Riding recommendations in Edinburgh area?

[esgill]

My husband is a novice and I used to ride a lot as a teenager (I had a horse and was in the local pon club) but haven't ridden properly in years--except when on holiday. I am comfortable cantering and with small jumps but to be honest, I just want to go on hacks, see the countryside, and sometimes go fast. My husband wants to learn. We both went riding in Argentina and Ecuador together in the past 5 years and did some classes over there. Read on this forum that Tower Farm gets bad ratings for classes. Is that word-of-mouth or--? Not sure whether I'd find classes too boring but I wouldn't mind going over things with a teacher who isn't patronising/is good with returners!

 

[TPO]

Houston Farm

http://www.hfrs.co.uk/index.htm

 

[esgill]

Thanks! I'll try Houston farm... Have you tried Tower Farm? It's pretty close and has decent google reviews but I noticed in previous posts here people say it doesn't get reviewed well.

 

[TPO]

No sorry. I've heard mixed things about Tower Farm but no first hand experience.

No harm in giving it a go and seeing what you think yourself

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Not sure what the hacking is like from Tower. It used to be OK, but I haven't been there in a long time.
I'd suggest travelling a bit further out, somewhere like Murray Bain or Seacliff. You can get onto the beaches with them both.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I’ve not been to Tower Farm in a long time but couldn’t recommend it based on what I experienced.
Didn’t enjoy my two lessons at Houston either.
Good value hacking to be found at Harelaw in Longniddry and Seacliff with the Boswells.
If you are small enough to ride Exmoors, there’s a trekking herd on the Pentlands, which is great riding and it’s run by the vet school. A bit further afield for lessons is Scottish Equi Centre in Lanark which is BHS exam centre, large indoor and some nice lesson horses.

 

[McFluff]

Based on reports from friends (I have my own horse and where I used to get Lessons is closed now).
The Starks place in the Borders gets great reviews - particularly for more experienced riders. It would be my choice if I was looking (even if it is a bit further to travel). No idea what hacking they have though - I’ve just had feedback on lessons.
Tower gets mixed reviews, but I know people who go there regularly and enjoy a hack round the Braids.
I wouldn’t consider Harelaw - but I’ve had two friends have bad (preventable) falls there, they are usually busy, so perhaps unlucky.
Seacliff is good, but no teaching and very busy.

 

[esgill]

Thanks everyome this is helpful.

I did a few classes at Tower now and can say: very mixed. One teacher was fine. The other very young, inexperienced, and not so clear at giving instructions--and patronising for a returner rider!

Bookmarking The Starks, Exmoor Ponies, Murray BAin, Seacliff, and the Scottish Equi Centre.

 

[esgill]

*everyone, even!

 

[baran]

Good luck with Exmoors. They don't respond to emails and the phone number on the website doesnt work. Voucher I gave my husband is due to expire and he hasn't managed to contact them to book a ride. At stage of complaining to university

 

[esgill]

That's a shame, Baran! Do let us know if you get anywhere with them. They seem to have been quiet since last year.

 

[baran]

Finally got a response and voucher has been extended to end of year. Does put you off though.

Go to Seacliffe if you want to hack. Nice well trained horses, beach rides, safety conscious. No road work