Riding school with a heavy horse

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Woofles

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Does anyone know of a riding school ideally in the SE that has a Clydesdale or shire that is suitable for a novice to have a riding lesson?
 
Not sure of the breeds but my OH and I went for a driving lesson at Hurst Green Shires at Oxted.
They do riding lessons too.

My aunt was in a nursing home long term in Oxted and as it was a longish drive, I often tried to include a ride near where she was.
I have a very bad memory so much of what I was taught that day about harness and tacking up to drive has vanished but it was excellently taught. And the owners were participating in a lot of centenary demos of First World War use of horses which is one of my interests.
This was some time ago - in 1914 so you may want to check.
Highly recomended.
 
Skib said:
Not sure of the breeds but my OH and I went for a driving lesson at Hurst Green Shires at Oxted.
They do riding lessons too.

My aunt was in a nursing home long term in Oxted and as it was a longish drive, I often tried to include a ride near where she was.
I have a very bad memory so much of what I was taught that day about harness and tacking up to drive has vanished but it was excellently taught. And the owners were participating in a lot of centenary demos of First World War use of horses which is one of my interests.
This was some time ago - in 1914 so you may want to check.
Highly recomended.
Click to expand...

Do you mean 2014?...though respect if you are that old!!
 
I've done this for someone for Christmas and done it while we're on a mini-holiday in the lake district. There is Cumbria heavy horses or the one I'm going for is Ullswater pony trekking which is just a walk out over the lake district. I know this might not help as it isn't the South East but there are some places that do it. lots of riding schools put photos of their horses on which could help you find one.
 
Skib said:
Not sure of the breeds but my OH and I went for a driving lesson at Hurst Green Shires at Oxted.
They do riding lessons too.

My aunt was in a nursing home long term in Oxted and as it was a longish drive, I often tried to include a ride near where she was.
I have a very bad memory so much of what I was taught that day about harness and tacking up to drive has vanished but it was excellently taught. And the owners were participating in a lot of centenary demos of First World War use of horses which is one of my interests.
This was some time ago - in 1914 so you may want to check.
Highly recomended.
Click to expand...
They don't seem to.do riding lessons, only hacks. Same as the heavy horse place up north. I'd really like somewhere that does lessons.
 
Ring around your local stables and ask - many stables have heavier horses like shires etc for heavier weight/stocky beginners to learn on. The schools i went to did. Such huge, lovely, gentle horses they were too! I rode one once, as a wee young thing, their strides are amazing to experience.
However, one accidently stepped on my foot while tacking him up, my god did i yelp! Luckily my foot survived.
Im sure your OH would love it!
 
You should take him to the annual Shire Horse Show in Peterborough, it’s a really enjoyable day out with hundreds of heavy horses.
 
PurBee said:
Ring around your local stables and ask - many stables have heavier horses like shires etc for heavier weight/stocky beginners to learn on. The schools i went to did. Such huge, lovely, gentle horses they were too! I rode one once, as a wee young thing, their strides are amazing to experience.
However, one accidently stepped on my foot while tacking him up, my god did i yelp! Luckily my foot survived.
Im sure your OH would love it!
Click to expand...

My foot didn't survive when a Shire trod on it! I took my sock off, and a lump of toe stayed behind. It was the most revolting injury I've ever had!
 
Oh pippity, that sounds truly gruesomely painful! Did everything heal well? All those tiny foot bones can be crushed so easily with horses, its astounding its not a more common injury....altho’ mostly horses are very aware of where theyre feet are and if theyre getting too close to human stomping.
I was so lucky to escape without serious injury. I yelped and pushed him off me so loud and fast, it spooked him and he moved quickly. I dont think he had chance to put full weight down on my foot.
He hated being stabled...youd hear him kicking constantly at the door, boom boom echoes throughout the yard!
 
PurBee said:
Oh pippity, that sounds truly gruesomely painful! Did everything heal well? All those tiny foot bones can be crushed so easily with horses, its astounding its not a more common injury....altho’ mostly horses are very aware of where theyre feet are and if theyre getting too close to human stomping.
I was so lucky to escape without serious injury. I yelped and pushed him off me so loud and fast, it spooked him and he moved quickly. I dont think he had chance to put full weight down on my foot.
He hated being stabled...youd hear him kicking constantly at the door, boom boom echoes throughout the yard!
Click to expand...

It healed absolutely fine - I've just got an oddly shaped nail on that toe!
 
As above, a lot of local schools have the odd heavy. My closest one has a papered Belgian draft mare and an unpapered draft from Eastern Europe who is built heavier than any modern shire!

But they're used for general flat sessions and hacking and not advertised as anything special.
 
PurBee said:
Oh pippity, that sounds truly gruesomely painful! Did everything heal well? All those tiny foot bones can be crushed so easily with horses, its astounding its not a more common injury....altho’ mostly horses are very aware of where theyre feet are and if theyre getting too close to human stomping.
I was so lucky to escape without serious injury. I yelped and pushed him off me so loud and fast, it spooked him and he moved quickly. I dont think he had chance to put full weight down on my foot.
He hated being stabled...youd hear him kicking constantly at the door, boom boom echoes throughout the yard!
Click to expand...


I used to have a Clydesdale mare who was very aware of where my feet were: she stood on me rather than in a puddle at the field gateway several times!
 
DressageCob said:
it would be worth giving them a call. They do offer a lesson as part of a corporate day, and they do a taster session of riding as well I think. There may be something they can offer which would work for you.
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Actually, ignore me. I've just checked their facebook page and they have closed down.
 
PurBee said:
You must have bionic toes by now pearl.... ;-)
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I happened to go to my GP about something else on one occasion when my foot was very bruised. He questioned me very closely, I think he suspected DV - but he did know that we keep horses! Fortunately, as the ground beneath my feet was always soft, no permanent damage was caused :).
 
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