Finding a Trainer as a Re-rider

[BayandWhite]

Hi everyone, this is just an alternate account, but I need help with this.

I am a senior in college and I finally have time to get back into riding. My only issue is, that I don’t know what to look for in a trainer and a barn as an adult. I wouldn’t be leasing and I’m not looking to buy, so I would just be a lesson warrior, but a serious lesson warrior. It is so different looking for a trainer as an adult and not as a junior, especially when you’re paying for it yourself;)

What did you look for? Did you want a barn with more adults than kids? If there isn’t an adult lesson group, do you settle for older kids, or fork out the money for privates? What was your conversation when talking to perspective trainers?

[Halt_Near_X]

Look for a program that has a solid group of adults riding and showing on the schedule/level that you want to be at. You want to fit into an existing program. It also signals that the trainer knows how to teach adults. It takes a different approach than teaching children; not everyone does it well.

Also watch for the barn schedule. If they emphasize their kid program, lessons may be done by 5 or 6 pm and the barn closed soon after. For an adult on a working schedule, that can be very difficult.

Also, depending on your work schedule, pay attention to the lesson and cancellation policy. If you are required to take X lessons/week to be on their show team, for example, but you regularly travel out of town for business–that’s not a good fit for you. Likewise, if you know you may have to cancel lessons routinely because meetings can be scheduled late, you need a barn that has a reschedule policy in place and not a “use it or lose it” situation. You don’t want to take advantage of the instructor, but you have to make sure their program works with your schedule.

Most adults I know don’t ride with kids; I don’t mind, but since I gravitate to barns/trainers with solid adult programs, I’ve always fit into that and it wasn’t an issue.

Try to arrange a visit to the barn so you can watch them teach a lesson, preferably of an adult. See if their teaching style meshes with your learning style. That tells me more than any pre-planned questions I might ask them.

[Scribbler]

When I came back to riding, I ended up at a barn that only did private lessons, but they were reasonably priced. When I went on to lease, at a different place, private lessons as well, except sometimes two of us double up on a jumps lesson and took turns. Indeed, I don’t know any adults in group lessons, anywhere; I just assumed all adults took private lessons.

If it was group lessons, I’d absolutely insist on it being all adults, or adults and mature teens. And I absolutely could not stand being around a “lesson factory” barn with hordes of tweens and their helicopter mothers taking up all available space. Also, IME, barns that cater mainly to tweens tend to have lots of fussy rules, while barns that cater to adults tend to be a bit more common sense.

And then there is the question of level. Ideally you would find a barn that was happy to have you at your level, but where many of the riders were a step or two ahead of you. If you’re a rusty intermediate rider, let’s say, you don’t want to be in a total beginner atmosphere where everyone else is shrieking and grabbing the mane at the trot. But you also don’t want to be so far behind the curve that you are left out of everyone’s discussions of shows and ribbons, etc. You want a barn where the trainer will value you at your current level, and bring you along.

You might also find that you start at one barn, and then move on to another in a year or two. You might also find you progress slower, or much faster, than you expect.

I’d recommend trying a sample lesson or maybe a 4 lesson package, at several barns, if there is a choice of places that all sound promising for you.

[McLeanHunterRider]

Hopefully, by this point in your riding career, you’ve figured out what type of trainer you work best with. Is it one that is constantly giving you feedback? Is it a drill sergeant? A softie? Somewhere in between??? Personality plays a huge part, and especially for re-riders, patience is key!

I’ve found that taking a few lessons and figuring out if the trainer was “my type” worked quite well :yes: I was lucky enough to find a great instructor and someone who I worked hard under. Unfortunately, money got in the way, so when I stopped, I let Mr. Trainer that it wasn’t due to him or his program.

[findeight]

Shop around, take test lessons, go to local shows and watch warm up ring and back gate to evaluate trainer conduct. Don’t settle on anybody until you have tried a few…we so often see clients become enthralled by the first place they see and think it’s the be all, end all.

Think your biggest problem going to be the availability of suitable school horses capable of letting you advance as a rider. Getting too expensive to keep them and those with them protect them by limiting their use. May end up having to do some type of school or part lease for anything over 2’. Good luck.

Ummmm…think you should not be afraid to ride with older kids, unlikely to find a school program just for adults unless your available trainer/barn talent pool is very deep with choices.

[comingback]

I scheduled lessons with a few different trainers in the area. It was clear as day who was going to fit my need and style. I ended up at a barn that did have pony kids, but it wasn’t a lesson factory. In fact, I think there was only one or two true “lesson” horses available. The remaining clients were older teens and adults. Most lessons were private or semi-private, and the riders and horses are grouped appropriately. I certainly didn’t mind getting paired up with a teen. Heck, half the time they were making me push myself more

If possible, maybe consider a half lease. You don’t say how often you would like to lesson, but you may find a program with a quality horse that is available for half lease. That would probably get you the best of both worlds.

