What would make you go to a RS?

[stangs]

Thinking aloud. I know the main issue for RS right now is staffing, licensing, and management, the list goes on, and that many riding schools are fully booked up... but there are still those struggling with finances. And for those riding schools, what you make 'you' (aka someone doesn't need to rely on a riding school to get your horsey fix) book something with a riding school?

Is it the chance to ride advanced schoolmasters or have advanced tuition? BHS training, of course, but do people do the challenge awards as well? What kinds of non-ridden and ridden clinics/demos/events might you attend (where the RS's horses are used, not your own)? Would anything else make you visit or support your local struggling RS?

 

[Birker2020]

Thinking aloud. I know the main issue for RS right now is staffing, licensing, and management, the list goes on, and that many riding schools are fully booked up... but there are still those struggling with finances. And for those riding schools, what you make 'you' (aka someone doesn't need to rely on a riding school to get your horsey fix) book something with a riding school?

Is it the chance to ride advanced schoolmasters or have advanced tuition? BHS training, of course, but do people do the challenge awards as well? What kinds of non-ridden and ridden clinics/demos/events might you attend (where the RS's horses are used, not your own)? Would anything else make you visit or support your local struggling RS?

For me it would have been the chance to continue to ride whilst I recovered mentally from the loss of a horse and the ridiculous amount of time it took to then find another to buy.

I didn't do that this time around as I was over the weight limit riding schools put on.

 

[AmyMay]

I ride several times of year at a RS a few miles ago. They do some wonderful long hack rides, and have fabulous horses.

 

[JackFrost]

Riding a range of different horses - good, bad and indifferent, and the breadth of experience that gives you
Riding in company and meeting similar people
Feeling safe riding something tried and tested
I get bored just riding the same horse
Having something to compare with my own horses so I understand my own horses' limitations
Not having to get the horse out of the field, groom, put away etc
Not being personally responsible for dealing with the horses' foibles and schooling issues
Learning from others about just about anything that is going on there
The value of instructors' comments
It is fun.

 

[j1ffy]

I've been going for lessons recently at a RS. For me (a horse owner who enjoys competing) it's the opportunity to have good tuition on advanced schoolmasters.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve been sporadically over the years to tune up specific movements on advanced schoolmasters

 

[teapot]

For me it’s about decent horses and coaching. I’m happy to pay high prices if both are provided, but you know my thoughts on this Stangs

The problem I’m seeing and experiencing first hand is the apathy towards the complete client experience. Yes decent coaching and horses will tick a lot of my boxes, but for high prices I would also like my emails answered, not to wait three months for a lesson, or maybe just occasionally to flat in a dressage saddle. I also shouldn’t be worrying about horse allocations! My last lesson left me feeling utterly dispirited, not because of the coach (they were immense) but the limitations of a horse who while absolutely having a place in the environment, should not have been allocated for someone wanting to feel more advanced flatwork. I spent an hour loosening him off… (there’s a time and a place, but loosening off borderline rehab jobs is not what I’m paying £90 for!)

Previously I was solely exam training and had a slightly different mentality, now it’s my hobby/fun again where I want to improve my own riding and enjoy it.

 

[Pippity]

In the past few years, I've been for a few jump lessons, but what was supposed to be a course had a different instructor every time and no communication between them as to why I was there. One looked at me, laughed, and said, "Well, your stirrups are the right length for jumping. Better put them down a few holes," and was extremely surprised when I pointed out that I was there to jump.

A school near me does escorted group rides over their farm ride, including a nice stretch of gallop. I've popped over occasionally when I've wanted a safe hooley and Blue hasn't been fit/sound enough/I haven't wanted to shell out a fortune for transport to take her somewhere. It's mostly been great, but there was one disappointing occasion when a girl had over-estimated her riding ability, fell off her horse as soon as it trotted, and we had to do the whole ride in walk.

I'd love a chance to try sidesaddle or western riding (and have been looking for a place to do that but failing miserably)

What I've found at most riding schools is I show up, book in, get told, "Right, you're on Treacle," and then I'm abandoned. You've got eight stable blocks - which one is Treacle in? What does Treacle look like, so I can identify it? Am I allowed/expected to tack up or must that be done by staff? You've got five schools - which one am I riding in? When I ask these questions, I get huffed at as though I'm being unreasonable. (And this has mostly been midweek, daytime lessons, so not the manic rush of a weekend.)

