FAQ's
Do you do group trail rides?
No we do not. We are not a dude ranch and do not do group rides. If you are looking for trail riding or specific riding lessons we would direct you to try a different ranch.
What should my child wear to the ranch?
We ask that the kids wear well fitting clothes. If they are too baggy they run the risk of getting caught on something and if they are too tight they are hard to get on and off the horse in. It is safest if your child wears shirts with sleeves and pants. If a child wears shorts they run the risk of getting pinched in the saddle. We require closed toed shoes, most tennis shoes work and we have boots the kids can borrow if they need some. We will require them to wear one of our helmets.
Who can come and be with the horses?
We are geared toward young people, but are open to taking anyone with needs that we can be of help to. We cannot put anyone under age seven on a horse, but we will have exciting things for younger kids to do.
Who pays for this?
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Everything you and your family will do at the ranch is free. We ask that the kids help out with chores in order to invest but there is no charge for time at the ranch because it would be cost prohibitive to many of our families.
How do I schedule my children for a lesson?
Call our office and we will schedule a time. We generally schedule kids to come to the ranch once a week.
Who needs a completed release form to be on ranch grounds?
Everyone! Because of the unpredictable nature of horses and ranch life, you and each person you bring is required to have our current release form on file or completed first thing on arrival. Release forms must be renewed at the start of every year and be signed by a legal guardian or parent. Without a completed release form you will not be able to participate in ranch activities.
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Do I need to stay on the property during my child’s session?
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Yes. Though parents are free to rest at the picnic tables, sit next to the fire on cold days or stay in their car in the parking lot, we require that parents stay on the property during their child’s session.
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Can I bring my children’s friends to the ranch to play and watch while my child rides?
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Your children’s friends are welcome to the ranch. However, you must bring a completed release form to our offices before the child will be allowed to be involved in ANY activities at the ranch. Remember that their legal guardian MUST be the one to complete the form. Please call our office if you have any questions about the release forms. We will be happy to assist you.
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While the visiting child is here, please be considerate of the children that are currently taking part in a horsemanship session by allowing the staff member's attention and guidance to be focused only on the child they are working with. As the adult bringing additional children, you are responsible for them during their visit.
If I live outside of your area, can my child come to ride as a one time appointment?
We would encourage you to come to the ranch for a visit. Since we are a mentoring program we will try to fit you into the schedule where we have space between our regular students.
What happens if something comes up and we cannot make it to a session?
We would appreciate a call. We really prefer a 24 hour notice so that we can notify the staff and volunteers involved in the lesson. We do understand that when you have kids things come up and sometimes you do not have a 24 hour window so just let us know as soon as possible and we will reschedule.
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Will my child always ride during his or her session?
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There may be times when your child will not ride during his or her session. According to the staff member's discretion or the child’s wishes, they may take part in any number of alternate activities during their session, including ranch chores, crafts, games, hiking, etc.
What should I expect a regular lesson to look like?
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Sky View Horse Ranch aims to offer mentorship, ranch- style activities, healthy friendships and horse involvement, free of charge to youth in our community. Our riding lessons are a conduit towards these goals. Although we aspire to help your child become a safe rider who understands and cares for horses, our main goal is not to produce “accomplished” riders. If this is your hope, we would recommend scheduling your child for riding lessons at a traditional stable.
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A typical lesson will/can involve learning to groom the horse, helping with chores, saddling, ground safety, learning to lead a horse safely, round pen safety, riding, playing games picking flowers and having fun.
