would you let someone ride for mucking out??

[lisad123isgoingcrazy]

DD1 wants to start riding (she did it for a while till she was 5, but gave up when things got complex here)
I cant afford for her to go as we did before but wondered if anyone would let her have a lesson if I mucked out? Is that normal practice? Im even happy to help with lessons too eg guiding horses of younger ones.
Im in Herts, would you think this would be a good idea??

My friend has this arrangement with a young girl of about 10. Also her parents provide her with bits and bobs (bit of food etc). It's just finding someone - perhaps advertise and ask around.

Lessons in exchange for mucking out may work in a private yard but I doubt you will get this sort of deal at a riding school - too many pony mad girls who will do it for nothing.

If it is a private yard you need to be sure that the ponies are safe and that the person teaching is competant. You need to work out some sort of insurance for your DD and the pony if it hurts itself when she is riding.

A pony share may suit better, depending on how much experience you have.

tbh i'd expect the child to muck out if she was keen, not the mum! agree with callisto that worries about insurance may stop many people doing this now.

shes only 7, I couldnt ask her to do it alone, but certainly would ask her to help iyswim.
Thanks for advice, will make some calls.

We keep DD's pony with a professional show producer. One of the older girls (12) keeps her pony there for free and in exchange she rides ponies and her mum does mucking out/turning out etc when the owners are away at shows. All works well.

Try asking around at various establishments to see what is available.

We'd let you ride our in exchange for mucking out!!

dont surpose you are herts!?

Lisa - we're not in herts but have just signed up for a fabulous scheme. We have a pony share 3 days a week for £15 a week. Nothing else to pay at all. The pony is owned by a charity that rehabilitates horses and lives at their site.

Might be worth googling to see if there's something similar near you?

My friend who lets the young girl help out has a number of horses at her home and needs the help - worth asking around for someone in that position - although it might be hard for her to be much help at 7 iykwim.