Cost of riding lessons - North of England

[greeneyed]

Hi myself and sister both used to ride a bit when we were kids but not for many years - we would like a couple of lessons then out on hacks - I just read somewhere the local centre charges £30 an hour - so two hour hack £60 - that seems really high - is that normal - may have to reconsider!!

I'm in he midlands and pay £40 for an hour private. When I looked around though there was a huge difference in the range of prices and from speaking to friends it's the same all over the country - some cheap, some not!

We pay £18.50 for a 3/4 hour lesson and usually no more than 7 in the class. They do half hour and hour lessons as well - £15 and £21 - we are North West.

thank you that's helpful, I'm happy with a group lesson, I'm not bothered about owning my own horse or becoming an expert rider I just want to be able to go out on hacks every now and again - how many lessons might I need - appreciate this is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question? do most places want you to be able to canter before they'll take you out on a hack? I've been on a horse before but not for a very long time, is it like riding a bike? should I pick it up again quite quickly? Thanks anyone for any thoughts :)

I think it will all come back to you. I didn't ride for about two decades or more but now it is as if I am a child again, stuck on a fat pony who is either stuffing his face or taking off at great speed through hedges and other prickly things

In North West area i live
Saturday walkouts
£9.00
Sat/Sun menage
£10.00
Midweek group
£10.00
Midweek private
£17.50

I'm in the NE and shared 30 min lessons are £12, private lessons £18. No more than 4 in a group.

Thank you that's helpful, just hope I can find somewhere to go, only three riding schools in my area, I've left messages for all of them and non have come back to me - maybe they have waiting lists...

My riding instructor is dreadful at getting back to me too - I tend to be fairly forgiving as it isn't an office based job.

Can't help with prices as I'm in the wrong area,but can reassure you that it will come back to you.I last rode properly in 1978,[I was 10] yet had a lesson last Sept where the instructor said she could tell I'd ridden before and wanted to put me on a faster horse for a canter the next time.Sadly I couldn't afford to go back,but have exercised DD1's 13hh pony while she has been away.Last week I went on a 2 hour hack with DD2 and a friend with no bother at all,despite tractors and scary pigeons,and really enjoyed myself.

Let us know how it goes.

I'm in the north-west - we had some lessons a couple of years ago (DH, DD and myself). DH had ridden a reasonable amount as a boy ...35 years before... and he was straight back into rising trot no problems.

Price list for the place we used:

PRICE LIST
LESSONS

1/2 hour Private lesson ONLY £15 off-peak (9am-3pm weekdays)

½ Hour Beginners (group) £12.50

½ Hour Novice (group) £13.50

¾ Hour Novice (4-8) £16.00

1 Hour Group (4-8) £17.50

½ Hour Semi-private (2) £17.50

½ Hour Semi-private (3) £15.00

1 Hour Semi-private (2) £25.00

1 Hour Semi-private (3) £20.00

½ Hour Private (1) £21.00
¾ Hour Private (1) £30.00

1 Hour Private (1) off-peak only £36.00

(X) Denotes number of riders in a class

HACKS

Bonds lane (10-15mins) £7.50

½ hour novice£15.00

1 hour £25.00

Beach Rides (pay on booking)£32.00

?24hr notice will be required for a cancellation and refund.
?Friday evenings 6pm from St Annes North Car Park.
?Max 4 riders ? rides are escorted.
?Beach rides are available at other times for a minimum of 2 riders ? please ask for more details.

Thanks that's helpful :)