- R&M is a no smoking facility. Please refrain from smoking on the property.
- Please park cars on gravel in front of the barn. DO NOT drive on the grass at any time.
- Private Lessons Protocol– When private lessons are being taught, a parent or guardian must be on site during lesson time. The parent or guardian who accompanies the rider should plan to observe the lesson from an uninterruptible distance. During tacking and un-tacking, a parent is welcome to observe from barn doorway, but will not be permitted in the stable during this time.
- Electronic Communications – Electronic communications, whether through e-mail, social media or text will be conducted in a professional manner. If a teacher needs to communicate with a minor rider via electronic communications (including social media), they will copy the parent or guardian on the communication. If a minor rider communicates to the teacher privately, the teacher will respond and copy the parent or guardian. If our show team coaches need to communicate to the team, they will copy applicable adults on the communication. Minor riders may “friend” the R&M social media pages. A parent or legal guardian may request in writing that their minor rider not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by our organization. Additionally, R&M Stables will only generate communications between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., unless emergency circumstances exist, or while traveling and hauling horses to a location off site. R&M will monitor its social media pages and remove any posts that violate our policies and practices for appropriate behavior. R&M will inform the legal guardian of a minor athlete of any prohibited posts as well as the R&M administrators. Adults should not engage in private social media connections with minor riders over whom they do not have authority.
- Dog/Pet Policy: At R&M Stables, we have a high volume of students and campers who come and go at the ranch on a daily/weekly basis. In addition, our horses are also being transitioned between the stable and the arenas, and they are not used to other animals. Therefore, we DO NOT allow dogs or other pets to be on the property. The only exception are ADA compliant service dogs, which should be harnessed, leashed or tethered, pursuant to ADA, Titles II and III. Due to our busy environment at R&M, it is our policy that service animals must be on a MAXIMUM of 6’ leash. We love our own dogs, but for the safety of the horses and students/campers, they are required to stay home as well.
- Discipline – While we believe each minor rider is here to participate for their own enjoyment of riding, we do not anticipate any major disciplinary problems. Should an issue arise, the minor rider will be called aside and spoken with in the presence of one other applicable adult or wrangler who is present on site. If a second incident occurs with the same minor rider we will ask the parent/legal guardian to come in for a formal meeting with the rider, teacher, and parent. Any further disciplinary problems will warrant dismissal from the program.
- Zero tolerance: R&M Stables exists for the sole purpose and enjoyment of each rider who attends. We will not tolerate any type of harassment, hazing, bullying, or discrimination.
- In order to maintain a focused environment for our riders, we ask that parents keep all siblings or other visitors from interrupting lessons. This includes:
- Trying to correct your rider while they are in class. The student is riding the horse and sees/feels things differently from those who are looking on. All direction/communication will occur between the student and rider while they are involved in class.
- No running or jumping along or from the retaining wall in front of the covered arena/ fire pit area. This is for the safety of your child and also the rider. Sudden movement from directly outside the arena can cause a horse to spook.
- Do not approach horses that are tied to poles outside of the youth barn (behind round pen). This includes students who are arriving for class. Do not approach or touch any horse without permission of your instructor.
- No parents or siblings are permitted in student barn during times when riders are tacking or untacking. Horses are magnificent animals and we realize younger siblings may want to 'visit with or pet a horse' but this is unacceptable especially when students are working with their horse while tacking up. We offer great pony camps for younger siblings who would like to ride.
- Absolutely no ball sports allowed on the property. We realize parents are busy transporting children from one activity to another but the ranch is not a 'warm up' area for soccer, baseball, football or any other sports your children are involved in. This is for the safety of our riders and will be strictly enforced.