Covid-19 Restrictions Update

Hey Raynham Riders,

As I am sure everyone has heard, as of tomorrow, York Region will be in the Red Zone for Covid-19 restrictions. Thankfully, we were very careful when scheduling our fall classes so we do not have to cancel any classes. We will be strictly enforcing the rules to comply with public health guidelines, details were sent out via our latest email blast. If you do not receive our emails blast, you can subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/ce2AP-/

Below are the guidelines that affect recreational sports facilities and how we will be adhering to them:

• All sports and recreational programs in other facilities (arenas and multiplexes) limited to 10 people per room indoors and 25 outdoors
• Riders are only permitted to enter the tack-up area 30 min prior to the start of their lesson and must leave 30 min after their lesson time to ensure we do not have too many people in the tack up area at once.
• Riders finishing their lesson are asked to wait in the arena until the next lesson enters, again to prevent crowding in the tack up area
• As it has started to get too dark in the evenings to use the outdoor grooming stalls, we will be using cross ties in the drive shed to keep riders spread out.
• Also, just a reminder that as always, only boarders and staff are permitted in the big barn. Please do not enter, even to just pass through.
• Name and contact information must be collected from all patrons and attendance for team sports is required; records must be maintained for at least one month AND
• Require appointments for entry; one reservation for teams
• All lessons are by appointment only, so we are already following these guidelines.
• No spectators are permitted, but each person under the age of 18 years who is participating in activities in the facility may be accompanied by one parent or guardian
• This was already a rule for indoor lessons and will be strictly enforced. Parents/guardians are not permitted in the tack up area but can watch lessons from the bleachers in the big area or seating area for the small arena, spread apart 3m and must wear masks.
• Screening of patrons, including spectators, is required (e.g. questionnaire)
• All riders, staff, and volunteers are required to submit this self-screening form before each visit to the barn. It will be emailed and sent via text 24 hours before your appointment.
• Face coverings are required, except when exercising
• This was already a rule, thank you to everyone for your continued compliance.

In addition, all riders MUST now have their own grooming tools (please label with rider name). We will continue to provide brushes for the next two weeks to give riders times to order/purchase their own. We will also have the combo curry comb/hard brushes & hoof picks available for purchase at the barn.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.  As always, we are constantly working to make Raynham the BEST place to ride!

Nikki & the Raynham Team!

Session One Payment Past Due & Session Two Lesson Scheduling!

Hey Raynham Riders, 

Time is flying by; we are also already more than halfway through the fall lesson session! If you paid in installments, the second payment was due October 26th. If you have not yet sent payment, e-transfer is our preferred method or you can bring a cheque to your next lesson.  Please let us know if you need your invoice resent.  Thank you!

SESSION TWO LESSON SCHEDULING

All riders are assumed to be continuing classes throughout the school year in their current time slot unless you let us know you need to make a change.   The winter session is 10 weeks long, January 2nd – Friday, March 12th but we only bill for 9 weeks in case of an inclement weather cancellation (lessons will be canceled in the event of freezing rain, heavy snow, or extreme cold - below - 12c before the wind chill).  For full details, see our Riding School Policies.
 
To more easily track everyone’s responses, we are asking EVERYONE to please submit the Session Two Lesson Form to either confirm you can continue with your current time or to let us know if you need to change times or discontinue classes.  If you are currently on the WAITING LIST, please also submit this form to confirm you are still interested in classes.  Please submit by Monday, Nov 30th.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Nikki

Winter Riding Tips!

Hey Raynham Riders,

We have been very spoiled this month so far with summer-like temperatures and outdoor riding!  It looks like we are going to return to more seasonal temps this week so here are my tips for dressing for cold-weather riding.  We are also very excited that our tack up area renovation is now complete and is HEATED to keep riders warm while tacking/untacking this winter :)

• Dress in layers and make sure your base layers are moisture-wicking. Thermal long underwear designed for skiing is ideal! Once you are riding you will warm up quickly, so be sure your top layers have zippers so they can easily be removed when mounted.
• Head, hands, and feet lose body heat quickly. Wear winter boots with ski socks, warm gloves or mittens, and a hat when tacking up. Snow pants or sweatpants over your breeches are a good idea for chilly days. You can remove the extra layers and switch to riding boots and gloves right before you get on.
• When riding, a headband can fit under a helmet or a cozy helmet cover is also a great option. 
• Winter riding boots (some options include: Greenhawk or Pleasant Ridge) and gloves are awesome for staying comfortable during the winter months.  
• If you can’t purchase riding-specific gear, your regular winter boots may be fine. They need to have a ½” – 1 ½“ heel, not too chunky treads and the foot needs to be narrow enough to fit into the stirrup. Ask your instructor to check if you are unsure. 
• For those really cold days, hot packs (www.littlehottieswarmers.com, sold at Costco, Marks Work Warehouse, Canadian Tire, and many other places!) in gloves and boots are a great way to stay warm

Horseback riding is a year-round sport, but we do live in Canada so please remember to dress appropriately so you can enjoy riding throughout the winter! 

