OT - Horse Riding Lessons

Hi Shoegal. I would check out the British Horse Society (BHS) website, they will list all approved Riding Schools in your area.

Its been 20 years since I started riding so not sure what you should expect from your 1st lesson!! I would hope for the 1st time for someone to be walking next to you until you feel comfortable on your own or for you to be on a lunge line (long rope with someone attached to the other end!). You should also be in an enclosed area! You probably won't do very much the 1st time, learn to get on and off, turn, stop, mostly walking, maybe a little bit of trotting.

Maybe for the first time I would just book a half hour lesson, you will probably ache in places you never thought possible! That won't last long. Then I would go for group lessons mostly with the occasional private lesson when you really want to concentrate on improving something.

I hope you enjoy it whatever you decide to do. I couldn't live without my horse, there is nothing like coming home from a stressful day at the office and going off for nice hack.

As above poster said, try this link: http://www.bhs.org.uk/content/ods-more.asp?id=2290&pg=Approvals&spg=Information&area=6

Your first lesson will be very basic, probably have someone walking beside the horse. A private lesson IMO would be wasted on you until you get the hang of it a bit more. I'd say £10-20 for a group lesson, but I'm way out of touch with riding school prices now, last time I went to one is was £2.75 for 30 minutes, I know pay £45 for an hour and supply the horse too!! You may need to invest in some clothes though, jeans with a seem along the inside leg are a no no, as are trainers and wellies. Tesco sell riding equipment so you could pick up some jodphurs and cheap boots for about £30. You can normally hire a hat from the riding school.

Shame you're not in my direction or I'd have offered you a lesson!

Be careful, you might get the bug then buy a horse and be cash and time poor forever more!

Thats for both of your replies and advice.

I didnt even think about what i was going to wear, just assumed jeans and trainers would be ok!

Maybe i need to do a bit more research.

I have called a few places now and they wont let you have a group lesson until you have had a few private lessons and get the feel for how it is to sit on a horse and walk (trot, what ever its called)

It was £25 cheapest for a single half hour private lesson!

It sounds like its going to be a expensive hobby but i really really want to do it!! OH plays golf for £30 a go so why not!!

Ill let you both know how i get on.

eek

I have weekly lessons and really enjoy them.

I go to a riding school with a good reputation and I pay £15 for half an hour in a regular small group (2 - 5 riders). I used to go somewhere cheaper but I found the quality of the horses and instructors much better at the current place.

I would say half an hour is enough to begin with as you will ache, and you can also get a really good workout in that time. Sometimes I'm really sweating afterwards! (sorry for too much information :p).

Jeans should be find for the first few times, although the riding school may insist on a small heels on your shoes for safety (your foot could go right through the stirrup).

Where in the country are you based? I might be able to suggest somewhere if you are close by.

Im in surrey, where are you

£15 sounds like a bargain

Ah, Im right up in Sheffield so it might be a bit cheaper here.

The price for lessons seems to have rocketed recently mainly due to insurance. We are in Newcastle and I think its around £25 for half hour private and when we lived in Surrey I know everything was much more expensive down there. I would think you won't do a great deal at first and agree that more than half an hour will probably be a waste. It is a fab sport but practically bankrupts us!!!