How do you find a good place to ride horses and what should I look for?

Question

How do you find a good place to ride horses and what should I look for?

Answer 1

What to look for in the barn and horses:

--Healthy, happy horses...this doesn't mean they need to be in the prime of youth...in fact, I'd be a bit concerned if a barn didn't have just a few older horse saints around.

--Healthy, happy riders...if people seem to get along and interact well, and you're greeted with a smile, that's a good sign.

--informative staff...if they can't answer most of your questions, then they should at least be able to direct you to someone who can.

--clean, organized facilities. The tackroom should be neat, and the bits and tack kept relatively clean (you won't find a spotless arrangement of tack, but the bits should not have all sorts of crud on them, and the leather of the saddles shouldn't be stiff and cracking). The grooming/tacking area shouldn't have too much on the ground: as long as it's clear enough for the horse's safety, I would find that acceptable since even some high-quality barns can't afford grooms to pick up after EVERYTHING the kids leave around.

--Emergency contact info on horses' stalls or somewhere visible (this tells you that the manager/owner is concerned for the well-being of the horses).

--individualized equipment for the horses...not necessarily one saddle for a certain horse (since the saddle's size depends on who's riding the horse), but specialty pads for horses with certain needs, leg protection for those who need it, different bits to suit the different horses, etc...

--a variety of brushes for the grooming process (such as hoofpicks, curry combs, hard brushes, soft brushes, and mane & tail brushes).

--a tidy, orderly grain and feed room...preferably with a specific feed program for each individual horse.

--the horses should, for the most part, be friendly with ears forward, not flat (though don't be surprised to see one or two not-so-friendly horses...horses for higher levels are often a bit "hot", and more agressive...).

--A chart or organizer to help show the lesson schedule (i.e. showing what rider is riding what horse).

--the barn's muck heap should be kept a distance from the barn

--the barn should have good ventilation

Also, sit in on a lesson to see how it is taught...when observing a lesson, look for:

--individualized training: not necessarily a 1:1 trainer/rider ratio, but a trainer who, as the group goes on, frequently glances around to check each rider, calling out their name if they need to give instruction that applies only to that rider.

--to me, all the riders should be wearing helmets

--those who are given crops, whips, or spurs, must be shown how to use them!!!

--horses who have just been ridden should be required to be put home in just as well-groomed a state as before they were brought out.

--someone should be monitoring students who are tacking/grooming while instructors are busy in the ring.

--experienced persons should be available to help riders get their horses prepared

--riders should not only be taught to ride, but also to care for the horse, tack, etc...(in other words, the riders shouldn't arrive to a tacked horse, then hand their horse off to a groom when done riding)

--instruction that is both firm, yet patient (nobody screaming at kids--except in situations where the student is in danger, putting others in danger, or harming their horse--, but also no trainers that tolerate the kids ignoring their instruction, as this can be extremely dangerous as well...there should be some sort of balance)

Sorry, I kinda wrote a lot...I hope this helps though!!! Just keep in mind that, although it's important to use discretion while looking for a barn, there are the occasional "diamonds in the rough"...you should walk away going, "they were very nice and helpful, and the barn seems really be concerned with health, safety, and enjoyment of both horses and students"

Oh, and I also think that it's very important that the students are permitted to come help out and act as voluntary stablehands...that way, they can get hands-on experience and learn more about horses as they participate in day-to-day activities...the barn I ride at has such a program, and the kids learn MUCH more than they do if they only ride.

Answer 2

You should look for:

Clean facilities

Healthy, well fed horses

Paddocks with little mud and strong fences

Organized tack and feed rooms

Answer 3

Go to a medium to large sized tack store in your area.  Ask the owners/workers.  They will know the places with the best reputation.  Also, ask them if they have a regional barn guide.  They will probably have lots of flyers their too.  As for once you get there, the others have covered that above.

Answer 4

What state do you live in? If you feel comfortable giving it out, what part of that state do you live in? People can refer you do different trainers through areas, and there are online directories. I'm guessing you're looking for a place to take lessons at.

I'd honestly reccomend starting out English, it'll teach you balance and develop a good seat and riding muscles. Find a reputable trainer, be aware that if you are serious about progressing you may have to travel a little further and pay a little more(and of course work very hard), they should challenge and stimulate you-not coddle or baby you, while you might not find the drill-seargant-esque trainers pleasant during you're ride, you'll thank them in the long run for pushing you. Overall, look for a reputable, goal-oriented trainer-no, you don't want someone pushing you to compete or show if you don't want to, but you want someone who is going to push you as far as you can go. If you want to jump, you should NOT be jumping for a loooong time, the trainer should establish good, strong equitation on the flat, and you should not feel RUSHED through anything at all! That is a major point because some people will rush to the "fun stuff" -  but this  is dangerous, stupid, and could seriously injure or kill you.

Second, look at the facilities. Generally you're looking for cleanliness-it doesn't need to be a bio-hazard container, but the aisles should be swept clean of all messes, the stalls should be cleaned atleast once daily thoroughly, there should not be manure all over the place, and just because it's a barn doesn't mean it has to smell like c**p. Most large(and reputable, I stress reputable for a good reason) facilities have an indoor arena, I'd opt for a facility with an indoor to stay out of the sun on hot days, stay out of the rain, and stay out of the cold.

Thirdly, look at the school horses and the horses there in general. At this time, they should all be sleek and shiny, most likely in the winter at a show facility they will all be heavily blanketed or body clipped. They should not have uncared for matted coats, and the majority of the horses at the facility should be pleasant and look happy. Most school horses will develop habits or ticks from the large amount of different riders on them, but if all the horses at the barn look constantly grumpy, than it may point to something else.

I'd reccomend riding at an established show facility - they're more widely known so people can point out the good ones and the bad ones and at a well run show stable it is usually clean, has high teaching standards, and you have the oppurtunity to show if you eventually want to.

Answer 5

I asked around for stables in the area, and then called the owner/trainer, and asked if I could observe a lesson that she taught.  It gave me a great chance to see what kind of teacher she was.  I would definatley reccomend doing this to anyone.  Make sure you ask about it when you find a stable!

EDIT:

also, doing it this way means you don't have to pay for a lesson right away!

Answer 6

i used Midwest stable directory. Go look at all the places you find  interesting and watch a few lessons and look at the horses living conditions and just find somewhere you feel comfortable in.

Answer 7

Just check out places near you. See if the horses are happy and healthy, also talk with the owner about the place. You don't want to go to a place where you don't like the owner or the rules. You could also purchase a lesson, if you like it stay, if you don't, keep looking. Good luck!

Answer 8

How to find it- google/yahoo search/yellowpages/ local feed and tack stores

What to look for- friendly staff/ healthy horses/qualified instructor or trial guide/ cleanliness/ something that suits your long or short term goals.

Answer 9

look for a place that turns there horse out on pasture for at least twelve hours. Horse must be moving around and not stuck in a stall. If you find a stable that doesn't turn there horses out for more than 8 hours a day keep looking. It means many things; one they don't have enough room to keep all ther horses, and two horses are big animals and their joints rust up big time if they're kept inside too much. It causes many health problems in their joints. Also horse kept out in pasture a likely quieter rides.