​
Parent Information
As we prep for our sessions there are a few things that we are going to ask of you to help our days and weeks run as smoothly as possible:
​
*If you ever need to cancel a lesson we need to know 24 hours in advance so that we can let our staff and volunteers know. If we have a waiting list we will give that slot to another child for the week! We understand that sometimes things come up that you do not have a 24 hour notice for (medical emergencies etc.) and we are willing to work with you in those instances.
​
*If you do not come without letting us know why you are not there for more than two times we will give your time slot to another more consistent family. Please be gracious by communicating.
*Please come on time. Your time slot is the time slot we have for you. If you come half hour late for a session it will only be a 1 hour session. Our schedule is full and we have to work in the time boundaries.
​
* Please be considerate of the sessions before and after your time. If you come really early do not expect to start your lesson right away because the staff are giving their full attention to the student they are working with. We do the same for your kids. If for some reason a lesson lasts a little longer please be considerate of that. Our staff work really hard to end on time, but on occasion we have had some unforeseen things that come up to make it longer. We will be done as close to time as possible and we would give the time to your kids as well.
Dress Code:
* Well fitting clothing. If clothes are too baggy they could potentially get tangled in a saddle or something. If they are too tight they make it really hard to ride in.
* Please no tank tops. You need to have sleeves because of tangle hazards as well.
* Closed toed shoes. If you do not have any we have boots you can wear, but you cannot be around the horses without closed toed shoes.
*Helmets, we ask that you wear our helmets. Our helmets are up to date and certified for horses. We will have helmet spray to spray them out with after each lesson.
*No excessive jewelry. It can get tangled in ropes and saddles.
​
* No shorts while riding. If it is a hot day feel free to come in shorts and change. Wearing shorts it is really easy for your legs to get pinched and we do not want riding to be painful.
​
*No electronics. Leave them with your parent. They are a safety hazard. Earbuds can get tangled, phones can ring and startle a horse etc. You may use a phone for pictures if you clear it with a staff person first.
To the Parents:
​
​*Please make sure your children are drinking lots of water before, after and during their lesson. It will be hot and it is a strenuous type of physical assertion. Make sure they have eaten something before they come as well.
​
*Feel free to take pictures! Our goal is for families to leave having had a great time together! Let them know you are proud of how they are doing.
​
*Feel free to take walks, read a good book or hang out. We want your time at Sky View to be restful and refreshing as well. If you want to take a walk feel free to ask a staff person or volunteer where the best walks are.
​
*Give the instructors space. Our staff are working to get to know your children and work with them. We love to talk to you and hear from you, but be gracious and respectful of your children's time. We will make sure to touch bases with you before you leave. This is their session and time to be with their mentor.
​
*We require that you stay during your child's lesson. Stay and watch!
​
* Please do not give your children riding instructions. Hearing how to do something from two different people is hard for children. Please let the instructor teach them. You simply encourage them!
​
* Just so you are aware if the weather is in the three digits we will probably not ride, but come and hang out anyway. We will play games, water fight or something fun! We are careful not to overheat the kids and the horses when it is really hot!
​
​
What to Bring:
​
*Water! Make sure your children are drinking double the water of any other drink they are drinking. Our staff average 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water a day!
​
*Snacks, your kids will probably end hungry!
​
*Treats for the horses if you want (carrots and apples).
​
​
What to Expect:
​
* We are a mentoring program. Our main goal is not to teach your kids how to show, jump, barrel race or any other horse sport. We want them to come, get their hands dirty, build confidence learning to ride and spend time with a mentor who can speak into their life.
​
* There may be days that we will not ride. Sometimes we see that the child we are working with would benefit more from just spending time working on something else and not riding.
​
*Your child will not be riding for 90 minutes. In that time we will groom the horses, do some chores, learn how to work with a horse on the ground, saddle and unsaddle and ride for a little bit. They will be at Sky View for 90 minutes, but they are going to learn the whole picture of what caring for a horse looks like.
​
​* Your child may not get the same horse every week. They will need to learn how to work with several different horses and 'their' horse may not be available that day and they will have to adjust.
​
* Plan on having a great time!
​
Questions:
Feel free to call us in the office at 503-829-9800.