Riding Lessons at Barguse Riding Centre

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What does BHS approval mean?

This means we have unannounced annual inspections each year by the BHS to check that we are maintaining high standards of horse and pony welfare and that we are complying with the latest health and safety legislation. The inspector also checks on the suitability of our horses/ponies for use in the riding school.

What does a council inspection mean?

In order to operate and be open to the general public our horses/ponies are checked each year by a vet to ensure they are well and able to be ridden in the school. The tack is inspected for wear and tear and the schools and surroundings are safe and suitable for the general public.

What does CRB checked mean?

This means that our staff/instructors have had their background checked for any criminal records. This is particularly important when working with vulnerable adults and children.

Can anyone ride?

Regardless of your ability then you can ride. The only restrictions we have is that we cannot take riders under five years of age (due to insurance restrictions) and we are not permitted by the BHS to accept riders over 14 stone.

I'm a complete beginner and not sure which lessons I should take?

We advise beginners to book either a 30 min private lesson or an hour if you feel fit enough! This way we can assess you and it also allows you to have the undivided attention of the instructor. Ideally, we would start you on the lunge (the instructor controls the horse through the use of a long webbing rein) which means you can get the feel of riding a moving creature and concentrate on how to sit correctly without having to worry about controlling the horse! We can take a small group of beginners but this is restricted to certain times of the day. Why not book one of our learn to ride packages.

What is the best lesson for my child to join?

There are numerous options for children who want to ride. For a taster, the Saturday club is excellent and caters for all standards of rider. However, for those who want to progress quicker we can offer either group or private lessons. Once, your child reaches a certain level they can join the more specialised training sessions like the dressage academy or cross country training days. Whatever the level, the emphasis is on a friendly, relaxed experience. We will always ensure that your child is placed in the appropriate lesson so that they feel confident and comfortable in what they are being asked.

What equipment do I need?

Riding hats can be provided so you do not need to go to the expense of purchasing one. You will also need boots/wellies with a small heel. We cannot accept riders in trainers or in shorts for health and safety reasons. Tracksuits, leggings and jeans may be worn if you do not possess any jodhpurs but we advise that it is more comfortable if you do not wear anything that has a seam on the inside of your leg as it can result in chafing on the saddle.

How safe is it?

Like most sports there is an element of risk involved but we endeavour to reduce these risks to a minimum. Our instructors are fully qualified and experienced in teaching riders of varying standards and can quickly assess your ability . They will not push you beyond what they feel you can realistically achieve. They will set a programme for you and discuss what you need to work on over the next lessons. They also have the authority to stop a lesson if they feel that you are becoming too tired and therefore unstable.

What if I fall off?

Occasionally, a rider may fall off and generally, other than a few bruises and wounded pride most riders will happily remount! However, in the event of something more serious our instructors and staff are first aid trained and know the procedure to take. That is why it is extremely important that you fill out the rider registration forms when you first start to ride at Barguse so we have any important information regarding any medical conditions or allergies and the contact details for family and friends.

Is it expensive to ride?

We have a number of packages and lesson structures to suit all sorts of budgets. Please check out our price list.

What times can I ride?

We are open for riding lessons from Monday to Saturday and operate late night lessons on three nights of the week. please contact the office for details.

What if the weather is inclement?

We are extremely fortunate to have a large, indoor school so even in the worst Cornish weather we can operate!

I used to ride years ago but have had a break. Do you have more advanced horses?

We have a wide range of horses so we can cater for all standards of riders. Again, we will assess you on the first ride so we can determine which horses best suit you and will help you to get riding again.

I am an advanced rider and have my own horse. What can you offer me to progress further?

For the more experienced rider we can offer more specialised lessons. Our instructors all have various disciplines that they teach and compete in but additionally, we also have outside trainers that come in to give intensive courses. So whether you just want a quick brush up before a competition or a more long term approach to your training we can help you achieve your goals. You may also be interested in having a video analysis lesson that provides you with the opportunity to study your position and correct any possible faults! It's an invaluable training aid and a copy can be provided for you to take home and study at your leisure!

I would like to go hacking. Is that possible?

We do take clients on hacks but only once they have ridden with us for a while and we feel confident that they can ride in a safe and secure manner. It is important to understand that horses can behave very differently when outside the school environment and your safety must come first. We do not take holiday makers out trekking and would direct you to the centres that specialise in that. For children, we run mini hacks during the holidays and we can also give them a taste of riding outside the arenas by taking them for a ride around the centre towards the end of their lesson.

How do I go about booking?

If you would like to book a lesson please contact the office on 01208 831817 and they would be happy to arrange a slot for you. It's better to phone in than e-mail as the lesson availability can change from minute to minute! We will also require certain details from you that are easier to explain on the phone!

How early should I turn up before my lesson?

We ask you to turn up 15 minutes earlier than your lesson time particularly if you need to have a hat fitted. On your initial lesson, you will need to fill in a rider registration form before being allowed to ride. To save time, this can be printed off from the website and filled in before arrival. Unfortunately, if you arrive late you will still finish at your allocated time so as not to encroach into another clients session.


What forms of payment do you take?

We can take all forms of payment including credit/debit cards. We require that all clients pay in advance for their lesson and your lesson is only confirmed once payment has been received. Please check out our cancellation policy.

What is the cancellation policy?

Due to an increase in late cancellations we have had to introduce this new policy. After speaking to our BHS advisor and in line with other riding establishments, lessons cancelled with less than 24 hrs notice or riders that fail to show up for their lesson will not have their money refunded or transferred to their next lesson. Lessons cancelled up to 48 hrs in advance where we are able to rebook the space will not incur a charge. However, if we are unable to fill the slot, private lessons will be charged £10 and group lessons charged £5.
No exceptions to this rule can be made. Clients must appreciate that there is a lot of work and planning that goes in to getting your horse/pony ready for a lesson.

Also, staff still need to be paid and horses fed and riding schools already operate on very narrow margins. It's important to realise that late cancellation of lessons means not only loss of revenue for the business but a lost opportunity for other clients.