Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all — the majority of our visitors are complete beginners. We welcome anyone from age 4 upwards, regardless of riding experience. All first-time riders start with an ability assessment so we can place you in the right session with the right horse and instructor. Our team is experienced in working with nervous beginners and makes the whole process feel safe and fun from the very first moment you arrive.

Equestria is located at [Ranch Address], [City], [State] [ZIP]. We are situated approximately 20 minutes from downtown [City] with ample free parking for cars, trailers, and lorries. Detailed directions, a Google Maps link, and public transport options are available on our Contact page. We are not served directly by public transport, so we recommend driving or arranging a lift.

Our yard is open 7 days a week. Riding sessions run Monday–Sunday, 8:00am–7:00pm. The yard office is staffed Monday–Saturday, 8:00am–6:00pm, and Sunday, 9:00am–4:00pm. Livery owners and members with appropriate permissions may access the yard outside of these hours via their gate code. The Owner Lounge is open during all staffed hours.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Equestria, but must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside the stable blocks, arenas, or tea rooms. Dogs must not be allowed to approach horses without the express permission of the horse's owner or a member of staff. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Aggressive dogs will be asked to leave immediately.

Yes — we have extensive free parking for approximately 150 cars and 40 horse lorries/trailers, with dedicated electric hook-up points available for lorries at major events (bookable in advance). The lorry park has water access. The car park is unsurfaced; during wet weather we recommend a vehicle with good ground clearance.

Yes — our Owner Lounge and Café is open during all staffed hours, offering hot food, sandwiches, cakes, hot drinks, and soft drinks daily. We cater for all common dietary requirements; please let us know in advance for specific needs. On event days we also have food trucks and a bar open to all visitors. The Lounge has arena viewing windows so you can watch sessions in comfort.

We offer lessons for all levels from complete beginner through to advanced competition preparation. Our structured program covers: Beginner (first time in the saddle), Novice (walk and rising trot), Improver (canter, basic jumping), Intermediate (jumping, dressage basics, cross-country), and Advanced (competition-level coaching, specialist disciplines). Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available at each level. See all lesson options →

Standard lessons are 45 minutes of riding time, plus approximately 15 minutes for tacking up, untacking, and debriefing — so allow around 60–75 minutes in total for your visit. Extended 60-minute lessons are available for advanced riders and competition preparation. Kids' Tiny Trots sessions (ages 4–6) are 30 minutes of riding time in recognition of shorter concentration spans.

For your first lesson, wear comfortable, flexible trousers (jodhpurs are ideal but not essential — avoid jeans as they can rub) and boots or shoes with a small heel and a smooth sole. Do not wear open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or wellies. We provide riding helmets and body protectors at no charge for all riders. As you progress, we recommend investing in proper jodhpurs and riding boots. Gloves are optional but appreciated. Tie back long hair.

For the welfare of our horses, we apply a maximum combined rider and equipment weight of 17 stone (108kg / 238lbs). This limit applies to all riding activities. If you are unsure whether this limit applies to you, please contact us before booking — we'll have a discreet conversation to understand how best we can help. The limit is about horse welfare, not judgment, and we handle all such enquiries with sensitivity.

You can express a preference for a particular instructor when booking and we will do our best to accommodate this, though it cannot be guaranteed as schedules vary. Horse allocation is at the sole discretion of our instructors, who match horses to riders based on ability, horse temperament, and welfare. We understand it can be disappointing if a favourite horse is unavailable, but this decision is always made with safety in mind.

Yes — we are experienced in working with riders with a range of physical disabilities, learning differences, and mental health conditions. Our instructors hold relevant adaptive riding qualifications. We assess each rider individually and make reasonable adjustments where needed. Please contact us before your first session to discuss your specific needs so we can plan appropriately. We also offer a therapeutic riding program in partnership with local healthcare providers.

