| g riding lessons is a great way to introduce yourself to | | | | her riders into higher level riding. |
| the world of horses. But before you rush out to the | | | | Small barns are also more personal and inviting. This |
| first stables listed in the classifieds section there are a | | | | can be great for riders with confidence issues. The |
| few things you should know. | | | | only difficulty is that when the rider/coach dynamic |
| Many stables specialize in riding lessons. These riding | | | | does not work there is no secondary coach to try |
| schools have many school horses and several | | | | instead. |
| instructors who teach. Other farms have a single | | | | When checking out a barn for lessons take a good |
| coach, often the barn owner, who teaches lessons on | | | | look around the property. The horses should be well |
| a few select horses from her barn. Both types of | | | | groomed and in good weight. While they should not be |
| farms have their benefits. | | | | fat, they also should not have their ribs showing. There |
| Riding schools are generally lower in cost than smaller | | | | should be signs that the horses get lots of turn-out and |
| barns. They usually offer group lessons where up to | | | | are not stuck standing in a stall all day. |
| six horses and riders learn together in hour-long | | | | The barn should be clean with clearly designated |
| lessons. Many schools also offer semi-private and | | | | areas for keeping tack and for grooming horses. |
| private lessons at higher rates. | | | | Pitchforks and other farm implements should be stored |
| With a variety of horses available to ride you get a | | | | neatly away where they are not likely to be knocked |
| chance to see what different horses are like and gain | | | | over by a passing horse. |
| a range of experience riding them. Usually there are at | | | | The arena should be clear of dangerous obstacles |
| least two instructors, often more. You can sometimes | | | | and be well fenced. A mounting block should be |
| try different coaches until you find one that works well | | | | available to help riders get on tall horses. The footing |
| with you, but not all schools give you that option. | | | | should be loose and around 3-4” deep. |
| Riding schools tend to be less personal than smaller | | | | Be sure to take the time to meet your instructor, or if |
| stables. The lessons are generalized to meet the | | | | that is not possible in advance of a lesson ask if you |
| needs of the group, so the instructor often cannot | | | | could take a trial lesson to get to know the coach |
| work with specific issues that an individual rider may | | | | before committing to a series of lessons. Many barns |
| be having. | | | | ask that you pay for up to 10 lessons at a time. This is |
| In the long run most riding schools are limited to lower | | | | normal, but you should be able to at least meet the |
| level riders. As riders develop their skills they may | | | | coach before committing. The lessons are generally |
| need to move on to private coaching and may need | | | | not refundable, so you want to be sure that you are |
| to lease or purchase their own horse. | | | | happy with the person you will be learning from. |
| Smaller barns usually only hove one coach. That | | | | If you do start lessons at one farm and find over time |
| coach often only teaches private or semi-private | | | | that it doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid |
| lessons, often because there are not enough school | | | | to look around to find a barn that better suits your |
| horses available for larger groups. | | | | needs. Everyone is different and each barn suits its |
| With only a couple of horses available for lessons the | | | | own type of people. |
| student gets less selection. On the other hand there is | | | | Above all make sure that you find a farm you are |
| a chance to get to know the horse you are riding and | | | | comfortable at, and where you feel safe. Riding |
| gain a rapport with that horse. The horse is often well | | | | lessons should be fun, not stressful. So take your time, |
| trained and tends to have the ability to go further than | | | | find the right barn and enjoy your introduction to the |
| the basics. If that horse does not have that level of | | | | world of horses. |
| ability the owner may have another horse that will take | | | | |