an air-conditioned environment. We will call and notify you in advance. In case of high winds (30 mph or above) ground or alternative lessons will be given instead of mounted lessons.

3. If you are not sure if we will be open, please call before coming to the center to determine any changes in schedule. The phone number is (409) 925-1942

PROGRAM FEE POLICY

1. A quarter consists of 12 weeks, with one lesson per week.. Additional lessons other than regularly scheduled times may be arranged on a space-available basis for $25 per lesson.

2. Payment for additional lessons other than regularly scheduled lessons is due at the start of the lesson, prior to riding.

3. A Scholarship fund may be available for those in financial need. It is Flying Free’s policy to turn no one away due to finances.

4. Payment is still expected for missed lessons if make-ups are not possible. Payment is for tuition for that quarter, such as tuition for school.

5. There are no refunds.

Program fees pay for the care of our horses, as well as many other farm expenses. For this reason, they are expected to be paid on a timely basis, and throughout times of vacation or illness, including excused absences. Occasionally, weather will cause us to close the program for day, but program fees must still be paid. The program fee you pay covers less than 50% of the actual cost of the lessons. Therefore, you are asked to participate in and support our fund raising activities. Funds raised through these activities are used only to ensure that Flying Free Equitherapy will continue to operate.

PREMISES POLICIES

1. Absolutely no one is allowed in the barn, tack room, outside stable areas, storage areas or offices without escort by Flying Free personnel

2. Parents, guest, siblings and students may wait in the designated waiting areas, the gazebo, and parent waiting at anytime.

3. All Children must be attended/supervised by their parent/guardian at all times unless they are a student and with their instructor.

4. Students need to wait in a designated waiting area until their instructor or side-walker

5. Absolutely NO SMOKING at the center.

6. No pets allowed unless approved by the Executive Director.

7. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SLEEPING CHILD IN THE CAR, UNATTENDED.

8. No rock throwing. No digging. No running. No yelling. No entry into the barns. No climbing on the ramps or gates.

9. No one is allowed near a horse unless directly supervised by a volunteer or instructor.

10. Do not allow your children to run up to a horse or to feed them. Any horse can bite or kick, and some horses are on special diets.

11. We have a well-stocked medical kit. Please report any injuries to us so that we may attend to them. Even a scratch can become infected.

12. Do not come to the farm wearing open toed shoes, open backed shoes or sandals. NO ONE is allowed to come barefooted, not even babies.

13. NO CELL PHONES IN OR JUST OUTSIDE OF THE ARENA. They can be a huge distraction.

SESSION POLICIES

1. Do not talk to your child over the fence during the lesson. It is difficult for the instructor to maintain the attention of the student if the parent is also trying to instruct. You may ask questions at the close of your lesson time.

2. Do not lean on the fence or stand on the gates. This can cause damage to the arena and possibly injure you as the horse rides by.

3. Do not enter the arena during your child’s lesson unless it has been arranged by the instructor or the instructor calls you in, even if it is an emergency. You will be called into the arena in case of an emergency as soon as the arena is deemed safe.

4. If you have an idea for a game or activity, let your instructor know and it may be used during lessons.

5. Let your instructor know before the student mounts if there are any changes in your child’s condition, medications or attitude.

6. Let your instructor know of any specific goals that need addressing that were not covered during evaluation.

RIDER FORMS

Liability and Medical Release forms are required to be updated annually. The Physician’s statement must also be updated annually. If these forms are not updated by the deadline given, the student will not be allowed to ride until forms are received. Please inform us of any change in address, phone numbers, or medical condition, including changes in medications.

IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN HELPING AT FLYING FREE THROUGH BOARD DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING, VOLUNTEERING OR ANY OTHER IDEAS THAT WILL HELP US SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER, LET US KNOW.