Why ride?

People choose to ride for different reasons. The benefits of riding and being with horses are innumerable. It could be because you have always dreamed of owning your own horse and you want to learn everything you can to give him the best possible life. It could be a way to keep fit, a way to challenge yourself both mentally and physically, a way to feel at peace and relaxed in the presence of a horse, to connect with nature, or to fulfill a lifelong dream...

Are you seeking that amazing, inspiring bond that happens when you connect with a special horse? Could it be a childhood memory that you want to recapture? Are you wishing to train for a future equestrian career? Are you already an established rider, but you are looking to branch out and learn a new sport or new ways to enjoy being with horses? Do you want to compete? Are you looking to meet like minded people? Do you just want to have fun?

Riding and looking after horses teaches: patience, discipline, compassion, self control, empathy, problem solving, dedication, goal setting, communication skills, emotional regulation and other positive character traits.  It can be physically demanding and can help to develop balance, coordination and improve reflexes as well as strength and has cardio benefits. It can be relaxing therapy for tight muscles or joints and can help to regulate emotions, especially for riders with certain disabilities.

A study completed by the BHS concluded that horse riding stimulated mainly positive psychological feelings. Over 80% of questionnaire responses claimed that riding made them feel “quite a lot” or “extremely cheerful, relaxed, happy, or active.” Riders often gain an increase in self esteem.

Whatever your reasons and whatever path you choose we would love to be a part of your journey and help to share with you the joy that horses bring to us.

Something for everyone

We offer lessons for all standards and ages of rider across a wide range of equestrian disciplines and riding styles.  Whether you have never ridden before, or have more experience but would like to try something new, our experienced horses and friendly coaches are here to help you. 

So much more than just learning to ride a horse

We provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn about and enjoy being with horses, while building skills and confidence. We can help you to understand your horse and recognise how they feel and help you develop the skills required to help horses improve their physical and mental fitness while they are being handled and ridden.

We can help you train for exams or competition, or if you are getting to the point in life where the jumps are looking bigger, and the ground is looking harder, but you still want to ride, you may be interested in trying out different equestrian sports. Many sports can be fun and challenging without even having to get out of walk so can be ideal for those who are nervous or have a disability.  If you own an older horse who is looking to take life a bit more on the gentle side you may like to learn about these sports so you can incorporate them into your training at home.

We have a team of dedicated enthusiastic teaching staff, all with slightly different teaching styles, and a wonderful team of horses so you are sure to find a lesson to suit your needs.

Click here to meet the staff 

Click here to meet the horses 

There are a huge number of different equestrian sports and disciplines. Each one requires a slightly different skill set, so there is always something new to learn. You could try:

