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Frequently
Asked Questions
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Q.
When can my child ride a horse? |
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A.
Your child should have the desire to ride, muscle strength
to hold the proper position in the saddle, balance, the
ability to understand instructions and follow directions,
sufficient attention span for the lesson session, and neck
muscles that can support a certified protective
helmet.
Most
children under five years old are not yet suited for a
lesson program. (You can inspire young children's interest
by letting them ride safe pony rides at fairs and
festivals and encourage them to learn by reading materials
with them or to them about horses and ponies).
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Q.
What sort of equipment does my child need for lessons? |
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A.
Starting lessons only requires a minimal amount of
equipment. A certified ASTM or SEI certified helmet, boots or
footwear that has a heel and can slip off of a child's
foot should the shoe become lodged in the stirrup of the
saddle. K.C. Riding Academy offers a range of helmets to
borrow for the lessons. We do recommend purchasing a
helmet by the third session of lessons. |
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Q.
How do I choose an instructor? |
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A.
Look for patience and experience with working with
children, discipline and control in their lessons, one
that has a progressive plan for development, one that
requires safety equipment such as helmets and boots. |
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Q.
Is horseback riding dangerous? |
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A.
As with any sport there is and inherent risk in
participating.
YES!
Horseback riding can be dangerous. Under the right
circumstances though dangerous situations can be almost
completely avoided.
Look for
safe clean facilities, knowledgeable instructors and quiet
gentle school horses.
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Q.
What kind of horse should my child ride? |
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A.
Students should ride a safe reliable mount that is suited
for their ability level.
Small
children should not be set on a large horse and larger or
older children should not be placed on a small pony to
ride.
The horse and rider should match in size and personality.
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Q.
How
do I choose a facility? |
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A.
Look for clean safe facilities that are well laid
out.
Keep a close eye on fencing, arena proximity to any roads,
illumination of any and all areas that might be used after
dark.
Don't go somewhere that fences or barns look run down,
unsafe for horses or humans. If a facility appears unsafe
it probably is. |
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Q. Does my child have to own their own horse to be a part
of your program/lessons?
A. You
and your child do not need to provide your own horse. K.C.
Academy has several horses and ponies that we match up to
fit our students. However, If you already own a horse or
pony and would like to take lessons on them you are
welcome to trailer them into Cedar Creek Stables. Cedar
Creek does charge a trailer in fee that is separate from
K.C. Academy's lesson prices.
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Q.
What happens if my child missess a session are there
makeups?
A.
K.C. Academy does allow make - up of one lesson per
session. To make up a session 24 hours notice needs to be
given to the academy that you will not be attending your
regularly scheduled lesson. At that time you will be
informed of when another lesson is available for your
student. Unfortunately we cannot quote exact times and
days for make -up lessons as our enrollment and skill
levels are constantly changing. |
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Q.
What month do sessions begin and end and how long are the
lessons?
A. Lesson
sessions start generally the beginning of each month. We
try to arrange the lesson schedules to avoid holidays. An
exact schedule varies slightly because of this.
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Q.
Do parents have to stay on the premises during the
lessons?
A.
Parents are not required to stay on the premises during a
lesson. Some parents may find their child does better with
their presence and others do better without. This is a
decision you and your child need to make. K.C. Academy
encourages parents to support their children. We do ask
that coaching during the lesson be left to the
instructors. |
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Q.
What will my child learn by the end of a session?
A.
Each level is geared to
progressively make your child a better rider. At your
child's evaluation session you will receive a chart on
which your child will have their first set of goals.
Approximately every few weeks students are tested on their
abilities and skills upon completion of a levels
requirements, the student will graduate up to the next
level and earn their next level chart.
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Q.
How much horse experience must my child have before
starting lessons?
A. None! Your child does not have to have ever been on or
even near a horse. We accept children as young as five (5)
years old. This being said not all five year olds have the
temperament, attention span or coordination to start
riding a horse. This is why we have an evaluation lesson.
The evaluation gives our instructors the perfect
opportunity to gauge your child's skills and match them
with a pony and a class in which we can foster as much
growth as possible. |
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