A Moment In Time

Barn Rules

Click here for the .Pdf (printable) version. (To download, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader, available here.)

General:

Supervision of all children and mentally/physically-impaired adults is necessary by a parent, legal guardian or a responsible person appointed by them. Supervision is required at all times while on the premises, whether that person is a student or not.
Pets- for everyone’s safety please leave them home. If they must come out, they must be kept on a leash at all times. (Some horses will view them as threats and may injure them or their riders.)
No bare feet or sandals are allowed around the horses at any time BY ANYONE (rider or non-rider).
No one is allowed in the stable area unless accompanied by an instructor or having received prior consent from the management of AMIT.
No apples, carrots, sugar, grass, etc. are to be fed to the horses at any time, unless approved by an instructor and fed from a feed container.
Do not put objects (especially FINGERS) through the bars of the stalls or into a fenced area. It is the nature of the horse to bite, though not always in a vicious way.
No running, screaming or horseplay while around the horses or in the stable area.
No smoking in the barn area or around any hay.
Regularly check the bulletin board in the aisle for notices.
Clean up after you, your horse, family and friends.
Do not go near any animals until you are sure it is safe- IF IN DOUBT, STAY AWAY!
Never wrap or tie the horse’s reins or halter rope to your body in any way when holding or leading a horse.
Direct loss, damage or injury to your horse, tack, equipment, and trailer is not covered by the stable’s insurance. Because you, as actual owner of these items, have the financial interest in them, it is up to you to be sure they are insured under your Homeowner’s, Tenant’s, or other insurance policy, or under a separate policy as in the case of the loss of a horse/pony.
Approved hard hats should be worn at all times. Approved hard hats must be worn when mounted, including while riding bareback. For further attire see “First Lesson.”

Activity risks:

STUDENT and GUARDIAN understand that horses are unpredictable by nature. No horse is a completely safe horse. When frightened, angry or under stress, a horse’s natural instincts are to jump forward or sideways, run away from danger at a trot or gallop, stop short, kick, buck, rear up in front, or bite. Elements of nature, such as thunder, lightening, rain, wind, domestic or wild animals, insects or reptiles, irregular footing and other circumstances may frighten a horse or cause it to fall or react in some other unsafe way. In addition, equipment may break or loosen with use, resulting in a potential loss of control or fall from a horse.

Annie Horses are extremely powerful, large and fast; if a rider falls to the ground, the distance will generally be from 3½ to 5½ feet and the impact may result in serious injury to the rider. Horseback riding is classified as RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY, and the NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission -- 1999) ranks horseback riding as first among activities (in injuries per hour of activity and serious head injuries) that result in emergency room visits. Related injuries can be severe, requiring more hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects than injuries in other activities. STUDENT AND GUARDIAN UNDERSTAND THESE RISKS AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THESE RISKS AND DANGERS.

Click here to download the .pdf general riding waiver.

Tacking up and Mounting:

Shoes with definite heels must be worn at all times when riding with stirrups.
Long pants, or shorts with chaps, should be worn when riding.
No candy or other items are to be in the mouth while riding.
Remove all pointed objects such as pens, pencils, and combs from pockets before mounting.
Do not wear loose clothing that could flap in the wind and scare the horse, or get caught in the brush or a tree.
Remove all objects (such as rings) which may get caught in the reins.
Remove all objects (such as earrings) which may get caught in the hat or on trees.
All equipment must be returned to its proper place.
No horses are to be mounted or ridden in the barn or hitching post area.
Never stand directly behind or directly in front of any horse. Be especially careful around more than one horse as one might bite or kick at another and hit you.
If it is absolutely necessary to walk directly behind a horse, follow this rule to help avoid being kicked: Speak to the horse and be sure he knows you are there, then place and keep one hand on his rump and walk around him staying close to his body. Keeping your hand on his rump gives the horse a feeling of security that you are not going to harm him. It also lets him know what you are doing so he won’t be startled.
Be sure equipment is adjusted properly to fit both you and your horse.
Never use reins to tie a horse. Keep a rope and halter handy for this purpose. Tie the rope short enough so that the horse does not step on it.
If clothing or equipment need adjustments, dismount. Trying to adjust equipment or clothing while mounted could lead to a bad accident.
RIDERS MAY NOT RIDE ALONE. In addition tell someone or leave a note at the barn to let them know where you will be riding.

Trail Riding:

Always keep a safe distance behind the horse in front of you while in the ring or on the trail. You should be able to see the hind feet of the horse in front of you through your horse’s ears.
Listen for the instructor’s commands and act promptly.
Remember to walk the horse going uphill or downhill, unless otherwise instructed.
Keep alert at all times. It may be a gentle horse you are riding, but an object may fly across or pop up in his path at any time, scaring him and throwing you off balance.
Always walk your horse when approaching a group of riders. To do otherwise may excite all horses and cause trouble.
Do not let your horse eat. Teach him that while you are riding it is not the time to eat.
When riding where there is traffic you are supposed to be facing the same direction as the traffic is going on the side you are on. If possible, it is better if you can be facing the traffic as it comes at you, so get on the opposite side.
Always walk your horse on paved surfaces.
Respect other people’s land. Stay off grass lawns and landscaped areas. Stay to the edges of plowed or planted fields.
Always close and secure any gates you go though.

IF YOU EVER HAVE A PROBLEM (WITH THE HORSE OR A LANDOWNER) LET A.M.I.T. KNOW IMMEDIATELY SO IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF.

301-475-5434 | Email A.M.I.T.
41191 Breton Beach Road, PO Box 1338, Leonardtown MD 20650