• Vaulting  or lunge lessons are excellent for riders wanting to gain confidence at any speed, but can be especially helpful for those learning to canter. Good fun, and a great way of keeping fit. 
• Trick riding is similar to vaulting but uses a specially adapted saddle rather than vaulting handles and requires a high level of fitness.
• Western lessons are ideal for those who like a slightly slower pace, want to focus on partnership with their horse or who want to brush up on their skills before going on a ranch holiday. 
• Side saddle lessons are available for those who would like to try their hand at something a little different or train for side saddle assessments. 
• Horseball is a fast and exciting sport, for the more adventurous rider. Lessons in the basics are available from qualified horseball coaches for individuals or groups. 
• Polocrosse Lessons in the basics are available, to start you off, or give you the chance to have a go at this skilled game for individuals or small groups.
• Equisimulator lessons can be very helpful for improving fitness, balance, and confidence and can give the rider a better understanding of how their horse feels their movement. 
• Bareback we have various bareback pads which can be used with or without vaulting handles. These help to keep the rider cleaner. Riding bareback allows the rider to feel the horse better and helps to improve balance.
• Mounted Games team obstacle races with ponies.
• Horseboarding is an extreme sport where a rider on a horse tows a mountain boarder round a course.
• Horseback Archery have a go as a one-off, or train for competitions.
• Working Equitation is a fun sport encompassing precision riding and obstacle courses.
• Horse Agility is a non ridden activity where you work on building mutual trust with the horse/pony to complete obstacle courses.
• Carriage Driving is a fun way to interact with horses without actually riding. Try cone driving round a course or drive out round local lanes.
• Long Reining a useful skill to learn if you are starting your own horse for either riding or driving, or looking for a way to exercise a horse who is outgrown for riding.
• Changing Lives is a programme we offer through the BHS to help children who are not able to be in school to learn life skills.
• Barrel Horse Our static barrel horses can be booked for lessons or for private hire to practice skills required for horseball, polo, polocrosse, roping, mounting and dismounting
• Jumping​  You can ask your coach to help you build confidence with your jumping position, pole work and jumping up to around 60cms. We have a selection of painted and rustic poles as well as fillers and in the summer we have a show jumping course available for use during private or group lessons or for hire with your own horse.
• Lunge Lessons One to one lunge lessons can be very helpful for anybody requiring to improve their balance or confidence, as it allows the rider to concentrate on their position and the movement of the horse without having to worry about steering or controlling their horse. We have a number of horses and ponies suitable for adults and children.  At Valley Farm we also have the advantage of different types of saddles. You may find for example that if you are having difficulty learning to canter, that a lesson with the vaulting handles, and a bareback pad allows you to feel and follow the motion of the horse more easily, and the handles make it much easier to hold on, than with a normal saddle. A western saddle can also be helpful, as it gives more support, and also has a saddle horn on the front which can be held in one hand. Usually half an hour at a time is sufficient, as it can be quite tiring. You may like to book a one hour private and do half an hour on the lunge followed by half an hour off the lunge. 
• Hacks/Treks/Trail rides Organised rides out (hacks, treks, trail rides or whatever you like to call a ride out of the arena) along our farm tracks and woodland trails can be booked for private individuals or groups, or by joining a class, providing the standards of the riders are known and the riders safety can be assured. If we are unsure of your riding ability you will be assessed in the arena first and may be offered a lesson instead. Hacks are not recommended for complete novices.  Hacks usually last for one hour, and do not include any road work.
• Walk-outs A gentle relaxing ride round the farm. Suitable for riders with little or no riding experience or anybody who would benefit from a coach walking beside them to boost confidence or offer guidance as you go. For adults or Children. Minimum age 2.
• Stable Management and Horse Care For those wanting to learn about caring for horses we have several options. Anybody under 25 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 enroll on one of our BHS courses. See our Training page for more details. Adult volunteers are welcome to help with RDA sessions. New riders may like to celebrate their progress in learning about caring for horses with ABRS rosette awards covering a wide range of care topics. Private care lessons can be booked where space is available for anybody wishing to study a topic of their choice.
• Exams, Tests and Awards The reasons people chose to ride are different. Some ride just for fun or because they love horses, others are hoping to compete or looking for a future equestrian career. We offer training for NVQ's and British Horse Society Exams if required. Training for GCSE PE and Duke of Edinborough Award, ABRS progressive tests for riding and horse care. We also offer adults and children the opportunity to work through the BHS progressive riding and stable management tests. Under 25's can also train for and take their Pony Club tests. We can train you for your side saddle progressive assessments which we hold at the centre from time to time.
• Tiny Tots & Young children aged from two up to about six, can join our special half an hour fun riding classes led by mum/dad or an older pony club member, on Saturday mornings. These are followed by an optional half an hour of pony care.  For those who have never ridden, a 30 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. You may continue with private lessons or join a group.

Bespoke lessons

If you are trying to find something specific for a group or an individual requiring to work on a specialised equestrian skill not listed on our website or our booking system, please contact us by email or phone and we can discuss your individual requirements and arrange a quote for you.

Bucket Listers

If you want to try riding a horse as a one off, or perhaps just have a go at a different equestrian sport such as carriage driving, western riding, side saddle riding or vaulting for a special treat for a birthday, anniversary or just for fun let us know. During a one hour private lesson we can teach you the basics so you can experience a feel for your chosen topic. You never know, you might enjoy it so much that you come back for more. 

Visitors to the area

You can stay with us on our campsite or in our holiday lodge, or if you're or staying locally you can book one-off private sessions for individuals, couples or families, or if space permits you may be able to join in with one of our groups or activity pony days. New riders are always welcome, but please bear in mind that lessons may need to be booked well in advance as at peak times we can be quite busy. If you wish to book a bespoke riding holiday please contact us to let us know which activities you would like to do and the dates you are available.