See you in the barn!

Nikki  

Riding School Update

Below is our latest email blast!  If you do not receive our email blasts, you can subscribe here.

Hey Raynham Riders!

We are just over a month into the fall session and everyone is getting into a good grove!  Below are a few updates and reminders as we start to head into cooler weather.

As always, we are constantly working to make Raynham the BEST place to ride!  If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let us know!

Nikki & the Raynham Team

INDOOR LESSON VIEWING As the weather gets cooler and the days shorter, lessons are starting to run indoors more frequently.  As long as restrictions do not increase, we can permit ONE spectator for minors (or those that need a drive) on the bleachers of the big arena or in the loft for the small arena.  Spectators MUST wear a mask and please ensure you stay spread apart.  Spectators are still not permitted in the tack up area, barns or tack rooms.  Thank you for your cooperation.

HALLOWEEN AT THE BARN! October 17th - 31st We have made the difficult decision to cancel our Halloween Schooling show but we don't want our riders to miss out on all the fun!  Instead of one day, we're going to have TWO WEEKS of Halloween celebrations! Riders are encouraged to wear their costume to the barn for our always-impressive Halloween costume contest!  We will post pics of riders (and horses) in their costumes on our Facebook & Instagram pages and have a vote for the winner!  We will play games in lessons for prizes and candy!   There are no lessons on Sat. Oct 31st.  This date was not included in the session so no make-ups required.

Raynham Rider Responsibilities Riders need at least 30 min before AND after their lesson to properly care for their horse. Good horsemanship is a crucial part of learning to ride. There is tack up help to assist beginner riders. Thoroughly groom your horse before tacking up, to check for injury and to prevent rubs Pick hooves before and after you ride (checking for rocks, thrush, etc.) Sweep your grooming stall before & after you ride to leave it clean for the next rider. Please store personal items in the lockers when riding to prevent items from getting lost & keep the tack-up area tidy. Properly cool out and groom/bathe horse after your lesson. Thoroughly clean your horses' tack and put it away properly after every ride. Please leave all areas tidy. If you move/use something, put it back where you found it.  POOP & SCOOP – if your horse poops anywhere on the property (aisle, driveway, paths, grooming stall, riding ring outside of a lesson, etc.) you must clean it up. Check with tack up help to see if the horse requires any first aid, feed or medication In the winter, ensure you put the horses’ blanket on correctly, to prevent damage to the blanket and injury to the horse. Be polite and respectful to fellow riders, staff, and volunteers. Always prioritize the horses’ health and welfare before personal goals and aspirations Follow all of the barn rules, below.

Raynham Stables Barn Rules All riders must wear a correctly fitted ASTM approved helmet and boots with a small heel. All riders must sign a release waiver before riding. Only riders are allowed in the barns and tack-up area.  If the rider is under 8 years old, a parent may stay with them (no siblings allowed).  Spectators may watch from the bleachers or wait at the picnic tables outside. Only riders are permitted in the paddocks.  All riders under the age of 12 MUST wear a helmet and be accompanied by a staff member when entering a paddock.   Only boarders and staff are permitted in the boarder (big) barn. No open toe shoes (sandals, crocs, canvas shoes, etc.) permitted in the barns or near horses. No running or screaming allowed on the property.  Horses are prey animals and can be frightened by loud noises or sudden movement. Do not feed anything to the horses without permission from staff. Friendly dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash and kept away from the horses. The yard around the house is private property.  Please stay off this area. Please drive SLOWLY on the driveway as there are many children and animals on the property.  When arriving, if there is someone already on the hill approaching the road, please WAIT at the top of the driveway as there is not enough room to pass on the hill. Absolutely NO SMOKING allowed on the property.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey Raynham Riders!

Just a reminder that we are CLOSED this Sunday, October 11th for Thanksgiving. This date was NOT included in your session fees so no make-up lesson is required. Classes will run as usual on Saturday and Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nikki

Updated Fall Lesson Schedule

Hey Raynham Riders!

The updated fall schedule has been sent out via email blast. If you do not receive our email blasts, please subscribe here. We did have to make quite a few modifications to the schedule, and there are sadly still more riders on the waiting list than I would like. I truly wish we could fit everyone in. here are still a few potential openings, I'm just waiting to hear back from some riders and then I will reach out to those on the waiting list.

Please also be sure to take the time to read through the important info, including our riding school policies and Covid-19 protocols.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at the barn next week!

Nikki & the Raynham Team

https://mailchi.mp/c3c06e705a1d/updated-lesson-schedule

TENTATIVE Fall Lesson Schedule

Hey Raynham Riders,

The fall lesson schedule has been sent out by email blast!  If you do not receive our email blasts, you can view the details here.  

We look forward to seeing everyone back in the barn!

Nikki & the Raynham Team