BLOOMFIELD OPEN HUNT
EQUESTRIAN HANDBOOK
405 EAST LONG LAKE ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | 48304
Revised February 2024
BLOOMFIELD OPEN HUNT EQUESTRIAN INFORMATION HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Equestrian programs and facilities of Bloomfield Open Hunt (BOH). We have prepared this informational booklet to assist you in enjoying the BOH equestrian amenities.
Stable Phone: (248) 723-9537
Table of Contents
Section
Pages
I.
Equestrian Life at BOH
2-8
• • •
Overview
Equestrian Staff and Trainers
Trainer Bios
II.
Horse Boarding Services and Fees
9-14
• • • • • • •
Boarding Terms
Stall Equipment and Setup Fixed Stall Overhead Fee
Stall Waiting List
Basic Services
Fees for Basic Services
Fees for Additional Services
III.
Equine Emergencies
15
IV.
Equestrian Rules and Etiquette
16-19
• • • •
Rules
Guest Policy
Stable Etiquette Riding Etiquette
V.
School Horse Program
20-22
• • •
School Horse Care and Use
Lessons and Fees
School Horse Usage Fees
• Equestrian Option for Social Members
VI.
Non-Member Equestrian Guest Policy
23
VII.
Pony Parties
24
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Overview
It’s a wonderful life for members and their horses here at BOH! Our 40 -acre park-like property nestled in the heart of Bloomfield Hills provides the ideal location for the busy equestrian. This very convenient location allows for more quality time in the saddle while eliminating the stress of a long commute. Our staff and trainers ensure that all riders, from beginners through advanced, enjoy the equestrian experience. Two indoor riding arenas measuring 183’ x 79’ and 190’ x 80’. o T he 183’ x 79’ arena is one of the oldest and most classic indoor arenas in the country and is attached to the BOH Clubhouse by a cozy indoor viewing area with a fireplace known as The Ring Room where members and guests can enjoy meals, cocktails or snacks. o This arena is heated, has an automated watering system, and was fully refurbished with new Performance Engineered footing in the spring of 2021. Our Amenities : • • Two outdoor riding arenas, measuring 31 0’ x 175’ and 255’ x 165’ . o In the Spring of 2021, the larger Main ring was completely redone with all new Performance Engineered footing. • Daily horse turnout in 17 grass pastures or 2 sand paddocks with automatic sprinkler system. • Wide perimeter grass and interior sand pathways for 2 or more horses to stroll casually together. Boarding for private member horses and BOH school horses. • Under one roof, a 60-stall barn with 12’x10’ stalls with rubber mats over asphalt . • 7 grooming stalls with horse vacuums. • 2 wash stalls with hot and cold water and heat lamps. • Spacious heated tack room with trunk storage and tack cleaning area with sink. • Office, laundry room, and rest room (all heated). • Shower facilities are located just across the parking lot. Our Stable Features •
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Equestrian Staff and Trainers
BOH is fortunate to have a highly capable and loyal management and grooming team as well as experienced, renowned professional trainers. They are very dedicated, knowledgeable, skillful, and enthusiastic in the care of our horses as well as excellent in the maintenance of the stables. Stable management is responsible for the care, feeding, turnout, and grooming of member and BOH school horses. Under their guidance, t hey routinely monitor the horses’ health and condition including temperatures, turnout, shoes, etc. in concert with, and at the direction of the trainers. It’s important to keep stable management and your trainer informed of any issues, concerns, or irregularities regarding your horse. The trainers at BOH are private contractors reviewed and approved by the Equestrian Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors. Their services rendered at BOH are billed to member Club accounts. Horse showing and other expenses incurred outside of the Club are billed directly by the trainers. Lesson times are booked directly with the trainers; please be considerate of the 24-hour cancellation policy and note that there are associated lesson and school horse (if applicable) fees when cancellations happen with less than 24 hours' notice. BOH trainers are all experienced in buying, selling, and leasing quality horses. The perfect match between horse and rider can bring many successful and pleasurable rides! Trainer and Assistant Trainer bios are provided on the following pages for members who may need to select a trainer. After reading the bios in this booklet, it is suggested that you meet with the trainers and take some lessons. After a few lessons, you may find a trainer style that you prefer . Lessons can be with your privately owned horse, or one of the Club’s school horses (please see Section V of this booklet on the School Horse Program). From time to time, BOH also hosts visiting trainers to give clinics and teach or demonstrate other disciplines. Except in cases of emergency, please do not phone or text trainers or stable management before 7 AM or after 7 PM.
