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General Farm Rules

Farm Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday, 8:30 am – 7:30 pm
Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Times Are Subject to Change and May Vary During Special Events

Business Office Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

The safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, participants, boarders, guests, visitors, horses, and other resident animals are extremely important to Talisman Therapeutic Riding.  These rules have been established to keep people and animals safe, and to allow the organization to operate smoothly.  We ask everyone to become familiar with our rules and help maintain a safe, productive, and positive environment.  These rules will be strictly enforced, at all times. Failure to follow the established rules, demonstration of inappropriate behavior towards others, incidents due to the use of drugs or alcohol, and demonstration of mistreatment to any persons or animals on the property may result in immediate dismissal from Talisman programs and removal from premises.

  • Everyone (staff, volunteers, participants, family, caregivers, boarders, guests, or visitors) engaging in Talisman programs and any activities will submit a Release of Liability Waiver.
  • Unsupervised equine activities, mounted or unmounted, are strictly prohibited.
  • Respect the barn hours of operations, as established times correspond to program operations and staffing schedules.
    • Adhere to all signage posted on the property during your visits.
    • Restricted areas are designed as staff only access.
  • In an emergency, telephones are located in the Tack Room and Anne L. Joyner Welcome Center.
    • Important telephone numbers, including staff and emergency personnel are posted in the Tack Room, the Feed Room, the bulletin board in the indoor arena, and in the Welcome Center.
  • Please obey speed limits and drive carefully.
    • The speed limit on Blue Ribbon Lane is 10 miles per hour.
    • The speed limit on Talisman Property is 5 miles per hour.
  • The use of any tobacco products, illicit drugs, or consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
    • There is no smoking or vaping allowed on the entirety of the Talisman premises.
  • No alcoholic beverages or drinking of such beverages inside any buildings. (Exceptions for special events made at the discretion of the Executive Director.)
    • Absolutely no handling of horses, whether mounted or unmounted, under the influence of any illicit substance or alcohol.
  • No firearms are allowed on Talisman premises; this includes in a vehicle.
  • Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the Talisman property; this includes in a vehicle.
  • Handicap parking only is permitted at the barn and arena areas.
    • All other participants, family, caregivers, volunteers, boarders, visitors, and guests must park in the designated areas near the Anne L. Joyner Welcome Center.
  • Do not enter the Feed Room, or give horses food or treats, without permission from Talisman staff.
    • Talisman staff and trained volunteers are the only individuals authorized to feed the horses. Many of our horses are on special diets and their nutrition must be carefully monitored.
    • Seek permission from staff prior to introducing any edible items into the farm. (Please keep all treats and other foods in a safe area, so other animals cannot consume.)
    • If you would like to bring treats for the horses, please give them to a staff member and they will be appropriately distributed.
  • All staff, participants, family, caregivers, volunteers, boarders, visitors, and guests must wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
    • Participants engaging in mounted activities should wear hard-soled boots with a heel to prevent them from slipping through the stirrup.
  • Open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, and “Croc” style shoes are prohibited while engaging in any equine activities.
  • Inappropriate footwear will NOT to be worn in the barn isle, arenas, or wash stall areas or near a horse at any time.
  • Guests who do not have proper footwear are not permitted near any horses at any time and should remain in the viewing areas only.
  • Clothing for equestrian activities should cover the entirety of the body – long pants are always recommended. No crop-tops, short-shorts, or camisole style tops.
  • All persons engaging in mounted activities on Talisman premises must wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet.
    • Chin strap must be always in place while mounted.
  • Due to privacy issues of all participants, photography is not permitted – unless permission is granted by the participant and/or parent/caregiver.
    • Photography should never interfere with a lesson or cause a safety issue for the participant and horse.
  • Appropriate behavior and observance of all rules is expected from staff, volunteers, participants, family, caregivers, boarders, guests, and visitors while at Talisman. The farm is a respite for many people. A calm and respectful environment means one that is also quiet and relaxing.
    • Everyone will practice kindness and respect for others – including our four-footed friends.
    • No belligerent, malicious, lewd, vulgar, profane, or otherwise objectionable conduct or language will be tolerated.
    • The conduct of everyone at Talisman will be dignified and civil, at all times.
  • Talisman will remain a friendly, peaceful, welcoming, and drama-free environment suitable for the entire family.
    • A responsible adult must remain with participants and visitors under the age of 14, unless alternate arrangements have been made with Talisman.
    • No running, yelling, or making load noises in or around the barn or arena areas.
    • Quiet play is encouraged in the designated waiting and observation areas.
    • No running, jumping, yelling, screaming, fence/gate climbing, or performing any other actions that could cause horses to spook, both while inside the facility or when around horses anywhere on the property.
  • Do not enter the arena areas while lessons or other activities are occurring.
  • Only Talisman staff and trained volunteers may enter a field/pasture/paddock with horses.
  • Participants, family, caregivers, visitors, and guests may only enter the horse barns with permission of Talisman staff.
    • Entering horse stalls is not permitted, unless under the direction and supervision of Talisman staff.
      • Stall doors must remain closed/secured when horses are inside.
  • When participating in equine activities, focus remains on the horse, direction of instructor, and safety.
    • Make sure horse is aware of your presence before approaching.
    • Never stand behind or go under a horse.
    • Stay near your horse when they are on the cross ties.
    • Clean up all manure, hoof pickings, trash, and debris of any kind prior to riding.
    • Keep a safe distance between horses (one horse length).
    • Keep the aisles clean and tidy for your safety and the safety of others.
  • When lessons are in progress, please remember that the INSTRUCTORS ARE IN CHARGE OF SAFETY.
    • Instructors have the right to ask stop activities if they feel that there is an unsafe situation or disruptive actions.
  • Any accident or injury to a person or horse must be reported immediately to the Talisman Director of Operations, or Executive Director.
  • Talisman is not responsible for the theft, loss, damage or disappearance of items or equipment stored at the facility.
  • We understand accidents happen; if you break something or see something is broken, please notify the Barn Manager immediately.
  • If you have concerns regarding the horses, programs, facilities, or staff please address your concerns with the Talisman Director of Operations, or Executive Director.

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