Riding for Boys 

The Pony Club is for boys and girls. In fact most of the top male riders in the country started in the Pony Club.  We offer a number of activities which appeal to boys. See our Riding for Boys  page for more details.

Clubs

We run clubs for tots, young people, teens and adults, covering riding and horse care. See our clubs tab for details.

Competitions

We hold regular fun, friendly competitions to encourage people to have a go. It is possible to book private lessons in the days before competitions to help you work on the skills required or you can ask us for help preparing for external competitions. Follow our social media to ensure you never miss an event.

Own horses

Usually lessons take place on our horses, but if you wish to bring your own horse for lessons or competitions you can do so, provided it comes from a disease free yard. There is plenty of space to park and turn horse boxes or trailers. 

Pony Days

Our Pony days run most days during school holidays providing children with the opportunity to learn about riding, caring for horses and have a go at various different equestrian sports. 

Pony Camps 

Our residential summer camps provide children with the opportunity to try out a huge variety of equestrian sports while improving their confidence and horsemanship.

Birthdays

We are an approved party provider and are able to offer package pony parties with riding activity and food, or you can purchase gift vouchers for any of the riding lessons/activities we offer.

Taking it Further

You may eventually want to get your own horse. We offer horsecare and management courses so you can gain some essential knowledge before loaning or purchasing your own. We also offer horses/ponies for loan at the centre, allowing you to build a bond with your horse and spend much more time with them than you would with just lessons.

Childcare Vouchers

We are OFSTED registered VC374742 and childcare vouchers are accepted for most lessons, activity days and holidays.

Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers can be purchased for many of our Activities and Lessons. Collect from reception or, to purchase online go to “Events and Bookings” select Gifts to see our range of Gift Vouchers. If you can't see what you are looking for contact us and we can offer you a bespoke voucher.

Special Needs

If you have any special needs which will require a specialist horse, equipment or adaptations please let us know at the time of booking. We have specialist tack and well trained horses, in order to help most people to be able to enjoy horses.  You can find more information on our Disabled Riders page.

Safety

Safety is important for the enjoyment of both the rider and your horse. Lessons at Valley Farm are either for one hour or half an hour, this includes assisting riders with leading their horse, adjustment of girths and stirrups, assistance with mounting, a short assessment of your riding followed by the lesson topic. If required, help will also be provided with dismounting, preparing your horse for the yard and returning your horse to the stable. If you are unsure about anything, or do not understand please be sure to ask a member of staff who will be happy to explain.

Weight Limit

Please note that in the interests of animal welfare, our weight limit for horse riding is 12 stone 76 kgs.  Our weight limit for Children's residential holidays and activity days is 10 stone (63kgs).  It can be embarrassing for us and for you, to have to ask you to stand on the scales when you arrive, so please weigh yourself at home in your riding gear before booking.

People who exceed our weight limit may be interested in horse agility, or stable management and horse care lessons or volunteering for the RDA

Private Lessons 

Private, one to one, lessons can be arranged as you wish for any level of ability, and covering any topics that you would like.  This can be a very effective way to build on specific skills or gain confidence to join a group. There is usually more time for private lessons during the week, but they can be fitted in at weekends provided sufficient notice is given.  These can be for half an hour or 1 hour.  If there is a specific skill you would like to work on during a private lesson please ask. 

Shared Private Lessons 

This can be a helpful option if a family, or group of friends would like to have lessons or hack out together.  You can book for half an hour or one hour for groups of between 2 and 6 riders. You can book up 3 people into the same lesson online. If you wish to book a private group for more than 3 people please call us.

Group Lessons

Small 1 hour group lessons take place, after school Wednesday (Children), Wednesday & Thursday daytime (adults) and weekends for children, in our Indoor School or outside in good weather. At weekends the group lessons usually start off gently in the morning, and progress in difficulty throughout the day.

Larger Groups

If you would like lessons for a larger group, for example schools, youth groups or corporate groups, please contact us to discuss your requirements. 

Booking

You can use our online booking system by following this link - valley-farm.ecpro.co.uk  If you need any more help deciding on the type of lesson or choosing the best coach for your needs, please have a read of our website or contact us. You can call us during office hours on 01728 746916 or come and visit us to meet the horses, chat with the coaches and speak to reception who will be happy to help you.

