SantaVera
Well-Known Member
I spent hours leading other kids around the paddock. It's a great learning curve both about horses and people. We were never paid. My only gripe was that my parents wouldn't let me stay all day.
Riding schools rant
- Thread starter CluelessShowjumper
- Start date
Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
Like a Maypole.Slightly chuckling at the concept of lungeing 8 at a time
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
I loved helping as a teenager.
From about 8am until dark, every Saturday and sunday.
The riding school I was at was an absolute hell hole though. It was a livery yard too and I have no idea how those horse savvy livery clients put up with seeing the absolutely atrocious management of the riding school horses.
The owner of the place was absolutely bonkers.
From about 8am until dark, every Saturday and sunday.
The riding school I was at was an absolute hell hole though. It was a livery yard too and I have no idea how those horse savvy livery clients put up with seeing the absolutely atrocious management of the riding school horses.
The owner of the place was absolutely bonkers.
gallopingby
Well-Known Member
There’s a huge difference between the way riding schools were run 50/60 years ago and now. There were some lucky children allowed to stay all day and help, bringing ponies in - riding bareback and often ride and lead, as well as tacking up and grooming and they got ‘free’ lessons if one of the paying clients didn’t turn up. Others had parents who delivered them for lessons and if you were lucky you could stay a bit longer although it wasn’t encouraged without permission. There were sometimes ‘own a pony’ days and the opportunity to go to a local show. These days l’ve been shocked to learn that friends teenage children maybe 13/14/15 have been ‘teaching’ at a local riding school. These are kids who are barely competent themselves and certainly not aware of H&S. It all gets a little scary especially when you bring in the not particually well schooled young ponies and the fact that some parents appear to use it as Saturday child care.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
I learnt to ride in the late 70's and no one had lunge lessons you were led in the school for a few lessons then led on a hack on foot then led from a horse and eventually you came off lead rein, it wasn't really a lesson place it was all about the hacking.
I remember my first canter was on a hack being led by the much older guy that worked on the yard, he literally ran along with the pony with me on board so I could canter.
I thought it was amazing I had a massive crush on him
I remember my first canter was on a hack being led by the much older guy that worked on the yard, he literally ran along with the pony with me on board so I could canter.
I thought it was amazing I had a massive crush on him
ROMANY 1959
Well-Known Member
I used to help at a riding school in 70s. But I disagree the ponies and horses were worked too much. In beginner lessons, more time was spent with ponies standing still and young rider doing things like round the world. Learning how to get on and off, tighten girth, do stirrups. Making pony turn on forehand
I think in 4 x 45 min pony lessons a day, they only actually worked in walk or trot for 90 odd minutes. Hardly taxing to them. And most had all weekdays off , and even in school holidays the rid8 g school would do things like pony day, beach rides, rides up the local
moors.
I went on to do 3 nvq qualifications in horses with BHS. And teach at pony club
I think in 4 x 45 min pony lessons a day, they only actually worked in walk or trot for 90 odd minutes. Hardly taxing to them. And most had all weekdays off , and even in school holidays the rid8 g school would do things like pony day, beach rides, rides up the local
moors.
I went on to do 3 nvq qualifications in horses with BHS. And teach at pony club
scats
Well-Known Member
I did a few lessons on the lead rein in the late 80s, learnt to stop, steer, walk and trot rising. Then you progressed to non-lead rein.
Thats still fairly standard around here.
Thats still fairly standard around here.
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
tell me you've never had to manage a group of teenagers without telling me you've never had to manage a group of teenagers.
I've always taken pride in helping and encouraging the helpers, but my god is it hard work. You seem to be under the illusion these kids are fully functioning members of staff, they are far, far from it! One member of staff can do the work of 20 teens, with the exception of lead rein lessons, which is a plus for them as they can learn an awful lot while leading.
I've always taken pride in helping and encouraging the helpers, but my god is it hard work. You seem to be under the illusion these kids are fully functioning members of staff, they are far, far from it! One member of staff can do the work of 20 teens, with the exception of lead rein lessons, which is a plus for them as they can learn an awful lot while leading.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
we pretty much only had us and the owner, she'd have struggled with 30 stables and teaching. . We were teaching 1/2 hours and escorting once we were 16.
