FAQ

General

What safety equipment is required?

All riders must wear their own approved ASTM/SEI helmets. Riders must wear proper riding footwear a hard soled boot with a minimum ½” heel and a maximum 2” heel. A limited number of community helmets are available however we encourage riders to invest in their own helmet.

Where can I get a helmet?

Helmets can be purchased from your local tack store. The sales agent can ensure the proper fit.

What is the cancellation policy?

To reschedule a lesson, please submit a cancellation request through the HorseNotes rider portal. If you cancel your lesson for any reason with less than 24-hours notice or fail to attend, the lesson will incur a full charge or can be rescheduled with an additional fee. A missed lesson or cancellation made with less than 24-hours notice will require a $30 fee to be paid in order to reschedule the lesson.

In the event that you provide more than 24-hours notice, we kindly request that you book a new lesson within 30 days of the originally scheduled lesson.

How do I makeup a lesson?

Makeup lessons are self managed in the HorseNotes Rider Portal.

To schedule a makeup lesson, login to your portal. After a lesson is marked as cancelled you will have an option to rebook that lesson within 30 days. Lessons not used before 30 days expire.

When should I arrive for my lesson?

For optimal preparation, tiny riders are encouraged to arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled lesson.

In the case of regular lessons, it is recommended that riders arrive 30 minutes before the lesson start time to groom and tack up their horse. This allows riders to ensure that their horse is properly prepared for the lesson.

Please note that riders who arrive late for tacking up may forfeit their riding lesson time. It is the rider’s responsibility to arrive early enough to prepare their horse before the lesson starts.

New riders will receive instruction on how to groom and tack up a horse during their initial lessons, and they will be expected to gradually assume these responsibilities themselves.

I want to do group lessons but there is not a suitable group. How does that work?

Lesson durations depend on the number of riders and we provide a range of options available during the week and weekends. If you notice a time slot that fits your schedule but is currently unoccupied, please feel free to contact us.

Private and semi-private lessons for two individuals have a duration of 30 minutes. Three-person semi-private lessons are 45 minutes long, while small group lessons for four people last for 60 minutes.

Do you offer public trail riding?

We do not provide trail riding services to the general public. Our focus is on providing safe and structured riding lessons. However, riders who take weekly lessons and have reached a level of competency that enables them to ride safely in an open field may purchase practice rides.

Are lessons cancelled in extreme hot or cold conditions?

Our riding lessons are now conducted in a climate-controlled arena, providing a comfortable environment throughout the year, with warmth during winter and cool during summer.

In the event of lesson cancellations or modifications caused by weather conditions, we will notify you via email.

I have riding experience and want to rent a horse to trail ride. Can I do that.

At Brookson Farm, we do not offer horse rentals for any purpose regardless of your level or experience. However, if you are interested in riding, we offer lessons and practice rides (including trail riding) exclusively to weekly students who have demonstrated their ability to ride safely on their own.

Can I bring my dog?

We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing dogs to our facility. For the safety and comfort of our riders and horses, we request that all dogs be left at home. Thank you for your cooperation.

Do you take volunteers or working students?

Volunteering at Brookson is an excellent way to expand your horsemanship knowledge and spend more time with horses than you would during a regular weekly lesson. We have three student positions available, each with its own set of requirements:

Volunteers – Our volunteer program is available to Brookson students who are 11 years of age or older and attend a weekly riding lesson. Volunteers help with stable duties during regular lessons and are supervised by our working students and instructors. Volunteers must be Brookson level 3 riders or higher, able to follow instructions, and exhibit maturity and professionalism. There is no compensation for volunteering, but it provides valuable horsemanship and stable management skills.
Working Students – Our working student program is available to students who have demonstrated dedication and a strong work ethic by volunteering at the barn. Working students must be 12 years of age or older, attend a weekly lesson, and be a rider level 4 or higher. Working students earn credits for additional lessons or riding opportunities at Brookson, based on a combination of their weekly shifts worked and their experience, abilities, and contribution. Students who work hard, follow instructions, and demonstrate autonomy may be promoted from a Level 1 to a Level 2 working student, becoming eligible for additional credits. Working students are expected to maintain a high standard of work, follow instructions, complete tasks, and maintain a positive attitude. Positions are limited, but volunteers who demonstrate the capability of a working student position will be considered as positions open up.
Summer Camp Counsellors – Our camp counselor program is available to Brookson riders who are 13 years of age or older, attend a weekly lesson, have a rider level 4 or higher, and have completed at least 20 hours of approved volunteer experience at the barn. Counselors earn credits for additional lessons or riding opportunities at Brookson.

