Richmond Valley Riding School

25/06/2025

Kenny still drumming at 75, a passion is a passion, horsey people know all about that😁

The Breed are back at Mather’s House for another fab afternoon of 60’s pop & rock music on Friday 25th July 2025. Don’t miss out! Secure your ticket by phoning Mather’s House on 03 6234 1441 during business hours

04/06/2025

At Richmond Valley Riding School ( the only riding school in Richmond) some 30+ years on, is still conducting riding lessons with evidence based training and qualified/certified experienced instruction only.
We are so honoured to have riders from years ago now enjoying sharing lessons with their own child.
Rarely do we post as we are all about immersion with real life horses, fresh air and nature.
(wait/cancelation list only available at present for ages 8 to adult)
Enquiries welcome/lessons by appointment only. Thank you

Horse riding is an un-regulated HIGH RISK SPORT, verify at least your instructor is certified/qualified with current first aid qualifications.
You would not think to have scuba diving lessons with a non qualified teenager or adult, think the same about riding
lessons.

03/02/2022

Safety Fact of the Week: Riding Boots

http://www.horsesafetyaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/guide-with-cover.pdf
Riding boots are designed to slip out of a stirrup, preventing a rider from being dragged in the event of a fall.
They have a flat sole to encourage the foot to slip out of a stirrup if needed. They have a heel to stop the foot going all the way through a stirrup iron, that has not been fitted with Toe Stoppers.
Riding boots should come to above the ankle joint, be fully enclosed and preferably without laces or tongue pieces.
A sturdy pair of leather riding boots offer more protection should a horse step on someone's toes.
WITHOUT TOE STOPPERS, sneakers and general workboots in stirrups are a DANGER for horse riding. You instructor should be able to direct you when purchasing correct footwear or be able to provide suitable footwear for most sizes.

Here at Richmond Valley Riding School we include Riding Boot hire (childs 7 to Mens 11) in our prices because your safety depends on it.

Riding boots come in many designs and styles to suit every budget and need.

Happy Safe Horsing

29/01/2022

Thanks for your enquiry, we are usually out with the horses, so phoning 0418602672 in the evening 7 days a week or during the day Monday or Tuesday between 10.30 and 8pm works best. If we are unable to answer we will call you back.

25/01/2022

Over the weekend the temps reached over 30°c. The decision was made to bring lessons earlier in the day and cancel afternoon lessons to spare the horses and riders.

So what do we do instead? Our horses and ponies get to go swimming!

?Can you guess which Riding school pony swam all the way across? Comment down below!

20/08/2021

Just something about Blue rosettes or ribbons at any age😁!

17/07/2020

So true😁

31/03/2020

Hello All Riders and future riders.Sorry to say for at least the next 4 weeks, due Government recommendation at present for people to stay home and stay in their Suburb unless absolutely necessary along with the banning of gatherings of more than 2 people we now decided to shut our doors from yesterday.( This includes private one on one lessons in the interest of safety for all)
We will contact everyone asap as soon as we are able to safely reopen.
For regular riders who are able to resume lessons when we open again, those same day/time spaces will be available to you.
For casual or one off or riders or people with gift vouchers we will endeavour to phone you to discuss available options or please phone us.
Warmest of regards and stay safe.
Kim, Cassie RVRS☹️

21/12/2019

// Friday Fact - Mounting problems //

These days, many riders use a mounting block to mount the horse, often because it is believed that mounting from the ground can have negative health effects on the horse's back. The problem with using a mounting block is that if the horse walks off, as many do, the rider has to abandon mounting and restart. The horse learns very rapidly (through the process of negative reinforcement) that walking off removes the rider, if only temporarily, so the horse perfects this strategy.

It is useful then, to train a horse not only to stand immobile (park) by the mounting block, but also to step his hindquarters toward it if he happens not to be close enough, or if he has learnt he can swing away. The rider should have trained the horse thoroughly in 'go', 'stop' and 'yield' beforehand.

Now it is time to train the horse to step his hindquarters toward you from a voice command. You need a different voice command to step the horse toward you, such as the word 'here'. Begin against the wall as this dramatically facilitates the offering of the correct response. Reach across his back, toward the wall with the whip and gently tap his hindquarters until they step toward you, at which point 'stop' tapping and return the whip to your side immediately. Repeat until the horse anticipates the tapping and steps toward you solely from the visual stimulus of the whip reaching across. This may take a few or many repetitions. Now classically condition the voice command 'here' by saying it just before you reach across to tap him. When he steps easily toward you from the voice command, you can now repeat this while standing on the mounting block.

(Excerpt from the book 'Academic Horse Training', p. 272)

13/10/2019

Meet Misty our gorgeous cuddly fleabitten grey.

At 12hh our little grey welsh mountain pony is a trooper as the leader for over half the trail rides we take here on our property.
She is an aged mare who enjoys making a nest and sleeping in a pile of hay on cold days.
Her favourite treat is definitely the rare licorice piece found at the end of a sunny day riding.
Misty is a sensitive little girl only suitable for very neat confident riders, but for the coaches she's lovely.
Cassie would say "she's my extra pair of legs".

Don't forget xmas is right around the corner! We offer gift cards for birthdays, xmas or just because. 🐴🎁🎠

06/10/2019

Safety Fact of the Week: Equine body language

Did you know that you can read a horses body language to keep you safer? For example a pony with their ears pinned back against their head is giving a warning to "give me space", while ears moving shows listening and attentivness.

Reading body language is a skill that can take a while to master, so it is prudent to have an experienced horse person (an instructor is a great idea) with you whenever you are interacting with horses or ponies.

Which pony in the picture is giving a warning to "back off"? Comment below ☺

Remember we have gift vouchers for birthdays, xmas or just because sessions.

22/09/2019

Safety Fact of the Week: Saddles fitting the Rider

Did you know there are a variety of saddles to fit all shapes and sizes of ponies, horses and riders? There are even different styles for different disciplines.

Incorrect saddle sizing can affect rider stability and comfort, making for an unpleasant ride.

Incorrect saddle fitting for the pony/horse can also cause discomfort in the pony/horse to the point of causing undesirable behaviours.

Here at Richmond Valley Riding School we have saddles as tiny as 12inches for little riders or up to 18inches for Adults.

We have both dressage saddles and general purpose saddles, on occassion we also have a demonstration western or stock saddle to enjoy.

Remember we have gift vouchers for birthdays, xmas or just because sessions.