As a parent, I am always conscious about pouring a lot of money into my kids’ sports to realize later it is not their thing within the first few months and never touch it again. Children change their mind s ALL the time and that’s okay! They’re experiencing all these new things and want to give everything a try, so don’t feel hurt if they’re not into horseback riding at first. If they seem interested in horses in couple of years, try it again.
Riding Attire
If you are starting your adventure with horseback riding, just grab the basics: shoes and breeches (that might even be a stretch). Most facilities have helmets on site for riders and you can always check in advance to make sure a helmet is available. You can buy heeled boots almost anywhere if you’re going for basic Western style boots. If you’re going for English style, I would suggest your local tack store, or asking around the barn about any hand me down riding attire from the other clients.
Don’t feel badly about buying used attire. There are many amazing consignment stores in the area where you can score some really great deals. The store may even buy it all back once your child outgrows it. Once your child decides that he or she would like to take up horseback riding for the long haul, feel free to check out the nearby tack shops to try on the latest and greatest safety equipment and riding attire. At that point, at least a new and well fitted horseback riding helmet is a must to keep the rider safe.
Riding Lessons
The cost of riding lessons varies depending on the region in which you or your child plan to ride as well as the duration of training and the level of training. Classes are typically divided into private, semi-private and group lessons. In Northern Virginia, the average cost of a one-hour lesson for a group of three or more in many equestrian centers is $50 to $75 per person. Individual horseback riding lessons can cost from $95 to $150 for a one-hour lesson.
If you want to continually improve your riding, you’ll need to invest in lessons. Weekly private lessons can easily add up to hundreds of dollars a month. Instead of choosing a subpar trainer because their rates are lower, consider signing up for semi-private or group lessons with a talented trainer. These types of lessons are usually more affordable than private sessions, but you still have the benefit of working with a skilled teacher. It’s also a great way to make friends with other thrifty horse people.
Work for Your Lessons
Some barns and trainers allow responsible students to pay for their lessons with barn work. Sometimes they offer a discount in exchange for weekly chores. You might even find a place that will give you free lessons if you are willing to muck stalls, pull weeds, and do other undesirable tasks. As long as the work you are putting in is worth whatever you are getting in exchange, this can be a great strategy for riding horses on a budget.
Though it’s true that horseback riding can set you back quite a pretty penny, the cost will highly depend on various factors such as the location, the qualifications of the trainer, the quality of the horses, as well as the school’s facilities. Don’t let the cost of horseback riding and all that goes with it stop you from following your or your child’s passion. Be smart, be thrifty, and enjoy every second of being around the horses!