 

[milliepops]

I considered looking for some schoolmaster lessons while i had nothing to ride this winter, just to keep my skills up. But reports from friends from even well thought of centres within a sensible drive put me off a bit.. I pay a lot for lessons on my own horses which I am happy to fork out... to pay similar for lessons elsewhere i'd want assurance that it would be a horse at least as good. which seems very hit and miss. Compared to ones I've trained myself, i have found in the past that even the upper schoolmasters are stiff or one sided etc and my own horses ride better than that Appreciate I'm probably in an unusual situation and it's not easy to source or maintain an advanced level horse to put random riders on.

 

[AntiPuck]

I would agree with Pippity's last paragraph - basic things like making it clear which horse you'll be on, where they are, what my responsibilities are v.s. the school staff etc. are surprisingly lacking in many RS I've been to, and it ensures I don't last there long.

Other than that, I appreciate having the option to book hacks and other "fun" sessions that aren't only about tuition.

 

[ew0855]

I’ve been heading up to Talland about once a month to have 2-3 lessons in a day. I’ve got a young sports horse who frankly is way more horse than I’ve ever even sat on and I’m an unashamed wimp.

Talland has been brilliant in letting me maintain my riding fitness, find my confidence and have a play riding movements my previous horse wasn’t capable of. I’m now starting to do a bit more with my own baby.

I think there’s a lot to be said for having realistic expectations- horses are retired/loaned/bought for a riding school for a reason. They’re not likely to be the up and coming serious competition horses, more likely the proven, safe schoolmaster with all the moves but without the suppleness and wow of their hay day. They are ridden by a variety of riders and are likely to need working in properly while both horse and rider work out each other’s buttons. All the horses I’ve been put on at Talland have been safe, obviously had decent basic schooling and had something to teach me. Some have obviously had a lot more than basic schooling.

 

[teapot]

I think there’s a lot to be said for having realistic expectations- horses are retired/loaned/bought for a riding school for a reason. They’re not likely to be the up and coming serious competition horses, more likely the proven, safe schoolmaster with all the moves but without the suppleness and wow of their hay day. They are ridden by a variety of riders and are likely to need working in properly while both horse and rider work out each other’s buttons. All the horses I’ve been put on at Talland have been safe, obviously had decent basic schooling and had something to teach me. Some have obviously had a lot more than basic schooling.

Absolutely BUT riding schools can’t charge schoolmaster and then some prices for horses that are not up to a even basic job… (and trust me, some are! I know of somewhere that charges £80 and you could end up with a horse that wouldn’t give you a correct leg yield…)

That’s where they have to be careful, especially now people will vote with their money/feet. I’ve probably had more experience than some on here in terms of horses, riding schools, managing expectations and limitations of horses and clients, and everything that goes on behind closed doors, and I’ll readily bang my serviceably sound/has a job drum for a LOT of horses.

However there is a huge difference between serviceably sound/loosens off in 10/15mins and becomes a schoolmaster, and a horse that has physical issues… A lot of us on here recognise that distinction, and can feel it, and no I don’t want to pay £90 to ride the latter frankly!

 

[usaequestrian]

I board my horse at a riding stable. I've been training with my trainer for a year and a half. We've built up a great relationship, and she lets me ride different horses some days. I love how there's individualized attention and a great community.

 

[ew0855]

Completely agree - I'm driving an hour each way as there are so few places where you can be reasonably confident that the horses will all be capable of working reasonably correctly.

 

[Burnttoast]

I've been out of the saddle for about 2.5 years now since I retired my boy and lost the desire. I was thinking about starting again, along with a very experienced friend who lost her horse a while back, and we've been together and separately to a number of local RS (the ones that returned calls/emails, that is) just to get some time in the saddle and see how we feel about it. My friend (who has her Stage IV and is a very sympathetic, competent and ethical rider albeit unfit) was put off at least one place by the 'get it in a frame' instruction she had on her only lesson with the RS owner. We then went on hacks together where at least one of us was on a horse of dubious soundness. She's also booked hacks while on holiday and encountered the same, plus in some places a terrifying lack of attention to H&S, ride leaders not capable in the role, etc. We're both feeling a bit disillusioned. Our locality is poorly served for RS and ones with schoolmasters and excellent instruction just don't exist anymore around us. I don't want and can't afford to drive more than two hours for 45 mins on board, so must have my own horse or at least a ride to access good instruction. I am going to sit on a friend's horse next week to see how I and my back feel about it, and then I may try one last place we couldn't get a response from earlier. I have plenty of pony time with my boy and his companion so I'm happy to arrive at a RS and get on, but it is nice to be told the horse's name and be given a moment to say hello and glance at the tack (just in case!). At several places I really felt hurried into the saddle. I'd be more than happy to be a model client in the right circumstances but I'm not tempted back so far.

