Riding School Policies

At Lake Oswego Hunt we teach as safely as possible.
We also encourage independence, confidence and self reliance.

First: Please, remember, ASK QUESTIONS. No one knows everything! We're here to help, and it's our job to answer your questions. It's easy to assume that every one else knows whatever you're curious about, but count on it that there is always more for all of us to learn. If the Riding School teachers don't know the answers we'll help find someone who does. At LOH we have three professional trainers on site and many experienced horsemen and women, veterinarians, farriers, body workers — and we are constantly looking for new topics for seminars and clinics. So ASK! It's what we're here for.

NON-DISCRIMINATION. The Lake Oswego Hunt Riding School admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs and athletic and other school administered programs.

SIGN IN AND WAIT UP. All riders sign in at the front office and wait for an instructor or assistant to escort them to the horses. No rider of any age or level should be with the horses without checking in with the instructor.

BE ON TIME. This means ½ hour before your riding actually starts. The class will begin to tack up the horses 20 minutes before riding begins. This is the minimum amount of time required to take care of your horse before your lesson. Latecomers who arrive before the riding starts will stand in the arena with the instructor as the lesson permits, and will be included in the lesson from the ground. For all classes that require tack up time, latecomers who arrive after the riding starts will be invited to watch from the stands.

NO CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED, EVER. All students must have experienced adult supervision at all times when interacting with the horses. Students will not tack up, untack, ride, hand walk or groom horses without permission from the Riding School instructor and they must have supervision.

Appropriate Attire: Students must wear appropriate riding clothes. Long pants (either jeans or breeches), riding boots, and an ASTM/SEI certified helmet are required. The Riding School strongly encourages students to purchase their own riding apparel, but if you do not have riding boots or helmet, the Riding School has some you may borrow. In addition, family members and friends who are around the horses must have closed-toed shoes on for safety.

Inclement Weather: Riding lessons are cancelled if the temperature dips below thirty-five degrees or rises above ninety degrees. We also cancel lessons in the event of thunderstorms or other severe weather. In the event of a snow or ice storm, the Riding School will be closed. When in doubt, check with the Lake Oswego School District. We follow the Lake Oswego School District’s advisories regarding weather-related closures.

NO STEP STOOLS IN STALLS. Students too short to reach all parts of their horse will ask for assistance. There will be no step stools in stalls, and no small children in stalls without adult supervision. There will be skilled adults on hand to act as “squire” for any riders needing assistance.

OFF-HORSE CLASSES. Riding is not only about being on the horse. The horses take care of us, and as our horsemanship develops in the saddle, we learn to take care of them too. Understanding how to work with horses on the ground develops the skills that we need in the saddle, and makes us safer around the horses. We will have one off-horse lesson each month in each class, and the topic of the lesson will be determined by the riders abilities in the saddle. The off-horse lessons are just as important as the on-horse lessons. Advancement to higher riding levels will depend in part on horsemanship skills on the ground.

RESPECT. We expect our riders to treat themselves, their classmates, their horses and their instructors with respect. Riding here means you are taking part in a long tradition in horsemanship. Riding is a gift from the horse to the rider, and it is a gift from your instructors and your parents to you. We expect participants in these programs to relate with kindness, patience and respect with each of the people and horses in the barn. Riders who do not learn this essential aspect of horsemanship may not continue in the program. Riders who practice respect will get much more out of their riding, and riders who need a little adjustment in this area will find their instructors happy to assist.

For more information, please contact the Riding School at (503) 636-1319.