Horse Riding Lesssons?

[poohs4me]

I have been thinking of taking lessons, but I do not want to break the bank. Does anyone know what lessons should cost? Also, are you suppose to tip the person who gave you lessons?

 

[goinback]

My 13yo DD took lessons this year. We paid $40 per lesson. We had to buy riding boots ($40) and a riding helmet ( also $40). You do not tip your instructor. We had one lesson per week, some months had 4, some 5...so some months we paid $160, some we paid $200. This was a private 1hr lesson, but I have a neice who does group 1 hr, and she also pays $40/lesson . Horseback riding is a VERY VERY expensive sport. My DD did not really like it, so she stopped recently. Please make sure the horses are well cared for, healthy, and not treated harshly wherever she rides...her saftey depends on it! Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

I just researched this very topic last week. My DD (9) wants to try horseback riding - we thought to get her a series of lessons for a Christmas gift.

I've only checked one place so far - but the cost I was quoted was $25 per session. The session is 90 mins and there are up to 5 people in the class.

Sounded fair to us - so I'm going to buy a gift certificate for a month and see how DD likes it.

Good Luck!

 

[Darcy03231]

I live in the northeast (just north of Boston). In our area lessons run $40-$50/hr. That doesn't include buying boot, britches, hard hat, etc.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I know that our local Park District offers a discounted class at a local stable, I really don't know the cost however. I remember seeing that they had one class for kids and a seperate class for older teens and adults.


I think they also sell a coupon book for discounted Private Lessons.

 

[poohs4me]

I called one place and they said 60/hour, but I do not have to buy anything. A helmet is provided and I could show up in sneakers. Maybe I should have specified that I was looking into Western not English lessons.

Thanks for the info. It seems I should keep looking because everyone else seems to be less expensive.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I grew up in new england with horses and riding.

Let me tell you, it's a hobby for rich people.

It will eat you up financially if your kid gets really into it.

As much as I like horses, there's no way I'm going to let my kids ride anything other than the fat ponies over at Ft. Wilderness for 3 bux a pop. The more your kid gets into riding, the more they come in contact with the "horsey set", and believe me, when your kid sees the other kids with the 1800 Hermes saddle, they're gonna want one too . It's the equine version of the Prada bag.

Don't even get me started on the number of times I was kicked, stepped on, thrown and dragged by my stirrups. There's no way I would expose my kids to that sort of risk, either...

Try soccer; much cheaper, much better for your cardiovascular fitness and a lot less chance of a one ton prey animal going bonkers over a sheet flapping in the wind and bolting and dragging your kid down a field while you run fruitlessly behind them yelling "stop" "stop".

Been there, (as the kid) done that, have the scars.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Around here you have two choices : English or Western. I wanted both my kids to have some experience with horses (DS was afraid), so I enrolled them in a summer western camp. It lasted a couple of weeks, half days. I can't remember what I paid, but they learned to bathe, brush, feed, saddle, etc as well as how to ride. It was a great experience and wasn't that expensive. DS got over his fear of horses and both kids developed a love of the animals. They really didn't express an interest in taking weekly lessons, although DD did fuss to buy a horse for a while. Maybe you could looks for some sort of short term horse experience to see if you're really interested?

 

[Tinkerhil]

Here in PA we have 4H clubs, lessons are free and they have competions, etc, teach the kids about animals.

 

[Eventer98]

Hope my two cents helps...I have been an owner/rider for the last 20+ years. I also used to teach. I don't take lessons or instruct anymore but I can tell you what lessons go for in upstate ny. A "group" lesson means 3 or more students. Usually lasting an hour. More then that and it is just too long for a beginner. You also don't want more then 5 or so peopple in the lesson, otherwise you really aren't getting much one-on-one...it's more like them walking/trotting around and the instructor muttering two words about your position each time they pass him/her. But for a group lesson it is about $25/hour. For a private or semi-private it is about $35. I would rec. a group lesson...it's how I started and I formed MANY friendships. Even to this day I find it boring to ride alone.