[lys]

this is all solid advice! when i came back to riding, i knew exactly where i wanted to be since i’d shown in the area and knew many of the trainers. i’m now very happy with my situation and went from just a lesson warrior to showing and leasing-to-own a young horse.

we also have a core group of adult customers with similar goals – although we’re a variety of skill levels and show in different divisions, we all want to go to the shows and be competitive while doing our best and having lots of fun! riding is a social sport and it’s just as important to find a place where you mesh with the other customers as it is to mesh with the trainer. even if you’re not wanting to go to shows, i’d look for a spot with lots of adult clients with similar goals as you. it’s not much fun to be the odd man out.

[WB_Mom]

Oh honey, you are not a real re-rider!
Take almost 30 years off from riding and then try getting back in the saddle! :winkgrin:

[BayandWhite]

@Halt Near X;8831495

Look for a program that has a solid group of adults riding and showing on the schedule/level that you want to be at. You want to fit into an existing program. It also signals that the trainer knows how to teach adults. It takes a different approach than teaching children; not everyone does it well.

This is so important to me! I didn’t want to say anything in fear of coming across as a “millennial”. I look young, so some people tend to speak to me as if I’m not college educated, but as someone in middle school. How does a trainer of an adult compare to that of a child? I imagine it would be more of a conversation and respect.

[findeight]

It’s more comprehension and ability to execute in riding, age and gender really have little to do with it. That’s why it’s one of the few sports competition is largely split by skill level only.

Im decent but have taken lessons at age 50+ with 10 year olds that positively humbled me. Look for quality instruction and suitable horses first…and you will find most of the quality barns are pretty social even if you do a post lesson happy hour with a Mom or two, maybe lesson with them as they get sucked into it too.

[ybiaw]

I think when you get back into riding you have to realize that it’s ok to “shop around” for a trainer. Just because you choose one to start with doesn’t mean you have to stick with that one forever. Take a few lessons, and if they suit you then great. If not, move on to the next, and so on and so forth until you find that good fit. It is very different than riding as a kid where you ride at a barn and they kind of mold you into the kind of student that fits their teaching, instead of vice versa. Then as an adult you have to try to find a new trainer that fits that type.

Does that make sense?

[BITSA]

I think this is all good advice. I do think it’s important to find a trainer that has other adults in your situation (generally–even if they own). Even though I am serious about my riding and want to improve, jump higher and win–at the end of the day my job pays the bills and it needs to come first. I think you need someone who understands this and can encourage you even though riding cannot be your top priority. You don’t want someone who will make you feel bad if you need to cancel lessons or not show.

I own, but I do lesson with the kids (usually younger than me as its based on skill…). We have a great group of kids and I really enjoy lessoning with them. Just don’t get discouraged when the pony kid jumps higher and looks better than you! :lol:

I’d say take a few lessons and see if you can find a good fit. And don’t be afraid to move on if it doesn’t feel right. I think starting with a few private lessons is really important so you can get placed correctly too.

Last, I agree that teaching adults is differently. I swear our group of 40+ (age) riders cries easier than the kids. Good luck and feel free to come join our wonderful re-rider group on this board!

[luckymaverick]

I second bitsa, whether you’ve had a few years off or not, please join our re-rider group! You totally meet the criteria, regardless of other opinions. Just be warned, we love pics.

[Faiythe]

Good luck with your search!

I am also a re-rider and I had to move around a bit (currently looking for a new home too)

I took 12+ years off, so the first place I went to was a lesson factory. This served me well for a little bit so that I could get my strength back and re-learn everything! I then decided that I would prefer to be challenged a bit more and wanted to advance slightly faster than they were willing to let me.

I found a trainer who pushed me pretty hard (within reason) and ended up leasing one of their more green horses and learned a lot from that situation. After about a year, I am now looking for something more structured and looking to start competing.

This thread was helpful to me as I am in the “shop around” phase to find my next riding home. I am doing a few barn tours and eval/test lessons with some programs that I’ve seen around the local show circuit. Riding with other adults is key for me because a part of my social interaction is directly linked to where I ride

I hope you find what you’re looking for! I would say just don’t rush it and take some time to decide what your goals are and who can best help you achieve them.

[Ms_Red_Britches]

Lots of good advice here. I just wanted to add, keep an open mind about being at a barn with mostly kids. I was a re-rider myself 6 years ago and landed at a barn with really no other adults. Fast forward some years and I’m still there and have a great relationship with the kids, their parents, and my trainer

[greysfordays]

I cannot recommend enough how important it is to go a show and shop around there. You get a better insight into how the trainer really is as opposed to when you observe a lesson.

