Riding school standards?

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

The riding school I occasionally go to, and my daughter goes to has interesting safety standards if any. My main concern is the tread to the stirrups, it is extremely worn out and very slippery, I think it's unsafe, so we bring stirrups from home with a grippy tread, also the ones we bring are safety stirrups. I am not sure if there is any sort of guidelines to what is mandatory in a riding school, but I don't know. Also saddles, I know it's expensive to replace a saddle, but if it's not safe I think it should be. And it's really quite bad, how poorly the saddles fit there, one horse I rode once, I could only fit one finger in-between the withers and the pommel.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

What's your riding school like? Any better?

 

[MuddyMonster]

If there are welfare concerns like unsafe tack & riding conditions, why are you & your daughter paying to go?

 

[ponynutz]

I think if you don't like it, find somewhere else for sure or mention it in passing if you can. Their reaction will be indicative of their opinion.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I’ve found they are vary hugely there’s one riding school near me I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole, i went to take lessons at a riding school when my horse was injured, and on my first day there 3 people fell off one in the group before, one in my group and one in the group after mine. Their is a huge hole in the stable my horse was in and he managed to get through the wall into the other horses stable so there were two horses in there. The horses all looked depressed and lame. Accident waiting to happen needless fo say I didn’t go back.

went to another riding school and it was like night and day, horses were very well looked after and turned out, proper tack and equipment, stables weren’t anything fancy but safe. So went here for a couple months even though it was a 45 mins drive as opposed to 15 mins.

if you’re unhappy with the standard of the riding school id look elsewhere. I definitely wouldn’t be paying money to support a riding school that I felt was unsafe.

 

[teapot]

I've had mixed experiences with tack in riding schools over the years, from fantastic to worn out treds! Had a girth strap/buckle full on snap on me in a lesson last year, and that was at one of the 'best' centres around.

It varies hugely within the industry but if you're noticing it - say something. A decent riding school will care, others will just roll their eyes and palm you off. If your one responds negatively take your money elsewhere if you can. I see that if they can't keep kids safe, what are their DBS and safeguarding policies actually like? Riding schools with poor standards continue to be propped up by people who don't say anything and shrug their shoulders.

For children's lessons I'd be expecting either bent irons or peacocks as standard, with correct length leathers(!) but there is no formal guidance about it I'm afraid.

 

[Red-1]

I went to one that was also an exam centre, for some jumping lessons prior to buying a 4yo as I was out of practice.

It was dire. The horses lashed to posts, ready to be ridden looked dispirited. Feet were not well trimmed. The tack was obviously worn out. The one I rode did jump but was so badly schooled that it kind of sideways approached then launched at it. The arena was ill kept with a horrid track way away from the corners.

I had planned on a few lessons to get going round a course, but bowed out of the first lesson early and then emailed to say I'd bought a horse when I hadn't just so I had a reason not to go back.

If you are worried about safety, I'm not sure why you would want to continue there. Even if you bring up things that you think are unsafe, there will likely be more that you don't spot. Either people are meticulous or they are not.

 

[Widgeon]

If you are worried about safety, I'm not sure why you would want to continue there. Even if you bring up things that you think are unsafe, there will likely be more that you don't spot. Either people are meticulous or they are not.

Yes this. It's not indicative of a good attitude. I'd be looking for another RS, personally.

 

[Carlosmum]

all riding schools should be licensed with the local authority and are inspected every 2 years ( I think) If you are concerned about safety you should contact them.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

If there are welfare concerns like unsafe tack & riding conditions, why are you & your daughter paying to go?

The instructor is the best we've found so far, and as I sat we bring our stirrups. She and I have come on a long way since we started going there.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

all riding schools should be licensed with the local authority and are inspected every 2 years ( I think) If you are concerned about safety you should contact them.

