Horse riding lessons
My girl (now almost 15) wants to learn how to ride a horse, and she also wants to learn how to take care of horses. I have very little experience with horses, and I know some of y'all do, so what do I look for to find a place that will give good lessons? What should tell me to hop back in the car and look elsewhere?
Other safety issues, they should make you sign a waiver, and should require that you wear an ATSM/SEI-certified helmet (often they'll have a few loaners you can use for the first lesson or two) and boots with a heel. Some great instructors, especially in dressage and the western disciplines, will opt not to wear a helmet themselves and won't require it of adult students. This doesn't mean they aren't great instructors, but I think it's a stupid practice and I like your brain too much to want to see it crunched. Wear the helmet.
If people are constantly falling off and/or getting hurt: bad sign. Falling is part of riding. It happens. But it shouldn't happen veryvery often. Similarly, if a lot of the horses are acting up without extenuating circumstances (see above re: that first outdoor jump clinic of the year), I would steer clear. Learning to ride a tough horse is a worthy skill, but it's not one that a new or newly-returned rider needs right off the bat and if the horses aren't basically well-trained, I would worry about the riders. (Though again, if there's a boarder riding through on a green baby or an advanced student on a rehab case and everything else looks good, that's okay.)
Oof. I'm sure I am forgetting things, but I've already written you a novel here, so I'll just leave it at that and pester you later if I come up with other stuff. Good luck! Feel free to ask if any questions come up, etc., and I look forward to hearing how it works out. :)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment