Lessons vs sharing

A

annret

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 December 2008
Messages
1,126
Visit site
I have a dilemma - do I share a horse for £80 pm, or have weekly lessons at £25 a time?

I basically miss the caring side of horses and sharing only requires feeding rather than mucking out and allows two or three rides pw - seems like a no-brainer - but I've not ridden in 6months and am a novice anyway so am not sure?
 
Oxford.

£25 for a lesson just seems such a lot of money considering I know that a lot of what I need is simply getting back in the saddle, getting fit.
 
If you are worried about the break from riding and stable management, could you not start with some riding lessons to refresh yourself (and maybe enroll on some evening/part-time courses like the BHS Horse Owners Certificate or Stage One if you are worried about the management side ) and then look for a sutiable horse to share?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Could there be the possibility of having lessons on the horse that you'll be sharing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but I'm really not sure I could afford that...
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you are worried about the break from riding and stable management, could you not start with some riding lessons to refresh yourself (and maybe enroll on some evening/part-time courses like the BHS Horse Owners Certificate or Stage One if you are worried about the management side ) and then look for a sutiable horse to share?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine on management - it's just that my horse has been out of work for months so haven't really ridden anything.

The reason I'm asking is because last time I returned to riding after a break the place I had lessons patronised me for a couple of weeks which I found incredibly frustrating as I was lacking fitness, not understanding, and on very unresponsive horses.

The concept's there but I know my muscles won't be...!
 
Oh I see, sorry I completely misunderstood the 'I'm a novice' bit. No offence was intended, honest!

In that case, I'd probably be more inclined to go for the share. At a couple of days a week, you'll be able to ease yourself into it slowly ... although there's no denying your muscle's will probably hate you for a little while until you are back in the swing of it!
laugh.gif
 
I had this same dilemma a couple of years ago. I went for the share and am sooo glad I did. It was great to be able to take things at my own pace, and spend a little time just allowing my muscles to remember how it all works. Also, I'm a happy hacker at heart and would have been a bit fed up only being able to school (while being shouted at for being useless!). But mostly I was glad to be able to be properly 'around' horses rather than just hopping on top of one for an hour a week.

Based on what you've said, I think the share sounds like the best option for you too. You can always treat yourself to the odd lesson here and there on your share horse once your muscles are back up and functioning.

Good luck with whatever you decide!
laugh.gif
 
I would say go for the share, find a different riding school and have a lesson maybe once a month. That way you get the best of both worlds - a lesson to learn something new/correct bad habits and a horse to practise it all on when your hacking at home. Would definately look at a different school as you should feel that you are getting something from your lessons.
 
Thank you!
Just wanted to check
smile.gif


Hopefully there will be other liveries who can maybe lend an eye in return for a muckout or even just remind me to keep my heels down if we're riding together.

grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top