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Trainer Bio ’ s
Maggie Ridenour Equestrian Director
Hunter/Jumper/Equitation USHJA Certified Trainer (248) 925-7727 mridenour@boh.club
As a junior, Maggie rode competitively in the equitation, jumper, and hunter rings across the country, competing at shows like Devon, Winter Equestrian Festival, and the Fall Indoor Circuit. She then went to college at the University of Michigan, graduating in 2018 with a dual degree. In college, Maggie worked at a sales barn developing young European imports for their future jumper and hunter careers within the US, and then she began working at a large, client-focused operation after college. It was here that she developed her love for teaching, finding immense satisfaction in watching her clients succeed, either by winning a long- desired for class or figuring out a new tactic in the saddle. Maggie has continued to develop her teaching style, focusing on a positive approach and consistent attention to the fundamentals. Her goal is to keep riding fun, safe, and rewarding from beginners to advanced riders. With her diverse background in the Equestrian World, she is qualified to take a rider from their first lesson to their first horse or pony and beyond.
Along with heading the Lesson Program, she also organizes the Equestrian Events, like the Saddle Club, that take place throughout the year.
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Trainer Bio’s (con t ’ d)
HEATHER IRVINE Hillside Farm (Owner) Hunter/Jumper/Equitation USHJA Certified Trainer and USEF “R” Rated Judge Phone: (248) 563-3376
Growing up in this area and graduating from Oakland University, Heather followed her passion for horses and was an accomplished junior hunter rider and had a highly successful show ring career herself prior to turning her focus on training of her students and their horses. Heather is in her third decade at BOH training members and their horses to the “A” circuit level of Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation. Heather’s students and their horses regularly compete at local, regional and national shows, which include the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan; the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida; and the Regional and National fall finals. Welcoming riders of all levels, Heather has trained many talented riders from the very beginning stages of riding, all the way through to championship levels. Heather’s young riders have won numerous state, zone, and national awards in the ponies, childre n’s , and junior hunter divisions. Her adults have done equally well boasting similar championships in the adult amateur and amateur owner divisions. Her students and their horses have regularly qualified and competed at Devon, Pony Finals, the Pennsylvania National, Washington International, and the National Horse Show…all prestigious shows at the national level. Heather has a true talent for pairing her riders with their horses and creating wonderful partnerships. Many of Heather’s riders have been with her for the long term, with some starting as children and continuing into adulthood and many of her amateurs have been with her through the decades. All of Heather’s riders benefit from her confidence-building style, which enables them to exceed their own expectations. Heather is a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Certified Trainer and a licensed United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) “R” rated judge. She serves on the USEF Licensed Officials Committee, and USEF National Hunter Committee, the USHJA Task Force Committee, and the USHJA Hunter Derby Task Force. BOH is fortunate to have a nationally recognized trainer such as Heather Irvine.
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Trainer Bio’s (con t ’ d)
TAMMY NIMBACH Hillside Farm
Hunter/Jumper/Equitation USHJA Certified Trainer Phone: (248) 202-0342
Tammy grew up in the area and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She enjoyed her junior years competing in hunters, jumpers, and equitation at the local, regional, and national level. Tammy’s association with Heather Irvine began when Tammy was her student. Tammy has been working for Heather Irvine’s Hillside Farm for over 30 years. She has a true passion for horses and especially enjoys the riding and training aspects to prepare them for their owner/riders. For many years Tammy competed on the Hillside client horses in the professional divisions at the shows. She assists in training horses and riders to compete at such highly competitive shows as The Winter Equestrian Festival horse shows in Wellington, Florida, the Devon horse show and the major indoor shows in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. Tammy and Heather teach and train in a similar and consistent style, both at home and at the horse shows. They also share the same high standards for excellence in horse care and see to it that each one is maintained in peak condition. Tammy enjoys teaching riders of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Tammy’s quiet, confidence-building style greatly benefits both horse and rider. Her patience and keen eye for detail coupled with her sense of humor make her Friday flat lessons an event that her young and adult students look forward to all week. Tammy is a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Certified Trainer.
