Setting up riding school

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jenz87

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Hi everyone :) My family own a livery yard and we have decided to branch out into riding school. We have just passed all Local Authority checks and just waiting for the licence to come through. Got a few lovely ponies/horses (going to start small and see how it goes on and grow if needed). Just waiting to get going...
SO.... for those who use riding schools or their children do, what for you is the most important thing, or what are your must haves, or anything you can recommend we do? We have 3 experienced and qualified instructors so we will be running with hopefully everything correct and would consider BHS registered next year (you have to run for a period of time first).
Also, what days / times do you prefer to ride, as we cant make our mind up on opening times/days etc.

Any experiences or advice greatfully recieved :D
 
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Here are the things I can think of:

Later evening lessons for adults who work (including private and semi private lessons)

Accompanied hacks for children as well as lessons - they learn so much out hacking.

Little 'yard' shows for the kids - again it is such a great experience. Mini 'stable management' courses in school holidays - could be for a day or a week - good experience for the kids as they learn a little bit more.
 
Good luck! I have worked and kept livery at a few riding shoools, but have never ran one so can only offer a little advice on what I observed.

Do really try to keep everything neat and tidy, looks awful if the place is messy and shabby. Evenings and weekends will be busy, but don't discount day times too. Most give one day off ( like a monday). Keep the work varied, and make sure the instructors are passionate and interested, even in the most basic pony rides. Weekend helpers can be fab, but watch out for gangs of school girl cliques! Teach when out hacking too, not just in the school. Keep the liveries and school horses separate if possible, if only so the general public know not to go snoopy/feeding in the livery area. Have various sizes of mounting blocks outside and inside the arenas. Stock a good few sizes of hats. Put name plaques on the school ponies stable doors and tags on their bridles/saddles. Stops ponies ending up with the wrong tack, and people love to know the name of the pony they are riding.
That's all that is coming to my head atm!

Good luck!
 
The main things that made me choose and stick with my last riding school were;

They would actually answer the phone or would ring back if you had to leave a message

Staff were very good at remembering all the client's names

Classes in the evenings for the post work crowd

Lessons started on time

Lots of day trips and long hacks available.

Best of luck - nice to hear of a school opening for once
 
Late evening lessons are vital - my 8pm slot was like gold dust to me when I was between horses I had lessons to tide me over.

Many only offered up until 6pm which is useless if you work 9-5 and have to travel there.

I guess that would be the same for any working parents taking their kids for lessons too.

Saturdays and Sundays are a given. Maybe have Mondays as your closed day if you want a full day off? I'd imagine that's the day most people are tired and not as up for exercise after going back to work!

Own a pony days, pony parties, adult horse/stable management days, try getting a Pony Club up and running, BHS courses, riding & road safety tests, 'Ride and Slim' is also popular here at a local yard - ladies wanting to lose weight have a healthy meal together after a lesson. If you have loads of money, get a simulator - people will travel for HOURS for a lesson on one of those and they are absolutely amazing.

A school I had lessons at made money on the side by offering t-shirt, mug and hoody printing for the kids so they could have their favourite school pony's face and name on their stuff! Got to say I'd be tempted by that even at my age :P

Best of luck!
 
As someone who sometimes has clients straight from the RS, first time owners coming to livery, I would say get the basics instilled in all new riders, it may seem boring to spend weeks/ months on pretty much the same basic lessons but for the once a week rider just being on a pony is exciting enough, too many RS instructors want to get on to jumping/ cantering far too quickly in order to make lessons more "interesting" but the riders can learn plenty in walk and trot, can be kept interested and entertained while they develop the basic skills.
Private lessons are not the most profitable for a RS but for the riders they will make progress far more quickly if they can start on the lunge until they have rising trot and a reasonably independent seat, something not standard in most RS unfortunately.

I am currently helping a 9 year old with her first pony who was considered to be one of the best in her group she was jumping in most lessons but had no real balance, her default position was to tip forward and she fell off on a regular basis, I have gone back to basics and she has now started to sit up and ride, she is still not really ready to jump so we do pole work and she is more than happy with the progress she is making by this time next year she will be riding really well but I suspect her years at the RS are hindering rather than helping her progress, I have had a far easier time starting children completely from scratch, no bad habits or unrealistic sense of their ability.
 
One thing to mind is to do some child protection training and to make sure you always ask parents if you can touch their child (to help on if they need balance or hold their ankles etc)

One more thing is to never turn a blind eye to the antics of kids. The worst thing that can happen at yards are the bully kids. I remember being trapped in the arena and whipped with the lunge whip once by a group of the snobby ones (one had her own pony she didn't ride or clean out cause she was terrified of it)

A yard I go to atm has one kid who is very capable at being that type of kid and she's kept on a tight leash. Her mum was going to part loan one of the ponies but the kid got so possessive over her she would actually threaten other kids for even stroking her over the door so the yo said in no way will they consider having her loan that pony until she can sort her attitude out.
 
