PHC Lesson Policies     It is important that you pay special attention to the status of your mount after your ride. Plan to spend some extra time after your lesson to ensure that your horse is properly cooled out. Your instructor will address cooling out procedures. If you have any questions feel free to ask any member of our staff. Proper care of your horse is part of good horsemanship, and of course that is what we aim to teach here at The Potomac Horse Center. In hot weather, classes will typically end 10 minutes before the hour to allow the horses to walk and cool down. There will be a cool-out charge of $10.00 if your horse is put away excessively sweaty, hot and panting to be paid prior to your next ride.    Please confirm when you check-in for your lesson on whether your horse is scheduled for another class immediately following yours and in such case should be left tacked.  In cold weather, check with aisle staff regarding blanketing your horse - especially after evening classes. Class Size: Group classes are restricted to a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of eight (8) students, except when the arena is divided where the maximum on each side will be six (6) students. Mini-Mite classes are 1/2 hour in length & restricted to four (4) children per group. All Mini-Mite riders are required to have an adult present to accompany them to and from their lessons. When no more that three (3) register for a class, Potomac Horse Center reserves the right to offer the class as a semi-private (at the semi-private rate). Otherwise the riders have the option of being re-assigned to another group class. When attendance in a group class falls to one rider, the lesson will run for 30 minutes - with only two riders the lesson will run for 45 minutes. If your partner drops out of a semi-private lesson your options are; (1) find another partner, (2) pay the private lesson rate, or (3) join a group at your level. MMW1, ABF1, and CBF1 - The first class will be used to teach all students cooling out procedures, how to mount and dismount, adjust stirrups and how to get your horse into and out of its stall. Cancellations and Make-Ups:   Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance in order to be eligible for a make-up lesson.  When PHC cancels lessons for severe weather or other reason, you must schedule the replacement lesson under the same terms as Client initiated cancellations. No more than two (2) cancellations are eligible for make-ups per full session except for the Summer Lesson Session which allows four (4). Scheduling make-up lessons is solely the rider's responsibility and must generally be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the cancellation or the lesson is forfeited.  Make-up lessons are not guaranteed nor are they refundable or credited forward.  They are scheduled subject to availability and must be completed within the current session, or no later than 30 days into the next session under circumstances specifically stated in the session registration agreement. Riders arriving more than 15 minutes late for a group or semi-private lesson (10 minutes for 1/2 hour class) will not be permitted to join the lesson and will not be eligible for a make-up lesson. Riders presenting themselves for their lesson with inappropriate clothing or footwear (shorts, sneakers, etc.) will forfeit the lesson and will not be eligible for a make-up lesson. Registration and Payment: New riding session registration for current clients starts two weeks before the end of the previous session. New riding lesson clients typically register starting one week before the end of the previous session.  This offset allows current clients the opportunity to renew their class assignment before it fills up. When one class fills, another is usually formed if enough demand exists.  Late registrations are accepted at any time throughout the session, and the tuition is prorated for the number of lessons left in the session at the time of late registration. A  $100 registration fee (by check, cash, or credit card) is required at the time of registration. The balance due for the full or partial session must be paid in full prior to the first lesson in that session in order to receive the lowest pricing.  Our pay-as-you-go option allows you to hold your place in the weekly lesson schedule with the payment of a refundable $100 deposit and a slightly higher tuition rate.  A la carte or individually scheduled lessons are offered at the same rates as pay-as-you-go, but are only scheduled on an "as-they-are-booked" within 24 hours of appointment basis. Practice Rides: Practice rides - one-half hour in length - are a privilege allowed to clients who are currently registered for lessons at the intermediate level or above, and can walk, trot, and canter in a group, and can mount and adjust their tack themselves - only available with permission of your instructor. Refunds: Potomac Horse Center does not give lesson refunds with the one possible exception for medical reasons verified by submission of the treating Medical Doctor's legible note on office letterhead or prescription pad and additionally subject to PHC administrative confirmation, approval, and acceptance. Safety: Potomac Horse Center reserves the right to refuse service to anyone due to safety issues. (e.g., incorrect attire, late arrival for lesson, excessive weight beyond the ability of the horse to carry, inappropriate or abusive behavior to horses, staff members, or other clients, excessive anxiety or language barrier, etc.)  Riders are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved horseback riding helmet manufactured in the USA.  All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while on Potomac Horse Center premises. Horse Requests: We will try our best to accommodate your needs but we are unable to entertain or guarantee horse assignment requests, however, we do accept "no-ride" requests. Please note: The information provided on this webpage is an abbreviated version of the terms included in our lesson registration forms.