Private lessons are 1-to-1 with your instructor — maximum individual attention, fastest progress, and completely tailored to your goals. Ideal for beginners, nervous riders, competition preparation, or anyone wanting focused improvement. Group lessons have a maximum of 4–6 riders and are a great way to socialise, ride alongside others of a similar level, and enjoy the social side of equestrian sport at a lower cost. Most riders combine both.

Yes — our Meadow Walk and Sunset Stroll tours are specifically designed for beginners and require no prior riding experience. These tours proceed entirely at walk on calm, steady horses. Our Forest Canter and Highland Adventure tours require intermediate ability (confident canter). Our lead guides assess every rider briefly before departure to ensure they are on the right tour for their level.

Tour durations range from 60 minutes (Meadow Walk) to 3.5 hours (Highland Adventure Full Day). Maximum group sizes vary by tour: beginner tours take up to 8 riders, intermediate tours up to 6 riders. Private tours are available for any group size from 1 to 8. All tours include a briefing before departure and light refreshments on longer rides. See our Tours page for full details on each route.

Our tours are outdoor experiences and we generally proceed in most weather conditions, including light rain. Riders are advised to dress appropriately for the conditions. We cancel tours only in the case of lightning, high winds, flooding, or conditions assessed as dangerous by the lead guide. In such cases, you will be offered a full refund or a rebook at no charge. We notify affected guests by phone or email as early as possible.

Children aged 8 and over may join our beginner and intermediate trail rides, subject to ability assessment. Children aged 8–12 must be accompanied by a participating adult on a separate horse (side-by-side). Children under 8 are not permitted on trail rides but are welcome to join our Kids Training Program which includes led rides and on-site trail experiences. We have suitable ponies for all children's ages in our kids program.

Absolutely — we encourage it! Photography from horseback is welcome throughout the tour. The only requirements are: no flash photography near horses, no selfie sticks (they can spook horses), and no drones. We have a number of beautiful viewpoints on every route that make perfect photo stops. Our guides are happy to take group photos with your phone. Please don't take phone calls during the ride — it's a time to be present with the horses and landscape.

Competition entries can be made via our Events registration form, by phone, or by email. Most competitions require entries at least 7 days in advance; major events (Spring Championship, Summer Grand Prix) require 14–21 days notice. Full payment is required at the time of entry. You will receive a confirmation email with your entry number, class times, and joining instructions within 48 hours.

Most of our competitions are open to all riders regardless of membership. Non-members pay the standard entry fee; members receive a 10–15% discount on entries and priority early access to class schedules. Certain exclusive member-only events exist throughout the year — these are clearly marked in our events calendar. For affiliated competitions you will need valid membership with the relevant governing body (BD, BS, etc.).

Yes — we have 60 dedicated competition stables available for horses attending multi-day events. Stabling must be booked in advance alongside your competition entry and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. All stabling includes bedding, hay, and water. The stabling area has a dedicated tack room, wash bays, a separate muck heap, and CCTV. Prices are listed on the relevant event schedule page.

Spectators are warmly welcome at all our events. Most competitions and shows are free to watch. Our Spring Championship and Summer Grand Prix have grandstand seating which is unreserved and free. Gala evenings require a ticket for the dinner. Spectators have access to our café, trade stands, and lorry park viewing areas. Dogs on leads are welcome in outdoor spectator areas. Children must remain under parental supervision at all times.

Absolutely — our facilities are available for private hire for competitions, clinics, corporate events, product launches, and private shows. We provide a dedicated event coordinator, full AV and live scoring systems, catering options, and marketing support. Venue hire enquiries can be made via our events page or by emailing events@equestria.com. We recommend getting in touch at least 8 weeks before your intended event date. Request Venue Pack

We offer four livery tiers: DIY Self-Care ($220/month) — you manage all care, we provide the stable, arena access, hay at cost; Part Livery ($480/month) — we handle feeding, mucking out, and turnout, you manage exercise and rugging; Full Livery ($850/month, most popular) — full care including feeding, mucking out, turnout, rugging, and light exercise 3x per week; and Premium VIP ($1,350/month) — everything in Full Livery plus bespoke nutrition, daily exercise, regular physio, bi-weekly grooming, and weekly video updates. Full details on our Ranch Services page →

