Edinburgh Riding??

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scampi_

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Hi all, can anyone suggest the best places to ride in Edinburgh?

I may be moving there later this year, but am fretful that I won't be able to find a riding school with great instructors and top quality horses.

Google doesn't seem to be turning up any brilliant looking places for me - although there seems to be some lovely livery yards,

I don't have the funds for my own, alas...
 
Another who would avoid both Tower and Lasswade, we went to Murray Bains, he's just outside Edinburgh and had an amazing hack on the beach. 3 of the 4 that went are horse owners but had a brilliant time.
 
Houston farm doesn't hack, it is all just lessons in school. group lessons are the nose to tail thing. Their private lessons are good, Anne is a good instructor. I don't think there are many places left for people to learn to ride, so many have shut down.
 
Wouldn't touch lasswade with nicnag's very long barge pole!! Tower is you're typical riding school - not particualrly great horses or instructors.

There are very few decent riding schools in edinburgh now.

Whitelock is (or was a few years ago) very good for nervous or novice riders but possibly a bit 'slow' for someone more advanced.

I had a semi private lesson at Appin (bit further out, east lothian way) and it was excellent - a VERY good instructor and decent horses. Highly recommend it if you're looking for more advanced lessons, though they are expensive.

Houston private lessons were good but not great - decent instructor and ok horses but Appin def better.

If you're looking for hacking (and aren't too heavy) then the exmoor trekking (run by the vet students) is excellent vaule for money and the cheapest way to ride.

And if you're a competant, confident rider you can come and exercise my horse, who can be very sharp but mostly a good boy ;)
 
Murray Bains in longniddry is amazing for hacking just dont expect to go out on time, i worked there for five years and hardly any rides went out on time, but the hacking in phenomenal and they have good quality irish horses to suit all levels
i like tower for lessons, i used to get my lessons there with a women called caroline and she was super, the best instructor while i was there, they have a nice selection of horses too, in my opinion lasswade isnt as bad as people are saying both my wee sisters ride their once a week one of my sisters takes her own pony with her for the lesson so she can ride in an indoor school, and the lessons seem really good
 
for facilities try SNEC or Kingsbarn. SNEC has some good instructors and horses, and amazing facilities. Im not sure what the instructors/horses are like at kingsbarn since it got new owners (they had really good ones before it went bust) but again the facilities are great. they are both out of edinburgh (20min train journey), but i used to get a train to kingsbarn and then get a lift to stables from there (10min drive).
 
this is all very helpful - thanks so much everyone. I'm working towards my Stage 3 at the moment, so looking for somewhere with horses that can take me beyond that. Appin / Houston sound like the ones to try out, and it seems there's some great hacking options.

Google had turned up SNEC for me, but I hadn't realised they had school horses for lessons, so that sounds v interesting, too.

And Kallibear - I might just take you up on that offer of helping exercise your boy, if you'll have me!
 
gillianfleming said:
Another who would avoid both Tower and Lasswade, we went to Murray Bains, he's just outside Edinburgh and had an amazing hack on the beach. 3 of the 4 that went are horse owners but had a brilliant time.
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murray bains a horse dealer who surplies tower and lasswade with horses also dont like how there tied in stalls for so long like at lasswade tower work lame horses buted up
 
adamntitch said:
murray bains a horse dealer who surplies tower and lasswade with horses also dont like how there tied in stalls for so long like at lasswade tower work lame horses buted up
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well, it's no secret he's a dealer lol! as for stalls, back in the day they were used alot-I have no problem with them.

the best value for money hacking is Harelaw or the Dick Vet Exmoors if you are under 12 stone. I wouldnt go to Tower/Lasswade if you are training but recommend Appin and Kingsbarn if you can get there-didnt really enjoy my lesson at Houston. Whiteloch is good especially once they realise you can ride a bit-hacking good round that way too and its on a bus route.
 
I had my very first lessons at a place called Weftmuir (I think....) thats in South Queesnferry somewhere...

Haven't been there in 30 years this year actually!!!

So no idea if it's still going, or any good...

I DO remember a rather revolting pony called Mole that threw me off and left me upside down on the kicking boards in the school.... :'(
 
DragonSlayer said:
I had my very first lessons at a place called Weftmuir (I think....) thats in South Queesnferry somewhere...

Haven't been there in 30 years this year actually!!!

So no idea if it's still going, or any good...

I DO remember a rather revolting pony called Mole that threw me off and left me upside down on the kicking boards in the school.... :'(
Click to expand...

think weftmuir is closed down as a riding school but still does livery
 
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