riding lessons

[brooklyn_21]

how much do riding lessons run? (for someone who wants to learn western and is a beginner). any suggestions on going w/ a local rider or an actual school?

[Cera]

Hi!

I would always start off with a good, reputable riding school. If you have never ridden before they will put you on a reliable beginners horse and provide a safe environment for you.

The riding instructor will also be looking out for you and making sure you are ok at all times. A riding school will also teach you how to stay safe around horses and how to tack up a horse.

Once you get a bit of experience then certainly go out riding with a local rider or friends you will enjoy it more when you have a bit more confidence :)

Cera

[ArabianLife_22]

I'd have to agree with everything Cera said, I definitely know that I benefitted immensely from the barn/riding school that I learned at. As for prices though, it will always depend on where abouts you live and how established your riding school is. (And of course if your looking at private, semi private, or group lessons.) My western lessons run about $250 for 8 classes if I remember correctly, but I also took a session of 8 english classes for $320. For private lessons, I do believe that there are many benefits but the price definitely shows it. At the same place that I payed $320 for group english classes, it was $530 for 8 private english classes. Also, at the place that I payed $250 for 8 group western classes, it costed $45 for 1 private 1 hour class. (The 8 group classes were 1 3/4 hr each.) If you are a beginner though, I would say take group classes til you've gained confidence and basic skills then if you want to go for some private classes you can get more one on one time to learn some more fine tuning and more advanced manuevers etc. Thats just what I believe I benefitted most from while I was taking lessons, obviously go for what you think would benefit you most. Every rider is different and learn in different ways :) As for the prices there, these riding schools were both in Manitoba, Canada so to look for schools/prices in your area I would look up stables in your area on google or some other search engine and most likely there will be a couple that have websites. Lesson prices are usually listed there so that you can see the average price for lessons around you :D

Haha sorry, I know I wrote alot there and I wrote it really fast so if something doesn't make sense please ask and I'll clarify what I mean.

Happy riding!!
Vanessa

[RackingHorse]

Gotta agree that for someone not raised around horses then the local riding school is the way to go. Riding someone elses horse that is used to only a single rider can be an experience to behold.

I had a horse when I was about 12 that was just as gentle as a lamb with me. However anyone else that tried to saddle up was in for a rodeo show for the first 30 secs. or so. Horses are very particular and getting some experience with a reputable school would be highly adviced.

[HooverH]

Checking local riding schools as opposed to big ones is also very viable. I've never had any experience with horses until about 6 months ago, when I started going to my teacher. He's a small horse farm owner who does trail rides, breaking, training, some selling, and riding lessons. He uses his trail horses for the riding lessons, and switches up the horses so I don't get used to one particular animal.

Personally, I would shop around a little. You want an instructor who will do one on one time with you and not train to a group. What I enjoy about my instructor is that I pay by lesson, and don't have to get roped into a contract. He goes at my pace, and gauges my lessons by my knowledge, not a set schedule. He lets lessons run over an hour if I haven't gotten a concept, or still have questions. He goes out of his way to teach me horse care and safety, not just riding. I help with mucking, feeding, grooming, and saddle my own horse. Part of this is by choice, like the mucking and feeding because I want the knowledge, but it's still something I think is important for a person planning to own a horse to know.

I guess my best advice is to find an instructor who provides you with what you want. Find someone you can be comfortable with, who is willing to listen and teach to your needs. I personally recommend a teacher who trains you in all aspects of horse care, but I'm one of those people who throws themselves totally into things.

As for your price question, I pay 25 per lesson. But, as I said, my instructor is a small, home based horse farm in the country.

[TheRider]

As far as cost it is going to vary by location. Big cities are going ot be much much more expensive, I have heard of Charlotte and Atlanta areas in the Southeast pulling in $100us per hr. Then up in the upstate in a rural area if you know the barn owner it may just cost you the labor of cleaning the stalls for an hour or two after you ride each day. Worth about $12-25.

So as with anything else price varies greatly.

[aussieannie]

Before i had my babies I spoke to the nurses at the hospital about the DRs.
Do the same in your area. A good testimonial is worth your time.
Check it out before you sign up.
look at pilates for horse riders too it is the beall end all, for riders

[brooklyn_21]

thanks for all the great responses. i'm putting it all together and going about this the right way! and pilates is right up my alley, so i'll check into that for horse riders as well. :)

[dillannie]

Something I never saw was to ask people you know who do ride. They had to start somewhere! Higher price doesn't necessarity make it better.