Riding Lessons at Shadow Lane Farm


  • My goal is to provide children and young adults with riding lessons and horse-related skills in a positive, safe atmosphere. Check out my Facebook page (Shadow Lane Farm) and website (www.shadowlanefarm.com) for more information!

Requirements and other information:

  • Anyone who rides my horses MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION (www.nbea.ca). This ensures that you have adequate liability insurance. In case you weren’t aware (most people aren’t) – that unless you have this liability insurance, there is NO INSURANCE COVERING YOU if you get on a horse (for example, at a friend’s house, etc.) Please provide a printed or emailed copy of your membership information.
  • All riders must have a private lesson the first time they ride – this allows me to assess the rider’s level to ensure that they are able to ride safely. Private lessons are required until the rider is able to halt, turn and ride independently at the walk and trot.
  • Lessons are booked by the hour – there are no ½ hour lessons. Your lesson time includes grooming, tacking up, cooling down and cleaning up horse/equipment. These are essential parts of horsemanship and all riders are required to participate in this part of the lesson. Your hour includes this horse care time.
  • Please park up near the barn (not in my personal parking spaces!) You will see where you can drive up close to the barn – this is where you should be. NOTE FOR PONY CLUB MEMBERS:  On Pony Club Days, please park ON THE STREET (Smith Road) – do not drive up the driveway!
  • There is NO WASHROOM in my barn – please plan accordingly!
  • Please leave your dogs, umbrellas and strollers at home – my horses are quiet but the less distractions, the safer they are. Thank you!
  • There is absolutely NO SMOKING anywhere on the property – any parents/spectators who do not follow this rule will be asked to leave.
 
Scheduling

  • I don’t have an indoor riding area, so lessons are dependent on weather (more lessons happen in spring, summer and fall – and if footing is good in riding ring, possibly through the winter).
  • Lessons are booked “as we go” – I currently don’t have a set lesson program schedule – we find a time that works for both of us, and this may change week to week (like you’d book a dentist appointment.)
  • Please note that I often have other lessons booked before and after yours – so please be on time for your lesson so you get your full hour. It’s not necessary to come earlier than our lesson start time.
  • I’m a school teacher/vice principal so I am available all summer, once school starts I am available after 5:00 pm and on weekends only. Due to the nature of my job, I may need to postpone weeknight lessons should things happen at work unexpectedly – ALWAYS check your email before you head to your lesson! My cell is 447-1763 and texts are great as well :)
  • You cannot book your lesson immediately before or after Pony Club (if you are a PC member) – the horses need downtime to relax in order to stay quiet and happy while Pony Club members are working with them – their wellbeing is our top priority.
 
 
Rates:

  • My rate is $30.00/hr which must be paid at the time of the lesson (or in advance). This is the same for private and semi-private lessons. I accept cash, cheques and e-transfers. If I am travelling to your barn to teach, my rate is $50.00/hr.
 
My experience:

  • I have owned, ridden, trained and competed with my own horses for 40 years and have been an instructor in the Pony Club program off and on for the past 25 years. I’m a B2 level Pony Clubber. I am a certified Equestrian Canada Instructor. I teach ENGLISH RIDING LESSONS ONLY.
  • I operate the Fredericton Pony Club at my family farm (Shadow Lane Farm) – children must be 6 years old to join FPC, but can start riding lessons before 6 as long as they are insured.
  • I’m a public school teacher/administrator with 20+ years’ experience working with children.
 
My horses:

  • I use my own privately-owned horses and ponies for lessons. Depending on the skill level of the rider, they will use one of these horses. I have the final say as to which horse/pony will be used – much of this depends on suitability and the well-being of both horse and rider. (Often, people have a favorite animal and I try to accommodate this if I can!)
 
Required equipment:

  • ASTM or SEI Approved Riding helmet (please, no bike or hockey helmets, etc.). Children may use one of my helmets for the first few lessons but all riders should have their own.
  • Boots with a heel (no sandals, sneakers, crocs, etc. are allowed by anyone while around my horses). Boots cannot have a zipper or buckle on the inside of the foot or leg – these will cause permanent scratches/damage to saddles (where the rider’s leg rubs against the saddle). SADDLES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT – approximately $1000.00 + to replace!
  • Family members and spectators are asked to wear protective footwear as well (at least a pair of sneakers – no open-toed footwear).
  • Fitted pants (yoga pants or other are fine – slim fit jeans will do the trick but can chafe legs.
  • Safety vests are encouraged but not required.
  • To see what proper riding attire looks like, please check out http://www.frederictonponyclub.net/what-to-wear.html This isn’t a mandatory “uniform” but it does make the rider look professional in the sport.
  • Where to buy riding equipment?
    • North Stream Farm Tack Shop (Charters Settlement)
    • Greenhawk Equestrian (Moncton and Saint John)
    • ShurGain Feeds and Needs (Exhibition grounds)
    • PLEASE NOTE: it is EXTREMELY important to get a properly fitted helmet – please purchase this with a PROFESSIONAL HELPING YOU FIT THE HELMET CORRECTLY. DO NOT BUY A USED RIDING HELMET AT A YARD SALE!!! IT COULD BE DAMAGED.
 
 
Heather’s Contact Information:
Cell                      447-1763 (text or call)
Email                  heather.touchie@nbed.nb.ca