Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Participants and Classes:
How long are the classes and sessions?
Classes are 30 minutes long and run in six-week sessions. We have classes for six weeks then one week off in between sessions to give our horses a break, schedule routine vet and farrier care, and facility maintenance. Click here to see this year’s calendar for classes and events. We are off for all major holidays.
How many students are in a class?
Our ideal number of riders is two (2) per instructor.
How much do classes cost?
Equine Assisted Activities classes are $60 per class or $360 per six-week session.
Silver Saddles classes are $60 per class or $360 per six-week session.
Equine Assisted Learning is $75 per 45-minute class or $450 per six-week session.
Click here to see a description of our classes
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we do offer need-based scholarships. There is no charge to veterans, first responders, or children in the foster care system. Please contact us for more information.
How do I pay for classes?
We ask that you pay for the full six weeks at the start of each session. You will be sent an invoice from QuickBooks to the email we have on file for you. There is a link on that email for you to pay online via credit or debit or you can pay by check by dropping it off in the office or mailing it to us.
Why do you have a waiting list?
Once a rider has a spot in our classes, that is their spot for as long as they wish to continue. When placing a new rider in a class, there are many things we need to consider. We try to match riders’ age and ability level so they can get the most out of classes. We look at the rider’s goals and consider what horse may be most suited to them. You may be the last person on the wait list but the only person who matches a class or can do that particular time.
How do I get on the wait list?
To get on the wait list we will need a completed Participant Application including the physician form signed by your physician. You can mail, email, fax, or drop these forms off at our Wildwood location. Once we receive your completed application, we will be in contact with you and get you on the wait list.
What should I wear to classes?
Each participant is required to wear an ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet during the class. Bike helmets are not allowed. We provide helmets to borrow until you are able to purchase your own. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes, pants, or shorts. (No crocs, sandals, dresses, or skirts.) Loose fitting jeans are best. Wearing sunscreen and/or insect repellent is also a good idea.
How early should I arrive for class?
If you’re able to make it 10 minutes early to class, that’ll make sure that we can get you started on time. If you are late for a class, you will miss the beginning of the lesson and only be able to participate for the remainder of that lesson. Extra time will not be added after the class to make up for the time you missed. If you are more than 15 minutes late, instructors are permitted to untack and put away the horse and send volunteers home.
Where do I wait for class?
Our primary concern is to provide a safe, productive experience for all riders. Horse-related activities hold an inherent risk. Parents/Guardians must always supervise your children and guest children. Horse related activities and environments could result in serious injury. For this reason, we ask that you keep your children with you at all times, before and after a lesson. They must wait at the picnic table (at the Town & Country facility) or outside of the arena or inside of lounge (at Wildwood) until their name is called by their instructor. All children who are not riding must be supervised at all times. Please do not enter the field, arena, or mounting ramp until asked to do so by an instructor.
What if I need to miss a class?
Always contact the office if you need to miss a class. Telling the instructor or volunteers is fine, but the office also needs to be notified, preferably by email, phone call, or text. If the office receives notice more than 24 hours before the class you’ll miss, we can credit the cost of that class back to you. If we receive notice within 24 hours (or no notice at all), you will be charged for the class. If a rider has 3 or more no call/no shows, EAT has the right to remove that rider from the session and book someone else.
Do I get a make-up class?
Make-ups are not usually given. There may be times when the instructors and volunteers are available and we are able to offer make ups on our week off between sessions. If EAT has to cancel classes or you cancel with 24 hours notice, the missed class(es) will be credited back to you.
What is your weather cancellation rule?
We know how much our riders look forward to their class and how hard change in routine can be. It is always a difficult decision to cancel classes but we have to keep in mind the health and safety of our riders, volunteers, instructors, and horses. For evening classes, we will make the final call no later than 2pm. For daytime classes, we will make the final call as early as possible.
In the summer, we will cancel classes if:
- There is a heat advisory
- The feels like temperature is 95° or higher
- The temperature is above 80° we then add the humidity percentage to the temperature and if that number is 150 or greater
In the winter, we will cancel classes if:
- The actual temperature is 20° or below
- The feels like temperature is 15° or below
- There is a winter weather advisory
- Rockwood schools cancel
How will I be alerted to class cancellations?
You will be notified by text or by email. We always ask for a response to these cancellation notices so we know you have received it. Please save our office number in your phone and add our email address to your contacts so you never miss an important communication from us! Phone: 314-971-0605 ~ Email: info@eatherapy.org
Will I ride the same horse every week?
We try to keep riders on the same horse each week. If your participant needs to be made aware of a change in horse before class please let the office know this.
Questions About Volunteering:
Are you looking for volunteers?
We are always looking for volunteers! No horse experience is necessary. Fill out a return a volunteer application by mail, email, or in person at our Wildwood location and we will get back to you via email as soon as we can.
What do your volunteers do?
We like to start all of our volunteers off as sidewalkers in our classes so you can get to know our program. As a sidewalker, you walk along side the horse, interacting with the rider, keeping them engaged in class, and keeping them safe. After being a sidewalker for a six week session, you can then go through additional training to be a horse leader in classes or a tack captain who helps get horses ready for classes. We also have a need for event volunteers and volunteers for our maintenance crew.
Do I need horse experience?
No experience is needed! We will give you all the training you need. If you do have horse experience, we still ask that you go through our training. We have so many people handling our horses each week, it is only fair to the horses that everyone handle them the same way.
When do you need volunteers?
Our Wildwood location runs year round. Weekday evening classes go from 4pm to 7pm. We have day time classes on Mondays and Fridays. Saturday classes go from 9:30am to 2pm. Our Town and Country location runs May through September with classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:30pm to 7pm and Saturdays from 9:30am to 12pm. We are closed on Sundays.
How many classes can I volunteer in?
We ask for a 1 hour minimum weekly commitment. You can help with 1 class or as many as you would like.
I need service hours for school, can I do them here?
We do not typically have temporary volunteers because our participants and horses thrive on consistency. We are happy to sign off on your volunteers hours but you are responsible for tracking them.
Do I need training?
We ask our volunteers to come to one hands-on training per year.