Our Full Livery ($850/month) includes: a premium loose box stable, twice-daily feeding with hay and fresh water, full daily muck-out with fresh bedding, daily turnout (individual or paired based on your horse's preference), appropriate rugging, light exercise 3 times per week (e.g. lungeing or ridden by a qualified groom), weekly health checks by our yard manager, and 24/7 night supervision with CCTV in every stable. Feed supplements and veterinary costs are additional. Hay, bedding, and water are included.

Livery spaces are in high demand — particularly Full and Premium Livery. We generally have a short waiting list for these packages. DIY and Part Livery spaces become available more frequently. We release new livery spaces each quarter. We strongly recommend contacting us to join the waiting list and visiting the yard before a space comes up, so you are ready to commit promptly when one becomes available. Contact us at livery@equestria.com.

Standard notice is one calendar month in writing. All new horses begin on a 30-day trial period during which either party may give just 7 days' notice, and unused prepaid days are refunded on a pro-rata basis. We're proud of our 97% livery owner retention rate — but if you choose to leave after the trial, we'll handle the departure professionally and support you in finding alternative arrangements where we can.

Yes — you are always welcome to use your own vet and farrier. We simply ask for 24 hours' notice so a member of staff can be present during the visit. External practitioners must hold valid qualifications and insurance. Our resident vet and registered farrier are available to livery horses as a convenience, but are not mandatory. If you require emergency veterinary care and we cannot reach you, our resident vet will attend and all costs will be passed on to you.

We welcome children from age 4 into our Tiny Trots program — a magical, gentle introduction to ponies led entirely by our most patient instructors on our smallest ponies. There is no minimum height or weight requirement for this program. For children who are not yet 4, we occasionally offer informal "meet the ponies" visits at the instructor's discretion — contact us to discuss. There is no upper age limit; children who turn 17 can transition into our adult programs.

Helping nervous children find confidence around horses is one of our specialties — and it's incredibly rewarding to witness. Our approach: we never pressure a child to mount until they are genuinely ready. First sessions often start with ground-based interaction — feeding, grooming, and simply spending time with a calm pony. Please let us know about your child's anxiety when booking so we can plan the session accordingly and allocate our most experienced instructor in working with nervous young riders.

Our 6-level badge system gives children a clear, visual record of their progress. Each level corresponds to a set of skills — when a child demonstrates consistent competency across all skills in a level, their instructor awards the badge in a mini ceremony at the end of their next lesson. Each badge comes with a physical embroidered patch, a digital achievement certificate, and a progress note to parents. Children who complete all 6 levels earn the Champion badge and are invited to join our Young Equestrians Club. Learn more →

Our Summer Camp runs three weeks in July–August (ages 7–16). Each week includes: 3 daily riding sessions, your own dedicated pony for the entire week, stable management activities, arts and crafts, campfire evenings, and a Friday parent showcase with rosettes for every child. All meals are included. The camp costs $895 per child per week. Places sell out fast — we recommend booking by April. Book a camp place →

Absolutely — and we are particularly passionate about this area. Horses have a remarkable ability to connect with children who find other environments challenging. Our instructors are trained to adapt sessions for ADHD, autism spectrum, sensory processing differences, dyslexia, and emotional/behavioural needs. We have seen truly transformative progress in children for whom conventional sports and activities haven't worked. Please contact us in advance to discuss your child's needs so we can plan the best possible session.

Yes — parents are always welcome to watch from our dedicated viewing gallery. We ask that parents stay in the gallery and avoid calling out or entering the arena during sessions (for safety and to avoid distracting the horses). For very young or nervous children, we sometimes recommend parents step out of sight initially while the child settles in — this often works wonders. Your instructor will advise based on how your child responds.