"Own a pony for a day" during the school holidays seems to be very popular round here. That way you can also teach them things like picking out hooves and basic feeding.
REmembering back to my first visits to riding schools as a kid, I think feeling included is the big thing (as none of my friends were interested in riding at the time and my parents weren't horsey) i.e. not just put on the pony for a ride and then 'see you next week', so if you can schedule in a short gap between lessons for talking to the kids and parents then i think that helps. It wouldn't have to be an instructor, just someone saying 'how did you like riding Smokey/Pickles/Foxy' or 'you really got the hang of rising trot today!'
ditto for adult lessons, - they often want to talk about their ride afterwards (coffee machine and snack box in a spare room/stable? - with a bit of heating for winter). Planning social evenings with talks and videos can work well too (free chocky bics is a big draw!). If private lessons, then they will want a few minutes to talk to the instructor too.
I think too many riding schools now focus on maximum turn around without the non-riding touches that make people feel welcome.

ps, good luck and remember to enjoy yourselves too!!:)
 
How exciting - a good riding school is worth its weight in gold. As someone who has used many riding schools over the years, what I like to see as an adult participant is:

1. Lessons available in evenings and weekends - personally I preferred to get into a routine, but appreciate that this isn't always possible
2. A good selection of nice forward going horses (and agree with point above - it is nice to know the horses name and a bit about the horse - my favourite school introduced you to your horse properly at the start of a lesson)
3. Evidence that the horses are all loved and well cared for (not worked too hard, nice fitting tack, given breaks, shiny coats etc.)
4. Enthusiastic instructors who are 'people' people - and who genuinely love and cherish the horses
5. A nice calm environment - chaos does not instil confidence
6. A clean and tidy yard - nameplates and clear labelling make it easy to 'help' (tack/untack/brush - it is nice to do this once you are a regular)
7. Clear and fair (and enforced) policies and ways of working - you need to know what is allowed, not allowed etc. (so a policy on treats is welcome)
8. A good rideable school surface (I've had lessons on shocking surfaces - and it is more that I worry about the impact on the poor horses/instructors having to work like that all the time)
9. Good administration and evidence of planning/preparation
10. Fun :-)

For me, bad experiences I've had over the (many) years (to give an idea of what to avoid) have been:
Forgetting someone in the lesson - so turn up and no horse (even though you are booked in) - this has happened more than once and in more than one school!
Being left to get a horse ready - in a yard I didn't know, and horse I hadn't met
Being left to get on myself as I was later than everyone else as my horse wasn't ready when I arrived - horse didn't want to stand still at mounting block while other horses whizzed past! (this was years ago and I was less experienced and new to that school)
Being blamed when I fell off and horse took off and injured itself (I didn't choose to fall off - saddle slipped, and yes, I had checked the girth - apparently the horse was known for 'blowing')
Being given the pissed off pony to 're-school' - I sat 16 bucks before eating dirt!
Arriving and nobody to welcome, direct to where to wait, show you where things are, explain what to expect etc. - especially first time in a new place, it is quite nerve-wracking
Instructor ignoring you - either due to too many in class or too big a range of ability (or both) - I had a couple of lessons when I was younger when the only time I was spoken to was to give me lead file instructions

To be fair, I voted with my feet if things weren't good enough - and when I found a school I like was a regular customer for 15 years before getting their help to buy a horse.

Good luck
 
I agree with all of the above and would also add, get instructors in who like kids. It sounds really silly but one place we were at had one instructor who clearly loathed children. She was vile and yet put in charge of things like pony camp where I felt I was basically paying for her to make my kids lives as miserable as possible. I simply moved my kids to private lessons with another instructor and made it clear that I would not pay for any activities that she was involved in. But I bet a lot of people simply left because of her. You need people who actually LIKE the company of children.
 
be positive said:
As someone who sometimes has clients straight from the RS, first time owners coming to livery, I would say get the basics instilled in all new riders, it may seem boring to spend weeks/ months on pretty much the same basic lessons but for the once a week rider just being on a pony is exciting enough, too many RS instructors want to get on to jumping/ cantering far too quickly in order to make lessons more "interesting" but the riders can learn plenty in walk and trot, can be kept interested and entertained while they develop the basic skills.
Private lessons are not the most profitable for a RS but for the riders they will make progress far more quickly if they can start on the lunge until they have rising trot and a reasonably independent seat, something not standard in most RS unfortunately.