A helmet will run you about $40, like the PP mentioned. Boots are about $30 if you get a pair of "fake" leather ones. I would go with those in case you don't stick with it. Leather ones run about $100 but mine are ten years old and still going strong. You can also wear jeans inevitably. No worries about buying chaps or breeches yet...they don't really aid in riding until later on. I would NOT ride at a barn that said it was ok to ride in sneakers..very dangerous for a beginner!!!

I think it's wonderful that you want to get into riding...it has changed my life for the better. Even now at almost 5 months pregnant I am still riding my horse...although we go a lot slower!! I was never into sports through my school and made lessons and horse shows my life. It isn't as expensive as you think to show...if you take that route. Also, try not to fear for your safety..I have fallen many times and gotten right back up! (knock on wood!!!) My DH was hurt more seriously playing sports for his high school. Like another PP mentioned..it all comes down to the skills of the instructor and the quality of the horses they are using for lessons.

I would be more then happy to help you with anything else...I can rec. some great online stores to buy helmets/boots with no shipping or tax. Just PM me! Good luck!!!

P.S. I still don't own a saddle over $600 and most of my current equipment came used or off Ebay. It didn't stop my horse and I from winning in shows or having a great time!!! But you don't need to worry about that stuff anytime soon...don't let it sway you!!!

 

[bavaria]

I will dispute that horses are for the wealthy; I certainly was/am not, and know at least one other member of this website who had a childhood filled with wonderful horse memories, if not a lot of money. She and I do mourn the fact that we can't afford to spend the time and money that we did as teens now that we are adults, however!

I was actually working towards my first level instructors certificate and have a lot of experience as a student, employee, and beginner level instructor.

Lessons vary in cost based on group or private. Ideal is private but obviously cost may prohibit that; look for group which averages no more than 3 students per class if you can. (Our 'moms' groups were during the daytime and were small classes)

Cost does vary by area but it sounds like these days $40/hour is about the norm. You may find barns more geared towards instruction of beginners which offer a reduced cost for a series of lessons (ie 12 weeks for a reduced cost). Barns vary in focus - as a beginner you don't need to look for a barn specializing in training for shows, etc but you do need to look for an instructor who is certified and a well managed barn.

I used to break and train school horses - a school horse should have a quiet nature and not be overworked; sadly there are barns out there which overwork their horses and don't care for them as well as they should.

As to intial outlay for clothes and tack - you will want to buy boots but won't need to spend a lot - rubber/synthetic can be had for not much money. A lot of teaching barns will have a wide variety of helmets available for students to use during lessons; others expect you to buy/bring your own.

As a beginner, there won't be much opportunity to work in exchange for fees, but once you have good stable management skills you can work off lessons in exchange for grooming, mucking out, braiding for shows, etc. I managed to fund my horse career during my teenage years working for a dealer and a show barn.

Best of luck!!

 

[bavaria]

OP, you're looking for adult lessons, correct?

I would agree that 4H appears to have a good program for children - I am not very familiar with it. I was a member of the Pony Club (don't know if they have those in the United States) but found that it was geared to members with horses who could already ride quite well (at least in my district)

Once you have some good stable management and horse handling skills, I also recommend volunteering at a therapeutic riding program. I didn't get in a lot of riding that way, but I was able to be around horses and feel like I was part of the success of the members of the program.

