Horse Riding

We run 13 pony rides each week in term time and rides take place every day except Saturday.  The rides do not run in the school holidays.  Each ride is designated for certain age groups so that a sixty year old is not riding with a four year old. 

A Coordinator and Ride Leader are assigned to all rides. The Coordinator will organise the ride and liaise with the riders and volunteers and the Ride Leader will be responsible for running the ride on the day, looking after the safety of everyone involved and the horses. 

Riders generally ride on alternate weeks so that we can accommodate and help more people, and some rides also have a waiting list. Have a look at the timetable to see the times of the rides and the age group that will be suitable.

We take children from 2 years old and some little ones are a little hesitant at first but it is surprising how quickly they adapt and then they're reluctant to get off their pony!  They learn to sit, balance, change position and communicate while our special ponies walk and sometimes trot.  It's a great way to improve strength, balance and confidence.

On reaching 6, the children are placed on our waiting list for an afterschool ride.  They're encouraged to take more control of the horse themselves, but we still have a horse leader and side walkers for safety.  Sometimes they go out for a hack on the road, other times they may ride on the track or in one of the arenas, either indoor or outdoor and play games, have a trot and most importantly have fun!

The adult riders usually go out on a hack and enjoy the fresh air and the countryside around Harrogate. When this happens the horses mainly walk, with the occasional trot if it's safe, and it's enjoyable for volunteers and riders all to have a chat as they go along.   Singing is also a skill to be encouraged and the residents of Follifoot often hear the riders and volunteers singing as they go along the lanes.

We hire our horses and ponies from Follifoot Park Riding Centre and they are much-loved by both riders and volunteers.  There is often a strong bond between the  rider and his or her pony.