That's correct, it's part of our Health and Safety policy to main a high level of safety. A new customer will arrive, complete a Rider Registration Form, there's a section asking them to declare their previous riding experience. Depending on their answers, they will either have an Introduction Lesson (for someone who's never ridden a horse) or an Assessment (if they are certain they can Walk, Trot and Canter or beyond), which can take place a few different ways. This will verify the rider meets our minimum Hacking standard (proficient Walk, Trot and Canter, ideally being able to do the first 2 gaits/movements without the riders feet in the stirrups showing balance and control).

If a new customer has owned their own horse at some point, or has ridden regularly for years, then a brief assessment might be offered (it's very obvious if someone can ride to our minimum requirements), it's only takes about 5 minutes, so can be done before a Hack, but this must take place in our Indoor School. Alternatively, we sometimes offer customers of this level the opportunity to be Assessed in a Group Lesson format, but the customer must meet our minimum requirements as stated in the paragraph above.

Unfortunately if someone does fail the Assessment, they will be unable to join the Hack, as they will be putting themselves and potentially other riders (and the horses) at risk. If there is availability, we will offer them an Alternative (such as Private Lesson), but it's not always possible as they take place in our Indoor School, which will probably have a booking already. For this reason, the customer should be confident they meet our minimum requirements for Hacking before participating in a brief Assessment.

We require that every rider who goes hacking demonstrates proficient Walk, Trot and Canter in our Indoor School. A rider at that level and above, should be able to canter safely without stirrups, we ascertain this in an Assessment/Introduction lesson.

So your daughters first step, would be an Introduction/Assessment Lesson in our Indoor School, if we feel she's good enough to go Hacking, she would then be able to book hacking at a later date. All our Hacks are accompanied by a Member of Staff, the more people we take out, the more staff have to go with them. You are not required to go along with the hack.

You are allowed to leave the site while your child is riding, but you must be back before the end of the hack, and you must tell a member of staff, and leave an emergency contact telephone number. Because riding is a Risk Sport, we would prefer you remain on-site at all times.

If you mistook Horse and Pony Rides for Hacking, the child would be led at all times by a Handler. We prefer the parent/guardian to go out with the child if they are 6 or under, or the first couple of times if not.

REMEMBER: RIDING IS A RISK SPORT - Your choice to ride is voluntary. We take all reasonable care to provide suitable and safe horses and ponies for all our clients. All animals can be Unpredictable.

We strongly advise:

• You to take out full personal accident cover.
• Wear a Hat and Body Protector whenever you're near a horse.

Anyone can hack, but they must be able to ride to a safe standard. We require that every new client take an Assessment/Introduction Lesson in our Indoor School first, and have filled out a Rider Registration Form stating their ability level, and we'll ask you to demonstrate that level through various exercises.

There is more detailed information on our website located here:

* http://www.chestnuts-riding-school.co.uk/information/hacking
* http://www.chestnuts-riding-school.co.uk/information/assessment-introduc...

As for bookings. 90% of our clients book and pay monthly in advance, all bookings require pre-payment, unless they are initiated 24 hours before the scheduled ride.

http://www.chestnuts-riding-school.co.uk/information/weekly-club

Our Terms and Conditions are available here (They have yet to be updated fully, although most apply still.):

http://www.chestnuts-riding-school.co.uk/information/terms-and-conditions

If you wish to learn to ride with your daughter, you would have to book Private Lessons separately until you can both Walk and Trot, then you could continue learning in a Semi-Private (2 riders) format until you can Walk, Trot and Canter to a fair level.
Once you can do that, you're able to go Hacking with no restrictions. On average is takes 15-20 lessons, although it's totally down to the rider, everyone is different and we teach everyone at their own pace.

This summer we're planning to offer walk only Trekking, every horse will have a Western Saddle with a Pommel which increases a beginners safety significantly. This eliminates the hurdles new clients have to go through who, just want to go for a quiet ride out on the South Downs.