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Trainer Bio’s (con t ’ d)
KELSEY EPPERSON Hillside Farm Hunter/Jumper/Equitation Phone: (248) 921-2483
Kelsey grew up in the area and has been riding for most of her life. She spent her junior years competing in the Junior Hunter and Equitation divisions, competing in both medal and Maclay finals. Her accomplishments included Zone Horse of the Year championships in the Junior Hunters, Grand Junior Hunter Championships, and equitation wins in the medal zone five classes. Kelsey attended Michigan State University and was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. While at Michigan State, she began riding with Heather as an amateur. She had continued success in the Amateur-Owner and Adult Amateur rings with championships and classic wins at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Kentucky National, and Horse Shows by the Bay. She graduated from Michigan State in 2014 and began her professional career with Heather and the Hillside team. Since turning professional, Kelsey has continued her showing career, adding shows such as Devon and the Fall Finals circuit to her resume. Whether at home or horse shows, she enjoys working with horses and riders of all levels; sharing her passion for riding with them, and seeing her students and horses succeed in furthering their skills.
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I. EQUESTRIAN LIFE AT BOH
Trainer Bio’s (con t ’ d)
KATY DASCH Hillside Farm Hunter/Jumper/Equitation Phone: (248) 882-0814
Katy grew up in the Bloomfield Hills area and is a 2011 graduate of Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio where she successfully competed on the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team. Katy first came to BOH in 2012 as a groom and supervisor in the Stable. She then joined Hillside Farm in 2013 to assist with lessons and to exercise member horses. Katy has a rich equestrian background focusing on animal care and the fundamentals of horseback riding, which allows her to bring a unique perspective to her teaching and to provide a strong foundation on riding skills to members of all ages. Katy’s lesso ns are a great combination of learning experiences with some fun and a love for the animals. At BOH, Katy’s special focus is the School Horse Program, and her nurturing style is perfect for both the riders and the horses. Katy is especially proud of the riders she’s started on school horses that have moved on to their own ponies and horses. When Heather and Tammy are traveling to horse shows, Katy is available at BOH to maintain a full lesson schedule and exercise horses, enabling Hillside to fully satisfy member needs.
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I. HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Boarding Terms
All fees are determined by the BOH Board of Directors and may be amended at any time.
Members may choose to board their horse(s) on an annual, monthly, or daily basis. Boarding fees vary with the term (annual, monthly, or daily) and level of board chosen (full or rough).
A member must have a Stockholding or Equestrian membership to board a horse at BOH.
ANNUAL BOARD requires the payment of continuous Board or Fixed Stall Overhead fees for a minimum of twelve (12) months, except in the event of a horse’s death, or the sale or lease of the horse.
Members may retroactively pay fixed stall overhead fees to qualify for the annual rate.
MONTHLY BOARD may be chosen for members wishing to board a horse temporarily for one (1) month or longer. DAILY BOARD may be chosen for members wishing to board a horse temporarily for less than one (1) month. For a 10% up-charge to th e published member rates (“NON - MEMBER RATE”), employees of BOH, Independent contractor trainers, and their employees (“Trainers”) may board their personal horses on a monthly or daily basis provided there are stalls available and their Club account is kept current. They will also be responsible for assessments imposed only upon members with a horse in the barn. Employees, Trainers, and their employees granted boarding privileges at BOH and elect the annual rate will be required to pay the fixed stall overhead fee required, the same as it is for BOH members. Trainers may also board NON-MEMBER HORSES at BOH at the Non-Member rate (daily or monthly as applicable) for a period of time, not to exceed 3 months, provided a stall is available. Trainers must obtain approval from the BOH Board of Directors before boarding of a non-member horse. The costs associated with this horse will be billed under the trainer’s account.
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II.
HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Stall Equipment and Setup
All stalls are equipped with floor mats, fans, feeding buckets, two water buckets, and salt block holders. Initial costs for this equipment total over $300. To enable ongoing replenishment of this equipment, each assigned stall is assessed a one-time stall equipment fee when a stall is occupied for the first time by a member or trainer. Stalls are initially bedded with 8-10 bags of shavings, the cost of which, along with labor, is billed to the member when the horse first occupies the stall and each time the horse returns after an absence of over a month unless the horse is boarded on an annual basis.
