Or maybe you re considering starting to ride. Horse riding is considered a risk sport as horses are unpredictable animals with a mind of their own, so careful consideration should be given to minimise the risk. It s unwise to simply join in with friends who have a horse or pony of their own, teaching in their own field. The horse or pony may not be suitable for a beginner, the friend may have had no first aid training and there would be no insurance coverage should an accident happen. Riding schools offer a safe environment with suitable horses and ponies and experienced instructors.
Most countries have organisations that provide accreditation guidelines for riding schools.
These organisations usually look at compliance with health and safety regulations, suitability of horses and ponies, qualifications of instructors and provision of insurance. Approval is usually carried out on an annual basis and so any certification should be current. Therefore when making enquiries of riding schools you should ask whether any registration or official approval exists and whether the instructors have received current first aid training. With this knowledge, selection of a suitable riding school can be made. When selecting a riding school, it s often a good idea to visit rather than phone.