Do the horses look properly suitable for their riders, bc often times both riders and horses are at their most nervous at a show. A great trainer will match the pair well enough that even with elevated nerves, the two can have a safe and enjoyable trip. It’s also I think, the best evidence for bedside manner when things go sideways.

[gottagrey]

are you in a fairly horsey area? Meaning is there a pretty decent tack shop you can go to - they might have a bulletin board or other info about area barns. The tack shop I used to work at would often make suggestions for places to ride, while we didn’t promote one over the other - if an adult rider such as OP came in and asked us about area barns we could rattle off 3 or 4 that might be suitable for her, same with those looking for lesson barns.

Also - if you have the time/inclination, if there are any schooling shows or competitions close by - stop by spend the day… watch the schooling /warm-up area, catch of a few trainer’s names, barns. You can get a good idea of how they teach, quality/caliber of horses and riders etc. People on this forum can also be a great resource - if some of us knew your location, we could give you some recommendations. The problem is many barns where you want to ride you have to commit to a lease /lesson plan but there are those that might have a couple of good horses to lesson on.

I also agree with starting up with a larger lesson barn to get back into the swing of riding, if they go to shows or have shows at the facility that is another excellent way to eye other local trainers.

[BayandWhite]

There is a local farm that has a show series, that I have noticed a lot of trainers go to. I looked at the schedule and it is coming up next week! I will definitely stop by as it is not too far from my apartment.

After reading everyone’s advice, I think it definitely is important, for now at least, just to get the basics back down, nothing more advanced than that. My brain knows everything, my body just has to catch up and I definitely need a place with schoolmasters who don’t mind me flopping around for awhile! After that, I was thinking of leasing something a little green to save money.

I am in the Raleigh, NC (go Pack!) and while it is definitely a heavily populated horse area, it is kind of, different dare I say from my hometown area. There are a lot of choices, but not a lot of good choices if that makes sense? There is a lesson factory barn close to me, but they definitely have a lot of hidden fees and weird rules. Not accommodating for an adult rider. Some barns require you to own or lease, and others charge way too much money for what they offer. I have found one that looks promising! It seems my search would be much easier if I was looking for leasing opportunities as well

[SadieRidingHorses]

Hi all! I realize that this is an old thread, but I found it helpful so I thought I would jump on and ask for some advice. I’m a re-rider - competed in hunter jumpers and did pony club until college, then stopped (more or less) for about 20 years. Recently, I’ve started riding again regularly, and I’ve been bitten by the bug all over again. I’m not ready to buy a horse, and it will be at least a couple of years before I want to make that kind of commitment, so I am currently looking at facilities where I can lesson/maybe lease.

I’m taking lessons at two places at the moment. At one, I’m in a structured, once-a-week group lesson, working with an instructor I like, on horses that I like. The barn seems well run and safe; horses and riders seem happy. Not a lot of flexibility or opportunities to ride more/lease, though, and their lease options (none currently available) seem very expensive for the area that I’m in.

Because I wanted to ride more (and after learning that was not an option right now at the first place), I started taking lessons at a second place as well. It’s a little further from my house, and they’ve got lots more flexibility in terms of lesson times, hack opportunities/group v. private lessons. They have a lease-share program that in theory sounds really great. I’ve had several lessons there (privates), and I feel like I’m learning a lot. The trainer can be abrasive, but she’s pointing out things that I’m doing wrong, so I appreciate it. The horses are not as nice as at the first barn (one of them has terrible ground manners), but they seem athletic enough - not as “made” as the horses at the other barn. I don’t like the “vibe” at this barn very much - things always seem pretty harried, there are a million kids everywhere, less emphasis on grooming/tacking than at other barn, a few safety things that I’ve noticed, but I’m trying very hard to give it a chance. I do like the trainer a lot and feel like I’m learning.

I guess my questions is, how long do you try a place before you move on? I’m in an area where there are, in theory at least, a lot of places that I can ride. Part of me thinks that I should schedule try out lessons at several of those places to see if I can’t find a third barn that’s a better fit all around. But I’m wondering how common that is, and if it will seem acceptable to the various trainers, etc. who I meet. When I rode before, I was in a part of the country where my options were much more limited, and I was also a kid, so the various moves I made before finally finding my beloved former trainer were not really in my control.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated - my husband and friends are not horse people, so I’m glad to have found this community!

[20YearsOffHJ]

Following! I’m in the exact same boat and worried program I went with may not be a good fit… also tons of options in my area…