Fixed Stall Overhead Fee
Members choosing to take advantage of the Annual Board rate must pay the annual board rate or a fixed stall overhead fee for 12 consecutive months. While direct costs of keeping a horse at BOH are not incurred for horses when they are not in the barn, there are many fixed costs (e.g., management and full-time staff pay and benefits, security, stable upkeep, etc.) that continue on an ongoing basis. These fixed operating costs enable BOH to maintain a top-quality, year-round Equestrian program for its members, and fixed stall overhead fees help ensure the program’s viability and quality upon the horses’ return. Stalls may be held on a monthly basis by paying the Fixed Stall Overhead Fee when the horse is gone for more than thirty (30) consecutive days. Holding a stall guarantees that there will be space available whenever your horse returns to the barn after an extended absence. Holding a stall also holds your horse’s turnout time and paddock, and requires payment of any applicable assessments. When a horse leaves the barn and the stall is placed on hold, no grain, hay or shavings may be taken out of the barn unless separately paid for. This “separate payment” may be billed “all at once” in the case of the material being removed all at once for all horses on fixed stall overhead fee (e.g., horses leaving for Florida), or it may be billed as a “surcharge” to the regular fixed stall overhead fee in the case of the material being removed periodically for horses on fixed stall overhead fee as well as for horses not on fixed stall overhead fee (e.g., Traverse City). The amounts to be billed will be based on the cost of the material plus a 10% administrative fee.
Stall Waiting List
Placement on the waiting list for a stall requires a deposit, equal to one month’s fixed stall overhead fee, which will be credited when the stall is assigned to you or when you cancel your waiting list placement request.
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II.
HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Basic Services
Members may choose to board their horse(s) under a FULL or ROUGH board agreement. Basic services provided with either level of board include: • Feeding and watering multiple times per day • Daily turnout, weather permitting, with boots as necessary • Daily hoof picking • Daily stall cleaning • Blanket changes Under a FULL board agreement, the horse will also be groomed six (6) days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
These services are described in more detail below:
GRAIN is fed twice per day, once in the early morning before turnout and once in the late afternoon after all the horses are in for the night. Horses are fed an amount of grain to maintain a healthy weight, which amount is determined by the trainer and/or owner. HAY is fed four times per day: in the early morning, between 11:00 AM and noon, about 4:00 PM, and between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM. On average, horses are fed about half a bale of hay per day, but specific amounts vary depending on bale size and needs of the individual horses. Each stall is equipped with two (2) water buckets which are filled periodically throughout the day to ensure the horses always have enough fresh water to drink. Water buckets are cleaned daily. Horses are escorted from their stalls to a paddock once per day for a period of two (2) to four (4) hours (weather permitting), seven (7) days per week. Horses are escorted back to their stalls and their hooves are picked at the end of their turnout. In addition to weather constraints, turnout time varies based on paddock availability relative to the number of horses in the barn, grass intake limitations, and specific owner/trainer-imposed limitations for individual horses. Turnout is to be handled by stable management and staff; no turnout is to be done by members without the approval of stable management. Horses restricted from turnout and not confined to their stalls are hand- walked once per day in place of turnout. Additional hand-walking is billed to members. Horses returning early from shows must be scheduled with stable management at least 24 hours in advance for them to be included in the turnout schedule for their return day.
FEEDING:
WATER:
TURN-OUT:
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II.
HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Basic Services (cont’d)
Blankets, sheets, and turnout rugs are put on and removed from the horses as appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. Stalls are bedded with pine shavings up to the top of the first board on the sides of the stalls. Manure and soiled or wet bedding are removed and replaced with added shavings once per day, seven days per week. Horses under a FULL board agreement are curried, vacuumed, and bushed daily, Monday through Saturday (except on Thanksgiving and Christmas), and occasionally bathed.
BLANKETS:
MUCKING:
GROOMING:
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II.
HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Fees for Basic Services
Fees for basic services are billed to member accounts in advance at the beginning of the month and adjusted at the beginning of the following month as necessary to reflect actual basic services received. Fees for basic services are as follows:
As of December 1, 2024
Boarding Term
Full
Rough
Annual
$1,685.00/month
$1,560.00/month
Annual XL Stalls
$2,195.00/month
$2,070.00/month
Monthly
$2,335.00
$2,335.00
Fixed Overhead Fee
$575/month
$575/month
**Daily Rates are prorated based on your boarding term
Fees for Additional Services
Many horses require various supplements and medications. Routine supplements and medications are ordered and administered by stable management and/or trainers and billed to members. BOH also provides numerous services for extra cost in addition to the cost of FULL or ROUGH board. The most popular of these services and associated costs are detailed on the following page. Tack cleaning is also available, and requests should be made to stable management; fees vary based on specific services requested. Additional services are billed to member accounts at the end of the month in which they are provided. Members are expected to provide items of a personal nature for their horses such as tack and clothing. If requested, stable management can order these items for members, and the cost plus 10% will be billed to the member’s account.
