High Valley Ranch Riding
Policies and Procedures
Part 1: Riding Lessons
A. Monday – Orientation : Horse Safety and Camp Rules and regulations. Pre-ride demonstration and evaluate the level of competence that each child has. Instruction on horse psychology, behavior, mounting and dismounting, start and stop, balance and body position, in the arena and round pen.
B. Instructional Program The following program is implemented with one assistant instructor and one aide per mounted child in the round pen.
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Day 1-Monday : Pre-ride demonstration and child evaluation
(See part 1 section A) basic balance and emergency dismount assisted by assistant instructor and aide.
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Day 2-Tuesday : Basic balance, half knee (utilized for equilibrium) and emergency dismount.
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Day 3- Wednesday : Basic balance, half knee, full knee
(enhances equilibrium) and emergency dismount.
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Day 4-Thursday : Basic balance, half knee, full knee, and
emergency dismount.
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Day 5- Friday : All of the above, as well as, the flag and around the world. Each done as the child develops their skills and when they feel confident enough to attempt them.
Beginning Western Pleasure Riding
1. Conducted in an oval arena, 275 feet long by 150 feet wide and surrounded by 5 feet high pipe panels consisting of 4 rails with 2 gates (one at each end of the arena). Seven to ten horses are used depending on the number of children.
2. Mounts are selected for calmness suited to beginning skills. Rider is assigned a proper mount based upon physical stature and emotional state (i.e. fear, excitement, endurance etc.) before rider enters the arena.
3. Equipment
a. Each horse is outfitted with an appropriate fitted western blanket and pad, saddle, and bridle with reins. When appropriate, adjustable reins are used.
b. Each rider is fitted with an approved safety-riding helmet before entering the arena.
4. Staffing
a. Four adult assistant instructors to eight aides of at least 16 years of age for up to ten horses and ten riders.
5. Instructional Program
a. Day 1-Monday : Pre-ride demonstration and child evaluation (See Part 1 Section A) and at the walk-instruction in proper reining techniques using natural aides (voice, body weight, hands, legs, proper foot placement in stirrups).
1. Right turn*
2. Left turn*
3. Stopping*
* All of the above are practiced while traversing the arena in clockwise andcounter clockwise directions.
b. Day 2-Tuesday: Repeat of day 1 with one minor course change. Additional minor obstacles are added to negotiate. Course: Ground poles, 8-inch diameter by 6 feet high, are placed parallel at 5 feet intervals.
c. Day 3- Wednesday: Repeat of days 1 and 2 with more additional obstacles to traverse.
Course: 55 gallon plastic barrels placed at 15 feet intervals, and 8 feet tall poles placed at 10 feet intervals.
d. Day 4-Thursday: Repeat of days 1,2 and 3 with more additional obstacles.
Course: 8 inch by 6 feet ground poles placed in a fan formation, and a Gymkhana pattern chosen for each groups' level of riding ability.
e. DAY 5- Friday: Demonstration of all accumulated skills taught in the previous sessions.
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