Welcome to Gallop On Farm

What To Expect At Your First Lesson at Gallop On Farm

If you have questions, we have answers! Our phone, 315-673-0993

1. Be sure to bring your signed liability waiver and give it to your instructor. Your lesson cannot start without it.

2. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your lesson time. Consult the dress code information sheet on attire. (No shorts, sneakers, tube tops, or sweat pants.)

3. Please think before you park your vehicle be sure you're not blocking any traffic.

4. To find your instructor: Enter the front of the barn. It's called the Hunt Barn, and the indoor arena is attached to the stable area. If no one turns up, try the out door arena. If it's cold, go right into the tack room in the back of the new barn, stay warm, and we'll find you. Please stay out of the stable area without your instructor.

5. You are required to read the sheet of information on the possible dangers of handling horses. Please ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand.

6. Your first lesson will be a private lesson, regardless of your riding ability. Besides instruction, we use it as a means to evaluate your riding level skills and an orientation to our program and facility.

7. We'll show you our routine of grooming, tacking, and mounting. Then we'll focus on building an equestrian vocabulary. Communication is essential, and we get started at the first lesson. Every instructor uses and every horse responds to different stimuli.

8. Please don't handle the barn cats and resident dogs.

9. All outside dogs must be on a leash. If they're unsociable or chase cats it's easier on everyone if you leave them home.

10. In preparation for your first lesson, it would help if you read some of the books suggested on this site. Learn the parts of the horse and the equipment (saddle & bridle). Books are available at Gallop On Saddlery in downtown Skaneateles. (Our students receive an automatic 10 percent discount.)

11. We prefer you leave small children at home, however if you need to bring them, please follow safety procedures. A 1000 lb. horse is always a potential danger to small children, even well trained gentle horses. No strollers in the barns. Never put toddlers or babies on the ground in the barns, they must be held in your arms and out of contact with the horses. And please keep those little fingers (Which look like carrots!) out of harms way.

12. If you don't hear or don't understand, ask. Never assume. Mistakes cause injury.

13. Gallop On Saddlery, is the store we recommend you shop for your riding equipment. The items you buy will be of excellent quality, the correct item with the correct fit.

14. NYS law requires all children under 14 years of age to wear an approved helmet and it's not a bad idea for anyone just starting a career in riding. (You might like to know we teach Hunt Seat Equitation using the balanced seat at Gallop On Farm. The traditional, correct style hunt cap for Hunt Seat riding is black, velvet covered with a short front visor. Colored plastic is improper.)

For More Information, click here to email Gallop On Farm.

Suggested Books

Happy Horsemanship
written and illustrated by Dorothy Henderson Pinch.

A great help to young riders explaining the basic rules of riding in a clear and concise way that is easy to understand.

The U.S.P.C. Manual of Horsemanship -
Basics for Beginners - D Level.
by Susan E. Harris

Addresses a wide range of subjects for beginners and parents.

Getting the Most from Riding Lessons
by Mike Smith

This reassuring introduction to riding helps novice riders maximize the lesson experience with information about safety, horse behavior, basic riding exercises, and preparing for that first show.


What do I need as a first time rider? Hunt Cap Riding Chaps Crop Riding Boots YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE ANY MANY MORE ITEMS FROM GALLOP ON SADDLERY OF SKANEATELESS, NY CLICK HERE to visit their site. Additional Suggested Reading Material REGISTER OR PAY ONLINE CLICK HERE		What To Expect At Your First Lesson at Gallop On Farm If you have questions, we have answers! Our phone, 315-673-0993 1. Be sure to bring your signed liability waiver and give it to your instructor. Your lesson cannot start without it. 2. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your lesson time. Consult the dress code information sheet on attire. (No shorts, sneakers, tube tops, or sweat pants.) 3. Please think before you park your vehicle be sure you're not blocking any traffic. 4. To find your instructor: Enter the front of the barn. It's called the Hunt Barn, and the indoor arena is attached to the stable area. If no one turns up, try the out door arena. If it's cold, go right into the tack room in the back of the new barn, stay warm, and we'll find you. Please stay out of the stable area without your instructor. 5. You are required to read the sheet of information on the possible dangers of handling horses. Please ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand. 6. Your first lesson will be a private lesson, regardless of your riding ability. Besides instruction, we use it as a means to evaluate your riding level skills and an orientation to our program and facility. 7. We'll show you our routine of grooming, tacking, and mounting. Then we'll focus on building an equestrian vocabulary. Communication is essential, and we get started at the first lesson. Every instructor uses and every horse responds to different stimuli. 8. Please don't handle the barn cats and resident dogs. 9. All outside dogs must be on a leash. If they're unsociable or chase cats it's easier on everyone if you leave them home. 10. In preparation for your first lesson, it would help if you read some of the books suggested on this site. Learn the parts of the horse and the equipment (saddle & bridle). Books are available at Gallop On Saddlery in downtown Skaneateles. (Our students receive an automatic 10 percent discount.) 11. We prefer you leave small children at home, however if you need to bring them, please follow safety procedures. A 1000 lb. horse is always a potential danger to small children, even well trained gentle horses. No strollers in the barns. Never put toddlers or babies on the ground in the barns, they must be held in your arms and out of contact with the horses. And please keep those little fingers (Which look like carrots!) out of harms way. 12. If you don't hear or don't understand, ask. Never assume. Mistakes cause injury. 13. Gallop On Saddlery, is the store we recommend you shop for your riding equipment. The items you buy will be of excellent quality, the correct item with the correct fit. 14. NYS law requires all children under 14 years of age to wear an approved helmet and it's not a bad idea for anyone just starting a career in riding. (You might like to know we teach Hunt Seat Equitation using the balanced seat at Gallop On Farm. The traditional, correct style hunt cap for Hunt Seat riding is black, velvet covered with a short front visor. Colored plastic is improper.) For More Information, click here to email Gallop On Farm. Suggested Books Happy Horsemanship written and illustrated by Dorothy Henderson Pinch. A great help to young riders explaining the basic rules of riding in a clear and concise way that is easy to understand. The U.S.P.C. Manual of Horsemanship - Basics for Beginners - D Level. by Susan E. Harris Addresses a wide range of subjects for beginners and parents. Getting the Most from Riding Lessons by Mike Smith This reassuring introduction to riding helps novice riders maximize the lesson experience with information about safety, horse behavior, basic riding exercises, and preparing for that first show.