Horse-riding - just how expensive is it?!

[Smithagain]

DD1 has just been for a taster day at a riding stables. She was invited with a friend for a birthday treat. She was, of course, absolutely smitten by the ponies, and is now grief-stricken that we have said that regular lessons would be too expensive.

Just so that we know what we are talking about, can anyone advise how much it really costs? And is there a way of letting a horse-mad girl get an occasional ride, without going bankrupt?!

We are in Surrey, which probably makes it about as expensive as it comes .

IME, it costs between 10 and 20 quid for half an hour. Round about 30-35 quid for an hour. Depends whether you go one on one private or learn with a group (latter is usually much cheaper). How old is she? When I was about 13, I used to do hard labour help with mucking out and general stuff round the stables in exchange for free rides. Some stables may still be prepared to do this.
Oh, kit (jodhs, boots, etc) can be got cheaply on ebay or from Tesco. The only thing that really does end up costing kit wise is the hat, and most stables will have them for hire anyway.

We are in Berkshire. £26 per hour. Same price for 30 min private lesson - which our stables insist on until you're good enough to join a class. £30 per hour for adults.

Dont get a hat from Tesco. Don't know what is wrong with them but our stables and others won't allow them.

Wow!! Here it is £15 for an hour - and that is at the more expensive end of the market!

Would moving be an option for you?

My DD's riding lessons cost £22 for an hour and this is in a group. She's 14 and in the holidays goes to help out. If she gets there before 9am she gets a free lesson.
Her equipment we get from a combination of Tesco direct and a local riding supplier. Her helmet was quite expensive but she's stopped growing now thankfully.

LOL WhyHavePets moving would save us a lot of money in so many ways! Think we're stuck here, though.

Thanks for the info. She is only eight, so way too young to work for rides, although we have a 17yo friend who does this, so she knows it's an option for the future.

Actually, those prices are not quite as scary as I expected. But we're already forking our £16 per week for piano lessons ...

Maybe we'll string her along until she's a teenager and see if she's still keen .

If it helps, my aunt pays £40 per hour for her dd - luckily that is not near you so hopefully you will get off a bit lighter than that!

smithagain - we're in London and prices at stables near us range from £22 for a 45 minute group lesson (waiting list ten miles long though - riding school doesn't even bother to call you back harrumph) to £80 for an hour long private lesson

dd goes to a 'pony club' session at one of our local stables - it's £38 for 2 hours (hour hack on the common plus an hour grooming and mucking out etc)

We were very clear that she would not be going every week - she goes every 2-3 weeks and also does holiday courses which are £20 for 2 hours (ride and groom) - those are heavily subsidised by the local council though so I wonder how long they'll last ...

Decathalon is a good place to buy Jodphur boots. DD pays a bargain 15 quid for individual half hour lessons (we live in the back end of nowhere).

£20 an hour here. Wiltshire.

Equestrian clearance warehouse is another good source of jodhpurs etc. including a total bargain of a coat last year (£10, and its warm and water proof, and can be worn when riding).
Our lessons are £18 for 1/2 hr group (4-6), but from 10 you can help out for free.

Not even gonna tell you what we pay! I ride twice a week and my DD's every other week. My son and husband ride occasionally.
Do get a hat fitted properly at a tack shop by the person who's name appears on the certificate. The employee should have taken a course. A body protector is a very good idea too.

tbh with you, yes, horse-riding is an expensive hobby/sport. I don't know how you could manage an affordable occasional ride but say after a certain time taking lessons, you could possibly come to an agreement with another parent whose dc owns a horse for instance. Thing is most people would not welcome an inexperienced rider on their horse

Can't ever really be a cheap option, horses are expensive and you want to know they are well stabled, well fed, well cared for. It all costs so much that even without the equipment, I don't think you can ever really get cheap horse-riding lessons IYSWIM

£25 per hour - Herts

I was told £14 for a half hour here in Gloucestershire, but seeing other prices here, I am beginning to wonder if I misheard.

Oh yes £25 is for an hour's group lesson

You start with private lessons which I think are something like £18 for half hour at dd's stables, when you are good enough you can go into an appropriate group

Gear - you can usually borrow at stables. Wear leggings/trackie bottoms, wellies are fine tood. Borrow hat and body protector at stables