I am currently helping a 9 year old with her first pony who was considered to be one of the best in her group she was jumping in most lessons but had no real balance, her default position was to tip forward and she fell off on a regular basis, I have gone back to basics and she has now started to sit up and ride, she is still not really ready to jump so we do pole work and she is more than happy with the progress she is making by this time next year she will be riding really well but I suspect her years at the RS are hindering rather than helping her progress, I have had a far easier time starting children completely from scratch, no bad habits or unrealistic sense of their ability.
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Never mind the instructors wanting to push the kids into cantering too soon, its the bloomin' parents! I had one complain loudly that her daughter had only had one canter in that lesson - it was over 80 degrees and the ponies were working outside in it for 7 hours. Interestingly, the same child used to ride the same ex-showjumping pony who was easy to get going etc and made the kids look good. One day though he wasn't available and I'd got the ride going individually from the back, past the ride in trot, canter off on the bend, circle in canter at the back and walk to the rear - she couldn't even get him past the ride. This proved my idea that she was just a tidy passenger and couldn't really RIDE at all. Another thing we did that people really enjoyed was formation riding. It taught people to be really observant of other riders and what was going on around them. Watching a child on a 12.2hh keeping parallel on the opposite side with a 16hh was hilarious, but they usually managed it. Oh, and our hacks tended to be pretty lively as were the neds when they were away from the yard so we had a rule that all would-be hackers had to be assessed before they left the school and everyone had to be able to trot and canter without stirrups, or they just weren't allowed to go out. I also always taught riding theory as part of lessons, and we would talk about the different breeds, colours, history of riding etc , saddle and bridle parts, points of the horse during the cooling down walk towards the end of the lesson. Group lessons are useful as you can learn from one another. One demonstrates, the others comment - gives the ponies a chance for a quick break again.
 
McFluff said:
Arriving and nobody to welcome, direct to where to wait, show you where things are, explain what to expect etc. - especially first time in a new place, it is quite nerve-wracking
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Oh yes this is the WORST! So awkward.

You need a clear reception area with a big sign. It's so daunting walking into a strange new yard, everyone going about their business and you have no clue where to go or who to ask.
 
In reply to the cantering too soon thing, also the ones who don't push them enough lol my friends kid had been riding for months off the lead and was the best in the class but one week took a sudden block and asked for a lead rein so teacher called out for one and i was like what? NO WAY absolutely no way why would you give her a leader in a non-lead class? She was told to wise up by me and get on with riding the pony and she did and did everything perfectly fine as usual.
 
Absolutely agree with what equi said about the antic of kids. I was desperate to ride when I was a child but when I did eventually get lessons, it was tarnished as there was a lot of clique-iness.

Also,

-definitely later evening lessons

-ensure you have appropriate size/build of horses if you are going to take adult clients, or make it very clear that you only cater to children/very lightweight adults.

- I like having the opportunity to tack up/put away the horse I am riding (obviously this is subject to you being satisfied the rider is capable) - I found it a good way to improve general horse-handling skills which, if you are a non-owner, is hard to get. It's also nice to be able to bond a bit with the horse, even if it's just a quick flick with a brush after untacking.

- One school I rode at did adult summer camps - 2 or 3 days, non-residential, with a mix of riding, lectures and hands-on stable management practice (and BBQ at the end)

-not too many in group lessons. From a client's perspective, riding lessons are too expensive to pay for an hour and get maybe 10 minutes actual riding (ie, not just going round nose-to-tail while others take their turn). Perhaps offer semi-private lessons if possible, with only 2 or 3 in the group. In the early stages, even just sitting on the horse is a big learning experience, but as you improve, you need more 'active' riding to progress. I found that there was not enough active riding in my groups lessons, but I couldn't afford private sessions. Something in-between would have been ideal.

- If you're in a suitable area, HACKING! If your only horse time is in the school, and you're interested in riding for pure leisure, lessons become boring quite quickly. Good, instructional hacks don't seem to exist, but would be exactly what I am after. The choice seems to be either school lessons, or trekking. http://www.flowerhill.net/ This place does exactly the kind of thing ( I went there on holiday a few years ago) - it's very XC-focussed, but any 'riding out' would be great for me.
 
Offer things like Take Back the Reins courses and think about things for different levels of experience. I've been riding on and off for over 30 years but I've been learning groundwork as well as riding and love it and still learn something new every week.
 
Days out, if it's possible where you are! When I was a kid, the highlight of the year was the riding school trip to the beach. The ponies seemed to love it, too.
 