If you’re interested in any of our student positions, please contact us at ride@brookson.ca.

What Happens If a Rider Falls?

At Brookson, rider safety is our top priority. Falls can happen in any riding program, and we follow a clear, structured protocol to ensure every rider is assessed properly before getting back in the saddle.

Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about what happens after a fall and how our Remove-From-Sport Policy works.

➤ What happens right after a fall?

If a rider falls, the coach immediately stops all horses and approaches the rider carefully. The rider is asked to stay seated or lying still until the coach completes a brief safety check.

Our first priority is ensuring the rider is not seriously injured and does not have a potential concussion.

➤ Do riders always get back on the horse after a fall?

Not necessarily.
If the rider is sore, shaken, or showing any symptoms of a possible concussion, they will not be permitted to remount. Safety always comes first. Riders who are uninjured and do not have symptoms of concussion and did not hit their head may be permitted to remount.

➤ What is a suspected concussion?

A suspected concussion includes any of the following symptoms after a fall:

Headache or pressure in the head
Dizziness or balance issues
Blurry vision
Confusion or slower thinking
Nausea
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling “off” or unusually emotional

If any of these symptoms are present, we treat it as a suspected concussion.

➤ What is Brookson’s “Remove-From-Sport” policy?

If a concussion is suspected, the rider is immediately removed from riding for the rest of the day and may not participate again until medically cleared.

This is based on the internationally recognized principle:
“When in doubt, sit them out.”

A medical assessment from a doctor or nurse practitioner is required before the rider can return.

➤ How does a rider return to riding after a suspected concussion?

Riders must provide:

Medical clearance from a physician or nurse practitioner that they do not have a concussion, or
Medical clearance from a physician or nurse practitioner that they had a concussion and are ready for a gradual return-to-ride stages, which start with light activity on the ground and build back up to full lessons.

This ensures the rider returns safely and confidently.

➤ Why is the protocol so strict?

Even a mild concussion can worsen quickly with physical activity.
Horseback riding is a high-movement, high-balance sport, and symptoms can be easily aggravated.

Our protocol protects riders from further injury and helps them recover fully before returning to sport.

➤ Can I book lessons while waiting for medical clearance?

Unfortunately, no.
A rider cannot participate in any mounted activities until they are fully cleared.
Once cleared, our coaching team will guide the rider through the appropriate return-to-ride steps.

Payment Policy

What type of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, credit card (online), cheques or email transfers. Make cheques payable to Brookson Farm and email transfers can be sent to ride@brookson.ca

What is the cancellation policy?

In the event that you provide more than 24-hours notice, we kindly request that you book a new lesson within 30 days of the originally scheduled lesson.

What is the payment policy?

Our lesson program offers a flexible and convenient payment system, allowing riders to purchase blocks of 4, 8, or 12 lessons. Our user-friendly online portal enables riders to easily book and manage their lessons, and payment is required in advance before booking any lessons. Our payment system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Please note that all lessons and packages are non-refundable and non-transferable, so we encourage riders to consider their schedules and commitment level before purchasing a lesson package.

Is there HST?

HST will be applied to all lessons, and it should be noted that lesson packages are neither transferable nor refundable.

Do you offer refunds for lessons?

Lessons are non-refundable; however, depending on the individual situation, a refund may be issued minus 25%.

Progression

I want to do group lessons but there is not a suitable group. How does that work?

Can I do practice rides on my own time?

