Makeup lesson policies

[Shimmer0921]

Hello all!

I am new to registering in this decade, but I have been a LONG time viewer and I think I used to post back in the day as a teen when I rode. My own daughter has been riding for a few years now (wish I could afford both of us but I am happy to support her passion ). I thought I would join again as lately I have started to anticipate some questions arising between the 15-20 years that I stopped riding and she started lol.

My first is. Make up lessons! How do your barns handle scheduling make ups? My daughter rides at a lesson/show barn. They lesson Mon-Fri and have extra staff so the show’s are never an issue. In the 4 years she has been there we have missed maybe 6-8 lessons due to vacation/illness. Vacation we would give notice weeks in advance and an illness at least 24 hours (maybe one time as she would rather die then miss a lesson). Our barn’s policy is that EVERY missed/cancelled lesson will be honored (with notice on our part). Which is great!

My question is, is it up to us to keep track of make ups and reach out to schedule? Or should they be reaching out to offer us a slot? Also what about if it is not a cancellation on our part? If they cancel due to unforeseeable circumstances do we forfeit the lesson and money? In the past couple years lessons get cancelled due to heat (completely reasonable), holidays, the trainers are tired from a show (again all completely reasonable), horse health issues, etc etc. I understand it ALL. I just want to know what other barns do. Should I be keeping track of cancelled lessons and reaching out to ask for make ups? I have at times asked if she could ride a different day and then I feel like a jerk for asking… Recently we have had multiple lessons cancelled last minute in past couple months. I understand horses and circumstances are unpredictable but we also pay a LOT of money. I am just curious how other barns handle this so I can go about getting her make ups done without coming across as a jerk. I grew up in a small barn where my trainer was like my family and I worked at the barn 5 days a week to afford my pony so this is a bit of a different concept to what I am used to.

Thank you for any input!!

[Curly_Feather]

I pay a monthly fee for a lesson every week. I miss a lot of lessons due to work and other commitments. It is entirely up to me to keep track of the number I’ve missed, and to schedule make-up times.

At the end of each year I often have a bunch of missed lessons, that I paid for but couldn’t make up.

[fivestrideline]

Typically I take responsibility for reaching out to schedule makeups. Think about it this way - the barn has X number of riders a day, but you only have 1 to keep track of.

Your makeup policy should be in the contract. It should spell out what happens if you cancel, if the barn cancels, how much notice is required, how long until makeup lessons “expire” if unscheduled. There’s no harm in asking for clarification - I’d reach out to the trainer in charge.

It sounds like your barn has canceled a higher number of lessons than usual lately? Or have you canceled a higher number than usual? If it is the barn canceling, they should be taking care of the rescheduling or refunds, and you shouldn’t be paying for something you aren’t getting. I would be keeping track.

Again, this is a case where you have to rely on the contract and it doesn’t hurt to ask for clarification - don’t wait until you’re feeling shorted on services. Ask now, politely and without accusation, so that everyone is on the same page!

[trubandloki]

@Shimmer0921

Hello all!

I am new to registering in this decade, but I have been a LONG time viewer and I think I used to post back in the day as a teen when I rode. My own daughter has been riding for a few years now (wish I could afford both of us but I am happy to support her passion ). I thought I would join again as lately I have started to anticipate some questions arising between the 15-20 years that I stopped riding and she started lol.

My first is. Make up lessons! How do your barns handle scheduling make ups? My daughter rides at a lesson/show barn. They lesson Mon-Fri and have extra staff so the show’s are never an issue. In the 4 years she has been there we have missed maybe 6-8 lessons due to vacation/illness. Vacation we would give notice weeks in advance and an illness at least 24 hours (maybe one time as she would rather die then miss a lesson). Our barn’s policy is that EVERY missed/cancelled lesson will be honored (with notice on our part). Which is great!

My question is, is it up to us to keep track of make ups and reach out to schedule? Or should they be reaching out to offer us a slot? Also what about if it is not a cancellation on our part? If they cancel due to unforeseeable circumstances do we forfeit the lesson and money? In the past couple years lessons get cancelled due to heat (completely reasonable), holidays, the trainers are tired from a show (again all completely reasonable), horse health issues, etc etc. I understand it ALL. I just want to know what other barns do. Should I be keeping track of cancelled lessons and reaching out to ask for make ups? I have at times asked if she could ride a different day and then I feel like a jerk for asking… Recently we have had multiple lessons cancelled last minute in past couple months. I understand horses and circumstances are unpredictable but we also pay a LOT of money. I am just curious how other barns handle this so I can go about getting her make ups done without coming across as a jerk. I grew up in a small barn where my trainer was like my family and I worked at the barn 5 days a week to afford my pony so this is a bit of a different concept to what I am used to.

Thank you for any input!!

Welcome (back)!

My experience is that scheduling make-up lessons is something the rider needs to do.

I always found it easiest to do it at the time I was cancelling - Trainer, I just had a work commitment come up, so next Tuesday evening so I can not make my regularly scheduled lesson time. Can we schedule a make-up time? I am free every other evening next week.

Clearly, you do this while your trainer is not sitting on a horse or in the middle of something important.

[chocolate_chip_in]

Yes, it’s up to you to reschedule if a lesson is cancelled. I’m in a much smaller program than your daughter so my trainer is good about saying “Hey the vet is running late so I need to cancel for today, want to reschedule to [other time]?” or whatever, but it’s spelled out in the contract that it’s the rider’s responsibility to reschedule.

[NC001]

From my experience with a few different lesson barns is you will get so far in the hole with missed lessons there isnt enough time/open slots to make them all up. Rescheduling is on you to make sure it happens but don’t be surprised if it’s hard to get those in.

[Mallard]

I pre-pay for lessons along with my board. Things are very flexible at the barn.
I always re-book at the same time as I cancel.
If coach has to cancel, she will offer up days to make it up.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’d recommend speaking directly with whoever is the ultimate authority and understand if they have a clear policy in place about the timeframe for making up lessons. Some allow lessons to roll over month to month, others do not. I’d assume it was the clients responsibility to track lessons unless otherwise.

[findeight]

The barn only knows when the client’s lessons are scheduled. If Susie cancels her Thursday at 4pm lesson, barn has no idea what day and time Susie can make that up. So, if client cancels it is client who needs to handle the make up,

If barn cancels? IMO and IME, it is up to barn to ask client when they want to make that time up. Preferably at the time client is notified.

One thing to be clear on is who schedules the lessons. Bigger programs usually have an office manager who schedules the lessons (and often vet, farrier etc.). Smaller programs rely on the trainer who handles everything else plus teaching, training, showing. Much easier with the big properly staffed barns and lesson programs.

Whichever you are in, you need to initiate rescheduling right away if the barn does not. Do not wait then call saying your make up/ must take window expires in 3 days.