can you do BHS Stage 1 Care before taken any riding lessons? (Too big to ride at the moment)

[katiesheeran]

Hi all,

This question is from a family friend who has never ridden before. I didn't know how to properly answer her so thought I might put it on here:

My friend has recently become interested in horses and has started volunteering at her local stables. She would love to start riding however she is 2 stones heavier than the maximum weight at the riding school. She is on a journey to lose the weight and get fit so she can start lessons. However in the meantime, she will still be volunteering and learning about horse care and stable management. Her question is, can she start learning for the BHS stage 1 care without ever riding before? I believe that the requirements for this assessment do not require riding but would it be sensible for someone who hasn't ridden before to enter?

Thanks

 

[Littlebear]

Hi all,

This question is from a family friend who has never ridden before. I didn't know how to properly answer her so thought I might put it on here:

My friend has recently become interested in horses and has started volunteering at her local stables. She would love to start riding however she is 2 stones heavier than the maximum weight at the riding school. She is on a journey to lose the weight and get fit so she can start lessons. However in the meantime, she will still be volunteering and learning about horse care and stable management. Her question is, can she start learning for the BHS stage 1 care without ever riding before? I believe that the requirements for this assessment do not require riding but would it be sensible for someone who hasn't ridden before to enter?

Thanks

I cannot see why this would be a problem, always call BHS for clarification but there should be no problem. The weight limit is for riding.

 

[Grajo]

Hi all,

This question is from a family friend who has never ridden before. I didn't know how to properly answer her so thought I might put it on here:

My friend has recently become interested in horses and has started volunteering at her local stables. She would love to start riding however she is 2 stones heavier than the maximum weight at the riding school. She is on a journey to lose the weight and get fit so she can start lessons. However in the meantime, she will still be volunteering and learning about horse care and stable management. Her question is, can she start learning for the BHS stage 1 care without ever riding before? I believe that the requirements for this assessment do not require riding but would it be sensible for someone who hasn't ridden before to enter?

Thanks

I don't see any problems. There are BHS Stage 1 (Non-Rider) pathway course. It will be an ideal for her to start off with - until she is capable of riding. Volunteering at her local stables doing Stable Management is a perfect time to start off with.

Good luck ti her

 

[ruth83]

Absolutely she can.

Don't forget when she starts to work on the riding pathway she will need to do the Ride Safe qualification. This is currently being run as the Ride Out Silver Challenge Award.

 

[katiesheeran]

Absolutely she can.

Don't forget when she starts to work on the riding pathway she will need to do the Ride Safe qualification. This is currently being run as the Ride Out Silver Challenge Award.

Thank you this is so helpful! Also, just wondering, do you know how long it would take a brand new rider to get their stage 1 ride? Most people are saying around a year, would it genuinely take that long to master walk, trot and canter? (For someone taking two lessons a week minimum)

 

[Grajo]

Thank you this is so helpful! Also, just wondering, do you know how long it would take a brand new rider to get their stage 1 ride? Most people are saying around a year, would it genuinely take that long to master walk, trot and canter? (For someone taking two lessons a week minimum)

I read someone's posting few days ago that it would take 2 years for 2 lessons a week to master walk, trot and canter. I am not sure how long it would take to do BHS Stage 1 riders' pathway before doing the stage 2.

I suppose it is up to capability of oneself ???

 

[mossycup]

Yes she can absolutely do the care part without riding - the challenge awards might be an easier introduction to begin with till she starts riding.

Stage 1 riding needs them to be confident and secure in walk trot and canter on both reins, and ride without stirrups in walk + trot, plus ride over poles in light seat. How long it takes very much depends on the rider + coach!

 

[spotty_pony]

Yes you can. You can also move on to stage 2 care from that I believe.

 

[Kat]

She can start learning and do the care exams without riding. She could progress to stage 2 and beyond if she wanted to.

As for how long it would take her to do stage 1 riding, that depends upon how good the tuition is, how well she takes the tuition, how motivated and how confident she is. You don't just have to walk trot and canter, you also need to ride without stirrups, trot over poles and ride in jumping position.