Expectations & Agreements

Inclusive & Accessible: Silver Oak is a community that welcomes students of diverse physical and mental abilities. Not all unique abilities are obvious from the outside, and being together in this community is a learning & growth experience for everyone.

Rain or Shine Policy: Our programs meet rain or shine (please do not drive in dangerous weather). Our instructors plan for rainy days, and there are a lot of fun learning lessons to have in the barn on rainy days.

Payment Policy: Our classes are paid on a monthly payment schedule and will be automatically charged to your credit/debit card on file.. There are no refunds for missed lessons. 

Student Absence / Make-Up Policy: We understand that students get sick, have school performances, family travel, and other scheduling conflicts. For riding lessons, we offer 1 make-up opportunity per month. If any class is canceled due to inclement weather or instructor absence, a make-up opportunity will be provided.

Instructor Policy: The student’s preference for an instructor will be considered, but this is not guaranteed. 

NOTE: All lessons are planned by Leah, and each instructor will be teaching these lessons specific to the needs of each student. We are committed to developing our programs with experienced instructors who can deliver high-quality lessons according to a standard curriculum that is documented and tracked for each student.

Horse Policy: Each lesson, a student may be assigned any of our schooling horses. Our instructors make this decision based on the horse, as well as the student's current needs. 

NOTE: It is important that the student grow and is challenged to ride different horses at different times. It is also important to respect the horse's health needs and when the horse may need time off. Lastly, it is important to understand how the student may have contributed to a horse's behavior in the past, and pairing the student with that horse again is at the sole discretion of the instructor or Leah.

Riding Level Policy: The instructor will guide the student through the advancement of riding independently, trotting, cantering, and jumping when the student has met the prerequisite skills and can demonstrate a safe progression into the new skill. The horse's health will always be considered, and progression to the new skill may vary based on horse availability. 

Horsemanship Philosophy and Emphasis: At Silver Oak Stables, we believe that the foundation of a successful riding school is built on horsemanship, groundwork, and a comprehensive education on horse health and wellbeing. Our philosophy centers around the holistic care and keeping of horses, ensuring that both horses and humans thrive in a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment.

NOTE: One of the most beautiful things about spending time with horses (both in and out of the saddle) is that we can spend our lifetimes striving to continuously improve our communication, clarity, and confidence, all of which makes us a better partner with our horse. There are no age or time limits on this journey, and every step forward helps us improve ourselves.