05/03/2024
One of my biggest frustrations in this industry is the lack of understanding and consideration for the role that Riding School horses play. So often, I see riders complaining about Riding School horses for a huge variety of reasons: for their perceived lack of quality or value, for having to ride one they don’t like, for not getting to ride the one they do like, for their establishment not having enough Riding School horses, or for the Riding School horses not being available at their convenience. Riding school horses not being good enough for them. I’ve dealt with all of the above and I know I’ll continue to do so, but I think it’s important that people understand the reality of Riding School horses, and that’s that they aren’t here for you/your kid to ride forever and climb the levels with your one lesson a week fortnightly commitment.
They’re here to get you started, safely and productively, while you decide just how far you want to take this.
Riding School horses are incredibly special creatures. They have to be easily caught by beginners who don’t know how to properly approach a prey animal.
They have to stand like statues on the crossties while tiny kids take the better part of an hour to get them clean.
They have to hold their head still while beginners jam the bit into their teeth for the fiftieth time in a row to put the bridle on.
They have to stand still at the mounting block while someone stands for too long with all their weight in the left stirrup and then slams down on their back with no consideration for their comfort.
They tolerantly teach riders who are unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unclear, who catch their mouths and bounce on their backs and kick at their sides, and every single time, they are expected to just come again without so much as a swish of their tail or pinning of their ears.
And any time one of these horses has a moment where they act like a regular horse or force the rider to really ride, they’re labeled annoying or rude or bad or lazy or whatever.
Riding School horses are not intended to take you up the levels and jump big jumps and win all the classes. If these horses were this beginner-friendly and this tolerant AND the hack winner with an auto lead change, you couldn’t afford them!
That’s not to say these horses can’t be winners if you ride them well and pull your weight, but their ability to win in the show ring is not where their real value lies.
Riding School horses exist to bring new riders into the sport. To teach them the ropes and get them started, lay a foundation and prepare them to make a bigger commitment to the sport by leasing or purchasing the next step horse.
Riding School horses are not responsible for chasing your Olympic dreams for you.
They’re responsible for getting them started in the first place.
For riders to act like a Riding School horse isn’t valuable because he isn’t the winner in any company or harder to ride is ignorant and unfair.
Every horse you ride has something to teach you. Whether it’s the crotchety old school pony who likes to root when you’re not paying attention, or the younger lesson horse who will only pick up the right lead if you ask *just right*, or the ultra reliable skip-change king, they all will add to your toolkit that you can one day apply to the fancier model you get to take you to the next level after yout Riding Scool Journey.
Don’t forget about all the lessons you learn along the way and remember that without Riding School horses, you wouldn’t be riding at all!
Riding School owners are trying their best to provide the best services they can and keep the Riding School horses in the good condition. Horses are extremely expensive not just to buy but to keep aswell. Utilities, Mortgage/Rent, Vets bills, Feed, Haylage, Bedding, Vaccinations, Farrier, Wormers, Staff Wages, Physio, Saddler and so much more the list is endless no one sees how much it all costs to keep a yard running, no one sees full behind the scenes.
They are trying the best they can, it's not just a job to them it's their world their passion and the Riding School horses are their babies they are their family.
