Going back to riding school! (Northern Ireland)

[skoll]

Hi all, brand new here so hopefully this is okay.

Bit of a tricky situation and I'd love some opinions. Sold my old boy a year ago having not ridden him regularly in a year before that due to other commitments. Was very sad even though he went to a great home, and swore off riding! Have now moved to a new area (Co. Down/Belfast direction) and starting to miss it very much and want to get back in the saddle, especially in a few months when I'll have more time. The only issue is that I'm not really in a situation to commit to buying another just yet.
So I'm being forced to consider other options. Part loans/shares don't really seem to be a "thing" here though the fact I have 0 equestrian connections doesn't help! The only other option I can see is taking lessons. I'm generally happy to learn and work on bad habits, but I'm a bit scared it's going to feel like a step back having owned my own quite happily for years and though I know this is unfair I feel a bit embarrassed. It would probably help if I went somewhere with some decent horses which caters to other adult riders, either group adults-only lessons or private lessons. I'm still fairly young but definitely not a child/teenager anymore, and while I wouldn't say I ride to an advanced level by any means I'm not a beginner and quite used to sensitive/forward horses.

In short does anybody have any experiences (good or bad, though I understand not wanting to give too much detail about bad) with riding schools/yards in the Belfast area? Or in NI as a whole. I had one poor experience years in the past with a school in a very different area of the region so a little wary and would love recommendations on what to do, or if anyone else has gone back to taking lessons on school horses having previously owned and how they felt about it/if you have any other ideas on how to get back to riding. Thanks!

 

[smolmaus]

Welcome to the forum and the area!

I take an adults (and competent teens) group lesson at Lusks in Carryduff and they have some nice, well schooled horses. Would recommend private lessons if you want to make sure you get something you can learn on though. I enjoy my group lesson but it feels like an activity rather than a learning experience if you know what I mean. Not a bad thing, especially if you just want some horsey time.

A friend had a good experience doing private lessons at Gransha, her riding came on a lot while she was there and she speaks very highly of the horses and ponies and the teaching. Both places do a part loan scheme with the school horses too if either is close enough you could think about that.

I rode for a bit at Birr House as well but at that point in my return to riding I was in with the kids so that is less relevant experience

 

[skoll]

Welcome to the forum and the area!

I take an adults (and competent teens) group lesson at Lusks in Carryduff and they have some nice, well schooled horses. Would recommend private lessons if you want to make sure you get something you can learn on though. I enjoy my group lesson but it feels like an activity rather than a learning experience if you know what I mean. Not a bad thing, especially if you just want some horsey time.

A friend had a good experience doing private lessons at Gransha, her riding came on a lot while she was there and she speaks very highly of the horses and ponies and the teaching. Both places do a part loan scheme with the school horses too if either is close enough you could think about that.

I rode for a bit at Birr House as well but at that point in my return to riding I was in with the kids so that is less relevant experience

Thank you! I was actually looking at Lusks, the horses seemed healthy and happy from pictures. Might give them a go. I don't mind group lessons feeling like activities since I'm doing this as a hobby not hoping to make the Olympics, lol! + I can always take a mix of some privates. I'd love to improve but I am happy to be riding at all and not sure I'd like something really intense. Just didn't want to be in with all nine year olds who would probably be far better and braver than me Gransha looks really good but is maybe a bit further away.

 

[smolmaus]

The private lessons I've had at Lusks I have come away physically destroyed but that probably says more about my lack of fitness than anything lol The groups are much more relaxed. Still the occasional Talented Teen but sure it gives us something to strive for

Gransha is 45 mins away from me as well and I can't do that during the week. I do keep meaning to try and book a weekend one up there though just to see.

 

[ArklePig]

I used to go to an adults lesson at Lusks too and they have some lovely horses! I found them a bit haphazard for private lessons as I would have a different instructor etc each time, but that was a good few years ago. I really enjoyed the group lessons I took there just pre covid and I'm not a fan of group lessons normally!

Gransha have some lovely safe, but forward horses too as opposed to the poor half dead things some riding schools seem to have! Neither are in easy reach of me either for the minute, sadly, I'm Newtownabbey direction! Hope you find somewhere you love!

 

[Cherryblossom]

Part loans are about but are quite often word of mouth. If you put a bit more about your riding abilities/ aspirations and what sort of horse you’d want on here I can certainly keep an eye out.
I would rate Lusks above Gransha. I did a few lessons with both when I was between horses and stopped at Gransha after raising concerns about the soundness of my mount.

 

[skoll]

Part loans are about but are quite often word of mouth. If you put a bit more about your riding abilities/ aspirations and what sort of horse you’d want on here I can certainly keep an eye out.
I would rate Lusks above Gransha. I did a few lessons with both when I was between horses and stopped at Gransha after raising concerns about the soundness of my mount.

It sounds like Lusks might be a good place to start, since I'm hearing nothing bad! I can't comment on Gransha but I did see horses in dubious condition at a very famous school in NI. Only went once.

In terms of my riding, I used to do a bit of SJ around 90cm. Can comfortably handle all four gaits and have had experience with excitable/nervous horses. Loved x country, beach, gallops ect. Confident but never terribly competitive. Happy just to walk/trot/canter round the school and hack out.

I'd have loved to learn to school to a higher level for my own fulfilment, but the area I was previously in was a bit rural. Honestly, the more I consider lessons the more they appeal - I wouldn't want to go to someone's private yard to part loan some lovely horse and find I was too heavy in the saddle or my hands were too stiff! Might benefit from ironing out any bad habits first and getting my fitness up.

 

[FireCracker238]

Gransha is on my doorstep but I'd rather trek to Lusks, but I 2nd what AP said about the private lessons being a bit haphazard, but I've not been since 2021

 

[ArklePig]

I haven't been since 2020 so I'd say Smolmaus experience is more up to date! My lessons were cancelled with Covid and then I ended up finding a part loan for a while. And Gransha 2019 /2020 I think - and only for a couple!

Keeping an eye on this thread as I'm trying to dip the toes back in but when I went to Lusks I lived in West Belfast so will see if any closer to me recommendations pop up! (sorry to hijack OP).

 

[smolmaus]

I would rate Lusks above Gransha. I did a few lessons with both when I was between horses and stopped at Gransha after raising concerns about the soundness of my mount.

I was swapped off a lame horse this evening at Lusks funny enough. Someone else had to be pulled away from his net it is good when an instructor has the leeway to make decisions like that in the moment, I'm sure it isn't the same everywhere