 

[RachelFerd]

I'll go for good coaching and the opportunity to ride something different. I'm not so sold on having schoolmaster lessons, as happy to sit on all sorts and types, but I don't mind if that is improving a horse with a physical shortcoming, or riding a younger horse, or working on a horse with a retraining issue.... that is all absolutely fine with me, so long as the coaching is excellent. Of course, there is a benefit in occasionally getting to ride a really good schoolmaster to learn feel - but that's not the only reason I'd go to a RS. There's a lot to be gained from learning how to get better work out of a big range of horses.

 

[stangs]

What I've found at most riding schools is I show up, book in, get told, "Right, you're on Treacle," and then I'm abandoned. You've got eight stable blocks - which one is Treacle in? What does Treacle look like, so I can identify it? Am I allowed/expected to tack up or must that be done by staff? You've got five schools - which one am I riding in? When I ask these questions, I get huffed at as though I'm being unreasonable. (And this has mostly been midweek, daytime lessons, so not the manic rush of a weekend.)

Or you show up and there's just no one on the yard and no reception, so you have no idea what they're expecting you to do, who they want you to find. I do think RS ought to say on their websites the process of getting 'checked in' when you arrive. It's obviously a good thing for RS to let riders tack up, groom, but it needs to be standardised, especially for someone who's newer to the yard and doesn't know what they're doing yet.

Of course, there is a benefit in occasionally getting to ride a really good schoolmaster to learn feel - but that's not the only reason I'd go to a RS. There's a lot to be gained from learning how to get better work out of a big range of horses.

100%, and this is one of the reasons working/volunteering at a RS can be so great. I think the issue is that there's no way of distinguishing, for the rider above a certain calibre, whether you want a lesson to work on yourself or have a supervised schooling session. Because if the horse is stiff/very green, you can't really work on your position or learn different buttons.

 

[Gloi]

Anytime I have ridden a school horse it has made appreciate mine more.

 

[teapot]

I'll go for good coaching and the opportunity to ride something different. I'm not so sold on having schoolmaster lessons, as happy to sit on all sorts and types, but I don't mind if that is improving a horse with a physical shortcoming, or riding a younger horse, or working on a horse with a retraining issue.... that is all absolutely fine with me, so long as the coaching is excellent. Of course, there is a benefit in occasionally getting to ride a really good schoolmaster to learn feel - but that's not the only reason I'd go to a RS. There's a lot to be gained from learning how to get better work out of a big range of horses.

I do agree with you and I’ll happily ride anything and do now get allocated a wide range (and I travel over 90mins one way) but the horse I’ve mentioned above was so crock even the coach was a bit ‘well let’s see what we can achieve, have a look at him from behind…’ type before I’d even got on. I’d have cared less I think had it not cost me what it had done.

Should say I’m not riding schoolmasters in the Talland press x button for changes, press y button for piaffe, I’m riding ones that reward good riding so there’s also a distinction between schoolmasters and Schoolmasters I feel?

 

[SEL]

I went for some biomechanics lessons and would have carried on but covid got in the way, we went down to one income and they weren't a priority. I was thinking about starting them up again now I've only got 3 legged horses but I'm a bit tired and skint.

Getting on different horses and seeing what made them tick was good fun. The horses there weren't over used and are schooled regularly by staff so not stale and stiff. I was on livery at a RS for a while and used to pop on all sorts - good fun playing with a 12h pony on a Saturday morning so it didn't think it could propel a child into space at 9am!!

 

[usaequestrian]

Completely agree - I'm driving an hour each way as there are so few places where you can be reasonably confident that the horses will all be capable of working reasonably correctly.

My stable is an hour away as well, but 100% worth it

 

[milliepops]

I do enjoy riding different types of horses and seeing what they can do, but unfortunately the prices that they have to charge now makes that a rather expensive passtime. My horse was training all of the GP work when she retired so I'd really only want to ride something at a similar level if i was paying for it. I love getting really great lessons but it's a lot of money to gamble on the quality of the horse have had a few friends go for schoolmaster lessons to tune themselves up and been disappointed.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

If I get back to riding in the future, it'll be something I'd need to consider.

I'd probably look for a mix of opposite ends of the spectrum as for what I'd like.

1) I want to have a go at doing the advanced moves eg tempi changes/piaffe etc. Whether I'm good enough to execute them who knows! I wouldn't want to be told to use my hands to saw something into a frame. Mine would have been good as while he didn't go into a full on Velegro outline he'd go into a decent shape but if you sawed he would ignore you, you had to work him into it.

2) I'm scared to jump so don't think I'd ever try it again but if I did I'd want to have a lesson on a rock solid, go off any stride point and shoot type, it would need to give me confidence

3) probably the primary thing I'd book a session for would be a good hack. I would not want to pootle along with beginners or nervous only want to walk people. I want to be able to gallop and at the very least have lots of long canters, but on something safe I don't do bucking and rearing! This means ideally I'd want a private hack, or one with other "forward" people.

