Starting Horse Riding?

Question

I live in the UK and im interested in starting horse riding. Im 15 and I was wondering how much a lesson could cost, the best types of places to go, and what I should wear. Any other advise would be helpful too.

Thanks

Answer 1

Well, I'm an american (surprise!) and here we have tack shops with buletins in the back of the store. Normally trainers will post business cards there. They will oftem let you come out and view the facilities and watch a lesson to see if you like thier teaching method. I'm going to guess in the UK lessons go from 15-50 pounds (50 pounds being the higher end lessons). It is appropriate to wear riding pants, paddock boots, and half chaps as well as a helmet when you go to your lessons.

I hope I was helpful!

Answer 2

A group lesson usually costs about £12 for an hour. If you are starting then you might be better going on a private lesson. They usually last half an hour and cost £20. Although it is more money, you get the full attention of the teacher and it could help you for your first few lessons. Also you may not be able to get a suitable group lesson because you are older and you don't really want to be on a lesson with 5 year olds.

For your first lesson I would wear jeans and wellies if you have them. You can borrow a hat from the riding school. If you don't have wellies then just wear trainers. You shouldn't really but I wouldn't buy riding boots incase you don't like it. When you know you will keep it up then you can buy a hat, jodpurs and boots, and thats all you'll need.

When you choose a riding school I'd look for a small one because they are usually friendly yards, whereas bigger ones are more about the money.

Other advice would just be stick to it. You might feel like you aren't very good at times, but everyone does at some point. Don't give up because working with horses is very rewarding and it is my favourite thing in the world to do! Good luck I hope you love it as much as me!

Answer 3

Prices...

Half hour group lesson: £15

Half hour private lesson: £20

Hour group lesson: £20

Hour private lesson: £25

* I would recommend going for a couple of private lessons  then going into group. All those prices ^^^ are from scotland it tends to be cheaper in England! =]

Where to go...

I would look it up on http://www.bhs.org.uk/Content/app-home.a... they have a big list of approved riding stables around your area.

What to wear...

You can wear whatever really, but don't be stupid and wear your brand new flip flops and sparkle jeans lol!

The riding school will supply a hat.

I recommend to wear something like this...

Jeans or Tracksuit bottoms

A simple T-shirt or jumper

A light jacket or Hoody

Your wellies or something with a small heel

If you want to be more like formal and stuff then...

Short or long riding boots

Jodphurs or breeches

Approved riding hat

Casual riding jacket

Helpful Hints...

The walk:

Just go with the beat in the horse it's simple really!

Rising trot:

This is the hardest gait(hrse beat) to master. So dont worry if you don't get it right first time. When the horses shoulder goes up you go up, when it goes down you go down. Also it helps if you say in your head 1,2,1,2,1,2, .

Sitting trot:

Quite alot of people are nervous at their first lesson, Dont be!

It doesn't help the sitting trot or the horse, in the sitting trot just RELAX completely, you should stop bouncing so much.

Canter:

You are unlikley to do this in your first lesson. As in the sitting trot, relax and try keep your bum in the saddle seat. Move backwards and forwards calmly and smoothly and go with the horse.

Main tips:

Don't be nervous or your horse will be.

Watch videos of trot and canter and that on youtube before you go. (it gives you an aim to look like them!)

Listen to your instructor all the time.

Look like your enjoying yourself and smile!

***Hope that could help a bit !***

Answer 4

Lessons are really expensive, mine used to cost £25 for an hour group lesson.

Answer 5

Good to hear your starting horse riding i used to do it and loved it!

I used to go to one called tarbock green, its good, it charges from about £9-£14 for an hour I think =]

Its good, your best looking round and having lessons in a few differant places before you decide which riding school you want to stay at.

Just wear whatever is comfy, when you start horseriding properly then you will need proper equipment.

The place where you go will probably have a spare hat for you to wear and you should ask the people there about what shoes to wear

good luck! hope this helps

x*x

Answer 6

Prices vary. You should go to a barn with alot of lesson horses. For your first lesson, ask ahead before going if tere will be helmets supplied. If not, bring a bike helmet or a buy a cheap riding helmet. Also, wear boots with a heal. After you are sure you are serious about riding, buy some riding boots and a good helmet.