Ditto being allowed to untack, brush off afterwards if possible/competent. My favourite part of my lesson is brushing off afterwards and finger combing their tail! Very relaxing
 
For those talking about tacking up /untacking / grooming. Do you do this unsupervised, do you arrive for your lesson early to get your horse ready? I understand why you would want to as i would have as a child, but just trying to sort logistics in my head as to how we would do it / health and safety etc. Thanks!
 
I get there early and am unsupervised, but I've known them a while so guess they trust me to know what I am doing. They would check the tack was on okay when I first started riding there but not anymore.

P.s. Don't forget about disclaimers! Some people used to take up riding, to fall off on purpose to claim compensation! Make sure everyone signs to say it is a risky sport and is done at own risk! I guess grooming could come under this disclaimer too.
 
Have everyone arrive 10 mins before lesson and possibly 20 mins if new clients, allows plenty of time for everyone to be hatted correctly & on the ponies by the time the lesson starts. Consider advising children to wear back protectors, have a 'cancellation' policy in place. If you have prepared the pony & its rider doesn't turn up. Make sure they still pay the amount due or forfeit their regular slot. If they cant come for more than 2 weeks in a row, consider a small fee to 'hold' their place until they return.

As for the grooming / tacking up etc, I would have an age limit of 13 or 14 if they are unsupervised and of course they must have had enough experience. My family have 1 or 2 older teenagers who come in early to help bring in ponies & tack up etc during holidays & weekends.
 
My family used to own a large livery yard and riding school. It was hard work but we loved it. We loved all the fabulous honest ponies we had and loved that the kids loved them too. Such a variety of great horses who loved their jobs.

'Own a pony day' was always a popular event in the summer/Easter/Christmas holidays and half terms. They arrived 8am and learnt how to muck out, groom, tack up etc and then had their first lesson or mini hack. Lunch was provided and they were shown parts of a grooming kit with a quiz with prizes. Then the afternoon was prepping your pony for the gymkhana - they were asked to bring fancy dress and we provided ribbons, tinsel, beads etc for their ponies. Prizes for the best dressed and then on to pony games for the afternoon with rosettes. It was loved by all and always booked up far in advanced.

Not really a tip as such but this is a cute thing we used to do and the kids loved it: Me and mum bought loads of large Christmas stockings from the Poundshop and drew the riding school pony's names on them in glitter glue pens. We hung them in the office and the kids all brought treats for their fave pony on the run up to Christmas. They got all sorts from bags of apples, Polos and horse treats to hoof picks, browbands and handmade presents. Lucky ponies! Me and mum used to give them some of their treats on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The children really did love that, so did we :)

Good luck with your new venture x
 
jenz87 said:
For those talking about tacking up /untacking / grooming. Do you do this unsupervised, do you arrive for your lesson early to get your horse ready? I understand why you would want to as i would have as a child, but just trying to sort logistics in my head as to how we would do it / health and safety etc. Thanks!
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I arrived early and cracked on with it, but only after I had been a client there a while. There was no formal procedure before I started doing this, but I could see how a short 'horse prep' assessment could be useful. Same type of idea as you would do to assess actual riding for a new client.

The RI had a fair idea of who had the ability to manage their horse a bit more because horses that were pre-tacked by yard staff were tied up in a collecting paddock just before the lesson. That meant the horse still had to have the headcollar off (and stowed safely), rug removed if relevant, sort girth and stirrups, untwist reins etc before mounting. It was easy to see who could manage and who needed assistance. There was an expectation you would learn this stuff, not just have the horse presented to you ready to hop on. A lot of people seem to not be that interested though as it was actually amazing how many had no idea how to roughly adjust stirrups to length before getting on, even though they ridden several years. Many who had ridden elsewhere lacked basic skills like adjusting girth or stirrups whilst moving, which is a pretty essential skill. So I suppose you have to be prepared for that sort of client too!
 
One thing I'd like to put forward is how about lunge lessons for beginners to learn position and balance rather than developing a kick and pull style that seems to happen.
 
Be careful if you're supplying food, I read about a small riding school which supplied food at pony parties. One child got sick and the parents sued to riding school as they didn't have a hygiene certificate!

Also another good thing my riding school does is to invite you in for an informal tour before you book in, to show you what facilities there are, what they can supply (hats,boots) then you can do the paperwork, take payment, saves time on the day of the lesson and less nerves for new rider on first day!
 
onemorehorse said:
Be careful if you're supplying food, I read about a small riding school which supplied food at pony parties. One child got sick and the parents sued to riding school as they didn't have a hygiene certificate!
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Wow, this really doesn't surprise me. What a sad world we live in, you can't fart these days without being sued.

Maybe ask the kids to bring their own lunches instead then :)
 
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