Welcome Packet

All clients are required to read, understand, and agree to the entirety of our Welcome Packet prior to participation.

Culture & Expectations

The Horses

These are horsemanship lessons, meaning that while our lessons often include riding, they will also include: horse care, body language, emotional regulation, self awareness, horse awareness, ground work, equine bodywork, human mobility & fitness, and so much more, that all circle around fostering a beautiful, connected relationship with ourselves and our horses.

We work to dismantle the ideas that:

  • Horses or humans (or really any being) “owe” us anything; 

  • Domination and force are the only ways to be safe with horses;

  • The horse is primarily responsible for a disharmonious relationship

And restore our humanity and our horsemanship with the ideas that:

  • An authentic, loving relationship is not based out of obligation;

  • A reciprocal, consensual approach is the best way to stay safe with horses;

  • We must be self-aware and accountable to ourselves in order to show up for our horse;

  • We must care about the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of ourselves, each other, horses, and all other beings

Our Community

Transformative Horsemanship values ever-increasing diversity, inclusivity, and equity based on autonomy and self-advocacy. We welcome BIPOC, LGBTQIA++, disabled, d/Deaf, and other marginalized folks, with as much capacity as we can.

As we grow our capacity and resources, we hope to offer more entry-points and support for collaboration and equity building.

Additionally, we acknowledge the privileges of whiteness, class, citizenship, able-bodied-ness that allow us to control access to our space on unceded land of the Anishnabe people.

We hope to continually:

  • Be in awareness of and accountable to our privileges

  • Uplift & inter-weave folks who experience systemic oppression

  • Find ways to share power and cede resources

  • Build solidarity, community, and power for the safety, bounty, and liberation of all (including horses!)

Guidelines for Engagement

We agree to these general guidelines when entering this program.

  1. Step Up, Step Back - Notice how much space you take up. If you find you are doing most of the talking, try to invite space for other voices. If you find you are mostly keeping quiet, use your voice!

  2. Respect & Accept - We all have different backgrounds, identities, processes, and ways of being. Come into group spaces with respect for those who are not like you. 

  3. Room to Process - We all process at different paces, especially depending on the subject at hand. Please notice when you need this and take the space you need to show up clear and positive in conflict.

  4. Be Curious, not Combative - When you come up against something or someone that really challenges you, we encourage you to lean into that challenge with curiosity 

  5. Speak to Your Own Experience - When we try to speak for others, they may feel deprived of their voice. When we speak for ourselves, we create the opportunity to feel empowered in our own experience.

  6. Practice (Radical) Self Care -  Listen to yourself and respect your own needs, without harming others. Being aware of your needs helps you communicate them!

  7. Treat Others as THEY wish to be treated - We respect how folks need to be treated. Within this agreement, we agree to use everyone’s name and pronouns (new to pronouns? click here!).

If you don’t know someone’s pronouns, just ask! If you are confused about what this all means and are curious for deeper explanation with a real human being, you can email hannah@transformativehorsemanship.com

Feedback

We hope to foster a caring culture of feedback and communication. We hope that you will approach us directly with any issues, concerns, or feedback you have.

Please let us know if you or someone you know are experiencing harm (micro or macro!). 

We reserve the right to remove anyone from our program who exhibits harmful behavior towards staff, horses, students, or any community member. 

Transformative Horsemanship aims to foster a safe(r), holistic, res(pec)tful experience for ourselves, our horses, and all who wish to connect with our community. 

We hope you will join us in a space we are deeply proud to hold and nurture together.

 Services and Cancellations Policies

  1. Definitions:

    1. Private Lesson: a lesson in which no one else can book your time. 

    2. Group Lesson: a lesson in which other students may book. If no one else books for your time, you are not charged extra for a private lesson. Group lessons max out at 4 students. Group Lessons are offered by age group and level.

    3. Youth Leadline Group: for students ages 8-12 who are totally new to riding. Groups max out at 6 students. If no one else books for your time, you are not charged extra for a private lesson. 

  2. Pricing

    1. Pricing is determined by Transformative Horsemanship, and will be listed in writing, on our website for public offerings or over email for private offerings.

  3. Lesson Payments

    1. Lessons are paid for upon scheduling

    2. Transformative Horsemanship is not responsible for holding your lesson spot if you have not made a payment for your lesson.

    3. Lessons that are not paid for prior to the lesson has commenced will be charged a $10 late fee per student per lesson.

  4. Lesson Packages

    1. Package lessons must be used within seven weeks. The lesson package expires after seven weeks. Un-used amount does not roll over.

    2. There are no refunds for lesson packages. 

  5. Cancellations made by the Client

    1. All cancellations are non-refundable. 

    2. Cancellations made more than 24 hours ahead of time: Client is given credit for a canceled session that expires two weeks from originally scheduled lesson. Clients must email a request within two weeks of the canceled session to receive credit. The date of your email request does not affect the aforementioned expiration date of the credit.

