I’ve always had some sort of desire to ride horses and they are one of my favourite animals. The thing is, my parents could never afford to pay for them, as I have already have piano and singing lessons. Is there any way I could earn the money to pay for them myself?

Maybe you can make a trade with the stable. Clean stalls in exchange for lessons and riding privileges.

I really want to get horse riding lessons, but we really can’t afford the expensive ones so i was wondering if somone here would help me learn. Or if u know some stables here too so i could help clean stuff and give me lessons in exchange. Will really appreaciate it. thx!

Here are a few suggestions for you. Most coop’s have bulletin boards and advertise just about everything. You can call around your area for stables and ask them too. Check with some of the tack stores in your area and call some local vet’s office’s. Some of these places may have some information for you. Good luck

I live in Aberdeen, Maryland. I’m 14(if that matters). I would like to start riding/taking lessons. I would be using a horse owned by the stables. And taking a one hour(around there) lesson per week.

somerimes you will be charged more for using one of their horses, but sometimes it is included. if there is goin to be a charge it will generally be around $15. and if you are taking a group lesson you can probably find somewhere as inexpensive as $35/hour. A private lesson will be more along the lines of $50+. When first starting out i would actually reccomend a group lesson because you get to watch other people ride and see what mistakes they are making to learn from as well as give you a resting period if you get tired. You can also meet new people!

I haven’t ridden a horse in years, but I do have experience (including bareback riding). The problem is that most of the places will make me take level one classes which include horse care. Considering I don’t have the resources at the time to own a horse, what do you suggest I do to learn how to ride properly without the extra cost of these fancy equestrian places?

Find a local stable and become friends with the owner. I do not know any place that doesn’t need help and you could offer this help in exchange for riding lessons. The looks of a barn is NOT the Knowledge of the Owner.. If the barn is clean and bright but needs a coat of paint well as an old man I sometimes need to spruce up myself!
The barn owner may just bee to busy to paint but with help they may have time to give you the lessons you need and to Paint.

I want to take up horse riding. Will I have to purchase the basics before I go, or do they hire out theirs?

Thank you

I’m assuming you will be riding school horses.
In that case, tack will be supplied (unless they’re cheapos, but I’ve never heard of that)

However, I’ve never heard of a school that doesn’t provide the apparel necessities!
Most schools provide helmets and some also provide boots for free, although they are usually horrible and over-used ugly looking things.
However, if you do want to buy your own clothing, I strongly suggest a helmet comes first.

The helmets at riding schools are used frequently and have been through alot of bad accidents!
Did you know you need to change your helmet after 1 or 2 falls? Although you may not notice, helmets crack on the inside when shocked. The inner protective layer (usually made out of hard plastic of fibre glass) is made to absorb the impact but that doesn’t mean it’s going to last forever!

When buying a helmet, if you read the guide (sometimes written on the box itself) it recommends replacing the helmet after a fall.

I personally wouldn’t trust any riding school helmet, but that’s just me.

My suggestion is to buy your own. Helmet first, boots second, joddies third. That’s the order I believe it should be in.
Helmets aren’t relatively expensive. You can buy accredited helmets for under $100.

Check out www.horseland.com.au if you live in Australia and would like to have a browse.

Happy riding!

Ok…so I think horses are awesome and have always wanted to ride, but is 18 too old to start horse riding leasons in Australia? Is this a normal thing for girls my age to start?

Thanks. :]

Nooooo,sweetie…haha….people do it when their in their 50’s and older im sureee <3 *hug* *kiss*

Shes 4, I know shes too young to start now… but shes interested in it and i just wanted a gauge of what a good age to start would be.

It has less to do with the child’s age and more with her maturity and the safety precautions you take.

Many stables offering riding lessons don’t take children under age eight to ten, depending on their insurance. So if you don’t have a horse of your own or access to a friend or family member’s horse that is child-safe, you may have to stick to pony rides until she’s older.

If you do have access to an appropriate horse or pony, then the most important thing is to make sure your daughter stays safe and happy. Keep rides short – 5-10 minutes, as young children fatigue easily. Get a child saddle that is appropriately sized for her (Wintec makes a child’s leadline saddle that has no tree, so it can be fitted to any horse) or get some "Lil’ buddy stirrups" – which are stirrups which attach to a western saddle horn and are adjustable to fit kids from toddlers to kids about 8, so they can grow with your daughter. Make sure she has an appropriately sized helmet, and if she’s going to ride regularly, consider a protective vest.

For her first rides, have someone you trust lead the horse while you walk alongside your child. Even if she insists that she’s alright, hold on to her the first few times until she finds her balance, and even then, walk close to her for awhile after that. Once she’s comfortable and confident without you holding on or being within a few feet of her, then you can consider not having a side-walker and maybe letting her out on 10-15 feet of lunge line.

You want to go slow and let her set the pace.

Also, a good rule of thumb is that for every minute she spends in the saddle, she should spend two working with the horse on the ground – learning safety skills (not to walk behind or under the horse, how to lead, etc).

I had one lesson when I was 7. I remember them holding rope and walking me around a barn which is understandable as I have never done it before.

Now I am 20 and really want to get into it. My aunt told me even after 50 lessons they will never let go of the rope!

Is that true?

thats horredous if true!!!! at my yard i never\t teach on the lead rein and ESPECIALLY not if the client is over the age of about 10. if theres a diaster or they are unbelievably nervous or a bit pathetic i might walk alongside or even hold onto the bit and run with them during their first trot or two but after that they gotta do it by themselves. i know every yard varies – especially with childen alot of yards will start off on the lead rein and keep them on it for a few weeks – but i think its a terrible way to learn for very long and as for leading an adult – thats just silly i think!!!! find a different yard!!!!!!!