Additional services available and the corresponding fees are listed on the following page.
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II.
HORSE BOARDING SERVICES AND FEES
Category
Additional Services
Fee
Requests
Extra Shavings
$6.00 per bag $1.25 per flake
Extra Hay
Special Hay Feeding
TBD
Medical
Soaking feet (salts, wrap) Hosing legs (water, ice) Treating thrush (meds) Leg wrapping (with roll) Leg wrapping (with roll) Rough board groom Rough board bath / dry
$10.00 per 20 min. $10.00 per 20 min. $6.00 per horse $5.00 per horse
$1.50 per leg
Grooming
$5.00 per groom $8.00 per bath $10.00 per cleaning $20.00 per pull $3.00 per shave $10.00 per lunge $5.00 per 15 min. $5.00 per tack up $10.00 per tack up $120.00 per month $250.00 per month $10.00 per time $200.00 per month
Sheath cleaning Mane pulling
Shave
Horse Prep
Lunging
Hand walk (>20 min/day) Tack up - full board Tack up - rough board Monthly tack up - full Monthly tack up - rough
Cool down
Monthly cool down
Laundry
Saddle pad - wash Saddle pad - dry
$3.00 per pad $1.00 per pad
Leg wraps (2) - rolled Leg wraps (4) - rolled
$5.00 per 2 wraps $7.00 per 4 wraps $1.00 per quilt $12.00 per sheet $3.00 per girth $3.00 per 2 boots $4.00 per 4 boots $2.00 per mask
Leg quilts
Sheets/scrims Girths/covers
Boots (2) Boots (4) Fly mask
Outside Blanket Cleaning
$4.00 per cleaning plus cleaning fee
Clipping is also available; please contact stable management or trainers directly for requests and fees.
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III. EQUINE EMERGENCIES
An equine emergency is defined as anything seriously deviating from normal, such as colic, body temperature above 100 degrees, wounds, or lameness. In the event of such emergency, the following procedure is followed: Step 1. Stable management refers to emergency contact information located in the Stable Office. Emergency numbers are listed for: • Owner • Trainer • Veterinarian • Blacksmith Step 2. Stable management calls the owner and trainer to inform them of the nature of the emergency and to receive permission to call the vet. If the owner cannot be contacted immediately, stable management leaves a message on the owner’s voice mail at all known numbers. Step 3. If the owner or trainer cannot be contacted and the emergency is life-threatening, stable management calls the first choice of vets listed on the horse’s emergency card. If this vet cannot be reached, the owner’s second choice or one of the stable’s vets at large is called.
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IV. EQUESTRIAN RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Rules have been established to ensure the safety of BOH riders, horses, employees, and visitors. The enforcement of these rules should not be solely the responsibility of stable management and staff; rather, the wholehearted cooperation of the entire membership is requested and expected. Any issues should be brought to the attention of the Stable Manager and the Club General Manager. Complaints are not to be made to individual employees of the Club, such as grooms, or trainers.
Rules
1. All members and guests are required to sign a waiver of liability before riding any horse; such waiver shall be kept on file in the Stable Office. 2. All members are required to sign the most recent revision of the BOH Boarding Agreement for each horse stabled at BOH. 3. All horses new to the BOH Stable must have a current (less than 1 year) Coggins, vaccine, and de-worming history. Owners must provide such to the Stable Manager.
4. No smoking is allowed in the stable or the indoor arenas.
5. Members may not supply equipment or devices of any type (heaters, jumps, etc.) without the expressed permission of the Stable Manager. 6. No electronics shall be used at any time while mounted on a horse, except in emergency situations. Distracted riding can lead to serious injury should the horse trip, spook, or bolt when the rider is unprepared to react quickly. 7. No person shall be permitted to give any type of instruction in the equestrian arts at BOH other than those specifically approved by the Board of Directors. A non-approved trainer cannot come to BOH as a guest to give lessons or train horses. 8. Neat and functional attire is expected at all times. The use of boots or hard-soled shoes with a heel is required when riding. Gym or tennis shoes are dangerous and specifically prohibited. Sandals and flip-flops are also dangerous and should not be worn in the stable area at any time. 9. There is no running or disruptive or loud conduct permitted in the stable aisles or in the Ring Room. Events held in the Ring Room may be restricted in terms of activities and decorations so as not to disturb horses and riders in the adjacent indoor arena. Persons hosting events in the Ring Room must acknowledge these restrictions and agree to abide by BOH policies regarding such.
