Horse Riding Lessons Cost

Last Updated on July 16, 2022
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Horse riding is like a flight without wings, it is a unique, special experience that transforms you as a human being. The relationship between horses and riders is an old one, and horse riding is one of the oldest sports.

How Much Do Horse Riding Lessons Cost?

There are some factors that will affect the cost of horse-riding lessons such as the number of sessions you buy up front, the geographical location, whether it is private, the professional offering the lesson, and the length of the session.

Expect to pay anywhere between $220 and $470 per month for private horse-riding lessons. In general, this would include anywhere between three and five lessons. Though, it may vary from one instructor to another, so make sure you ask about how many lessons will be included in this cost.

In case the instructor charges per hour, the costs would be anywhere between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on the reputation, experience, and credentials of the instructor.

For instance, the professional Greenlawn Equestrian charges around $280 for four private horse-riding lessons and almost $130 for four group lessons. The price will get lower if you buy more lessons at once. For instance, 12 lessons would cost around $180 for a group setting, while 40 lessons would cost around $250 per month.

The cost of horse-riding lessons for children under five years old would be anywhere between $40 and $60 per half hour. According to Thumbtack, the average cost per hour would be anywhere between $40 and $65, with an average of $50 per hour.

During the summer vacation, you can find some facilities that offer day camps for kids. The instructor will compile all the information the rider needs to know in order to ride a horse in just one day. In general, these day camps cost anywhere between $85 and $220 and last six to eight hours. As each of these camps is run differently, there may be some that run a week-long camp for 2 to 3 hours per day.

According to the members of the MyHorseForum online forum, the average cost of horse-riding lessons is anywhere between $30 and more than $65 per hour. In the table below you will find the average costs of different horse-riding lessons.

Horse riding lessons details

Horse riding can be a sport suitable for both adults and children. It is ideal for the little ones to start their first lessons around the age of 5-6, until then having access to leash rides on ponies.

The instructor will be there to help you get on the horse, to adjust your ladders. The first lessons will allow you to gradually become familiar with the basic principles of riding.

To give you confidence, the instructor may suggest sitting exercises in the saddle, how to touch the horse’s ears or how to touch your legs. After these warm-up exercises, he will show you how to stop the horse, and how to urge him to go forward and turn around.

It also happens that the instructor proposes games on horseback, such as the ball to the prisoner, and the hawk.  It is an excellent means of integrating into the group and enjoying a pleasant moment. After several riding lessons, you will be able to guide your horse completely alone.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lessons, Aqua-Tots swim lessons, or Kickboxing classes.

At the end of the lesson, your horse will probably be ridden by another rider. If not, you will be allowed to drive it to the stable and pamper it.

Do not hesitate to take the time to discover life in the riding center. You could also watch other lessons and chat or have fun with other horseback riding enthusiasts.

What are the extra costs?

You have to wear a riding helmet regardless of your horse-riding experience level. Some facilities may provide this helmet, while others will require you to bring your own. In case you don’t have one, be prepared to pay anywhere between $45 and $140. Also, you will need to have riding boots and long pants. Expect to spend around $280 for a low-cost outfit.

The majority of the horse-riding facilities have horses specially trained for lessons, but you can choose a different horse for a premium fee.

Important things to consider

Horse riding is a sport with a high dose of elegance, of joy through the communion of man and horse. At the same time, it implies the observance of a set of strict rules necessary for the good development of the lessons:

1. Avoid going behind the horse, regardless of how calm the horse looks;
2. Riding lessons are held in the presence of an instructor of the club you go to;
3. School horses should be distributed to students according to their age, experience in the sport, temperament of the horse, and its availability;
4. Approaching a horse should be gentle, talking to them in a low, warm voice.

What to ask your horse-riding instructor?

• How many students do you have?
• How long have you done this job for?
• Do you have any type of credentials?
• Do you have any type of insurance?
• Do you participate in horse shows?

How can I save money?

In case you don’t want to learn horse riding immediately, try to wait until the off-peak season when the stables are not that busy and the instructors will charge a lower price.

Also, there are stables that may offer free horse-riding lessons in exchange for volunteer work.

You will be able to save more per lesson if you purchase more lessons at once.

Try to call a few instructors/stables and ask about the price to get an idea of how much you would have to budget.

In general, intro lessons are cheaper than regular lessons and are offered by the majority of the instructors. Sometimes these may be even free, so you should take advantage of these lessons to see if horse riding is for you.