Working in exchange for riding lessons?

Question

Hi. I go to an English riding farm where I have lessons that cost $45. I go every other week. I was hoping to go more often, so here's my plan:

If I work in exchange for free or reduced priced lessons, I will be able to be around the horses more often and I will be able to do more lessons more often. I love working with horses, even though I don't know much, but I could learn easily. I want to ask my mom if I can go and work for the place for lessons.

But do I need to know a lot before I can start helping out at the farm?(like grooming horses, giving them food/water, etc.) does anyone think it would be possible if I could just go to help with letting the horses out and stuff like that, since I don't really know much about giving lessons? I have seen other girls about my age or older at the farm who help feed the horses and muck out stalls.

Answer 1

Maybe you could try asking if you could stay behind after riding lessons and ask if someone could teach you how to do some of the things you don't know how to do. And then when you know how to do everything you could come to the farm and help out for a reduced price for your lessons. Maybe you could muck out the stalls, get some horses ready for riding, clean tack, get horses from the paddock, feed them, etc.

Good luck

Answer 2

I have been working in exchange for lessons almost my entire riding life (11 years). It is extremely rewarding, and gives you great experience that looks phenomenal on resumees of all kinds. You say there are other people who work at your stable. Ask if you can shadow them for a few days, follow them around and learn the ins and outs of what is expected of you at this farm. Do not be afraid to ask questions, if these people like horses they will be happy to share things with you. The only way to learn about horses is to get in there and do it. I applaud your enthusiasm and willingness to ride, that is a wonderful precursor to being a good and dedicated horseperson. I'm sure the farm owner will love your willingness to work, despite your lack of experience. Just remember to keep an open mind, humble yourself, and always keep safety in the forefront of your mind. Good luck on your future riding!

Answer 3

I think you should do it.  I know tons of people who work at barns for free lessons and reduced board!  Mucking stalls, honestly, are not that hard.  You can help feed horses and take them in.  This will give you time to get to know all the other horses in the barn too, like their personality, how to care for each one individually, and every other thing.  You can talk to the barn manager about it, tell her about your experience you have had with horses, what you know and don't know, what you have learned and what you want to learn.  Remember to tell her your level of commitment too; almost every barn I have been to have had people who come and do a poor job and just leave.  Be ready for hard work you'll have to face, be friendly and trustworthy, that way other people will ask more favors of you and you could get more lessons free.  Another good way to make cash, is to learn to braid.  I ride dressage and at shows people will pay you big money to braid their horse (it depends how good you are, you could end up charging $50 for a neck of rosets).  I've heard hunter shows will pay 2x that, maybe 3x!  Good luck!

Answer 4

With your attitude, I'm sure you'll be able to work something out! Most barns will give you free or discounted lessons in exchange for you helping them out. Taking care of a horse barn requires a lot of work, and most barns love to get help. Most stables don't care how much you know about horses when you come to work for them as long as you're willing to learn and ask questions! Mucking out stalls requires very little knowledge about working with horses, so it would be a good job for you to start off with. They might want you to tack up horses, groom them, let them out and bring them in from the pastures, feed and water horses, or clean the barn. Many barns like things done a certain way, so be prepared to learn. You said that you see other girls working there? Maybe you could talk to them a bit. They might be able to help you learn a little more about the job you would be signing up for. Be prepared to spend a lot of time at the barn if you have to. Talk to your riding instructor or the barn manager about working in exchange for lessons. Make sure you let them know that you're willing to learn. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Answer 5

Yeah there is some one who does that at my barn but i think you have the right idea but i think you should wait a little before you go ask because if you tell them you want to work for free lessons they are going to expect you to tack the horse and groom him and in this heat hose horses off after lessons so if you know how to do all that and more i say

Go for it you would have fun!!

Answer 6

Sound Like a good idea if your could do weekends and school holidays aslong as you know how to ..catch and turnout, groom, rug up.un rug untack and tack up a pony ..its easy enough to learn!

Answer 7

omg im in the same boat but the barn i go to is really crowded and a lot of people go there and you can only come and hang out if you are on the team but when i read it it felt like i was reading about me i cant afford lessons much longer my family doesnt have the money but i have only been riding for like 2 months so when you feel comfortable ask people who own horses are really nice i heard that probably doesnt help but i am going to ask the owner if i can come down and work even though she wouldnt pay me horses run in blood granted no oone in my family has ever owned a horse plus they all think that i am crazy for liking an animal that rolls in dirt but hey when u lov something and it is right go for it any help u get please email me and pass on to me i sumitted a question just before i  found urs so look for it please you just might be the answers to my prayers

good luck  

Answer 8

since you have only been there 3 times there's a chance that they won't let you, but it's worth the try. I don't know about your school, but in mine we have people that take care of the horses. If you do have tnem, it might e harder for you to work there, but start by asking the how to groom and put on the saddle- I did that. Let me tell you something... if you tell them something like I wanna learn to do it myself, therefore you can work less, it's very likely they will teach you LOL. And ask your teacher/trainer/coach or how you call him if he needs any kind of help around there, even if you start by lifting jumps and mucking stables, you might be able to lower the price a bit. A friend of mine did that. Who knows maybe after a while you'll get a better position around there!

TIP: look online how to brush a horse, braid them (you can make tons of money during shows if ypu lear correctly), bathe them, etc.

I recommend you 2 great books:

- the complete horse care manual (wich is more than complete, i mean is a bible for riders)

- horses for dummies (which goes waaaaaaay beyond the basics)

good luck :)

Answer 9

theres some grlz at ma barn dat do dat to maybe ur barn will let u do dat to

Answer 10

i dont feel like reading your whole question

Answer 11

That is a great idea? I volunteered at a horse farm for a while too, in exchange for just riding. You don't have to know a lot more than you already do. Whoever owns the farm will teach you what ever else there is.  Just make sure that you tell them the work is for reduced prices. Good luck, and happy riding!

Answer 12

try going to craiglist.com, there is a lot of people on there who do things in exchange, u may want to post something saying what u need, Im sure u can figure it out, but some people need like childcare and so they will do free stuff in exchange for like childcare, just an example but I knew a friend that got free massages in exchange for childcare like 3 times a week.Hope it helps goodluck