Lessons

Lesson Fees:

Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel a lesson, you must contact your instructor at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. Cancellations the day of the lesson cannot be accepted, and will be considered a no-show (the lesson is forfeited). Lessons cancelled with proper notice may be rescheduled. If Howard County schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be no lessons. If you are unsure if your lesson is on as scheduled, please call your instructor before going to the farm. Lessons that are NOT rescheduled within one week of cancellation will be forfeited.
If you are more than 20 minutes late for an hour lesson or 10 minutes late for a half hour lesson, you will forfeit that lesson.

________________________________________

Riding Attire:
• Helmets are available to borrow, but riders must purchase their own after the first month.
• Helmets must be on and buckled at all times while riding.
• Hard sole boots with a small heel should be worn every lesson.
• Riders should be in long pants (jeans, stretch pants, or breeches). Chaps should be worn with long pants or capris, not shorts.
• No dangling earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or loose fitting clothing: they are safety hazards.
• Hair should be neatly tied back or put up under the helmet.
________________________________________

Lesson Structure:
• Riders should be at the barn 20-30 minutes before their lesson to groom and tack up their horses. New riders will groom and tack up as part of their lesson time, and should arrive at the barn 10-15 minutes before their lesson starts.
• Riders are responsible for cooling their horses out and putting them away after the lesson. Horses should be groomed (or hosed off in the summer), tack put away, and aisle swept before you leave.
• Group lessons will consist of 2-4 riders of similar ability.
• Practice rides may be scheduled with your instructor. There will be NO jumping during these rides, and they may only be scheduled for times when an instructor will be there to supervise. You must be competent at walk/trot/canter in order to be allowed to schedule practice rides.
________________________________________

Horse Shows:
Marriottsville Ridge attends local horse shows frequently during the spring and summer. You must be riding in a weekly lesson in order to be considered to attend shows, and we recommend that you go to at least one show with us as a spectator before you begin competing yourself. Talk to your instructor if you are interested: they can give you details as to the time and financial commitments involved with horse shows.
________________________________________

Leasing:

The horses at Marriottsville Ridge are often available for half-lease. You must have been enrolled in the lesson program for a minimum of 3 months and be competent at walk/trot/canter in order to be considered for a lease.

Leasing makes the horse available to you on your lesson day and either one or two other days each week, as well as giving you priority for horse showing. Lessons are NOT included in the price of the lease, and you may not lease a horse instead of taking regular lessons. Costs vary depending on the horse.
 

To speak to someone directly about our lesson program, please call Shelly at (443)745-3739 or email MRF94@verizon.net

Release form can be printed directly here.