Horseback riding tips: High-end equestrian centers might not be the best choice for amateur riders. Novice riders need to be savvy in their stable selection if they want have the best ride.
For the horse owner, barn hunting can be a grueling process full of endless questions. Are the barn facilities well maintained and clean? Is the feed of the highest quality? Are the barn's policies on ring and trail use flexible? Essentially owners are looking for the next apartment for their four-legged friend, and want to be sure the barn meets every one of their stringent requirements.
But just because a rider is not a horse owner doesn't mean their search for the proper barn requires less attention. Amateur riders that never see the ring - except for their one-hour lesson on the weekend - have to pursue their barn selection with the same vigor as their horse-owning compatriots if they want to get the most out of their lesson, and their hobby. With a little pre-planning and thought, though, the amateur can be certain to find the barn that suits their riding needs.
Before setting out on a whirlwind tour of local barns, you will need to assess your expectations. If becoming the next Olympic equestrian champion is your dream, the weekly lesson on a well-used barn horse probably will not get you past the local pony show. Owning a horse, or having incredible connections to Olympic material equines is really your only hope. But for the rest of us, who typically have monetary and time constraints, the local barn can be the perfect place to indulge in our past time. The horse world is renown for its snootiness, however, and understanding that you'll never be riding horses with bloodlines that rival European monarchies is the first step to barn happiness. Armed with this new sense of practicality, you are ready to start stable scouting. And with the following pointers, you'll be on the right path to choosing the barn that's right for you.
APPEARANCE: The appearance of the barn can be a sure sign of the quality instruction, but only if you know what to look for. Don't ax a barn from your list if the grass is a little brown, or if the fences could use a little paint. Since your hour a week will be spent on the back of a horse, it is more important that your mount is well cared for. Take a moment to check in on the barn-owned horses that you would be riding. That the stalls are iron pipe and not wooden box stalls matters less than if they are well maintained. The bedding should not be heavily saturated with urine or feces. A bucket of clean water, or an automatic watering device should be easily accessible. Shade, whether an awning or tree, should be provided as well. Barn operators/instructors who are remiss with their duties to their mounts will subsequently be lacking in their lessons. A poorly maintained horse will under perform in the ring and that could spell frustration during your lesson. But beware! The manicured polo fields and brass nameplates at your high-end equestrian center might look attractive, but do not automatically translate into an ideal barn experience. The majority of fancy centers do not cater to, nor care to mingle with less-serious part-timers despite their equitation school ads. More often than not these instructors teach amateurs only to earn a little extra cash, and have no real interest in improving the riding skills of a rider with no potential future in the business. Unless the high-end instructor is a real gem, he might leave you to bounce about the ring for an hour with no substantial gain for the rider.
APPROACHABILITY: The next most important factor in choosing the right barn is the approachability of the staff. Remember that the horse world is a selective one even among horse owners themselves, but condescending instructors will only make the weekend rider's lesson miserable. You know you cannot ride every day, and the last thing you need is the weekly reminder of such as your instructor laments about your slow progress at the trot. Your teacher should be fully focused on your lesson (whether private or group) and strive to make the most out of your limited time frame. How can you tell the good from bad during your ten-minute barn trip? The best way is to watch the instructor in action. Does he yell and scream at his students? Berate them for a wrong turn or lousy jump? Is he more interested in smoking on his cigarette than providing expert feedback to his client? If so, the instructor might not be for you. Your one-hour a week is supposed to be pleasant and productive, and the drill-sergeant routine might leave you feeling inadequate. Other good signs of friendly barns are found in the non-teaching staff. Is the receptionist friendly and helpful? Does the owner encourage you to take a tour and pet the horses? In general, insurance prices make barns edgy when it comes to non-owners taking any liberties with their horses. But happy barns typically encourage prospective clients to tour their facilities, pet their charges, and even pass them the occasional treat.
ACCESSIBILITY: The proximity of the barn is an obvious factor in choosing the best stable. The two-hour drive out to the country every weekend might become a burden for the new rider who is still uncertain how much time to devote to her new sport. However, there are other accessibility factors to consider even for the barn down the street. Mainly, is the barn accessible during all seasons? If you live in a part of country where the weather changes frequently, make sure your choice facilities have an indoor ring. Rain, sleet, and snow can cancel a class where only outdoor rings are available. For the new rider anxious to improve his skills, a three-week snowstorm can be disheartening. New riders should also be realistic about their accessibility to the barn horses. As a new rider, don't expect barn staff or private owners you pass in the tack room to willingly offer their mounts for free trail rides or hops around the ring. Barn horses are typically on a tight schedule of trail rides or lessons. For the barn manager, idle horses eat as much as working horses, but don't bring in any revenue. Expect even less chance of free rides from private owners. Many owners buy their horses young and train them for specific reasons - show jumpers, hunters, racers, etc. Not only will most private horses be too high-strung for the new rider, but the unrefined skills of an amateur can also ruin a horse's training. Owners spend too much money "˜softening' a horse mouth, or "˜rounding' his flanks to have an amateur tug and kick him in all the wrong directions.
Whether you're a new rider looking for your first barn or a weekend amateur dissatisfied with your current stable, assessing your equestrian expectations is the first step to riding pleasure. During your new barn hunt, be sure to consider the potential stable's appearance, approachability, and accessibility to be sure they meet your needs. A sensible approach to barn selection will be rewarded with more pleasurable rides, even if they are only once a week.
