Riding Academy

A Typical Lesson

A typical lesson at J-Squared is one hour long, including the time it takes to tack and untack the horse. Once a student is proficient at tacking on their own, they may show up early to tack up. We ask that younger students not be dropped off early and left unattended. Once the horse is tacked up, we take it into the arena. The lesson may include teaching the student to lounge a horse, lounging the horse that the student is riding to work on balance, riding on the rail, horsemanship/equitation patterns, trail patterns, jump courses, riding without stirrups, and bareback riding. We move as fast or slow as is appropriate for each student. Students will ride a variety of horses. Only if getting ready for a show will a student ride the same horse for an extended number of lessons.

Fees

Western and English Riding Lessons

We do not offer group lessons. Lessons are offered for students five years of age and older.

Training

Includes upkeep of the horse as well as 5 days of riding a week ranging from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of horse and goals for the horse. Lessons are not included in this fee, but are required.

Boarding

Boarding is available only for people enrolled in the lesson program. Monthly cost includes grain, hay, and water twice daily. There is no additional cost for adding supplements or medications to a horse's feed. We put a salt brick in every stall and keep a salt block in the turn-out. We hand walk horses in and out to paddock for group turn-out Monday-Friday for 6-7 hours. (Private turn-out is extra.) The paddock has a water trough and shade available to horses. Unless otherwise requested, we take care of scheduling, but not the cost of, farrier and vet appointments.

De-worming is done on the 1st Monday of every odd-numbered month for an additional cost of $15. The de-worming program is mandatory, no exceptions. The reason being that de-worming is most effective if all horses in the barn are de-wormed on the same day with the same de-wormer. Stalls are cleaned Monday-Saturday with the exception of holidays.

We also offer private lessons for boarders, on their own horses, for $30 (instead of $40 on a lesson horse). Lessons are usually scheduled on a weekly basis, however we are flexible if there is a need. The 24-hour cancellation policy applies to boarders' lessons as well as regular lessons.

Showing

Students will be notified of shows or may suggest shows. Availability to attend shows will be left to the discretion of the trainer. Show fees vary according to who hauls the horse to the show. Note: lesson horses must travel in the company trailer.

Payment

Lesson fees are due at the time of the lesson, or you can pay in advance. There is not a minimum amount of lessons that you must purchase, and you will not be charged for lessons not taken.

Scheduling & Cancellations

We recommend that lessons are taken on a weekly basis. If you schedule a weekly lesson, we will hold a time slot for you. However, you can schedule your lessons around your personal schedule, availability permitting. We do not guarantee availability. We do not schedule lessons before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.

We require 24-hour notice of cancellations, except in extreme cases such as injury or a death in the family.

Attire

• Lessons -- Students are required to wear helmets when mounted. Comfortable clothing including long pants and boots are recommended. Sandals are not permitted.
• Shows -- Appropriate attire depends on the show. Smaller shows may have more relaxed dress codes. To be sure, consult the instructor.
  • Western -- Western attire usually consists of a cowboy hat, shirt to match saddle pad and compliment the horse's color, pants to match shirt, belt with buckle, boots to match outfit, and chaps. In youth classes chaps are optional. Please note that trends change in the Western show ring, so it is usually better to go for a conservative, classic look.
  • English -- English attire usually consists of a riding helmet, rat catcher in a conservative color or pattern, hunt coat, breeches in buff or beige, gray, soft brown, or rust, and tall black boots. Yourh under the age of 12 may wear paddock boots which lace up just over the ankle. Many summer shows will allow a polo shirt instead of a rat catcher and hunt coat.

What about Trail Rides?

We do not offer trail rides to the public and do not have trails as a part of our facilities. Advanced and Intermediate students may schedule a trail ride lesson in addition to their regular riding lessons as their skill level permits. Julie will evaluate the skill level of a student based on their performance in the riding arena during regularly scheduled lessons.

What about Practice Time?

Advanced students can schedule practice time in the arena. Practice time does not include instruction in the arena or help tacking or untacking. For this reason, we do not offer practice time to very young students. Available time for practice is limited and left to the trainer's discretion. You must schedule a specific time on a weekly basis for no less than a month. Prices will vary according to the number of hours you schedule.