Ah first canters . .. on a grass verge following ride leader... pony called cheeky.. . stopped abruptly to eat the grass. .
Ah first canters . .. on a grass verge following ride leader... pony called cheeky.. . stopped abruptly to eat the grass. .
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
As others have said, a lot of riding schools around here are really struggling- this winter was a killer for them. In terms of teenagers/older children staying for the day and "helping out", most places local to me don't charge for this AFIAK- they charge for the lesson, and let the children stay all day. It's essentially free childcare and most of them are learning stable management, hanging out with friends etc. Yes, they do chores, but that's a key part of looking after horses- learning how to muck out is important too! Sometimes they will get a free ride or lesson in return, not usually every weekend, but now and again. Or they may get other opportunities.
I don't think any overwork their ponies and indeed they are careful to give them proper breaks throughout the year as well as days off in the week or similar.
"Own a pony days" or similar are a bit different, and there is a higher level of supervision and teaching, and often multiple rides (e.g. a lesson and a hack) which means they cost more.
In terms of lunge vs lead rein, I think with younger children, under say about 8 (although it depends on the child), it's very good to have someone close by for the first few lessons. It doesn't take much for a small child to fall off, even a big shake can do it, and the other end of a lunge is a bit too far away. I think lunge lessons are more beneficial for adult beginners, or those who've already learned to walk and trot, and are maybe trying to progress to canter or similar. I've had a few over the years, but I actually got more out of them when I was established in all three paces and was working on having independent balance etc.
When I was pretty young (infant school age), my mum taught me the very basics of riding on a neighbour's small pony- she led me and then walked alongside me. Later we moved and I joined a riding school, and as I could already stop/start/steer, I never really went on the lead rein, but I do remember the instructor running with me as I tried to properly master rising trot! Obviously leaders need to be competent, but I think having someone close by helped me gain more confidence!
I don't think any overwork their ponies and indeed they are careful to give them proper breaks throughout the year as well as days off in the week or similar.
"Own a pony days" or similar are a bit different, and there is a higher level of supervision and teaching, and often multiple rides (e.g. a lesson and a hack) which means they cost more.
In terms of lunge vs lead rein, I think with younger children, under say about 8 (although it depends on the child), it's very good to have someone close by for the first few lessons. It doesn't take much for a small child to fall off, even a big shake can do it, and the other end of a lunge is a bit too far away. I think lunge lessons are more beneficial for adult beginners, or those who've already learned to walk and trot, and are maybe trying to progress to canter or similar. I've had a few over the years, but I actually got more out of them when I was established in all three paces and was working on having independent balance etc.
When I was pretty young (infant school age), my mum taught me the very basics of riding on a neighbour's small pony- she led me and then walked alongside me. Later we moved and I joined a riding school, and as I could already stop/start/steer, I never really went on the lead rein, but I do remember the instructor running with me as I tried to properly master rising trot! Obviously leaders need to be competent, but I think having someone close by helped me gain more confidence!
jules9203
Well-Known Member
When I was 12 I was spending every weekend at the local stables. Not paid but free lesson/hack each weekend. I also would be the "back rider" on the day hacks over the moor. We (my friend & I) cycled there for 8am did everything - mucking out, lead rein duties etc, and then cycled the 6 miles home. The RS would not be BHS approved but the horses/ponies were loved and not over worked. We never thought about actual payment (neither did my horsey parents) This was back in 1979 but I wouldn't swap it. It's given me a lifetime with horses. Unfortunately (or not) H&S, insurance, working law makes life very different today.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
I agree with you to an extent OP.
I was slave labour at the local riding school when I was a teen, I loved it and would get the very occasional free lesson. But now the teens pay £80 a day to do what I did. I do think it's worth paying for stable/horse management tuition up to a certain level but not where it's the YO benefitting from you paying to poo pick and muck out.
My larger issue is the number of yards using their clients to start and bring on young horses for them to sell. Again there's benefit in testing your skills and learning to bring on a young horse but some yards around here are really running starting businesses disguised as riding schools.
I was slave labour at the local riding school when I was a teen, I loved it and would get the very occasional free lesson. But now the teens pay £80 a day to do what I did. I do think it's worth paying for stable/horse management tuition up to a certain level but not where it's the YO benefitting from you paying to poo pick and muck out.
