BEHAVIOUR AT COURT EQUESTRIAN

Riding and being around ponies & horses is nearly always fun, interesting stimulating, calming, giving a sense of achievement.

However, there can be times of stress. A rider may not achieve quite what they wanted. A horse may have spooked at a disturbed pigeon. Someone else may have made a sudden noise. The Instructor may be asked to do two things at once. A rider may turn up late and flustered. Someone may fall off.

These things are very rare, but they do happen especially as we run many lessons every week, with multiple lessons being run in different schools, alongside hacks and courses.

It is extremely important that everyone reacts to any of these types of events calmly.

Especially as you may not have the full facts or know the background or know the special circumstances of every individual person.

Everyone must act courteously to other riders, parents, carers, instructors etc, whatever  provocation you may feel at that moment.

It is very important with children. They can be particularly stressed when anything goes wrong, or when a favourite pony has to be used by someone else, or if they feel slighted by another child. We have seen many cases where an initial problem or misunderstanding disappears in the calm of the next day.

It is particularly important to use social media sensibly. Posts made in the what of the moment can have a long-lasting effect, especially as screen shots mean they cannot really be deleted.

Above all, if anyone has a complaint about lessons, activities or staff, it is essential that they be raised first with ourselves and as soon as possible after the event.

Therefore we ask that you do not post or repeat negative comments, complaints on social media.

Please take them up with a senior instructor or one of the partners, and they will be dealt with.

It goes without saying that we do not tolerate any abusive language or threats directed at our staff, volunteers, helpers, other riders, their parents, carers or support staff.

CHILDREN STAYING BEYOND LESSON TIMES

Riders should not usually stay at Court Equestrian when they are not having a lesson or something similar.

Parents/carers are expected to collect children at the end of their session.

However, with specific approval, some riders may be allowed to stay for an extra agreed length of time. But it must be agreed with a senior instructor and there are specific conditions. Please note that such children will not be supervised at all times.

Liveries can, of course, spend time grooming their pony/horses, cleaning tack and looking after them. However, once finished, the same rules apply.

Further information can be found here.

WORK EXPERIENCE

We have students on Work Experience at Court Equestrian, who come from local schools & colleges and from Veterinary Colleges around the country with whom we have a relationship.

This is normally for one or two weeks and can be at any time during the year.

It is usually arranged through the school/college, or, if arranged by the student, the school/college is then notified by the student.

We can supply insurance details and risk assessments that may be required by the school/college.

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The work is unpaid, and students have to find their own way here and bring their own lunch/snacks.

We have covered areas where students can sit/eat, and a small kitchen with fridge, microwave & kettle, hot & cold water.

We can supply schools/colleges with brief reports if required.

The work is outside, being around horses and stables. It can be dusty especially in hot weather.

Students will not be asked to do anything beyond their capability and experience. However, there will be some physical work which may involve mucking out stables, cleaning yards/tack, tidying up, helping get hay & feed ready for horses.  Never carry/lift anything beyond your capability and ask for help as needed eg small bales should have two people. If appropriate, work can involve handling horses/ponies or their tack, and watching lessons or perhaps supporting an instructor.

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Dates have to be agreed in advance so that we can control the number of students at any one time.

Students must wear sensible clothes: trousers, stout shoes/boots, no loose clothing, plus be dressed for the weather. Clothes will be grubby/dirty!

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Once on site, students should not leave the site before finish time without telling an Instructor.

 

Horses are lovely and gentle to be around. However, they can be unpredictable, and can be spooked by unusual activity, noise or movements. So students must follow instructions and must not race around, be noisy and, if carrying something pass horses slowly, giving a wide berth. Never push past an animal.

In particular, keep away from rear legs. 

We have a number of tractors and other equipment on site; students must be careful around them.

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We expect time here to be generally fun! Students nearly always enjoy their time here, and they learn a lot about horses and also working with other people, maybe a little out of their comfort zone, and they do contribute to the running of our yard!

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WEIGHT LIMIT

 We have a wide variety of horses suitable for most riders. However, at the moment, we have a weight limit for riders (weighed fully dressed and ready to ride) of 16 stone (100 kg) for experienced riders and 15 stone (95 kg) for novices/new riders.

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

We have not used AI to generate any text on this website. All descriptions have been written by our staff.

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