Barn work in exchange for riding?

Okay, so there is this stable called Hickory Stables. I wanted to ask the owner (Ginger) if I could work at her barn doing things such as cleaning stalls, feeding and grooming the horses you know that kind of stuff in exchange for letting me ride some of her horses. And of course I would do all of the work for free as long as I got to ride some horses. And by the way I am an intermediate rider because I take horse lessons already at Detersmination Equestrian Center. So I need your help. My mom is going to take me there sometime around 4/13/11 so I need answers like how to ask her if I can work there in exchange for riding. Please answer my question!!! Thank you in advance!!!

Please Reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If you rode at this stables, and took lessons there consistently, I would just ask. However, since you ride at a different stables, I would think that you should handle asking just like applying for a job. Age is a huge factor, along with liability risks and safety. Saying your an intermediate rider does nothing unless she has seen your ride / handle horses.

If you are thinking more towards working off payment for a lease horse, that is a bit different, and in that case I would go in asking about available horses. Some stables don't let people work off lease, but that's something you would have to find out.

Thanks!

Maybe you should go there and take a few lessons and volunteer to do a LITTLE barn work. Then after a while ask if she can take a little off of your lesson fee if you do more work. Don't get your hopes up too high for being able to work it ALL off.

I really appreciate your answer but I already take lessons and the volunteer thing is a good idea though that's probably what I am going to start off with and then I'll ask her if I can ride her horses. I don't exactly want lessons I just want to be able to ride on my own. THANKS CINDER!

I think it's a great idea. I did something similar before I got my own horses. I know my current trainer has working students, who do barn chores and are allowed to ride as a pay. So I'd definitely ask!

Thanks for the answer!!! And that's exactly what I wanted to do was ride for my pay!!! I just didn't know exactly how to say it!! THANKS!!!!!
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I don't think they would let you ride their horses on your own. You will probably get free lessons though. I have been working at a yard since last September for nothing. I rarely get to ride the horses on my own. The instructors get to ride the horses that need to be ridden. I have ridden about 2-3 horses on my own since I started. And that was because there was no one else to do it.

But of course it could be different wherever you are.

I have to respectfully disagree (although I think lessons are always more beneficial than just riding). In 2 barns I know of younger kids (12+/- yo) were allowed to ride as a "pay" for help, not actual lessons. But of course it depends on barn.