PONY DAYS

We run full and half-day pony days for children aged 4 to 17 during the school holidays.

FIND OUT MORE ON OUR EVENTS PAGE!

Weekend Riding Club Membership

Our weekend riding club operates on Saturdays and Sundays. It offers a unique opportunity for young horse enthusiasts to be immersed in not just learning to ride, but in horsemanship, stable management and horse care.

Our clubs run Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 1pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Our morning clubs are for riders between the ages of 4 and 12 who are new to or less experienced with horses. Our afternoon clubs are reserved for riders (minimum 10 years old) that are capable of grooming and tacking-up their horse independently or with very minimal support.

DROP OFF TIMES: between 9:45 am and 10:00 am (to ensure a prompt start at 10am)

Schedule

Mornings (rough schedule, subject to change)
9:45 - 10:00 ~  Collecting equipment for horses and humans
10:00 - 10:30 ~ Grooming and tacking up for riding - working with a partner
10:30 - 11:30 ~ Group 1 Riding Lesson* / Group 2 Stable Management Lesson
11:30 - 11:40 ~ Change over/Break
11:40 - 12:40 ~ Group 2 Riding Lesson* / Group 1 Stable Management Lesson
12:40 - 1:00 ~ Tidying up yard - both groups

*Please note the 1-hour time frame includes mounting, adjusting stirrups, a warm-up and cool-down, and dismounting. During the nicer weather, riders will be walking their horses to the riding arena, doing an in-hand warm-up, before preparing to mount. They will then bring their horse to the mounting block. This is to build more independence and ground handling skills.

Afternoons (rough schedule, subject to change)
1:30-2:00 ~ Group 1 Getting Ready to Ride / Group 2 Stable Management
2:00-3:00 ~ Group 1 Riding / Group 2 Getting Ready to Ride
3:15-4:15 ~ Group 2 Riding/ Group 1 Stable Management
4:15-4:30 ~ Tidying up yard -  both groups

The stable management lessons include activities using the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) rosette categories: points of the horse, grooming, saddlery, tack cleaning, native breeds, feeds & feeding, poisonous plants, the foot & shoeing, leading, pony health, health & safety. Since we are a centre that specialises in nervous and anxious riders, at the same time we focus on social and communication skills.

Fees
We offer weekly or fortnightly sessions. The monthly fee for weekly sessions is £300, which includes a free session if there are 5 Saturdays or Sundays in the month. Over the year, our weekly club riders receive 4 or 5 free sessions, the equivalent of a free month of riding!

The monthly fee for fortnightly sessions is £150.  For our fortnightly riders, there are months in which there may be 3 sessions rather than the normal 2. There will be an additional fee of £75 for this extra session.

Monthly fees are payable by standing order on the first of the month.

We offer pay-as-you-go lessons, if space permits, at £75 per session.

Riding Club Membership Policy

Cancellations

Our monthly riding membership reserves a guaranteed place in our programme — a space that is in high demand and currently has a waiting list. Your membership fee secures your rider’s spot and supports the ongoing care of our horses and team, regardless of whether lessons are attended.

This is both the horses’ and humans’ livelihood, so regrettably:

• No refunds or make-up sessions are offered for lessons missed due to illness, emergencies, or other personal reasons.
• If a session falls on a day when we are closed for a public holiday, a make-up will be offered during one of our school holiday Pony Days (e.g. if we close for Christmas, a make-up will be available during our Christmas Pony Days).

Special Events

We understand that special occasions arise. Each membership year, riders may miss up to two sessions for special events, provided we receive at least 14 days’ advance notice. This allows us to offer a taster session to someone on our waiting list, giving them a rare chance to join us while they wait for a regular spot.

Missed sessions must be taken within the closest Pony Day (weekly riders) or within the same month (fortnightly riders).

Summer Holidays

Summer is a time when many families head off on their travels, so we offer the following make-up options:

• If you miss two weekend sessions over the summer (with advance notice), you will receive a full day on one of our Summer Pony Days.
• If you miss one weekend session over the summer, you will receive a half day on a Summer Pony Day.

For fortnightly riders, summer holiday make-ups must also be taken within the same month or during the closest available Pony Days (weekly riders).

Absences

Please let us know as early as possible if your rider will be absent. Our team carefully plans rider groupings, horse assignments, and workload balance for the well-being of all two- and four-legged participants. Advance notice helps us make the best arrangements for both horse and rider.

Weather

We operate year-round, riding rain or shine. Participants should come prepared for all types of weather. While we have indoor learning spaces for horse care and theory, not all areas are heated, and riding takes place outdoors.

In extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorms, severe heat), we may replace mounted activities with safe, enriching non-riding sessions focused on horsemanship and equine care.

Termination of Membership

If you wish to end your membership, we require one full calendar month’s notice.
Example: Notice given by the end of October means November will be your final month of lessons, with your membership ending in December.

Non-Riding Sessions

Nurturing the Horse-Human Bond

While our programmes usually focus on riding skills and horse care, we also recognise the importance of nurturing the deeper connection between horse and human through alternative activities. There will be occasions when we host non-riding sessions dedicated to groundwork, bonding, and pampering our much-loved horses and ponies.

These sessions may be scheduled during extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorms, severe heat) or to give our horses a well-deserved rest break, ensuring their wellbeing remains a priority.

What to Expect

Non-riding sessions offer the chance to slow down, connect, and deepen your partnership with our equine friends. Activities may include:

• In-depth grooming to promote relaxation and trust
• Bonding time through calm, hands-on care and observation
• Groundwork exercises that develop communication, respect, and understanding
• Pampering sessions that make our ponies feel as cherished as they are

Benefits of Non-Riding Activities

1. Deepening Connection – Time spent grooming, leading, and simply “being with” a horse fosters a more authentic and intuitive partnership.
2. Trust Building – Groundwork and gentle care help create mutual respect, empathy, and harmony between horse and rider.
3. Wellbeing for Both – Pampering supports the physical and emotional health of our ponies, while also bringing calm and joy to participants.

Why It Matters-The HEART of Our Approach

At The Holistic Horse and Pony Centre, our HEART values guide everything we do:

• Harmony – Creating a calm, balanced space where horses and humans thrive together
• Empathy – Listening to and honouring the needs of both our riders and our horses
• Accountability – Caring responsibly for our equine partners in every situation
• Respect – Valuing the horse as a sentient partner, both in and out of the saddle
• Truth – Encouraging authentic connection and honest communication

By embracing these values, we remind our riders that the horse-human bond is not just formed in the saddle. It’s in the quiet moments, the gentle touch, and the shared trust that true partnership is built. These non-riding sessions are a celebration of that relationship — a time to learn, connect, and care for our four-legged friends in a way that benefits both horse and human.