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?
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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.
where ever you live there’s bound to be a place that isn’t a huge fancy show barn that the average joe can afford, so just drive around where you live and take down businesses addresses and phone numbers, if it looks like there are people in the facility then go in and ask questions " how much does a lesson cost?" "what is your show policy"(if you plan on showing) and other questions like that, i met my horse through doing just this, hope this helps ♥
I have never come across a barn where lessons are so regimented. Usually they give you an assessment lesson and determine your level from there and put you into a suitable class.
Ask them what options are available outside of the riding/ stable management combo – times are tough and barns won’t be turning away students!
However do face the possibility that you may be an absolute beginner level rider. I rode for years and when I started taking lessons I was right at the bottom as I had learned everything wrong and had to unlearn and start again!
find a small local place where you can take privat lessons to get oyu started
i’ve been riding for about 5 or 6 years now, and a year ago i started at a new barn. i just rode in one lesson with the basics and stuff just to show them what i already knew, and we picked up from there. i’ve learned a ton since then, and i didn’t have to start at the beginning. i’m thinking there are barns in your area that are similar. my instructor is CHA certified, but she doesn’t follow their program, she just teaches me what she thinks i need to work on.
i would call each of the barns you’re considering and ask them about it, and explain how much equestrian experience you have, and if they could just start up where you left off, only brushing up on the basics a little bit. websites and other marketing tools are usually very general and don’t give enough details. it helps to actually talk to someone there.