Welcome to Squirrels Stables

 

We are a small friendly stables with ponies and horses specially chosen to teach people to ride.

Our ponies and horses vary in size to suit the age of the rider. Beginners will have a helper leading the pony with less help as the rider progresses.

We operate on Saturdays and Sundays all through the year and after school during the summer.

Riding is a risk sport as the ponies are individuals and can sometimes act out of character.  We do everything we can to lessen the chance of your child falling off including having several helpers when your child is first learning.  However it must be accepted that at some point they may fall off, especially as they become more advanced.

Although the following reads as a rather long list of Do’s and Don’ts, they are intended to make life easier for you so that you know how we operate.  If we have missed anything out, please do ask, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Clothing           Hats to the correct standard (PAS015 or EN1384) must be worn and may be hired from us.  Footwear should be sturdy and have a small heel.  Wellies are fine to begin with as long as the sole is smooth and they have a heel; trainers are not allowed.  Jeans are not advised due to the inner seam, and any loose trousers should be tucked in the boots.  To avoid chafing on the legs, long trousers and socks should be worn so that there are no gaps. In summer, T-shirts should have a sleeve rather than just thin straps.

Body Protectors must be worn for jumping lessons and are recommended once your child is trotting completely by themselves.

Jewellery         No jewellery should be worn.  If the child needs to keep studs in as ear rings, then they should be covered by tape.

Lessons           Please try and arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of the lesson, so that the changeover can run as smoothly as possible and that you have time to find a hat (if necessary.) Also we are near the Elsenham Station level crossing and this can shut for up to 10 minutes at a time.

Bookings         We now operate a block booking system based on 6 week half terms. Booking for 6 lessons, payable in advance, guarantees a lesson slot at a fixed time. This is charged at £12.00 per lesson. Places are available for alternate weeks ie 3 lessons per half term. This is charged at £13.00 per lesson and again guarantees a slot. If a child cannot fit these patterns then single lessons can be booked at £15.00 per lesson but there is no guarantee that a place is available each week. At half terms and during school holidays we either run group lessons booked individually or Pony mornings with grooming, riding and specific stable management (looking after ponies) topics.

Cancellation    We require a full 24 hours notice of cancellation for single lessons otherwise the lesson fee is payable. We do not refund money on block bookings if you are unable to attend but it is still cheaper to book for 6 and take 5 than book individually. If we know in advance that a lesson will be missed we will endeavour to fit an extra one in where we have spaces but this cannot be guaranteed.  Owen has the mobile switched on throughout the day (although we cannot guarantee reception) or you may leave a message on the landline and we will return your call.

Wet Weather Policy    In general we will not cancel a lesson.  If it is raining so heavily that the ponies don’t like it (and neither do we or the riders) at any time during the half hour lesson, then the lesson will become a stable management lesson.  If the rain stops before the half hour is up then we may then do some riding.  Full price will still be payable for the lesson.  However, if you are unlucky enough to have two disrupted lessons in the space of four weeks then the second lesson will be charged at half price.