BE AWARE OF THE  RISKS

Riding is fun, it helps keep you fit, and you can meet other like-minded people.

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It can be exhilarating and rewarding, and you can form a close bond with your horse or pony. It is surprising how much pleasure riders can get from doing well in one of the schools or on a hack, even when it is cold and pouring with rain. We know, because we see riders coming back, sometimes soaking wet, absolutely delighted with their ride. Even mucking out a stable or grooming a horse can give a lot of pleasure.

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However, horses and ponies, however well-trained, can be unpredictable at times. This is especially true in slightly different or unusal circumstances, such as when someone rides a horse for the first time, or when you start to jump or canter, or when you go out on a hack, or pass other animals, cars, or even plastic blowing in the wind.

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Whilst an animal may act perfectly normally in all of those circumstances, it is possible that, for some unknown reason, something may "spook" a horse or pony. That is, the animal may suddenly move or jump sideways, or even buck. In these circumstances, even an experienced rider may be unseated and fall off. By definition, falling off a horse can be painful, and may even cause injury.

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Similarly, a horse or pony can loose its footing or trip over a hazard such as a rabbit hole or loose ground. The faster it is moving, the easier it is to fall off.

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And, if you are feeling less confident for any reason, you may be less able to respond quickly to any problems.

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Once you are in the saddle, you are the only person who can control the animal. That is, no one else can steer or stop it. So, always listen to your Instructor. Always tell your Instructor if you feel nervous or unsure. Above all, never do anything about which you do not feel confident.

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When mounted and in a group, leave space between you and other horses or people to minimise the risk of kicking.

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When leaving our entrance drive and entering the public road, take extra care and look both ways when exiting, even if others have just left ahead of you, to minimise the risk of accidents. When it is dusk/dark, switch on low-level lights set in the brick wall, using the switch in the brick pier. They turn off automatically. Please carry a charged mobile phone when riding out.

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So, do enjoy your riding, but be aware that accidents can happen!

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Of course, injury can be avoided or reduced, even if an accident does happen, by wearing a properly-fitting hard hat, wearing body-protection, using riding boots (preferably proper boots or at least boots with smooth soles to avoid feet being caught in a stirrup), and having something reflective (ie hi-viz) in poor light or darkness.

Many riders have their own personal protective equipment (PPE). However, we have a the following that can be loaned by riders who have not got their own:

• riding hats in different sizes

•  body protectors in different sizes

• Hi Viz waist coats marked Court Equestrian.

These are all on the shelves and hangers in the office area. Only take them by agreement with an Instructor and retuirn them to the same place when you have finished yuor ride.

Let us know immediately if you see any damage or have knocked the hat

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Riders should never enter a stable without specific permission for that event from an Instructor, and any permission does not apply automatically to future events; liveries can exercise their own judgement but should not allow other riders to enter their stable alone and/or unauthorised. It is particularly important not to sit on a horse inside a stable.

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When riding school horses outside the yard, please always use a correctly-fitted saddle and bridle.

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There is a marked area from the stables at the top yard to the path to the indoor school where no push chairs or dogs (except guidance) are allowed and we prefer no parents/carers etc, except if it necessary for the rider, one adult is, of course, permitted. The reason is: this is a narrow area where multiple horses, riders, wheelbarrows and even tractors may be.

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Tempting though it is, please do not feed tit bits to horses, and always avoid horse's rear legs. Loud noise and sudden movement can startle horses.

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All visiting dogs should normally be left in the vehicle with open windows etc. If taken out of the vehicle for exercise, they must not enter the stables area, or any of the paths/drives if horses are around. If a rider sees a loose dog, please take particular care and if necessary dismount and walk the horse past.

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There is a rising barrier on the path in front of the car park: this must be kept down except when horses are passing. If you see it up and no horses are visible, please lower it by a firm single push on one of the two control buttons. With horses being mounted, dismounted, led in and out of stables, being hitched to a rail etc, it is possible that one can get loose, and the barrier is there to help prevent the animal from reaching the road. Remember, if a person/horse is in the way when the barrier is lowering, the magic eye will stop the operation and raise the barrier. You must then lower the barrier again when the obstruction has passed.

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Finally allergies. Stables, straw, hay and animals are all dusty, especially when animals are groomed. Even though some horse feed is called "nuts", we believe that refers to the compacted shape of the feed rather than to ingredients; here is a link to the ingredients of Horse & Pony Nuts from a typical supplier: http://www.heygatesfeeds.co.uk/horse-feed-ingredients/ . However,  it is possible that nuts may be around areas where riders eat snacks or lunches. 

 

​Children are expected to leave the school when their lesson is over. If they are allowed by special agreement to stay longer, click here