Whether this is your first time finding a riding school to start you or your child's riding journey or you're already in your journey and you're moving, here’s some info that can help you find the right fit.
I highly suggest doing a visit or a trial lesson, mainly if you are moving after being at a different riding school. Don't be scared of trying more than one. I suggest once you find a good match, stick to that one. Going to more than one long term can be very confusing.
Make sure you have an idea of what you're wanting.
- Are you wanting group or private lessons?
- How much time are you wanting to put into this?
- What’s your budget for this hobby?
- How much equipment are you willing to invest in? (Clothes, saddle, horse, etc)
- What is your rider goals? To be competitive, to have fun, to see if they really like it?
Questions to ask
What are some of the services they provide? (Lessons, help us find a horse if we want one, horse shows, volunteering, in house events etc)
What activities and skill are they able to do/learn. (Bareback, games, jumping, hacking, riding outside an arena, dressage)
What are their barn rules.
Ask about the lessons horses. How long have they been used for lessons and why do they use these specific horses? It's important that they have horses suitable for your riders level.
Do they have a guideline on rider progress, levels they work through. Do they teach their students they 'whys' behind doing things and teach them foundations to keep them safe.
Welfare (regular vet/dentist/ farrier) Look to make sure horses look healthy, ask what they do to take care of their horses. If they have well fitting gear.
What are their values. How do they speak about their horses? Do they rush students or go at their pace.
What’s the farm safety record? (If they have a lot of falls or ambulance rides run the other way, people are going to fall off and get hurt around horses but it shouldn’t be often)
Who the coaches are and their experience.
Are you able to learn how to care for the horses? (Always recommend finding somewhere that teaches the horsemanship as well as riding)
What do lessons look like? (Remember that everyone's lessons look different depending on level)
Things to look for when visiting
Every place has different facilities, indoor arena, cross country, river, flat paddocks, outdoor dressage arena, jump arena, stables etc. It doesn't make a place better or worse than others, as long as facilities are safe. It's worth noting what a place has to make sure facilities suit your wants.
Coaches are respectful, patient and kind
If stabled overnight, size of stables (should be room for horses to lay down, one horse per stable.
Environment. Does it feel welcoming, other students and people are friendly?
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