[Rowzy]

I am looking for a place to take lessons that isn't too expensive and is
close enough to me. How did you find where you take your lessons?

I live outside seattle, WA, so if anybody knows barns around here please tell me . The only barn I know of is Donida but the lessons are on the expensive side.

 

[foreignmusic]

Might be helpful to observe several lessons at a selection of places that appeal to you. Find a stable that offers the type of riding you are interested in and go see how they do things, write your questions down or remember to ask after a lesson. Word of mouth promotes the horsebiz but resumes are not unheard of. Watch the horses during the lesson, listen to the tone of voice and observe the approach that the instructour uses. Ask about the things you want/need to know.

 

[RideroftheWind]

Search up barns on the internet and you're sure to find some. Check the prices first, and choose some that are in your price range. Then, schedule a lesson with the first one. Go to that place and see how you like it.

Meet the horses and the instructors. The instructors should not be young or your age, because that means that they're be inexperianced. The horses should be well trained and fit. It's not a good idea to ride at a barn full of fat and untrained horses. Pay careful attention to how the horses are treated. If all of the horses are overweight, it means that they are either being fed too much (or the wrong type of feed), or they aren't being excercised enough. Watch to see if the horses are beaten/abused, because that's never a good sign.

Taking a lesson there will show you how good the instruction is. From your previous knowlage, you should know basic riding positions (I'm assuming). See if the instructor(s) catch your mistakes. You can even purposely make a position error and see if your instructor notices.

If you don't like that barn, move on to the next one and try it out. Keep doing that until you find one you like. Good luck.

 

[equineeventer3390]

I'm not sure how far these are from you, but check out the ones on these sites:
Horseback Riding Lessons in Seattle, Washington. Seattle Riding Stables. Horse Riding Lesson in King County, WA. Instructors Guide.
Horseback riding in Washington - horse riding

Also take a look at these:
Evergreen Equestrian Center, est. 1969
Home Page
Welcome to Haven Farm

 

[Rowzy]

Thank you! I already own 2 horses but I am looking for lessons that are about me and not as much about the horse, that is why I am looking for lessons. I've had lessons on my own horses before but the problem is that they are meant to be more trail horses then show horses so it ends up being a lot more about the horse then me. Does that make sense?

 

[foreignmusic]

Makes total sense to me : ).

Be sure to express this focus to any prospective instructour. A good one will be happy to accomodate you and with luck will also have suitable horses available.

I am nowhere near you so can't suggest any specific facilities but wish you happy trails and progressive lessons : ).