10.
Jumping: a. Jumping is allowed whenever it does not interfere with the majority of riders in the ring at the time. Whenever a lesson is in process, permission from the trainer shall first be obtained. b. Juniors may only jump horses in the presence of an approved trainer.
11. All riders are required to wear USEF-approved protective headgear when mounted.
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IV. EQUESTRIAN RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Rules (cont’d)
12. Consideration and ring space priority are to be given to riders taking a lesson or otherwise under instruction by an approved trainer. Trainers have the authority and responsibility to direct all activity in all riding arenas. 13. Children age 10 and under are not allowed in the barn without an adult unless under the supervision of a trainer. Children 15 years and under must ride in the old indoor arena if they are riding on their own after normal staff hours and must advise Barn Security that they are riding. An adult must be present for them to ride outside or in the new indoor arena. 14. Driving motor vehicles behind the barns and on the gravel roads of the Equestrian grounds is not allowed unless approved by stable management.
15.
Lunging: a. No more than two horses shall be lunged in the indoor arenas at any time. b. Whenever a lesson or class is in process, no lunging shall be permitted unless the trainer shall have first given permission.
16. If members, trainers, or employees choose to bring their dogs to the property, they are responsible for any and all damage or injury caused by their dogs. They are also responsible to pick up and properly dispose of their dog’s solid waste.
17.
Guests of a member or trainer: a. Are required to sign a waiver of liability and check in and confirm the waiver each day they ride. b. Will not be permitted to participate in equestrian activities unless the member or trainer is present unless the guest is a family member. c. Are subject to a guest fee for the day to be billed to the member or trainer hosting the guest. d. May not ride or use the equestrian facilities more than twice per month. e. Must pay a school horse usage fee when renting a school horse to ride in addition to the guest fee charged. Please refer to Section VI of this booklet for policies and procedures in effect for equestrian guests and other non-member riders.
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IV. EQUESTRIAN RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Stable Etiquette
1. Members are expected to clean up and remove their horse ’s “droppings” from any riding arena as soon as possible to preserve the footing. Members should also take precautions to minimize horses urinating in the arenas. 2. Grooming stalls are for grooming your horse and wash stalls are for bathing your horse. Please be considerate and use these stalls accordingly, and please clean up any debris or manure left behind in these areas. 3. Blankets, sheets, turn-outs, and boots should be hung neatly on your horse ’ s stall door or on grooming stall hooks provided for such purposes while grooming, tacking, or riding your horse. They should not be left in the grooming stall once you have put your horse away. 4. No feeding of any private horse (carrots included) is allowed unless the owner has given permission. School horses must have permission from stable management to be given treats. 5. Under no circumstances shall a non- owner enter a private horse’s stall without permission of the owner or trainer. 6. Petting of horses is risky business. Parents, please watch your children. Members, please watch your guests. 7. Stable hours should be observed. Members should complete riding in time to have their horses in their stalls by 10 PM. When lights are out, the Stable is closed, except in cases of emergency. 8. Members may decorate their horse's stall doors for various holidays beginning two weeks before the holiday. Decorations should be removed and put away no later than one week after the holiday. Decorating a school horse’s stall requires approval from stable management. Decorations in riding arenas are allowed only with trainer approval.
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IV. EQUESTRIAN RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Riding Etiquette
1. Courtesy and common sense are expected by all members and riders using or visiting BOH facilities. 2. Before entering the arenas, check for oncoming horses. Close the gate on entry and move towards the center of the ring as soon as possible. 3. Stay to the inside while walking, thus allowing those who are moving at a faster gait access to the rail. However, if someone is “working” at the walk on the rail, graciously pass the rider to the inside. 4. Riding in the indoor arenas can be very crowded at times. Riders are encouraged to travel in a single direction around the indoor arenas. To change direction, please advise others so all can change to the new direction. When traveling in opposite directions, horses should pass left to left. The horse on the left track has the right-of-way. 5. Precedence in the ring will at all times be given to scheduled lessons. Those exercising their horses are expected to surrender the rail and routes along a jumping course without being specifically requested to do so. 6. Those taking lessons have priority for trainer attention. Please try not to interrupt trainers when they are giving a lesson.