I'll try, but I don't want to be the downfall of them . Safety first though

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

The only reason we're going here is that the RI is the best one we can find. I forgot to mention that my daughter only rides RS ponies occasionally now that we have found a loan for her. We mainly take our loan there. Due to her telling me that 'the saddles were really uncomfortable and felt funny'. And as for me the larger horses seem to have better saddles, aka: look like they fit a lot better than the pony saddles.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I think if you don't like it, find somewhere else for sure or mention it in passing if you can. Their reaction will be indicative of their opinion.

I have seen a certificate about safety ect. But I'm not sure how long ago that was, I haven't inspected it closely. But we're going tomorrow, so I'll have a look

 

[Skib]

I have ridden in countless RS saddles. Schools often keep old saddles so one can ride in old fashioned GP saddles. Being ignorant and possibly insensitive, I have never in 20 years rejected an RS saddle. My favourite saddles are at two local yards where I no longer ride, as my share lives elsewhere.

Safety stirrups are a different matter. I do not believe that safety stirrups are mandatory and Peacock stirrups should not be used by riders over 9 stone.
My worst problem as an older crooked adult learning to ride, was RS non matching stirrup leathers, making it hard to get my stirrups equal length. That is why I began to take my own leathers and safety stirrups to hack in. Though oddly I never did this for lessons. That was slightly deliberate. I needed to be able to ride any horse in the RS tack provided.

Certificates and licencing are not truly meaningful. One sees countless small errors at riding schools and it is no big deal just to mention them or put them right. But if one takes one's own tack to a RS, one uses it at one's own risk. View on stirrups differ. Some people like them broad and non slip. Others want them narrow and slippery.

As for safety of your child, local authority registration is compulsory. But in addition to this, most riding schools in UK are recognised either by the BHS or the Association of Riding Schools. There are some outstanding teachers and schools which are not recognised but for normal beginner lessons I would strongly advise looking for recognition by BHS or ABRS. There are lists on the BHS website.

 

[MuddyMonster]

The only reason we're going here is that the RI is the best one we can find. I forgot to mention that my daughter only rides RS ponies occasionally now that we have found a loan for her. We mainly take our loan there. Due to her telling me that 'the saddles were really uncomfortable and felt funny'. And as for me the larger horses seem to have better saddles, aka: look like they fit a lot better than the pony saddles.

So the daughter didn't like the saddle?

That's different to a saddle not fitting the horse or pony it's intended. I wouldn't base saddle fit on a child's interpretation on an uncomfortable saddle.

I'd personally be very wary of starting a thread about the apparent lack of safety to a riding establishment on a high volume public forum.

If you have concerns, bring them up with the management or local authority but otherwise I'm not sure what you're hoping to achieve with this thread if you're still going to ride there regardless

 

[AdorableAlice]

Any horse hired for monetary gain has to be licensed under the DEFRA 2018 Act, Animal Welfare. Relevant legislation - Hiring out horses licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

All premises will be listed on the local authority area on a public register, and that register will indicate the star rating the premises achieved at inspection. All premises are subject to horse health checks every 12 months. Licence length (1, 2 or 3 years) is determined at first application or subsequent renewal inspections. All premises are inspected by vets holding an inspectors qualification and those vets are listed on the BEVA website.

If anyone has concerns about welfare, safety or any other concerns at a riding school you need to contact your local authorities licensing officer and explain your concerns.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I'd personally be very wary of starting a thread about the apparent lack of safety to a riding establishment on a high volume public forum.

I don’t see harm in asking questions, in this case I assume OP wants to know if this is the norm for riding schools or if there are better ones out there, she did not name the riding school so it’s anyones guess as to which one she is referring to

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

So the daughter didn't like the saddle?

That's different to a saddle not fitting the horse or pony it's intended. I wouldn't base saddle fit on a child's interpretation on an uncomfortable saddle.

I'd personally be very wary of starting a thread about the apparent lack of safety to a riding establishment on a high volume public forum.