My larger issue is the number of yards using their clients to start and bring on young horses for them to sell. Again there's benefit in testing your skills and learning to bring on a young horse but some yards around here are really running starting businesses disguised as riding schools.
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
I don't think any riding school owner is raking it in- it's also worth looking at charges locally for holiday childcare etc- that is what a lot of parents are paying for!
If clients are unhappy, they can, of course, look elsewhere or perhaps look for a share- but a lot of livery yards won't allow under 16s (or even under 18s) unsupervised these days- so it does require a higher level of parental involvement.
At the end of the day, if these places closed, then there would be a lot of people who wouldn't be able to interact with horses at all, and I do think that's terribly sad.
If clients are unhappy, they can, of course, look elsewhere or perhaps look for a share- but a lot of livery yards won't allow under 16s (or even under 18s) unsupervised these days- so it does require a higher level of parental involvement.
At the end of the day, if these places closed, then there would be a lot of people who wouldn't be able to interact with horses at all, and I do think that's terribly sad.
scats
Well-Known Member
We hated leading as ‘school kids’ at the local riding school. We’d hide in the lock up where we all kept our stuff and the instructors would find us and make us go and lead the ponies
Kunoichi73
Beware... My Plants...
I learnt as a child in the 80s. I never had a lunge lesson (and still haven't, although I have enquired about them at my current RS and am considering them). I started being led in group lessons at all paces and then progressed to riding with no leader. My current RS also teaches kids this way.
I also did the Sunday working thing for free rides - mucking out, grooming, saddling up and leading in lessons. We couldn't afford a pony, so it was heaven for me.
My current RS has weekend helpers and runs stable management days for the kids during school holidays. They get taught general pony care and get a lesson on each day. I think it's about £40 a day. I don't really see what the problem is with charging. Other sports that run holiday clubs charge for the kids to do it and probably have fewer overheads than a riding school. It's also hard work for the staff because it's basically childcare for the day and can be like herding cats, particularly as some of the children just want to spend their time taking Tik Tok footage and don't seem to really want to work.
I also did the Sunday working thing for free rides - mucking out, grooming, saddling up and leading in lessons. We couldn't afford a pony, so it was heaven for me.
My current RS has weekend helpers and runs stable management days for the kids during school holidays. They get taught general pony care and get a lesson on each day. I think it's about £40 a day. I don't really see what the problem is with charging. Other sports that run holiday clubs charge for the kids to do it and probably have fewer overheads than a riding school. It's also hard work for the staff because it's basically childcare for the day and can be like herding cats, particularly as some of the children just want to spend their time taking Tik Tok footage and don't seem to really want to work.
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HopOnTrot
Well-Known Member
It’s been this way for decades, teenagers get pony time and experience, kids get led, they always have done. My daughter has learned at home and being led. Just like everyone at PC!
Leading is much easier on the ponies than lunging, I’ve never heard of kids being regularly taught on the lunge in the UK
Leading is much easier on the ponies than lunging, I’ve never heard of kids being regularly taught on the lunge in the UK
HopOnTrot
Well-Known Member
Just to add when I started riding in the 80s it was being led on a hack with the instructor (in her 70s) riding and leading two ponies!
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
Am another who used to spend every Saturday and multiple days in tbe school holiday helping at the rs, probably every fortnight we got a free ride in one of the lessons
There was a gang of us, none of us had our own (my parents couldn't afford it presume theirs couldn't either) so it was our way of being around horses
Even when I got my own in my early 20s I'd often ride with the rs helpers as we'd do various fun things. I think some of my interest in horses died when they moved on, as we'd do various fun activities (jumping, gymkhana games etc). It all became so serious.
I think the age you're allowed to help has gone up, we were younger when we were helping
Some of the horses did far too much work though, especially my favourite, I always wanted to buy him and let him live in luxury with only me riding him
I also don't recall lunge lessons for the beginners, they were led (when I first started helping I used to be desperate to be a leader than realised actually no it really wasn't one of tbe fun jobs!)
There was a gang of us, none of us had our own (my parents couldn't afford it presume theirs couldn't either) so it was our way of being around horses
Even when I got my own in my early 20s I'd often ride with the rs helpers as we'd do various fun things. I think some of my interest in horses died when they moved on, as we'd do various fun activities (jumping, gymkhana games etc). It all became so serious.