7. Upon leaving the arena, immediately close the gate behind you.
8. Members should use their own equipment only.
9. There is a ride time board outside the Stable Office. If you plan to ride at a certain time, be sure to post the time on the board (see manager for instructions) so your horse will be in his stall and groomed (if on full board). 10. If you plan to ride during the feeding hour, make certain to have stable management prepare a bucket so you can feed your horse when finished riding.
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V.
SCHOOL HORSE PROGRAM
We are fortunate to have several wonderful school horses at BOH. These horses and ponies are available for use by members and their guests. Each one of these horses has the skill and temperament to help teach the beginner to intermediate rider. All of the horses in our School Horse Program are prized possessions of the BOH stables, and many of us have enjoyed riding them at different times. They have been great teachers to young and mature riders through the years, and we feel blessed to have them. These horses also proudly participate every Monday evening throughout the spring and summer in the PROUD EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM, a therapeutic riding program, held here at BOH. The School Horse Program at BOH is available to all members except Social Members who do not have the Equestrian Option, Clubhouse Members, Provisional Members, or Honorary Members. Information about the Equestrian Option for Social Members is located at the end of this Section V.
School Horse Care and Use
BOH stable management is responsible for the care and management of our school horses. Stable management consults with trainers to coordinate proper oversight of the school horses. This ensures the best outcomes for the horse and rider experience. Trainers using the school horses are responsible before and after lessons to ensure that the care and use of the school horses are in line with the policies and procedures detailed in this Section and in accordance with direction from stable management. Each school horse has workload limitations which are determined and managed by BOH stable management and trainers. Anyone using a school horse is expected to follow them without exception. These limitations include how often each horse can be used as well as how high they are allowed to jump. No school horse is permitted to jump higher than 2’6” or oxers. School horses are only allowed to be out of their stalls for 45 minutes at a time and must have at least 15 minutes in their stall between lessons. Stable management, in concert with the Equestrian Committee, establishes and from time to time revises the policies, procedures, guidelines, and limitations for the School Horse Program. Other limitations on the use of school horses include: • They are not allowed to go to horse shows away from BOH. • They may only be ridden at the walk outside of a BOH riding arena with the approval of a BOH trainer. • They may only be jumped in the presence of a BOH trainer. • They may not be asked to perform higher than training-level dressage work. • They may be ridden only by people of suitable height and weight.
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V.
SCHOOL HORSE PROGRAM
Lessons and Fees
Lessons on school horses should be scheduled through your trainer. Lessons last ½ hour or less as determined by the trainer. Lesson cost is comprised of two parts: 1) a trainer fee set by individual trainers and 2) a school horse usage fee set by BOH. School horse fees are used to help pay for the care and maintenance of the school horses and their equipment. Riders should plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to scheduled lesson times. This allows time for you to get equipment in order and brush and tack up your horse with or without trainer assistance. After the lesson, you should plan another 20-30 minutes to cool out your horse, clean your tack and put your equipment away.
Lessons should be canceled by notifying your trainer at least 24 hours in advance.
Please note that failure to provide a 24-hour cancellation notice may result in the member being charged the school horse fee as well as the trainer fee. ALL NON-LESSON activities with school horses must be pre-approved by stable management and the rider’s trainer. Such activities include riding, grazing, grooming,
bathing, mane pulling, etc. School Horse Usage Fees
School horse usage fees are as follows: • With a lesson:
$50/ride $55/ride
•
Without a lesson:
• Lead line ride (20 minutes, children 6 & under only): $25/ride
Trainers coordinate the usage of school horses for scheduled lessons among themselves and with stable management. Please refer to Lessons above. Using a school horse without a lesson is only allowed by members with horse- boarding privileges and only if the horse’s schedule has availability after all lesson usage is fulfilled; such usage must be coordinated directly with trainers and stable management. Upon arrival, please check in with stable management and sign a chit for billing purposes. PLEASE NOTE THAT EQUESTRIAN OPTION MEMBERS MAY NOT USE A SCHOOL HORSE WITHOUT A LESSON. School horses may be used for Barn Shows on BOH property with the approval of BOH trainers and stable management. Barn Show usage fees are set by BOH and stipulated on the show entry form. Please inform your trainer of your desire to participate in a Barn Show in a timely manner to enable coordination of school horse usage so as not to jeopardize their well-being. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE MAY A SCHOOL HORSE BE USED FREE OF CHARGE UNLESS APPROVED BY THE EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE.
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V.