Bookings can be made online via our website (the easiest method), by calling us on +1 (555) 000-1234 during office hours, by emailing bookings@equestria.com, or in person at the yard office. Bookings are not confirmed until you receive a written confirmation from us. For online bookings, confirmation arrives immediately by email. We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance; popular slots — especially weekend mornings and school holidays — book up weeks ahead.

For riding lessons and tours: more than 14 days' notice — full refund; 7–14 days — 100% credit voucher; 48 hours–7 days — 50% credit voucher; less than 48 hours or no-show — no refund. For clinics and major events: more than 14 days — full refund; 7–14 days — 50% refund or full credit; less than 7 days — non-refundable. Medical exception: if you or your child are unwell, a full credit voucher is issued with a medical certificate. See our full cancellation policy →

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), bank transfer, PayPal, and cash at the yard office. Online bookings require card payment. Gift vouchers can be redeemed online or in person. Block bookings and memberships may be paid by direct debit (monthly) or in full upfront (with a 5% discount). We do not accept cheques.

Yes — block bookings offer significant savings: 10% off when you book 8 lessons, and 15% off when you book 12 lessons. An additional 10% sibling discount applies for a second child in the Kids Programs. Block sessions are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase and are non-refundable after that period. Sessions within a block cannot be transferred to another person without written agreement from management.

Yes — Equestria gift vouchers make a wonderful present for any horse lover. Vouchers can be purchased for any amount from $25 upwards, are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, and can be used against any Equestria service. They can be sent as a physical card or as a digital voucher by email. Vouchers can be purchased at the yard office or online. They cannot be exchanged for cash or applied retrospectively to completed bookings.

If we have to cancel a session — due to extreme weather, horse illness, instructor unavailability, or other circumstances outside our control — we will always offer you either a full refund or a free rebook at a time of your choice. We notify guests by phone and email as early as possible. We never cancel without good reason and we understand the disruption this can cause, especially for families who have travelled.

Horse riding is classified as a moderate-risk activity — more dangerous than many sports, but far safer when managed by qualified professionals with appropriate equipment. At Equestria, our certified instructors, carefully assessed horses, mandatory safety equipment, and rigorous risk management significantly reduce the inherent risks. The vast majority of our sessions — thousands every year — are completed without incident. We are transparent about the risks and manage them professionally at every level.

Yes — safety equipment is compulsory for all riding activities. We provide: PAS 015 certified riding helmets (correctly fitted before every session), and body protectors (compulsory for all jumping and optional but recommended for general riding). Both are provided at no charge. You may use your own equipment provided it meets our safety standards — we reserve the right to refuse non-compliant equipment. Riding boots with a small heel and smooth sole are required; we can provide appropriate footwear for visitors who arrive without.

Yes — Equestria has trained first aiders on site at all times during operational hours. A full first aid kit and defibrillator (AED) are located at the yard office and at the main arena entrance. All our children's instructors hold paediatric first aid certification. In the event of a serious incident, we contact emergency services immediately and follow our established emergency response protocol. An incident log is maintained for all accidents and near-misses.

You must disclose all relevant medical conditions, medications, and recent procedures before riding. We strongly advise against riding during pregnancy as a general precaution. For other conditions — such as back problems, heart conditions, epilepsy, or recent surgery — we assess on a case-by-case basis with our instructor team. In some cases we may ask for a letter from your doctor before allowing participation. We never exclude anyone unnecessarily, and we handle all medical enquiries with complete sensitivity and discretion.

Equestria holds comprehensive public liability insurance for all our activities. Our policy covers incidents arising from our negligence in the operation of our services. It does not cover incidents arising from participants failing to follow safety instructions, pre-existing medical conditions not disclosed to us, or the inherent risks of equestrian activity accepted by participants. Livery owners are strongly advised to hold their own veterinary and public liability insurance for their horses, as our policy does not cover individually-owned horses on livery.