Normal process for beginner horse riding lessons

[CarryOnBreathing]

Posting again in here as someone has directed me from the Sports topic:

Took DD2 (6) horse riding for the first time today. DH and I also rode to keep her company as she was nervous. Lots of fun but afterwards DH commented that they didn’t do any registration form, medical information or insurance disclaimer, only took our first names and we had to pay cash. Is this usual? I’ve never been to a horse riding place before. They are v established and DD2 wants to go back but I feel a bit rattled by the lack of stuff that seems usual with other activities. Thanks.

Ive always known riding schools to take basic information and sign a form. However, our current one doesn’t check so i would think it’s possible to book and not realise you need to fill out a form.

The place where I ride periodically make you fill out these firms to try and catch the people who have been missed.

I don't disagree that they should collect this information up front. Unfortunately I have seen it skipped if the person you see on the day doesn't realise that you are new pupils. (Everyone looks a bit samey in riding hats)

Paying cash is very normal. A lot of small businesses can struggle with affordable card payment systems.

Thank you - that’s very useful. Is it common for riding schools not to be registered with a governing body? On the other thread a poster said ABRS, BHS or the Pony Club but it’s not registered with any of those. I don’t know if that’s cause for concern or perfectly OK. Thanks again for your help.

I would be concerned about it not being registered, yes, definitely. Someone will probably come along now with a story about how their wonderful local school isn't registered because of the cost of the assessments etc. and I don't doubt that there are good schools out there which aren't registered. Sadly there are also (probably many more) poor quality schools which cut corners in all sorts of unpalatable ways, of which not paying for the BHS membership is the tip of the iceberg.

Thing is if you are not horsey you may not be able to tell the difference so I would always go with a registered school. This assures you that basic standards for the health, safety and welfare of horses and riders has been assured by someone experienced. You can find lists of approved schools on the BHS website...

Not being registered does not inspire confidence. Not taking down any information seems unwise.

Are you and your DH riders or was it your first time? If you are riders what was your feel of the place, e.g. well looked after horses, well behaved horses, safe facilities, attention to detail like cage stirrups, etc? If you are not riders it is better to go with a registered and regularly inspected place where someone experienced will ensure they are getting the basics right because if you don’t know about horses it isn’t difficult to spot the danger signs.

Absolutely not normal to not take any details. It does not inspire confidence in me.

They should have, at a minimum collected name and surname,phone number,next of kin details,riding history, height and weight.

Also, it would be good for them to know medical details (tick box of things that are relevant such as heart conditions, epilepsy etc) and contact details of their GP.

They should definitely have things like up to date insurance certificates on display.

Ideally they would be registered with BHS/ABRS as well.

I wouldn't worry about them taking cash. This is pretty common in riding schools as its not usually cost effective to take card payments unless its for block booking lessons.

They need to be registered with the local council. The council will only give a riding school licence if they comply with H&S regulations, insurance etc. You can check online I think.

They are supposed to be registered with the BHS British Horse Society and proper place display a notice as far as I can remember. Did you ride in an enclosed arena, because that is where you should start so you can learn to deal with the horse. I think you can look on the BHS website for approved places near you.

@leckford: they do not need to be registered with the BHS. They only need to be council licensed and insured.

To be honest I have known off some horrendous "BHS approved" yards and some really good yeards without...... while it is a good starting point for me it wouldn't concern as much as what I could actually see/feel for myself on the yard.

That said I have been around horses since I was 3, if you are all new to it and wouldn't really know whether it was a "decent" yard or not then an approved centre would be best.

Perfectly normal for them to ask cash. Was it a proper riding lesson ie in the school, actually learning to ride? Or a trekking centre? As there are differences between the two and leisure trekking tends to be a slightly different (more holiday like) process than actual riding lessons. That said I would expect both to want a registration form of some description with basic details on it