Your Horse Riding Ability
Here are some guidelines to help you judge your riding ability if you are fit, flexible and agile.
- BEGINNER: A rider with little or no experience. Learning the basics of riding is not difficult; at the end of your third lesson , it should be possible for you to control your horse in walk and in trot in the arena. Please take individual tuition for your first few lessons and you will be able to join us on our Shamrock trail for beginner and novice riders.
- NOVICE: A rider who has had minimum 6 lessons and is comfortable and in control at the walk and/or trot but is not horse fit and has limited experience trotting and/or cantering.
- INTERMEDIATE: A rider who is confident and in control in all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
- STRONG INTERMEDIATE: An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
- ADVANCED: All of the above plus the ability to handle a spirited horse in open country.
Child age-restrictions
- On our trails outside the farm we do not accommodate children under the age of 9 unless they are strong intermediate riders.
- Children between the ages of 9 and 13 that are novice riders must be accompanied on the guided trails by an adult that they feel confident with.
English Style Saddles
All of our horses are ridden with English Style Saddles.
If you only have Western-type saddle experience, you will be considered to be a Novice rider unless you have taken English riding lessons. For any trail ride other than those specifically identified for Novices, riders will need to be familiar with English saddles, be confident and have experience of rising trot and 2 point canter
Completing your booking form
Please ensure you give us accurate information about your riding, health, weight and fitness when completing your booking form.
If your riding ability does not match the level you indicate on the booking form we will accommodate you however you will incur the cost of the original ride you booked.We prepare in advance to ensure your safety and satisfaction. You can email us at info@dinglehorseriding.com if you are not sure of your ability.
It is important that you are fit & active to ensure your comfort and safety.
Weight Restrictions
For your comfort and safety, riders must be fit, balanced, agile, and active.
Female Riders
Up to 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- 11 st 4 lb / 159 lb / 72 kg
166–176 cm (5 ft 6 in – 5 ft 9 in)
- 12 st 4 lb / 172 lb / 78 kg
177 cm and above (5 ft 10 in +)
- 13 st 4 lb / 185 lb / 84 kg
Male Riders
Up to 170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
- 13 st 4 lb / 185 lb / 84 kg
171–185 cm (5 ft 8 in – 6 ft 1 in)
- 14 st 4 lb / 203 lb / 92 kg
186 cm and above (6 ft 1 in +)
- 15 st 5 lb / 215 lb / 98 kg
These limits may be adjusted slightly for experienced riders who are balanced and able to carry their weight correctly in the saddle.
For the welfare of our horses, riders may be weighed on arrival if required.