Greetings Equestrian Families,

Thanks for choosing to enroll in one of our programs at the Sienna Ranch Riding and Horsemanship School. We are looking forward to hosting your child for Summer Camp 2016!

Footwear Proper footwear is very important when working around and riding horses. Since horses are very large individuals with the flight instinct of prey animals we put safety first in our horse program.

We require participants wear good boots or shoes help protect feet if they get stepped on, and most importantly, keep feet from sliding through the stirrup and getting stuck in the event of a fall. Participants must wear appropriate footwear to be allowed to work around and ride our horses. Your child may already have something that would be appropriate for our riding and horsemanship programs, below are some examples:

Safe Footwear

• Boots designed for riding such as paddock boots, ropers, or cowboy boots • Shoe or boot with smooth sole (no significant treads) and a square 1” – 1.5” heel

Unsafe Footwear (not permitted for Sienna Ranch Riding Programming) • Flip Flops • Sandals • Open-toed shoes • Sneakers • Canvas shoes (example: Toms) • Clogs • Garden shoes (example Crocs) • Hiking/snow boots

Helmets The Riding and Horsemanship School requires that all participants wear a correctly fitted ASTM-SEI riding helmet while on horseback. Sienna Ranch provides ASTM-SEI riding helmets for your child to use. Please note that riders with long hair should be prepared to wear it pulled back while riding.

If you have your own helmet and would like to use it at the Ranch, please bring it with you the first day of program to be inspected. If necessary, your student can always count on using a Sienna Ranch helmet.

Riding Pants Thicker, two way stretch leggings are fine for riding, as are "jeggings" or other stretch pants that do not have any raised inseams along the thighs or crotch area as these can cause discomfort to the rider. Students should avoid loose pants that can wrinkle, twist, and bunch up along the inside of the leg or around the knee. Capris, shorts, and jeans are also inappropriate for riding as, like pants that are too loose, they can cause rubs, blisters, or leather burns.

Riding shirt A fitted, weather-appropriate shirt is fine. Looser shirts must be tucked in to avoid catching on the saddle or other equipment.

Hair/accessories Long hair should be tied back in a low pony tail to avoid getting caught on tack or interfering with the rider's vision

No jewelry other than post / stud earrings

Students wishing to continue with ongoing lessons may be interested in riding pants with leather knee pads (leggings can be a bit slippery) and/or half chaps as well as riding gloves and their own helmet & paddock boots. The Orinda Village Horse Shop has a new rider package offering a 10% discount on boots, breeches, and a helmet (see below). Last I spoke to the owner she was researching a lower-cost brand of paddock boots (previously only carried the high end brands).

Used items can sometimes be found online at Bay Area Equestrian Network http://www.bayequest.info

Other Safety Information In addition to safe footwear, we ask that students wear long pants, comfortable clothing that isn’t loose enough to get hung up or caught on anything, and leave all jewelry at home.

Thanks for helping us to provide the safest experience possible for your young equestrians. Please contact Katie, our Animal Care and Horse Care coordinator with any questions. Her contact info is below.

Thanks! Sienna Ranch

Katie Webb Animal & Horse Care Coordinator Riding Instructor, Sienna Ranch [email protected]