I'd also be quite picky about the instructor

I'd also be interested in doing something a bit different eg having a go at Western but don't think anyone round here does it

 

[Celtic Fringe]

I went to a local riding school when my old pony was nearly ready to retire. This was so I could gain confidence and get used to riding different horses before my lovely old lad was ready to stop completely (he then had several years of happy retirement). It was really useful and I got to sit on some nice horses and helped me to keep riding while my young horse was waiting to be backed.

 

[mariew]

Well I'm riding at two schools at the moment, one where I kind of help educate their trekking horses (they are amazing at their main job). And one with quite well schooled horses that are getting me used to quite forward horses that don't randomly explode lol I am very grateful that they are both around whilst I don't have my own.

And no none of the horses are perfect but I learn something from most of them, even the ones that throw their shoulders everywhere and cannot do a proper canter transition. They have to put up with so many different people and abilities!

 

[j1ffy]

Should say I’m not riding schoolmasters in the Talland press x button for changes, press y button for piaffe, I’m riding ones that reward good riding so there’s also a distinction between schoolmasters and Schoolmasters I feel?

Having ridden at Talland (and having regular lessons with a former senior instructor there and hearing some stories), I can assure you that the Talland horses are far from push button . They are also stiff and need to be ridden properly to get any sort of tune out of them. The ones I've ridden at Prestige have been a bit better, although the GP horse I rode was incredibly stiff and I really struggled with him.

 

[Widgeon]

say hello and glance at the tack (just in case!). At several places I really felt hurried into the saddle.

At the other end of the scale from Talland, but there's one place I would never go back to after they were really very rude to me because I checked my own girth and had a quick look at the bridle and stirrups. It's a trekking centre with a very good local reputation but as a client, you're expected to show up, have your horse parked in front of you, climb on, then climb off again at the end, no questions asked. I'd gone to have a nice stress free hack as a break from my horse at the time, who was proving extremely problematic. The hack was nice, but I won't be going back to somewhere that won't let me check my own tack.

On the other hand I spent a couple of years having lessons at a very small local RS with an instructor who had a bit of a reputation for frightening (spoilt gobby) children. In reality she's a good instructor and was very straightforward so long as you didn't mess her around. They had only a handful of school horses, and the two I usually rode were totally different and both taught me a lot. One of them did ODE with one of the girls on the yard. It's a livery yard only now - a couple of the old reliable beginner horses died and the owner couldn't find anything suitable to replace them with. A real shame because it was a classic example of a the old style, slightly shabby local RS that offered very good tuition at an affordable price. Without her I don't know if I'd have got back into riding in my twenties after a break post-university.

 

[teapot]

Having ridden at Talland (and having regular lessons with a former senior instructor there and hearing some stories), I can assure you that the Talland horses are far from push button . They are also stiff and need to be ridden properly to get any sort of tune out of them. The ones I've ridden at Prestige have been a bit better, although the GP horse I rode was incredibly stiff and I really struggled with him.

Oh I know, was just thinking in terms that Talland’s probably the most well known/recommended for where to go to ride schoolmasters that can give you that ‘try piaffe’ experience I think?

Friends I have who go there say it’s a mix of stiff, proper push button, or errr spicy (is that what kidz call it now). One friend who’s ridden/competed to GP did not enjoy one lesson she had - think she spent more time in the air and/or at speed…

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I go regularly to a local RS. I want a safe horse that isnt too ploddy, an instructor who can competently correct the basics and be encouraging while not blowing smoke up my ****. And I want an indoor school (Scotland).

 

[ester]

I’d pay to ride either for fabulous hacking, or with good jumping schoolmasters.

I’ve been without a riding horse for 5 years and didn’t have lessons in that time for a couple of reasons one was weight limit- particularly jumping as the best option for that has a lower max for jumping (which I totally get but had been riding a 14.2 welshie up to then.
The second, bigger reason I’ve just reproved to myself with a share over the last 6 months. I get a lot more out of it if I can go and work on things by myself between lessons too. I will always get a better result in a lesson with corrections but without having non lesson schooling sessions inbetween I’m not sure how well I put that knowledge/feel into my ‘learnt box’

Oh I’d actually add core strength issues if I was only riding day once a week. I came back to riding after 12 months of dieting and twice weekly work outs with a PT specifically to target my core strength to minimise my chronic pain from being a bit too bendy. Very obvious improvements made. Sat on horse - yup not quite the same core ?. And without that my ability to actually ride and influence movement well just isn’t there well enough.