    3. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the lesson time: No credit offered, except under extenuating circumstances.

  6. Cancellations made by Transformative Horsemanship

    1. Transformative Horsemanship reserves the right to hire guest teachers for any lessons on the calendar or for substitution in the case of vacation, illness, or emergency

    2. All lessons will proceed as scheduled unless the client receives explicit written (email or text) communication that the lesson is canceled. Lessons will proceed in an indoor or covered space if there is inclement weather.

    3. If Transformative Horsemanship cancels lessons, Client is given credit for a canceled session that expires four weeks from originally scheduled lesson.

  7. What Counts for Consultations

    1. Consultations include, but are not limited to:

      1. Consulting regarding anything horse-related

      2. Pre-Purchase consultations

      3. Meetings concerning you, your horse, or your child’s lessons

      4. Being present for or handling your horse for:

        1. Tack fitting appointments

        2. Bodywork appointments

        3. Vet appointments

        4. Farrier appointments

        5. Dentist appointments

    2. Consultations must be scheduled via email at hannah@transformativehorsemanship.com

***Parent or Legal Guardian is responsible for all communication, scheduling, and payment.***

Barn Rules and Etiquette

We expect every student to be functioning within the best capacity of their knowledge, ability, and experience. 

FACILITY

  • Please park carefully, notice what is happening at the barn at the time and where other cars are parked.

  • The speed limit is 5  mph. Please observe careful driving and backing up. There are many small children and animals that you may not easily see when backing up.

  • Unleashed dogs are not allowed unless they are approved by the property owner. All other dogs must be leashed and supervised while on the property.

  • Any lost personal items  is not the responsibility of Transformative Horsemanship or its employees.

LESSONS

  • If you are late to your lesson, Transformative Horsemanship is under no obligation to go over your scheduled lesson time. 

  • After your lesson, you are expected to untack, groom, and put your horse away independently, if appropriate for age and level of student. You are expected to put away all tack and brushes where they belong. Please ask if you are not sure where to put your tack and gear.

  • Prior to your lesson, you are expected to arrive early to thoroughly prepare your horse without rushing, as is age and level appropriate. Your instructor will guide you through what is appropriate for you.


RIDING

  • All riders must wear an ASTM/SEI certified helmet while on horseback. No riding without adult supervision if you are under the age of 16 or have special approval.

  • All participants (guests included) must sign a waiver in order to be on the property. A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver.

  • Appropriate riding attire must be worn. This includes: 

    • Well-fitting ASTM/SEI certified helmet

    • Paddock boots or tall boots. Any boot with a 1-2” heel is acceptable (no boots with zippers on the inside/that can rub equipment or the horse)

    • Weather appropriate clothing

    • Riding pants, jodhpurs or breeches. Leggings are also acceptable. (NO jeans)

  • Please abide by the standard rules of etiquette. Always pass left-to-left shoulder or call out “inside” or “outside” loudly and clearly. People in a lesson have the right of way. Horses/ponies jumping have the right of way. Especially look out for beginner lesson students who may have less control. Following this rule prevents dangerous collisions and keeps our beginner riders safer.

  • When riding out of sight (i.e. in the fields or on trails), you must be sure that someone knows where you are and when you plan on returning to the barn. 

BEHAVIOR

  • There is no running or screaming anywhere on the property, except in an emergency

  • Do not handle someone else’s horse or belongings without explicit permission of the owner. If you borrow something, put it back where it belongs. If you are not sure if you are using school or private equipment, please ask.

  • Participants, or guardians if the participant is underage, are responsible for the full cost of any equipment that is destroyed, broken, stolen, or lost while in their possession or use.

  • Harmful behavior, either verbal or physical, towards any human or animal is absolutely not tolerated for any reason. We attempt to resolve conflict first, but we will ask anyone to leave who is not open or amenable to conflict resolution.

HORSE HANDLING

  • Clean up after you and your horse. This includes:

    • Putting all brushes and tack back where they belong. 

    • Clean up manure or urine from your horse. 

    • If your horse leaves manure in the arena, scoop it up and put it in the corner in the indoor ring or throw it outside the outdoor ring

  • Please be safe, responsible, and considerate. Horses are wonderful animals, but even the most quiet-minded horses can act unpredictably and even dangerously at times. We like our clients and horses and want everyone to stay happy, safe, and healthy! 

  • If you feel unsafe or unsure about how to handle a horse, please ask a more experienced horse person for assistance.

  • Always check in with your instructor before trying something new with a horse.

Lesson time can be used to clarify rules, for the safety and well being of all.