 

[paysensmom]

Hi,

I just got the overwhelming urge to put my opinion in here!!
I grew up riding horses in 4-H and I did open shows as well. Horseback riding is believe it or not very good exercise. If you want toned legs, butt, back and abs then horseback riding is the way to go! It is a ton of fun with exercise just being a bonus.
Riding lessons can vary from person to person. Of course it will depend on the area you live in. I would be sure the person doing the lessons have plenty of experience in horseback riding and training. Group lessons are alright, but I wouldnt do it. You want the instructor having complete attention on your child. My mother gave riding lessons for years, she just stopped about a year ago and her fee was 20 per hour. But she lives in Arizona so its probably a little cheaper there. (About the only semi cheap thing in Arizona!)
Horseback riding is a great thing for a child, or anyone for that matter. It is fun, great exercise and can be relaxing! And for any parent worried about injury... I have been thrown from countless horses so many times that I lost count but it is in the double digits and I never broke a bone!! Hope this helps!

 

[goinback]

My 13yo DD took lessons this year. We paid $40 per lesson. We had to buy riding boots ($40) and a riding helmet ( also $40). You do not tip your instructor. We had one lesson per week, some months had 4, some 5...so some months we paid $160, some we paid $200. This was a private 1hr lesson, but I have a neice who does group 1 hr, and she also pays $40/lesson . Horseback riding is a VERY VERY expensive sport. My DD did not really like it, so she stopped recently. Please make sure the horses are well cared for, healthy, and not treated harshly wherever she rides...her saftey depends on it! Good luck with whatever you choose!

I just realized you were asking for yourself, not a child-OOPS!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I have been thinking of taking lessons, but I do not want to break the bank. Does anyone know what lessons should cost? Also, are you suppose to tip the person who gave you lessons?

How old is your child? DD rode English for a couple years, starting at age 6, and they would not let her do group lessons until she had a good grasp on the basics. We paid $400 every 10 weeks for a 1/2 hour private session each week. (If you didn't prepay, it was $45/session.) She did this for a year, they said she could go into group lessons for the next 10 week session, but she broke her arm and we never really got her back into it. She would bring home flyers for shows but we never really had the time or money to get really involved in it. To board a horse at this place is about as much as a mortgage payment.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I just realized you were asking for yourself, not a child-OOPS!

LOL- I guess after reading all the replies, I thought the same thing! Ooops!

 

[Disney Brat]

I grew up riding hunters/jumpers. I got my very first set of lessons when I was about 8, they were western. I rode western for a couple of years, but fell in love with english. I had a very bad fall when I was 18. My horse fell on me when we were warming up at a show. I broke a bunch of bones, and he was on a six month lay up. When I started to ride again I had lost faith in him and he lost faith in me. I gave up, and quit riding. He moved on to his forever home, where he was able to continue competing up to 4'6 jumpers. He is now happily retired at the age of 26.

My passion has never gone, only gotten stronger. My dd saw many pics of me and asked if she could ride, I bought her a bunch of lessons just lead line as she was 3 at the time. But that intensified my passion so much. I started to ride again this past month. Luckily I still have all my equipment from before, except my breeches( They seem to have shrunk...lol ).

I used to work at the barns when I rode years ago to get discounted board/lessons etc. Yes it is expensive, but the rewards are great, fitness, emotional etc. I am now paying $50 a private lesson and $30 for a group. I just won a set of 10 lessons

I am hoping to work up through my coaching levels and become a coach. This is defianlty something that I would love to for my life...it just feels like a part of me is missing without the horses!!

sorry to go on so much!! Hope what I mentioned helped a bit!!

Tiff

 

[poohs4me]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes I am looking for myself - adult, female - thirty something

I called a few more places and no one answers their phones. I have yet to find anyone to offer group lessons. How do you find someone?

 

[DisneyMissy318]

I found this website - some of the stables were in MD and Northern VA.

Good Luck!


http://www.horse-riding.net/horseback-riding/Virginia/

Edited: I thought you were in MD - sorry! You might be able to do a search for AZ on that website.

 

[heathera]

Hi there, I'm an instructor up here in Canada....I charge $25 for a 1 hour private lesson , I'm also at a privately owned stables....I think that your best bet is to develop a relationship in a horse community and find a private stable, as an adult, away from the kids and stuff, it will be less intimidating and you'll likely feel more comfortable. Good luck!