How much should I expect to pay for horse riding lessons?

[WingingWonder]

My son is interested as one of his friends does it, they are quite wealthy though and I wondered ball pack lesson costs before I enquire- we are rural and I know wherever I phone (there are a few) will ‘know’ us and it’s just one of those things I’d rather not enquire about if it’s way out of my league!! None of them display prices on website. Thanks

I pay £29 for 45 mins for an adult group lesson at a well run (posh) riding school that specialises in teaching adults to a high level. That's with a mid-range instructor (in terms of qualifications). If I wanted the chief instructor that would be £38 for the same lesson. But he is highly qualified and people come from a long way to have lessons with him. His private sessions are £50.

Around here (west miss) £25-30 per group lesson seems most common though.

I assume you are not horsey? Make sure the schools you look at are BHS or ABRS approved. BHS is more common and basically means they are of a certain standard in terms of teaching quals and health and safety. And that they have insurance. Doesn't necessarily mean it's the best school, and non-bhs schools can be very good. But as someone non-horsey it's the best place to start.

South East and lessons for children are £25-£35 for a half hour group lesson and £40-£50 for private. Be prepared for other costs such as riding hats, boots etc... most yards let you borrow initially (although not at the moment due to coronavirus) but expect you to buy your own in time... you might want to move this to the Tack Room board for more horsey advice

South West - £28 for 30mins one to one. Initial expense of boots, hat etc but this stuff does last.

Also in the South West, it's about £14 per half hour group lesson, but this is at an agricultural college (so their staff and instructors are largely students or teaching staff who do more than just give lessons, and I think students provide support as part of their practicals).

My son has recently started lessons. We are SE and he rides at a nationally recognised equestrian centre and we pay either £35 for a one hour lesson or half an hour private lesson. At present the group lessons are 4 to a group. However, if we block book four lessons we get a 10% discount. The kit expensive although at our centre you can hire a hat to start with but you have to have your own boots.

About £20/half hour group and £25/half hour semi private. The provide helmets.
I rode when young and was happy for my kids to start until I realised it would be £50/week for one half our lesson. Adds up fast.

We're in Yorkshire and lucky to find a decent & cheap stables. £17 for half hour group lesson. Most places nearby charge twenty, though.

We are in the north east and they are around £25-30. Which if it's best to have weekly lessons, puts them firmly out of our affordability.

Also, DD (6) has a lesson every other week and - until lockdown - was making good progress.

£15 per half hour group lesson. Rural
Cheshire and probably stables every five miles

Here (East of England), it's £25-30 for group lessons of around half an hour.