Why We Teach on Rainy Days
Why do we teach groundwork?
Groundwork and unmounted horsemanship are core parts of riding instruction. Students need to learn how to handle, understand, and care for horses, not only how to sit on one.
I believe most students would benefit from more groundwork, and earlier. Some horse professionals I deeply respect require months of groundwork before a student ever gets into the saddle, and I think they are onto something. Rain gives us a natural opportunity to go deeper into skills I already believe students need.
Riding is an important part of our program, but it is only one part of the larger horsemanship education we provide. At Cheyne Ranch, we teach riding and groundwork alongside each other.
What makes a lesson valuable?
Families are paying us to teach horsemanship, not purchasing minutes in the saddle. Sometimes a full lesson happens entirely in the tack room.
When it is safe to get here, showing up matters. Community is built by people who keep showing up, even when the day looks different than expected. That consistency helps students build relationships, responsibility, and a real sense of belonging in this community.
What happens when it rains?
Safety always decides. Please only drive if conditions are safe. If lightning is nearby when you arrive, please remain in your car.
Our staff decides what is safe for the horses and for riding. We ask families to respect that decision. We take a conservative approach to lightning distance because we know our horses and want both students and animals safe. Even when a storm is far enough away that the horses are not in immediate danger, a loud crack of thunder can still frighten them. Most of our students are not yet ready to remain safely mounted if a horse spooks or moves away quickly.
If you can get here safely, please do! We have a plan for the lesson and will be in the barn, ready and excited to teach your student.
Cheyne Ranch closes for weather when Seminole County Public Schools closes.
Because Cheyne Ranch is an adaptive barn, some students need a plan adapted for their needs. If your student is medically fragile or an unmounted lesson is not appropriate, I will communicate with you directly about shortening, modifying, or rescheduling the lesson.
How do makeups work?
A makeup is a second staffed lesson. It requires us to pay an instructor and reserve another place in the schedule. If severe weather prevents safe attendance, we will try to offer one as a courtesy when we can.
Makeups are not guaranteed and are limited to available Sunday mornings.
If we rescheduled around every Florida thunderstorm, we really would spend the semester rescheduling the semester.
What are we building?
Our goal is to develop well-rounded horse kids. We want students to work safely around horses, respect and care for them, and grow through the slow, steady process of becoming capable horse people. I hope families will value that whole education, rather than measuring a lesson by how many minutes their student spent in the saddle. 😂
🐴 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 🌟
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
📬 1963 Genova Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765
📞 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | 📧 Email | 🌐 Website | 📘Facebook | 📸 Instagram
💙 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our mission: We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
