Important Information

WARNING: Under Iowa law, a domesticated animal professional is not liable for damages suffered by, an injury to, or the death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of domesticated animal activities, pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 673. You are assuming inherent risks of participating in this domesticated animal activity.

AMF Equitation, LLC is a community. Please treat other members of the community with respect, courtesy and consideration. Safe, considerate and courteous behavior of each riding student, family member and guests is required at all times! Your safety is our primary goal.  

1. Horse activities are considered to be rugged sport and recreation. Participate and/or approach horses at your own risk. 

2. All participants (riding or handling a horse) must sign the Release and Hold Harmless Agreement provided by the stable each calendar year. 

3. Guests: It is the responsibility of each riding student sponsoring a Guest to make sure that the Guest(s) are aware of, and follow, these Stable Rules. Anyone not in compliance may be asked to leave the property. No Guest may handle or ride a horse unless that Guest shall have first signed the Release and Hold Harmless Agreement. 

4. Minors under 12 years of age and Minors under legal age lacking seasoned equine experience should be under constant supervision of parent, guardian, or other adult supervisor appointed by the parent or guardian. 

Children under 6 years of age should be firmly held by the hand by their attending adult when walking about the stable grounds.

5. Minors under 16 years of age are not permitted in a paddock/pasture or stalls with horses without direct adult supervision. 

6. Dogs are not allowed on premises during business hours. 

7. Strictly no smoking on premises. 

8. Protective Headgear: Helmets are required while while on horseback or operating a horse-drawn vehicle. 

AMF Equitation, LLC recommends that all horse handlers wear Certified Protective Headgear while working around and handling horses on the ground.

9. Safety vests are required when jumping solid or XC obstacles and at the discretion of the rider, parent or guardian for other equine activities.

10. Attire: Riding and being around horses can be a dangerous sport, and all riders are required to wear proper attire at all times.

• Long pants (leggings/jeans), jodhpurs, breeches, or riding tights with shirt tucked in; 

• Shirt with long or short sleeves (as a minimum shoulders must be covered for all riding activities, except for Mounted Games and Jumping where long sleeves are compulsory);

• Short or tall riding boots or sturdy shoes that cover the ankle and have a boot heel;

• Long hair should be neatly up or back (pony-tail, braid, hairnet);

• No dangling jewelry. 

• No hoodies.

• No “Bling” pants or pants that are bedazzled or have buttons on back pockets as they can damage the saddles. 

11. Only approach, touch, or handle a horse IF you are assigned/asked to do so. Do not handle anyone’s horse(s) without express permission to do so.

12. Do not feed treats to anyone else’s horse without permission. 

13. Always latch gates and close doors behind you.

14. No running, ballplaying, or loud or disruptive behaviors are allowed around the horses. 

Always talk softly to the horse as you get near her/him. 

No jumping or running up to a horse, especially from behind her/him, or from around a corner.

No going under a horse’s belly, or between her/his legs.

No standing either directly in front or in back of a horse. 

15. Do not use reins to tie off a horse. 

Never wrap a rope, strap, rein, longe or lead line around your hand, fingers, arm or body when it is attached to a horse or other animal. 

16. Please clean up after yourself. 

• Sweep the floor when done grooming your horse. Pick up any manure your horse drops while tied off and riding. (Tools - pitch forks, rakes, shovels, etc - must be safely secured when you are finished). 

• Do not leave a halter attached to a leadline/crosstie on the ground. 

• Put your tack away in the tack room after your lesson (always clean your horse’s bit). 

• Turn off the lights (barn/arena) when you are done. 

17. Riders signing up for group lessons should be able to walk/trot independently (off the leadline). 

They should also be able to tack up their horse independently (if they are not able to tack up a large pony/horse on their own, they should sign up for private lessons). 

- cf. rule #4 about adult supervision of minors. Children should not be alone in the barn when catching/grooming/tacking up (if no adult supervision is possible, the rider should sign up for private lessons where grooming/tacking up is part of the curriculum). 

18. Late arrivals: 

• A rider arriving late for a private lesson will receive a shortened lesson but will still be responsible for the full cost of the lesson.

• Group lesson riders should be ready at the arena door 5 minutes before the start of their lesson. If a rider is not on the horse when the mounting period ends (5 minutes after the stated start of the lesson), they are welcome to audit the lesson from the rail. 

i.e. If your lesson starts at 5pm, you should be ready, with your horse clean, tacked up, and stirrup leathers adjusted by the arena door by 4:55pm (wait until you’re allowed to come in). If you are not in the arena and mounted by 5:05pm, you will not be riding that day (and forfeit your lesson fee). 

• If a group lesson rider is consistently late, they will be asked to move to private lessons. 

20. The minimum height to sign up for large ponies/horses riding lessons is 5ft2 and the maximum weight is 175lbs (there are no restrictions for driving lessons). 

21. Weather: Our lessons are held rain or shine. However, lessons will be cancelled in severe weather such as tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms, and extreme cold. These lessons will be replaced by online Zoom theory session. If your lesson must be cancelled due to inclement weather, we will attempt to contact you before the lesson at the email address you have provided. Please make sure that your instructor has your current contact information. 

AMF Équitation, LLC is located on a gravel road so we will follow local school closings (Decorah, Howard Winn) – if schools are closed due to severe weather/unsafe driving conditions, then the barn will most likely be closed as well. In doubt: Call: 563-203-2496

22. Riding someone else’s horse is strictly forbidden unless the owner is physically present and has given written permission. 

23. Stable is not responsible for anything lost, stolen, or damaged. Do not borrow equipment from anyone, including AMF Equitation, LLC, without first receiving permission.