Returning to Riding - Stressfull! (LONG POST)!!

Definately doing that Dexter.

Isn't Picasso such a lovely boy!! He really enjoyed having his ears scratched :D

I was shocked to hear how old he was, I thought he was a baby!!
 
Hi Lexie,

Yes I have asked places about hacks as ideally that's what I want to be doing as my emphasis at the moment is returning to riding for fun, but in all cases I need my riding "assessed" first and that doesn't seem to be something that happens just once, they feel I need lessons first before getting out on a hack.

I do understand it from their point of view for health and safety reasons, it's just frustrating and costly for me starting from point 0.
 
Pah how rubbish!! When i first started riding... (ok I was 7) I was led on hacks out round Bushy park.... much better than being in a school.

You would have thought that once they can see you can walk/trot/canter/stop they would let you ride alone..... in the school or out hacking.

Personally I would not be going back to the ones you have described.

I had a break from riding- for about about 7 years- (23-30) and got back into it by having a share horse, who now three years on i still ride/do twice a week... and all for £50pcm (which is silly cheap!!), but a much better set up than a riding school!
 
I had lessons at that very same school about four year ago. They kept me on the lunge for three months....I have absolutely no idea why I kept going there, except that I worked in central MK and it was so lovely to be able to nip out for a lesson at lunchtime.

I was having lessons at another riding school at the same time, and THEY were helping me prepare for competitions, teaching me lateral work, etc. I asked the MK school if I could come off the lunge (I would walk for 20 minutes or so and be "allowed" to trot for 5-10 minutes). They gave me exactly the same line about the Spanish riding school...In the end I got so frustrated with the MK riding school that I just gave up, and never went back. It reminded me a lot of the "old-school" riding schools I went to in the 1970s and 80s, where you were bossed about by self-important children, and made to feel like you were a nuisance for being a paying customer.

I rode at Bury Farm in Slapton for quite a while, and absolutely loved it. Its not cheap, but it has a much more friendly and grown-up sort of atmosphere. If you haven't tried Bury Farm do give them a go.
 
Very very interesting Trundle. Interesting how that Spanish school remark is obviously well used :rolleyes:

On the lunge for 3 months, my GOD :eek:

Was it Bury Farm where you rode whilst still being on the lunge at "CMK"?

I only ever went to one riding school similar to this one when I first started out in the early 90's and the woman was a retired dressage pro. I spent an entire hour stood still on the horse going through leg and hand positions. When the lesson finished I asked what I would be doing next week and I was told "the same thing until you can teach me" :confused: I went there for about 3 months and I never got out of WALK, I was also told that I would be more suited to side saddle!!! I changed schools and within 3 months at the new school I had done my first clear round jumping at a show and a dressage test.... all on a normal saddle :D

I've put Bury Hill on my list. I really don't think I can stay at this one after hearing you were on the lunge for 3 months... and that's with regular lessons!! :rolleyes:
 
Only just caught up with this and it's a bit close to home as I too want to start riding again after a few years out of the saddle but my thought was I'd look for lunge lessons first as it would be a good way to brush up as my arena riding is anything but pretty or effective; I usually have the habit of motor-biking around corners which isn't the best way to go about things!

Good luck with your quest, hope you keep us up to date with progress.
 
Totally sympathise with you! Don't have much advise for you as i don't know any of the schools etc!

However, atleast one small positive of this riding school is that the horse looks well carred of; you won't find many schools who boot up etc :)
 
Oh yes the horses are all exceptionally well cared for and very nice. The stables, yard and the 2 schools they have are also fantastic. It really is one of the best riding stables I have seen. If I had a horse I'd really want to keep it there!

Maesfen, I get what you mean. I actually ride a motorbike so my hands are not good, I really do have motorbike hands, quite literally! Kept saying to myself yesterday over and over, thumbs on top!

pillion - yup Surrey is way too far, thank you though xx
 
You're paying for a service and you're not receiving it. Unless there really are no other options, and they aren't prepared to change things after a polite but frank discussion about what you want, then I'd be off. There's lots of people looking for someone to ride their horses for free as they don't have enough time to exercise them on their own...
 
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