Riding at Valley Farm

Tiny Tots Club

Young children, aged from two up to about six, can join our special half hour fun classes led by mum or dad on Saturday and Sunday mornings. For those who have never ridden, a 20 minute one to one lead rein lesson can be arranged to help get into the swing of things. The under 3's can ride on one of our miniature ponies.

Class Lessons

Small class lessons take place most days, evenings and weekends for both children and adults, in our Indoor School or outside in good weather. At weekends the class lessons usually start off gently in the morning, and progress in difficulty throughout the day.

Private Lessons

Private or shared private lessons can be arranged as you wish for any level of ability where there is a space. There is usually more time for private lessons during the week, but they can be fitted in at weekends provided sufficient notice is given.

Hacks

Organised hacks along farm tracks, woodland trails and country roads can be booked privately or by joining a class, providing the standards of the riders are known and the riders safety can be assured.

Stable Management and Horse Care

For those wanting to learn about caring for horses we have several options. Anybody under 21 can join the Pony Club, and then join in with our regular pony club stable management lessons. See our Pony Club page for more details. This way as your knowledge increases, you can take tests if you wish to. Adults can join our fun horse care sessions or if you are wishing to gain qualifications you can enrol on one of our BHS or NVQ courses. See our Training Page for more details.

Other Lessons

For the more adventurous rider, lessons can be arranged in a number of other equestrian disciplines:

Vaulting
or lunge lessons are excellent for riders wanting to gain confidence in canter. Good fun, and a great way of keeping fit. See our Vaulting page for more details.

Western lessons
are ideal for those who like a slightly slower pace, or who want to brush up on their skills before going on a ranch holiday. Please see our Western Riding page.

Side saddle lessons
are available for those who would like to try their hand at something a little different.

Horseball
is a fast and exciting sport, for the more adventurous rider. Lessons in the basics are available.

Polocrosse
Lessons in the basics are available, to start you off, or give you the chance to have a go at this skilled game.

Heavy Horse
We have a number of pure bred and part bred agricultural draught horses. They are used for agricultural lessons, but also for western riding, side saddle, vaulting and ordinary riding lessons. So if you fancy riding one of these gentle giants for the novelty factor, or if you are a larger person, we're sure to be able to accommodate you. See our Heavy Horse page for more details.

Carriage Driving, and Agricultural Horse driving
(See our Carriage Driving page.)

Disabled Riders

Valley Farm has a range of mounting blocks, and a loading ramp for wheelchair users. There is a wide range of tack and equipment available; western saddles, sheepskin saddles, side saddles, vaulting rollers and surcingles etc. Many people with various disabilities have found that this has enabled them to enjoy their riding more than with a conventional saddle. There are many patient horses and ponies trained for steering with one hand, and to move from the voice. An assortment of horses are trained to allow two riders at once, so that an assistant can sit behind or in front to help. If you would like to know more about the facilities we offer, please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.

Facilities

Our smart purpose built Indoor School enables you to ride at any time and in any weather throughout the year. This is overlooked by our Tea-room with viewing gallery. In addition we have several outdoor riding areas and extensive tracks around our own farm and woodland. Other facilities include show jumps and a variety of carriages suitable for all standards of private driving.

What to Wear

We recommend that if you do not have the correct riding clothes that you should wear the following:
Sensible shoes or boots with a small heel, and fairly smooth sole. Not trainers.
Comfortable strong trousers, which cover the whole leg, long sleeves are advised. Be careful of thick seams on the inside of jeans which may rub.
Gloves are a good idea for everyone in cold weather, and also children or anyone with soft hands who may get sore fingers. Sun block is advised in the summer.
A Riding hat conforming to the current safety standard must be worn. Hats are available to borrow from Valley Farm.

If you decide that you would like to continue riding, we strongly advise that you buy the correct riding wear.

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© Valley Farm Ltd.   Updated 05/05/2005