Quiet Rein Farm

Barn Guidelines

Please remember to refrain from running, yelling, etc. when at QRF. Even if you can’t see a horse in your line of sight, you could easily startle a horse out of view and cause the horse and/or it’s handler to become injured. Spectators and visitors cannot run, jump, or play when visiting our farm. Unfortunately, we are not a park recreation area and a dangerous situation could easily arise. In order for us to allow spectators and visitors, we have to ask all sit quietly and observe regardless of age/excitability. Those in violation of this will be required to leave immediately.

We love visitors from friends and spectators to our lessons. We need all visitors to stay away from pastures, including not reaching into them to pet or feed a horse. We also request that all visitors stay out of the barn area to keep the aisle clear and safe, as a crowded situation may cause a horse to kick or move suddenly. There are absolutely no parents, friends, family, etc. allowed inside the arenas at any time for any reason. There is no entry into any of the horses’ stalls unless you are the assigned rider to that horse. If you need help, this should be provided from QRF staff. No parents or guests are to enter a stall, even if it is a horse assigned to their child. All riders who cannot adjust their own equipment, need to be handed a water bottle, or remove a sweater for example must seek help from QRF staff, not a parent or guest. This is for everyone’s safety.

QRF has an absolute zero drama policy. This includes conduct on social media that directly pertains to other riders, interactions within the barn, excluding others from activities, group messages, etc. and discussion of barn members when they are not present, whether this occurs on property or in other places. Please note this includes conduct at away shows and events. We strive to be a supportive and positive atmosphere for all equestrians, whether they ride with us or not. Any negativity, gossip, or bullying will not be tolerated.

Please only use equipment that belongs to you. Lockers are not to be opened unless it is a locker assigned to you. Equipment provided for lesson horses can be used by students for these horses. Saddle pads, bridles, girths, brushes provided by the community program are strictly for QRF owned community horses. Those who lease or own must provide their own pads, equipment, brushes, etc. Additionally, if you use something, put it back. If you make it dirty, clean it. Sweep up after yourself. Strive to leave things cleaner than you left it, those who leave messes in the aisle will not be allowed to use community items and shared spaces.

Ride with courtesy. We are a learning facility, with an active ring that has timid and unsure riders new to steering and controlling their mount. Go the same direction as the lessons, no exceptions. Call where you are going, but always yield to lesson students. More advanced lesson students should always yield to those more novice. Do not flood the ring with chaos, be sure to take walk breaks so others feel the ring is being shared adequately. In instances where a rider is jumping, those not jumping have the rail and those on course have the inside track. Please do not stop to talk to friends or halt on the rail as this creates a traffic jam. There is absolutely no jumping outside of a lesson, and use of poles must be approved by a trainer that is present at the time of use. No poles, jumps, or equipment can be moved, changed, or set up for those not in a lesson. Those who are allowed to hack must abide by these rules in order to continue to do so— dangerous riding, close riding, ring hogging, and careless riding that interferes with lessons will not be tolerated.

Those who tack, untack, and handle horses in the barn as part of their riding experience should always exemplify solid and safe horsemanship. To name a few important safety tips, there should be no horses left tied and unattended, all necessary equipment should be brought out prior to putting horses on the aisle, there should be no kneeling/sitting in the barn aisle regardless of proximity to a horse. If you aren’t sure how to do something, it is always best to ask a working student or staff member rather than try to guess. Students who tack must be supervised by the working students, all parents and visitors must remain in proper viewing areas outside of the aisle area to avoid overcrowding and keep things safe.

Enjoy your time at the barn and help keep others safe! Follow these rules, don’t be shy to ask questions or request help! Call “door” when approaching the arena entrance and wait for your entry to be approved so as not to startle or get too close to another horse. Seek out staff and working students for assistance, they are there to help!

We have a strict speed limit of 5 MPH on our driveway. This may seem ridiculously slow to you, especially if you are running behind for a lesson, but trust us, when you are the one riding the pony down the bend of the driveway, you will understand why this is the speed limit. It may take you some time to safely get to your destination, but we have had accidents involving barn cats, riders, horses, and staff by those who do not think the rules apply to them and this snail’s pace will be strictly enforced for the safety of all at the farm.

Thanks for riding and visiting with us!