There are many different reasons why you want to choose the right barn for you. This post is with for people who don’t feel like the community they are in or joining is right for them.
Don’t be afraid to try different barns, either just starting out or if you’re already at a barn. There is nothing wrong with riding at multiple places.
Location is important. You want to choose a barn that is either close to work or your house. Also depending on where you live, you must think of daylight savings time. If you are worried about riding in the dark, you may want to look for a barn with an indoor ring.
Large or small barn. There are large and small show barns. There are also backyard barns, where the community is different than the show barns. Backyard barns don’t mean you won’t show, but the community is different. So, community is very important. Depending on how long you stay, you will always have the friends you make at the barn and will continue outside of the barn.
Depending on if your friends are riding, do you want to ride at the same barn or different? There are positives and negatives about going to the same barn as your friend. In my experience, I joined the same barn as a friend. In the beginning it was great! Years later, I should have changed barns, and joined a new community, making new friends. I would have grown as a person and as a horseback rider.
I believe you should have fun horseback riding first and if you love it and are serious about the sport, look at different barns to take lessons at.
Money is always a problem for most people. Unfortunately, horseback riding is expensive. Most barns are willing for you to work off lessons, or at least a part of them. They also let you work off, leasing or board. Backyard barns are usually more lenient with riding opportunities than larger show barns, in a shorter amount of time.
Once you are ‘in’ with the community, you will have more opportunities to ride, more than you pay for. People will ask you to ride their horses when they are away or can’t make it to the barn for a few days.
Getting along with your trainer is very important as well. Riding is very frustrating, and you want someone on your side. Not all trainers are on your side. If you’re trying to move forward, make sure your trainer is there to help you. You need a cheerleader! There are ones who don’t try to help you if you’re struggling.
The type of trainer is important, do you want one who yells at you? Do you need one that will speak to you more calmly? Everyone is different in how they learn, so the trainer should be able to explain to you in different ways. You need to feel comfortable and trust the trainer.
Private, Semi – Private, or Group lessons? There are usually different options on riding by yourself all the way to riding in a big group. Most barns will have you ride individually for the first few times, then they will pick a group for you to be a part of later so that your experience and personality will fit in, and one that works for your schedule.
Are you interested in the 4-H community? If you are part of a horse club, I recommend riding where most of the kids ride. They usually ride at the same barn. Some barns don’t let you take the horse you are riding to a 4-H show or the fair, you may need to ride at the same barn where the kids ride at.
Depending on what type of shows you want to go to, any barn would help you. From experience, I recommend if you’re interested in rated shows, bigger shows, then I would do it at one with a little more experience. Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience going to those types of shows. After feeling comfortable enough, you could always go to shows on your own, depending on your age and communication with your trainer.
*Don’t be afraid to try different barns, even if your friends are riding at one. It’s always good to branch out.