Riding lessons can be an incredibly fun activity to undertake. So, if you are going to invest your time, energy, and money in riding lessons, be sure to do your homework. Below you will find some guidelines as to what to look for when considering a place to ride.
Riding Facility
First and foremost, be sure to visit the riding school(s) in which you are interested. During your visit, take a good look around the facility. It’s not that you’re looking for fancy but for safe and well-kept riding schools. For example, is the barn aisle tidy? Does the fencing look as if it’s in a good condition? Are the arenas and paddocks well maintained? Is the outdoor riding area fenced?
You may want to check if the riding facility you’re considering is equipped to allow you to take lessons in all kinds of weather. Is there an indoor arena allowing you to ride comfortably on a rainy or a really sunny day? Are the common areas such as a tack room or restroom heated during the cold months? If the answer to any of the above questions is “No” then the facility may not be the right one for you.
Most importantly, verify the riding school you’re considering is properly licensed. Licensed riding schools must prove they have appropriate qualifications, and their horses are well cared for and suitable for teaching riding. They also must have the proper insurance in case of an accident. This gives you the peace of mind that you’re in the safe hands of professionals with suitable horses and ponies for instruction.
Instructors
You should look for a riding school with confident, understanding, and knowledgeable instructors. You want the riding lesson to be enjoyable yet come away feeling you have learned something. That’s why it is a good idea to use a certified instructor as they have the proper training and safety knowledge to enable them to successfully teach horseback riding.
School Horses
A good riding school should have a variety of horses for all abilities and sizes of riders. When going to visit a school, ask about the types of horses they have and their natures. The school horses should be well taken care of, healthy, clean, and even tempered.
Introductory Lesson
A fantastic way to get a feel for a riding school is watching others receive lessons. When watching a lesson, you should pay close attention to the instructor’s teaching style as well as the demeanor of both horse and rider.
Consider allowing your child to take a “trial lesson” just to introduce them to the sport of horseback riding. Check if the riding school you are considering also offers courses in horse handling and care in addition to riding lessons. Horsemanship skills such as grooming, leading, tacking up, and untacking a horse are equally important and critical to successful riding.
Choosing the ideal riding school to suit your requirements or those of your child is the key to ensuring this exciting adventure is a success. I hope this post helps you in your decision to get started with horses!