Answer 7

Okay, riding lessons can be pretty expensive to start off with! I live in North Wales and these are the prices at my local riding school....

Half Hour Private lesson- £20

Half Hour Group Lesson-£10

Half Hour Semi-Private Lesson- £15

(And double them for the price of an hour's lesson).

You will probably start off with a one-to-one lesson with your instructor for, say, half-an-hour, moving onto group lessons for probably an hour.

As for places to go, look for centres registered with the ABRS or BHS  (look this up on the tinternet :)

On your first lesson, you should wear...

-Comfy shoes with a heel- Wellies are best. (Don't wear trainers!)

-Trackie bottoms or something else like that (Not jeans tho!)

-A t-shirt or whatever.

-Your riding school will lend you a hat and a whip so don't worry about that.

When you get more experienced you should wear long boots, jodphurs, gloves and your own riding hat.

Good luck with your riding! x

Answer 8

I dont know about any stables you could go to, but as far as what to wear, I can definately point you in the right direction.

1.  shoes with a heel.  boots are great.  

2.  dont wear shorts!  Your thighs will get rubbed raw in minutes! Wear some excercise pants to your first few lessons, and maybe invest in some riding pants if you continue.

3. a hard hat.  most stables refuse to let their riders go without protection, but they also usually provide a hat for their lesson people, so you should be fine.

Answer 9

I believe that the average price for a 1 hour group lesson with a certified instructor is around £18- £20.

The best way to find BHS and ABRS approved schools is actually through Google

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=BHS+ABR...

Or your own local yellow pages.

If you're just starting out you probably don't even need to have your own hat ( but check on the phone when you call to book your lesson) as most schools have a supply of hats that they will lend out to people who are just starting. Your own hat will cost you from £36 upwards.

Usually they have boots they will loan out too but any sensible boot with a low heel ( including wellies ) is generally accepted - definitely NO trainers.

Hope you have fun.

Answer 10

the price will differ depending on what yard you go to! the best way of finding one is by looking around on the internet, in local papers or shop windows especialy shops that sell horsey stuff will advertise loads of riding schools! once you have a selection go visit them! you dont have to start riding there if you visit them all you can compare which one looks best! if your finding it hard to find one then ask around do you know any horsey people who would know a few riding schools?   when your there look to see if it looks a good place you know the normal type of stuff if the horses look happy and healthy, if its a big open space that you would enjoy learning to ride in and are the people friendly! then you can compare the prices and which one is closest to you.  for you starting just buy one pair of jodpurs and some riding boots, you can get these 2nd hand from a horsey shop if you want them cheap! and just a top that you dont mind gettin abit of dirt on!! then when you get more into it you can start to buy more stuff. some riding schools provide a riding hat and boots so thats a plus to look out for!!  just some extra advice that you said would also help, when your starting just relax, remember your new at it so dont expect to find it easy! just go each time feeling confident and do the best you can! it may take time or you may get into it really quick! but dont give up!! good luck!! :) and hope i helped

Answer 11

Look online and at tack shops lessons around here (USA-PA) are 40-70 dollars of an hour privet english.

Also what do you want to do English (jumping ect) Western (barrels ect) Look on youtube for videos of each

Wear tighter fiting long pants and shoes/boots with a heal. Talk to the trainer about their rules ect. Most places have helments for students to wear.

If your planing to stick with it then you will need to buy boots, pants, helmat ec.t

Tips

*Have Fun

*Be Safe

*If you don't get somthing ask your trainer

*Pay attion to what your horse is telling you. (if they are hurt of *scared ect)

*Sit up

*Keep your heels down

*Don't rest your hands on the horses neck

*Expect the Unexpected

*Always Wear a helmat

*Don't pull on your horses mouth.