If you have concerns, bring them up with the management or local authority but otherwise I'm not sure what you're hoping to achieve with this thread if you're still going to ride there regardless

No of course it want just that she didn't like the saddle, that would be a ridiculous reason, the saddle was very clearly too small and very low on the withers

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I have ridden in countless RS saddles. Schools often keep old saddles so one can ride in old fashioned GP saddles. Being ignorant and possibly insensitive, I have never in 20 years rejected an RS saddle. My favourite saddles are at two local yards where I no longer ride, as my share lives elsewhere.

Safety stirrups are a different matter. I do not believe that safety stirrups are mandatory and Peacock stirrups should not be used by riders over 9 stone.
My worst problem as an older crooked adult learning to ride, was RS non matching stirrup leathers, making it hard to get my stirrups equal length. That is why I began to take my own leathers and safety stirrups to hack in. Though oddly I never did this for lessons. That was slightly deliberate. I needed to be able to ride any horse in the RS tack provided.

Certificates and licencing are not truly meaningful. One sees countless small errors at riding schools and it is no big deal just to mention them or put them right. But if one takes one's own tack to a RS, one uses it at one's own risk. View on stirrups differ. Some people like them broad and non slip. Others want them narrow and slippery.

As for safety of your child, local authority registration is compulsory. But in addition to this, most riding schools in UK are recognised either by the BHS or the Association of Riding Schools. There are some outstanding teachers and schools which are not recognised but for normal beginner lessons I would strongly advise looking for recognition by BHS or ABRS. There are lists on the BHS website.

I believe safety stirrups should be mandatory, especially for young children.

 

[stormox]

TBH the tread on stirrup treads is of no importance in normal riding. Stirrups don't keep you on. Stirrups never used to have rubber treads in them at all
Do plenty of riding without stirrips and develop an 'independant seat' - thats the safest way.

 

[teapot]

TBH the tread on stirrup treads is of no importance in normal riding. Stirrups don't keep you on. Stirrups never used to have rubber treads in them at all
Do plenty of riding without stirrips and develop an 'independant seat' - thats the safest way.

In theory, yes. In the practicalities of running a riding school, it is not.

I say that as someone who worked somewhere where bareback lessons were a regular occurrence, but we had to be very careful about how/when we did it!

 

[reynold]

I know of 2 recent incidents in the last 2 months alone where modern safety stirrups with very grippy treads failed to break open. In one case a wrenched knee was the result. In the other the rider was left hung up in the stirrup in the road and was rescued by an impeded motorist.

Personally I'd rather have worn stirrup treads or more old fashioned bent-leg safety stirrup irons than these modern safety stirrups. In the cases above the stirrups were from 2 different but similar brands. The friend who was hung up has changed her stirrup make and has been refunded by the 'faulty' safety stirrup manufacturer.

I know it is difficult now for riding schools to do too much work without stirrups with their clients but it really is important in order to progress to a safe and balanced seat.

When I was training in the 70s at a riding school with lessons given by a well known FBHS of the day we regularly spent 50 mins of an hour lesson without stirrups.

 

[Skib]

I too was taught to ride with no stirrups and sometime, as a treat, bareback. But being realistic, and due to my age, I never cantered bareback nor without stirrups.
It is really hard to prove a negative. My RI said she wanted to keep me safe hacking, and so far I have been. But my current safety is due to an ultra safe horse.

 

[SEL]

I've been a rider for a couple of riding school inspections and there is a tack check. Girth straps, stirrup leathers, bridles all given a quick once over. Normal stirrup irons though.

Obviously that doesn't stop a saddle being changed and the vet checking everything isn't a saddle fitter so unless the RS has someone out regularly then there is a risk the saddle won't fit a pony. Hard to know from your description because different saddles fit in different ways. Some pony saddles are quite flat and old leather saddles can be very hard on human bottoms!

You should be able to check on the council website somewhere that they've passed their inspection.