Indeed, riders who have reached a certain level of proficiency in horseback riding and are capable of riding independently may opt to show lease a horse and engage in practice rides in addition to their regular lessons.

How often are horses jumped at Brookson?

Horses in our program are typically jumped twice per week. This balance allows them to stay fit and confident over fences while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear. Jumping is hard on joints, tendons, and muscles—so careful management ensures our horses stay sound and happy long-term.

Can I take weekly jumping lessons without a lease?

Not on a regular basis. Since horses are only jumped twice per week, regular jumping lessons are reserved for riders in a competitive show lease or in the Progression+ program. This ensures consistency for the rider while also protecting the horse’s workload.

Recreational riders can still expect to do small jumps about once a month as part of their program, but ongoing jumping requires a competitive lease or Progression+.

Do you offer public trail riding?

We do not provide trail riding services to the general public. Our focus is on providing safe and structured riding lessons.

I have riding experience and want to rent a horse to trail ride. Can I do that.

Why is a show lease or Progression+ required for consistent jumping?

Think of it like owning a car—the harder and more often you drive it, the more gas, oil changes, and maintenance it needs. Horses are the similar.

Flatwork and light riding are like everyday driving: steady and lower-impact. Jumping and more technical exercises, on the other hand, is like pushing a car harder—faster speeds, heavier loads, and more wear on the engine and tires. It takes more out of the horse physically and requires more upkeep(feed, vet work, medications etc) to keep them in top condition.

Because of this, horses can only jump a limited number of times each week, and riders who want consistent jumping need to contribute through a lease or the Progression+ program. This ensures the horses get the care they need while giving riders the consistency to progress safely.

What happens if my competitive lease horse or privately owned horse is unable to lesson?

In the event that the lease horse or privately owned horse cannot be ridden in their scheduled lesson (IE loses a shoe, has vet work done or any other reason), another horse will be provided. Should a lease horse be lame with more than half the lesson time not utilized, a make up lesson can be requested. A makeup fee applies.

Can I progress past Level 3 in recreational lessons?

Recreational lessons are designed to focus on the basics of riding, horsemanship, exercise and having fun. Riders in this stream can work up to Level 3, which includes solid flatwork skills, polework, and small jumps on occasion.

Beyond Level 3, riders who want to continue progressing into higher-level jumping, more advanced flatwork, or competition preparation will need to transition into a competitive lease program or join Progression+.

This is because advancing past Level 3 requires:

More consistent riding time (at least 2 rides per week)
Access to horses with the training and conditioning for higher-level work
Structured skill development in jumping, skills & drills, and flatwork

In short:

Jumping bigger jumps requires a higher level of upkeep, riders who want to jump higher share in those costs through a competitive lease or the Progression+ program. This way, the horses get the care they need, and riders benefit from a safe, consistent training path.

Recreational lessons are a great foundation, but to go further, a more advanced program is needed.

What is a Lesson Lease?

A Lesson Lease is a flexible way to secure consistent access to a specific horse without the full cost or commitment of a competitive show lease.

With a lesson lease, the horse is reserved for you to ride in your weekly lessons. This ensures:

Consistency – you learn and progress on the same horse each week.
Confidence – you build a partnership with your horse, making riding and learning smoother.
Priority Access – your leased horse is not randomly assigned to other riders during your lesson times.

Cost:
Lesson leases are $160 to lesson once a week or $260 to lesson twice a week in addition to lesson costs.

Who is it for?

Riders in Recreational lessons who want more consistency.
Riders participating in Progression+ or Pre-Competitive programs.
Anyone not ready for a full or half lease but wanting the benefits of having “their own” horse in lessons.

In short, a lesson lease is the perfect step between casual riding and a full competition lease.

Can I combine Progression+ or Pre-Competitive with a Lesson Lease?

Yes! In fact, combining these programs with a Lesson Lease is one of the best ways to maximize progress.

Do you have lockers available to rent?

Lockers are limited and reserved for boarders and competitive show lease riders. Recreational riders, Progression Plus and Pre Competitive riders do not have access to lockers.