How to get the best value from your lessons

Follow the link for more information about lesson times, booking and tips about getting the best from your riding lessons Lesson Times | Valley Farm

Group lessons vs. Private lessons

There are pros and cons of different types of lessons depending on your learning stage, learning style and what you want to get from your lessons. The following may help you decide what type of lesson would be best for you.

Group lessons:

• More cost effective - you will usually get more horse time for less money.
• Greater social interaction - Other people may ask questions you hadn't though of or were too embarrassed to ask, so you learn more.
• Camaraderie - a social environment helps riders to make friends. Shared experiences can make learning more enjoyable and help riders overcome apprehensions.
• Observational learning - watching others in the group provides opportunities to understand different riding styles and techniques and to learn from others mistakes.
• Shared feedback and learning opportunities - feedback to the group can be helpful for individuals to pick up skills that they are not working on right now, but will be helpful at other times.
• Motivation and competition - friendly competition can help to inspire riders to try harder and progress faster.
• Horsemanship skills - group settings require riders to practice being aware of other horses, reading body language, maintaining safe distances and adjusting paces.
• Greater independent thinking - the coach will not be continually guiding everyone's every move, so participants learn to listen to their horse, prepare better and gain skills required to ride independently faster.
• Prepares riders safely for larger group experiences - Riders need to learn to handle horses in a variety of situations such as shows, competitions, hacks and places where horses get more excited. Small groups under the supervision of a coach is a great way to develop the necessary skills.
• Varied exercises and games - Group lessons allow coaches to create a greater variety of lesson plans and activities, which keeps lessons interesting and challenging.
• Building confidence - Riding in a group can be helpful for both riders and horses to build confidence doing new things. It is nearly always easier if you have someone to follow. 
• Sharpens focus and concentration skills - It is crucial to pay more attention to what your horse is thinking and to your surroundings. Students become more aware of possible distractions and subtle changes.
• Develop autonomy - Independent problem solving is validating and confidence building for the rider.
• Teamwork and cooperation - Participants learn to work together, support each other and engage in group exercises which require collaboration.
• Friendship - A great way to meet like-minded people.
• Regularity - Groups take place every week. Being part of the group encourages you to ride frequently, leading to faster progress.

Private lessons 

• More coaching time - Ideal for beginners or for riders who need more time to fine tune a particular skill.
• Progress at your own speed - no pressure to keep up with the group.
• Flexibility - easier to change the topic or lesson plan to suit the individual.
• Greater focus - It is easier for the coach to view the rider from more angles.
• Feedback - riders can ask more questions and receive more individualised feedback.
• Less intimidating - If you are nervous or uncomfortable around others, private lessons provide a quieter learning environment.
• Learning style - one to one lessons are easier to adapt for certain learning styles, but if you are an observational learner you might progress faster in a group.
• Goals - can customise an individual training plan to prepare for a specific goal such as an exam or competition.
• Lunge lessons - it isn't possible to work on the lunge in a group. Lunge lessons are one of the best ways to speed up your progress with developing balance and an independent seat where riders do not rely on their hands for balance.
• Time tabling - For riders who are not able to attend at the time of the most suitable group for them, private lessons might be the only option available, but beware that space might not always be available at busy times so advance booking is recommended.
• Alternative disciplines - If you want to have a go at something new such as side saddle, western riding, vaulting, carriage driving, working equitation, horse agility, etc a private lesson is a good way to gain a lot of information in a short space of time.

Shared private lessons

• Choose who you ride with - ideal if you want to ride with your friends or family members (book online for up to 3 people - call us for larger private groups)
• Value for money - less per person, then a private lesson.
• At a time to suit you - online booking allows you to select time to suit you.
• Work on whatever topics you require.

Final Thoughts

Horses are so good for our mental health, our physical health and our overall well-being. Learning how to ride, care for and look after these wonderful, kind, majestic animals has many far reaching benefits, which can affect all areas of our lives.  Every interaction with a horse is a lesson in negotiation and leadership and provides opportunities for humans to enhance our emotional intelligence, critical thinking and management skills.  We are here to support you through every step of your equestrian journey, wherever it may take you. If you need any help deciding what will be your next step, please ask.

 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' - Lao Tzu.

Updated July 2026