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| Lessons: In order to help you decide on weather or not lessons are for you or your child/spouse, we have put together a couple of FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) about Riding Lessons. |
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| Hampton Place Stables Frequently Asked Questions about Riding Lessons Why should I ride? Like many other sports, horseback riding gives many people a strong sense of self-confidence and accomplishment. For kids, learning to care for and tend to a horse helps develop a sense of responsibility; riding will teach them the meaning of commitment. Adults benefit from the exercise (without having to go to a boring gym), and escape from their usually hectic schedule. How much exercise will I get? According to Johanna Harris, publisher of the Equestrian Athlete, calories burned by equestrian activities are: Equestrian Activity Cal/hr posting trot 420 sitting trot 450 canter 514 gallop 558 clean stalls 550 How long does it take to learn to ride? That depends on your goals and natural ability. Discussing goals with your riding instructor is very important at the start. This will help your instructor design a lesson program for you. When can my child start riding lessons? Six to seven years of age is generally a reasonable age to start. Depending on the child, we may start them at five years of age. Your child should have:
Because riding comes with a great deal of responsibility, children shouldn't start until they are ready to learn how to groom and care for the horse. Emotional maturity is just as important as physical development. How much does it cost? Lessons cost $45 per lesson on a Hampton Place Stables Horse, and $40 per lesson on your own. We do not offer separate prices for group or private lessons because we only offer small group instruction. Large groups tend to get minimal instruction and you won't be happy. What equipment do I need? When it is time to purchase riding equipment, look to your instructor for guidance. There are many fancy riding outfits available, but most students, especially beginners, will do fine wearing comfortable pants and a shirt. Every beginning student needs a safety-approved helmet and good boots. It is important for boots to have a strong heel to prevent the rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup. A basic safety helmet can be purchased for around fifty dollars. Hampton Place Stables has a small selection of helmets you can borrow if need be. Being a Mom herself, Nicole encourages riders to get their own, in order to prevent the spreading of lice, etc. Make sure your helmet meets ASTM standards and is SEI certified. Click here to see if your helmet is on the SEI approved list. The instructor will provide all the other supplies you will need, such as saddle, bridle, etc. What about falling off? Some people say the hardest part about learning to ride is the ground! Falling is definitely a concern for many prospective students. Thanks to modern safety equipment, severe injuries are relatively uncommon. When students are just starting out, falling off the horse is a reality they will have to face. Many people never fall off, but you should be prepared for an occasional bump or scrape. A recent study of 121,274 horse-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, revealed that only 1% occurred at a riding school facility. Should I buy my own horse? It is not necessary to own a horse to get full enjoyment out of riding. Families who live in the city or in subdivisions, simply don't have room to keep a horse on their property. Besides owning a horse, there are other ways for people to have access to horses and riding equipment. Leasing is always another option. Hampton Place Stables has lease horses available for people who aren't sure about committing to purchasing a horse. What Should I consider if I buy my own horse? Match the skill levels of horse and rider: an inexperienced rider needs a more forgiving horse. Experienced riders are better able to handle a more spirited horse, or a "green" (not fully trained) horse. Determine the riders goals: do you want a trail horse or performance horse, etc. Determine your price range: experienced riders can save money by buying a young horse and training it. Do not consider a green horse for a green rider! Ask lots of questions of the right people: get opinions of a prospective horse from knowledgeable people you trust, other than the seller. Choose the right breed: again, the advice of trusted, knowledgeable people is invaluable. Get experienced help in evaluating the horse: have a trusted, experienced rider check out all aspects of tacking and riding your prospective horse. Visit your local horse rescue! They may have a horse that is right for you, and needs a good home. |
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