General Information

1. If a student is in serious violation of, or repeatedly disregards, any of the Equestrian Center policies, he/she will receive a warning. At the discretion of administration and management, the student may lose all riding and boarding privileges at the Equestrian Center if the student receives more than one (1) warning.
    
2. Please bear in mind that horseback riding requires muscle coordination, balance, mental alertness, and the ability to follow directions promptly and accurately. In the interest of safety, the Equestrian Center administration, management and faculty reserves the right to forbid students to ride or handle horses who are mentally or physically unfit, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
    
3. Student members of the LEC riding teams, or students who plan to participate in open competitions off campus must have at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and be currently enrolled in a riding class at LEC.
    
4. Barn hours are posted and MUST be observed.
    
5. All students are invited to take riding lessons, regardless of their major; however, Equine Studies majors have priority for positions on riding teams, and when selecting horses for competition.
    
6. All students are required to properly and completely groom, tack up and cool out horses for their class. Riding tack MUST be cleaned and returned to the proper place after use. Students are expected to arrange their schedule to allow adequate time for this (approximately 2 hours). NOTE: wash racks are for horses returning from class; horses are to be tacked up in their stalls. Exceptions will be posted.
    
7. A scheduled activity has priority in the use of facilities and horses.
    
8. The hunt field and dressage rings are RESTRICTED riding areas. A posted sign in each barn will indicate whether or not these areas may be used. The bank is used during lessons only and is otherwise off limits.
    
9. Keep all areas neat and clean, particularly barn aisles.
    
10. Horses are not to be left unattended or untied in cross ties or wash stalls. Horses cross tied in the aisle should be unsnapped and moved aside to provide safe passage of other horses.
     
11. When a horse is standing in cross ties, lead ropes must be unsnapped from their halters and hung up.
     
12. Horses are never to be tied in any way by the bridle. A halter may be slipped over the bridle if a horse must be tied with its bridle on.
     
13. No riding is permitted in the barn aisles.
     
14. Riders must ride or lead horses at a walk on the asphalt due to the slippery footing.
     
15. Horses are never to be out of their stalls without proper restraints. They must be wearing a halter and lead shank/rope, or bridle. Any stallion must wear a halter with lead shank attached over his nose when handled in or out of his stall. When leading a stallion, the lead shank must always be over his nose. The handler must be aware of his/her surroundings and make every effort to keep the stallion a safe distance away from other horses. Horses are not to be led or stopped in front of a stallion’s stall in or outside of the barn. These stallions have strong instinctual behaviors.
     
16. Students are to lead only one (1) horse at a time - no exceptions!
     
17. During the spring semester, when breeding activities are in progress, students must not enter the breeding shed (Reinberger arena/ "bull pen") without first checking to be certain breeding/teasing activities are not in progress. Signs are posted on all doors leading to the breeding shed, and when these doors are securely closed, students should be alerted to whether or not they may enter the area with or without a horse.
     
18. Gear your riding in consideration of weak riders, green horses, condition of your horse, and ground conditions. Maintain proper distance between horses. Those jumping have the right of way, and must call their fences. Pass left shoulders when moving in opposite directions. When moving in the same direction, let your intention to pass be clearly heard. Do not block the flow of traffic.
     
19. Lunging must be done so that it does not disturb other horses and/or riders. Riders have priority over those wishing to turn a horse out in riding areas. Horses are not to be left unattended when turned out in the warm up arena. The main arena is not to be used for turnout.
     
20. Horses are not to be grazed loose except in paddocks. Handlers must remain standing when grazing a horse. Be aware of potentially dangerous obstacles (cars, picnic tables,etc.) when grazing a horse.
     
21. No LEC school horses are to be turned out without permission of the herd manager or his/her representative. Students enrolled in Practicum classes must check with their instructor, herd manager for compatible turn out groups for school horses.
     
22. The decision of the facility manager is final in regards to the use of all facilities and related equipment. In the absence of the facility manager, the associate dean will make the final decision.
     
23. The decision of the instructor is final in regards to the use of horses and related equipment. In the absence of an instructor, the decision of the herd manager is final.
     
24. During horse shows, warm up areas are restricted to use by competitors only. Horses in warm-up areas from 12:01 a.m. the day of a dressage show until the end of the last ride of the day, must be entered in that competition and wear their assigned number (AHSA rule).
     
25. All student riders (boarders included) must wear an ASTM/SEI approved hunt cap/helmet with an attached harness, fastened and properly fitted, to mount and ride ANY horse on Equestrian Center property.
     
26. There is to be NO SMOKING within 20 feet of any building on the grounds of the Equestrian Center.
     
27. Facial jewelry is limited to non-dangling earrings only. Tongue jewelry is not to be worn when in the barn or on a horse.
     
28. Students must receive permission from their instructor to ride a horse not assigned to their class.
     
29. School owned equipment is available for use by ALL students riding LEC horses; however, it is not to be kept in private lockers for exclusive use by one student unless the instructor has given permission and the equipment is signed out (training class, horse show). Any tack found in student lockers will be considered stolen and may be handled as theft.
30. Please ask the instructor's permission to enter a ring if a class is in session. Be aware of the traffic around the gate when entering or exiting a ring. Please call out "gate" before entering.
31. Riding with headphones anywhere at the Equestrian Center is not permitted.

Lake Erie College and the Equestrian Center administration, management, faculty, and staff are available to help you in any way. Please do not hesitate to contact someone for assistance.