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The tack room

Leaving a riding stable

6 replies

Ormirian · 15/03/2011 11:56

DD has decided she wants to move on from the stables she's been riding at for 4 years since she started riding. I can see her point - the horses are all very quiet and she isn't learning much that is new. Also when she helps out there are so many horse-mad girls there she never gets much of a chance to do anything.

She went riding at a new stables with her friend for her bday and she wants to go there permanently. Smaller stables, they do road riding which DD has never done before, and she can go all day and help out as there are never enough helpers so she'll get lots of experience.

  1. Do I need to give it the once over? I know nothing about horses and riding, but is there anything that should stand out as being a complete no-no?
  2. I feel really guilty about leaving - the stable owner is such a wonderful woman, very kind and great with the children. Do I need to tell her we're off for good or just not book any more lessons?
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SupersonicDave · 15/03/2011 12:00

How about booking your DD in for one lesson there. You can get a feel for the place, your DD can see how she gets on, before comitting to anything.

The British Horse Society has (i believe) a guide to choosing a riding school, should be on their website.

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BranchingOut · 15/03/2011 12:07

I don't know anything about horses either, but here's my two-penneth!

Maybe, before you leave, speak to the owner of the existing stable. Maybe there are more opportunities your daughter could be given?

'Not enough helpers' raises my hackles a bit. Talk to the owner of the new stable and make sure that the children who are helping out are being properly and safely supervised. Or, turn up one day and see what is going on.

Also, simple things like do the stables look tidy and well-organised.

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Ormirian · 15/03/2011 12:14

OK. I will book a lesson and take DD along.

I know the mother of the other girl who goes there and she's happy. I will talk to her - see what she thinks of it.

The problem with the old stables is that they cater for the people who are happy to sit and plod - so far DD hasn't learned to jump (well not much anyway). The hacks are slow ambles through the fields. She had learnt to have a good seat and be safe around horses and trot, and canter, but nothing much else. There are so many people at each lesson there isn't time for the more experienced riders to do anything more adventurous.

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marialuisa · 15/03/2011 12:54

If you can leave on friendly terms (keeping the door open) I would recommend it. We're going through the mill a bit with regard to DD and her pony and it was lovely to be able to take her back to her old stables and let her have a lesson on one of their ponies without feeling awkward. Could you make some excuse about DD wanting to be with her friend?

We're on the cusp of moving livery yard and I'm dreading it as the yard owner will be vile. Seriously thinking of paying the month's fee in lieu and running Sad

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Ormirian · 15/03/2011 12:55

"Could you make some excuse about DD wanting to be with her friend? "

I could try that. It's not as if the old stables are short of customers but I guess every penny counts.

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BlueChampagne · 16/03/2011 13:13

Have a look round the office and see if the instructors have their certificates up on the wall. If not BHS registered, they may be ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools).

Make the most of being a new customer, ie ask lots of questions of staff, helpers and other parents.

If you like your current yard owner, I'd say that you don't feel your daughter is learning anything. She should appreciate the feedback, and may even be able to help. However, too many people in a lesson isn't a great sign.

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