 

[PeterNatt]

Is it a BHS Approved riding School or an an ABRS Approved Riding School? If either of them then express your concerns to the relevant organisation. If a member of neither then express your concerns to the local authority.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I know of 2 recent incidents in the last 2 months alone where modern safety stirrups with very grippy treads failed to break open. In one case a wrenched knee was the result. In the other the rider was left hung up in the stirrup in the road and was rescued by an impeded motorist.

Personally I'd rather have worn stirrup treads or more old fashioned bent-leg safety stirrup irons than these modern safety stirrups. In the cases above the stirrups were from 2 different but similar brands. The friend who was hung up has changed her stirrup make and has been refunded by the 'faulty' safety stirrup manufacturer.

I know it is difficult now for riding schools to do too much work without stirrups with their clients but it really is important in order to progress to a safe and balanced seat.

When I was training in the 70s at a riding school with lessons given by a well known FBHS of the day we regularly spent 50 mins of an hour lesson without stirrups.

I'm talking about regular ones, the plain rubber band kind. Like this. https://images.app.goo.gl/mfcB7wschFFhPGXp6

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

TBH the tread on stirrup treads is of no importance in normal riding. Stirrups don't keep you on. Stirrups never used to have rubber treads in them at all
Do plenty of riding without stirrips and develop an 'independant seat' - thats the safest way.

My daughter is 7 years old. She's a small 7 year old too. They do practice no-stirrup work, but my concern is the feet getting stuck in the stirrup, that is literally my biggest fear with kids and riding! I don't want my kids being dragged by their ankle !

 

[FourWhiteSocks]

In my experience bent iron stirrups are the most dangerous. I have put my foot all the way through one and only avoided being dragged upside down around a showground due to the fact the horse I was riding was an absolute saint and waited patiently (despite it being a busy championship class) for me to be untangled by a couple of helpful bystanders. It was a real challenge to get my foot out. I only use the side-release (Acavallo) kind of stirrup now.

Riding schools in my area are generally horrendous or have already closed down. Very sad as I cut my teeth volunteering for rides at some fantastic schools. I took my niece for a lead rein lesson and was was told that the pony would only move forwards if I tucked my thumb under the noseband and dragged it. I have a friend who lost her thumb doing this exact thing (horse spooked and took her thumb with it) so requested a lead rope and was refused. I offered to pop a head-collar on under the bridle if the instructor was worried about the pony being pulled in the mouth. I was made to feel very stupid. Horrible experience and wont be going back.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

In my experience bent iron stirrups are the most dangerous. I have put my foot all the way through one and only avoided being dragged upside down around a showground due to the fact the horse I was riding was an absolute saint and waited patiently (despite it being a busy championship class) for me to be untangled by a couple of helpful bystanders. It was a real challenge to get my foot out. I only use the side-release (Acavallo) kind of stirrup now.

Riding schools in my area are generally horrendous or have already closed down. Very sad as I cut my teeth volunteering for rides at some fantastic schools. I took my niece for a lead rein lesson and was was told that the pony would only move forwards if I tucked my thumb under the noseband and dragged it. I have a friend who lost her thumb doing this exact thing (horse spooked and took her thumb with it) so requested a lead rope and was refused. I offered to pop a head-collar on under the bridle if the instructor was worried about the pony being pulled in the mouth. I was made to feel very stupid. Horrible experience and wont be going back.

I use the ones with the detachable rubber band

 

[Arzada]

My daughter is 7 years old. She's a small 7 year old too. They do practice no-stirrup work, but my concern is the feet getting stuck in the stirrup, that is literally my biggest fear with kids and riding! I don't want my kids being dragged by their ankle !

A neighbour's daughter about the age of your daughter came off her her own pony only not completely off because the safety stirrup (like the one in your link) didn't release. The pony continued at speed up the field and she was only saved from serious injury/worse by her foot coming out of her jodhpur boot.

Are these 'safety' stirrups actually tested? I'd be interested in test results by weight of rider and whether eg a 7yo child is too light for the stirrups to release.