SCHOOL HORSE PROGRAM
Equestrian Option for Social Members
While Social Members do not have horse-boarding or independent riding privileges at BOH, they may participate in the School Horse Program to experience riding by adding the Equestrian Option to their membership. The process begins by completing a BOH Equestrian Option Form and submitting it to the BOH Administration Office. This Option is structured as follows: • After an initial trial period of six months or two three-month periods (which need not be consecutive), this option is available on an annual basis only. After the trial period(s), this Option is automatically renewed for an additional year unless discontinued by the member by notifying the BOH Administration Office in writing at which point costs assessed will be prorated per the notification date. • The cost of this Option can be paid on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and is $550, or $1,000 respectively. • Riding under this option is permitted up to 3 times per week, per family member on BOH school horses ONLY IN A SCHEDULED LESSON WITH A BOH TRAINER , depending upon school horse well-being and availability, arena time, and trainer schedules. • This option does not allow riding a horse other than a BOH school horse. If no suitable school horse is available, trainers may substitute a privately owned horse with the owners’ permission. In these cases, the school horse usage fee will still be charged. • For members who plan to be out of town for part of a month (or possibly longer), make- up rides are permitted provided there is ring-time and school horse availability, and prior notice is given to stable management and trainers to coordinate the make-up rides.
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VI. NON-MEMBER EQUESTRIAN GUEST POLICY AND PROCEDURES
A non-member may not ride any horse, including horses for sale or lease, within the BOH facility unaccompanied by a BOH member or trainer. Non-members, including prospective members, riding at BOH must be a guest of either a BOH member or a BOH trainer. Procedures to be followed for each day a guest rides are as follows:
• The BOH member/trainer shall meet the BOH guest at the Stable Office.
• The BOH guest shall fill out and sign an Agreement and Liability Release. If no such release has been signed in the past OR such release is not on file in the Stable Office within the current calendar year. • The BOH guest shall sign and date the back of the Agreement and Liability Release each day they ride, and stable management shall initial the entry. • The BOH member/trainer shall also sign the back of the Agreement and Liability Release and fill in the name of the horse to be ridden. In the event the horse is a sale horse, the owner of the horse must have authorized the trial of the horse by filling out and signing a Horse Trial Authorization form available in the Stable Office. Signed forms will be maintained by the Stable Office so long as the horse is at BOH. • Stable management shall ensure that the guest/prospective member has not used BOH Equestrian facilities to ride more than two days in the same month. • A guest fee of $15.00 must be paid for each day a non-member rides at BOH; the Stable Office shall chit this fee to the BOH member/trainer.
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VII.
PONY PARTIES
BOH hosts pony parties for members and non-members having an event at BOH. Pony parties should be arranged through the Club ’s Food and Beverage Director at (248) 644-9411 who will coordinate the use of the pony with stable management. Fees are as follows: • Members: $200 per pony per hour • Non-Members: $350 per pony per hour Horses are very sensitive animals and need to be treated with care. They are highly social and like to be with other horses. Each one has its own personality and habits. But they all have an instinctive response to danger that is to flee. When a horse is walking in a familiar area and something unusual appears or makes an unfamiliar noise, the horse may jump away and try to run to safety. For this reason, it is imperative that pony parties are supervised by people who have considerable experience with horses. BOH wants to make sure your party is both safe and enjoyable. BOH will provide attendants to lead the horse or pony and help participants with mounting. These attendants will also groom and saddle the horse or pony before the ride and un-tack him afterward. If you have a request, question, or concern, please feel free to ask them. Please review the following information carefully with all party participants: • One child on a horse or pony at a time. If a child is reluctant to ride, an adult may encourage them but don’t force them. An adult/parent may walk alongside the horse or pony, but may not ride double with the child. • One child on the mounting block at a time. • Always mount the horse on the left side. Never walk behind any horse. • Keep noise to a minimum. • You may take pictures in the arena, but please NO FLASHES through the window. This may spook the horse and the pictures likely won’t be clear . • Children and adults should stay behind the barrier. • If a rider drops something, an attendant will pick it up. • If you wish to give the horse or pony treats, such as carrots or apples, please inform the attendants so they can show you how to do this. • A horse’s favorite spot to be scratched is at the shoulder or the base of the neck, not the face. • All decorations and set up must be preapproved by BOH staff. • All pony parties must be supervised by a BOH trainer. • Liability Waiver must be signed by parent or guardian for each child riding a pony.
NOTE: IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR LONG PANTS WHILE RIDING.
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