Requirements:
- Riders must be under the age of 18
- Riders must not exceed 100 pounds. Our side-walkers are teens and may need to get a rider off quickly on the trail in an emergency. This is a safety issue for the rider, and I need to protect the backs of our volunteers as well.
- Riders must have a "special need" to qualify for our program. They may have a diagnosis from a doctor, therapist, or and have an IEP or 504 plan at school. We also serve children in our community who financially would not have the opportunity to ride horses. Previous Novato Spirit students are included, as well as families on Medical.
If your child or anyone in your family has any cold or flu symptoms, please notify us right away and do not come to the facility.
Any change in medications or health should be brought to the attention of Heather Parker before the child begins riding (if applicable).
Attendance
Each week the schedule is posted on Facebook and Remind and updates on weather and cancellations are posted as well. We use the HEJA app which you can be added to, where you will receive weekly messages with the schedule and any updates. It
is your responsibility to see if we are riding and to rsvp.Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance as a matter of courtesy. We will be understanding about cancellations due to illness. If you wake up to a sick child or family member, please let us know as soon as possible.
Missing an appointment without notice will result in your time slot being given to a family on the waiting list. If you are running more than 5 minutes late, we will have to leave without you. We have to leave on time for each ride, or we get behind and the other riders don’t get a full session, and volunteers end up leaving late.
If the rider will miss more than one week of riding, their space may be given away. We have limited spots and a long waiting list. We cannot hold a spot for multiple weeks. We may make exceptions for medical leave.
Your riding slot will be for a 3 month session: Spring is March-May, Summer is June-August, and Fall is September-November. We are closed for December and January for rain, and in February we do work and training with volunteers. Once your session is up, you may be added back to the waiting list.
All notification can be made by calling/texting Heather Parker (530) 410-4422, or on the Facebook page, on HEJA, or via email: heatherparker1111@gmail.com
Facility Rules and Safety:Please observe the 5 mph speed limit. Park in designated spots and walk over to the mounting area (in front of the office).
Please be aware that you are at a horse facility.
Please do not do anything in the parking lot that may spook horses such as ride a bike, run, drag toys on the ground, etc. There are many boarders that ride their horses in the arenas on weekends and we want to be respectful to them.
For your riders safety, and the safety of others riding, it is critical that riders do not RUN anywhere on the property. It can spook horses. If they cannot be calm on the property, like not running up to or behind horses, they cannot be on the property because of safety.
Please do not pet or feed any horses other than our therapy horses. This is a boarding facility and the horses are all privately owned. Some do bite!
Please bring only the child that is riding. It is not a safe environment for multiple children to play and we need to focus on the safety of our riders. Siblings cannot walk on the trail with us because it creates safety issues. If there is an adult to watch them, they can hang out in the playground area while we go on the ride.
Please always remain in the area where our program is happening and Heather is supervising (or the fenced playground area) and do not wander around the facility. There can be loose horses that can cause a hazard.
Pets are not permitted. Please leave our furry friends at home! Absolutely no dogs please.
If you bring treats for the horses, please keep them hidden and let us know. We will let you know when it is a good time to feed a treat. Feeding by hand can be dangerous. We ask that treats are put on the ground or a surface for the horse.
What should my child wear?
Dress in layers. It can be warm in the sun and chilly in the forest.
Wear sunscreen during the summer!
Always wear long pants, either sweats or jeans. Skin can get pinched in the stirrup straps.
If possible, shoes with a heel are the safest choice when riding. However, running shoes are fine. Absolutely no open-toed shoes anywhere in the facility please! If a rider is wearing them, they will not be able to ride.
Other things to avoid: tight, restrictive clothes, shorts, dangly jewelry, hair accessories that will hurt in a helmet, sharp objects in pockets.