I think the age you're allowed to help has gone up, we were younger when we were helping
Some of the horses did far too much work though, especially my favourite, I always wanted to buy him and let him live in luxury with only me riding him
I also don't recall lunge lessons for the beginners, they were led (when I first started helping I used to be desperate to be a leader than realised actually no it really wasn't one of tbe fun jobs!)
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shanti
Well-Known Member
At my riding school as a kid (back in the day lol) we always helped with everything plus paid for our lessons. If the weather was really bad and we couldn't ride we instead had a 'lesson' on cleaning tack/poo picking/sweeping, I found these lessons to be just as relevant and important as the riding lessons, we learned loads.
I think this new idea of 'pony days' is just a progression of what most of us did as kids but, in today's society, they have to actually package it as a product.
I think this new idea of 'pony days' is just a progression of what most of us did as kids but, in today's society, they have to actually package it as a product.
SantaVera
Well-Known Member
I've only ever had one lunge lesson. I found it terrifying, I really didn't like the idea that the person holding the lunge rein was incharge of the horse instead of me.
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
From the horse's point of view.
Lead rein is much easier on the ponies than a lot of lunging.
Riding school horses work harder than a lot of single rider horses but they also are much more likely to have a fairly knowledgeable owner, to be slim and have good amounts of turnout and company.
From the customers'
The children simply adore being used for yard work. I know because I was one of those children. "Exploit" me all you want if it's this much fun!
From the RS point of view.
For insurance reasons, the child helpers have to be on the yard as part of something. At my yard the insurance covers them if they have a lesson booked but then stay to untack etc. , others use "own a pony " days.
Lead rein is much easier on the ponies than a lot of lunging.
Riding school horses work harder than a lot of single rider horses but they also are much more likely to have a fairly knowledgeable owner, to be slim and have good amounts of turnout and company.
From the customers'
The children simply adore being used for yard work. I know because I was one of those children. "Exploit" me all you want if it's this much fun!
From the RS point of view.
For insurance reasons, the child helpers have to be on the yard as part of something. At my yard the insurance covers them if they have a lesson booked but then stay to untack etc. , others use "own a pony " days.
Glitter's fun
Well-Known Member
I have never known a RS where they do that little, although the good ones make sure the work is varied.
If you are thinking of a particular school where the ponies are overworked do please report it.
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canteron
Well-Known Member
Actually it’s good for the pony ‘leaders’ as well, it develops their work ethic, confidence, independence etc.
paddi22
Well-Known Member
I don't see the issue with lead rein? it's very useful to have someone who can immediately slow a pony if an instructor can see a rider is getting unbalanced. The OP must have forgotten or not realised the riding school ponies are not automatic robots or saints. A good percentage know exactly how to take advantage of tiny tots or inexperienced riders, without lead rein a lot of them would know to just cut to end of ride or yank reins from rider and go where they want. Leaders don't just blindly go around, they stop a pony from slowing or increasing pace, they keep a safe distance between ponies, if there's an issue, emergency or fall the leaders can stop and stand the rest of the ponies safely. I was leading ponies in the 70s and the same system still works here. I picked up loads of knowledge from listening and learning while I was leading. I absolutely loved it as an experience as a kid.
I absolutely loved being a yard slave with my friends when I was a kid! Happiest days of my life and a great way to learn. A lot of yards don't allow kinds now unless parents are there due to insurance and it's a massive loss. you can see the lack of common sense and hands-on experience kids of have now if they don't come up through that system.
, without lead rein a lot of them would know to just cut to end of ride or yank reins from rider and go where they want. Leaders don't just blindly go around, they stop a pony from slowing or increasing pace, they keep a safe distance between ponies, if there's an issue, emergency or fall the leaders can stop and stand the rest of the ponies safely. I was leading ponies in the 70s and the same system still works here. I picked up loads of knowledge from listening and learning while I was leading. I absolutely loved it as an experience as a kid.I absolutely loved being a yard slave with my friends when I was a kid! Happiest days of my life and a great way to learn. A lot of yards don't allow kinds now unless parents are there due to insurance and it's a massive loss. you can see the lack of common sense and hands-on experience kids of have now if they don't come up through that system.