*Don't lean forward going to the jump

*Be prepared (runouts, falls ect)

*Falling is a part of learning

*Talk to your horse while your tacking and riding

*Praise your horse after your jumps or course to let him know they did a good job

*Don't punish your horse for triping or knocking down a jump

*Don't get stuck doing the same thing (same jumps, same flat work ect) throw in new things everytime you ride

*Try new things. Once in awhile try a western or bareback lesson

*Don't let anyone tell you riding is not a real sport or it is lame and that you should give it up. If you like it keep with it.

~REMEMBER: Horses are like humans. They are not always perfect, they might trip. It is also imporant to remember horses have minds of their own and won't always do as they're told.

~For nervousness:

*Listen to music going to the barn

*Stay relaxed it will keep your horse relaxed

*Tell yourself postive things

Good Luck

Answer 12

1. I'm not sure how much a lesson where you live would cost, but for me it's 40$ an hour.

2. I think the best place to go is somewhere when they teach you everything about horses. Like how to groom, muck out stables, put on tack, etc... if that's what you mean lol.

3. You should wear riding shoes (something with a short heel). Something like boots would be great. Wear either jodhpurs or breechers, and just a regular shirt. Anyways, that's what  wear.

I would love to give you more advise, and tips, but I kind of need to know what style of riding you are thinking of doing (ie: English or Western). I need to know because if you are thinking of doing English I can help you more, but I know less about Western. Sorry.

Good luck, and have fun!!

Answer 13

well i don't know how much it would cost or where to go.  here in california i pay about $40 for a lesson.  it depends on how prestigious a place you go to.  i would start by going to a barn that is close to you and has other beginner riders.  it always is bad when you are the worst rider there and everyone else laughs at you.  now what to wear.first, it needs to be comfortable.  second, it was to be able to get DIRTY. so i say, jeans, heeled shoes, or sneakers, and a comfy tee.  once you get more involved you can go and buy breeches and boots but for now stick with what you have.  

also, when you are riding, always ask questions and ask for help if you need it.  you need to trust your trainer and form a bond which will help later if you want to help out at the barn.  if it is too expensive, ask the trainer if you can help around the barn in exchange for lessons.  this way you can have 'free' lessons and you can learn about horses and how to take care of them.

hope this helps and have fun riding.

don't let it get to competitive!!!!

Answer 14

Prices are different everywhere you go. When you look for a place to ride, make sure it's clean and the horses look healthy and safe. Friendly and supportive instructors are always a plus. Talk to some people at the barn and ask them what they think of the place. For your lesson you should wear riding pants, and boots with a heel. Chaps aren't nessecary but can help to protect your legs against rubbing. You could wear jeans, but the seams can get uncomfortable fast. If you have a helmet you should bring it, if not then most barns usually have helmets that students can borrow. Go to a few local barns and see which one you like best. :)

Answer 15

okay, so you're going to need a helmet, breeches, gloves, and either tall riding boots or paddock boots with half chaps. you'll probably start out with 1/2 hour private lessons, which cost about 30 US dollars and as you progress your trainer will probably put you in an hour semi-private group with about two other people, which will probably cost about 50 US dollars per lesson. i hope this helped!!!

Answer 16

I'm not sure about the cost, so look in the yellow pages and ring round the local riding schools in your area and ask for the different lesson types and the prices. Once you have found some that you like go and have a look. If the horses look healthy and happy then this is a good indication, also talk to some people who are there having lessons and see what they say.

If you are going to be riding for a long time, then invest in some jodphurs, and riding boots, either long boots or short boots with half chaps. For the first lesson, I would wear some comfy trcksuit bottoms: something you can move around in easliy **Not jeans!! Too stiff and restrcting**, also you will need footwear with a small heel, trainers are too dangrous.

But I imagine that you will need to buy a riding hat, as many places do not have ones for you too borrow for the lesson.

Ask about this when you ring up or visit!

Good luck with it!!! Its fab and fun!!

Answer 17

Look on the BHS website for a list of approved riding schools in your area.

The cheapest is not necessarily the best, so make sure that you visit a few and watch a lesson. Try to find a riding school with qualified staff. (don't be frightened to ask)

A private lesson will cost around £30 for an hour, but a lot of stables offer half price lessons during off peak times (10am-3pm Monday-Friday) An hour group lesson will cost £18-£30.