My daughter (age 13) currently trains with Orion and loves it. We’d like to find her some other riding opportunities that don’t break our bank (we don’t own a horse nor have plans to own). She is head strong and goal oriented to find something that could work. As non-horse people except for her interest, I thought this might be a good place to start. Thanks
Where is see in her riding? Jumping yet? Do lead changes? How often is she riding at Orion?
Ask your trainer about additional opportunities at the barn. Sometimes they have a few that could hse some excercise kr know somebkdy else who has something safe and suitable for her.
Yes the first place to start is network with the trainer. It may also open opportunity for her to work on the ground, learning and doing all the stuff she needs to become a horsewoman
Yes, we’ve gone that route but currently there is nothing available for her. She just joined IEA and has lessons 1x/week and she’s hunter/jumper (jumping small so far). She’s been riding for about 1 & 1/2 years.
In my experience, if she’s only been riding for less than two years it’s going to be hard to find an out of barn opportunity. Especially if that’s less than two years of once a week lessons. That’s only about 100 hours of riding, which isn’t much at all. Most people with horses that can safely handle newer riders will either want them to be in their program or charge a lease fee to use the horse, which on a good packer usually isn’t cheap.
Are adding additional lessons in the budget? At this point in time that’s what I’d recommend. If not, what about something like Pony Club where a large majority of the activities are unmounted? It’s pretty inexpensive and a great way to become a well rounded horse person.
1 Like
Pony Club is a good suggestion - there are a couple of active clubs up in that corner of the Northwest region:
https://northwest.ponyclub.org/contact/
Pony Club is somewhat expensive to join because of the national and regional dues - in the vicinity of $200 just to get started.
The horse 4-H programs in Whatcom and Skagit counties have been fairly good in the past - not sure of the current state but might be worth checking out as well.
For either 4-H or Pony Club, you might have to be willing to join as a horseless member initially and use the opportunity to network with the other families who might have spare or outgrown horses who need riders. There are also opportunities in both to do some competitive things like quiz (PC) and Horse Bowl/Hippology (4-H) that don’t require a mount.
Maybe ask current trainer if she is aware of any 4-H or Pony clubs in the area that she would recommend for the purpose of gaining knowledge and horsey connections.
2 Likes
That’s true, to start up it’s about $200. I guess I’ve been in the horse world too long that I was thinking that’s cheap for a whole year! Once you’re in PC unmounted lessons are usually free or very cheap ($5-10), depends on the program. Mounted lessons can vary, but are usually relatively inexpensive.
If you can find a training program that is also a pony club riding center it could be a good way to get the occasional extra ride as well. Sometimes they’ll even provide horses for other clubs, so once you’re in the program there can be additional opportunities, even if you’re horseless. All PC competitions require what’s called a stable manager. It’s a person on each team who does not ride in the competition. They are a valued and essential member of the team that helps the riders get ready, and more importantly makes sure their horses and stable area are kept to pony club standards.
I personally found 4H to be really difficult without a horse. It could have just been the chapter I looked at, but there was a lot less focus on unmounted/horsecare stuff. But it’s definitely worth checking out.
Lastly, if you have standard horse crazy child who just wants more times around horses I’d check out thereapeutic riding centers. They always need volunteers to help tack up/lead/clean.
By far start with your coach. Let her know you want to ride more. Ask about a half lease (Kim is awesome and has very low cost options as low as $250 a month!!). Offer to clean paddocks or do chores. Hang out at the farm doing whatever is needed. I am always giving extra rides to the girls who are working their butts off, and most trainers are the same.