Burnerbee
Well-Known Member
Learning on the lunge = a private lesson …. That’s completely unaffordable to 90% of parents (I’m guessing 90, could be 95!). Yes you become a better rider, quicker but most kids just want to be on a pony.
paddi22
Well-Known Member
and logistics-wise a riding school can't make money if the arena per hour is only making money from one person on a lunge vs. 6 in a group. as well as that you'd have to be conscious that a lot of riding school [pnies are often older and stiffer. it would be way too hard on joints and body if they were doing lunge lessons all day with unbalanced riders. the lunge lessons would be way more intense physically for them than just posturing around in a line around arena edge.
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Feeling your pain OP, but this is the way RS's have always been; as a child of the '60's who was grateful to be able to even breathe the air where a horse had been around, I did my share of "helping out in exchange for lessons" at the local RS, and was glad to.
You got to realise that way, that riding wasn't just about sitting on the horse's back, it was getting on the end of a shovel as well, and you learnt stuff they didn't teach you in lessons, like stable management and general care. Valuable things for later on, if and when you could have your own! I wouldn't have swapped those days for the world, neither would I wish to deny any of the kids of today the chance to experience it. There's nothing like a day spent around horses - and going home (to your non-horsey parents) and immediately being ordered into a hot bath!
Yes appreciate that "kids" around the RS yard can be annoying, but hey we all had to learn sometime; and at least they aren't out getting into other sorts of more anti-social mischief.
You got to realise that way, that riding wasn't just about sitting on the horse's back, it was getting on the end of a shovel as well, and you learnt stuff they didn't teach you in lessons, like stable management and general care. Valuable things for later on, if and when you could have your own! I wouldn't have swapped those days for the world, neither would I wish to deny any of the kids of today the chance to experience it. There's nothing like a day spent around horses - and going home (to your non-horsey parents) and immediately being ordered into a hot bath!
Yes appreciate that "kids" around the RS yard can be annoying, but hey we all had to learn sometime; and at least they aren't out getting into other sorts of more anti-social mischief.
Equi
Well-Known Member
I lived at the yard on weekends. Get there, get horses in from the fields (usually bare back in a halter leading another, used as warm up as the first lesson was always advanced to get the tickly feet out) grooms and tack up, pull out for lessons and lead, load everyone up on the lorry to go back to the fields then muckout. Didn’t get paid, but I also didn’t pay for this bar my own lesson. And the 10 mars bars and cokes. It was the best days of my life.
The worst part about it was usually the parents who had horses. They would criticise, yell instructions, try to correct the tack. Usually these kids didn’t have fun and eventually left.
The worst part about it was usually the parents who had horses. They would criticise, yell instructions, try to correct the tack. Usually these kids didn’t have fun and eventually left.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
Who wanted that smell to last all week, better than perfume, the odour of sweat and horse pee in winter, sat in front of a coal fire.
DressageCob
Well-Known Member
I still stable at the riding school I helped out at as a kid. It's great. There are helpers (aged 12+) but they don't pay to help. There are pony days, which are paid, but they include 2 lessons or a lesson and a hack as well as being taught stable management. I don't think that's inappropriate. I tend to see adults learning on the lunge and kids on the lead rein. The lead rein for little kids has the benefit of keeping the leader close by should the little legs not be strong enough to keep the kid in the saddle 
That said my riding school doesn't take little kiddies anymore so I don't see so much of that! The horses are fit, well kept, have beautiful well-fitting saddles, strict work limits and time to be horses in the field. I think they do better than many privately-owned animals. They are also loved, not only by their owner but by all the staff, liveries and clients.
Riding schools need our support. Loads in my area are closing down because of increased costs and difficulties finding staff. If little local riding schools are no more then where are the keen horsey kids going to learn to ride? Especially those like me who have non-horsey parents and no chance of owning their own until adulthood.
That said my riding school doesn't take little kiddies anymore so I don't see so much of that! The horses are fit, well kept, have beautiful well-fitting saddles, strict work limits and time to be horses in the field. I think they do better than many privately-owned animals. They are also loved, not only by their owner but by all the staff, liveries and clients. Riding schools need our support. Loads in my area are closing down because of increased costs and difficulties finding staff. If little local riding schools are no more then where are the keen horsey kids going to learn to ride? Especially those like me who have non-horsey parents and no chance of owning their own until adulthood.