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Post by fallenangel on Aug 11, 2006 16:03:03 GMT 1
Does anyone know what I should be finding out about? I have the property and the horses, I will need to build a menage, I have spoken to the licensing man at the council and got a quote for insurance. I am going to ring round the local places to get an idea of prices. Should I provide hats or is this a no-no now? Places I went to as a kid used to do it but that was a long time ago!!! I will provide flourescent vests for anyone I take for a hack. Any other ideas please? I want to be up and running for Easter 2007! Many thanks!
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Post by joto on Aug 11, 2006 16:27:27 GMT 1
Firstly get some BHS qualifications AI minimum and go on a good business course. Its harder and harder to make a living from running a riding school. you'll need insurance and a host of other things.
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beckie
Grand Prix Poster
Sensible dressage horsey - haha!
Posts: 2,697
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Post by beckie on Aug 11, 2006 16:56:57 GMT 1
Are you qualified to instruct? if not you'll need to get an instructor. and you will probably need a stable-hand (depending on how many horses you have) and look at what type of people you will be giving lessons to, novices, kids, adults, and make sure you have horses to suit all types. provide hats - lots of small sizes too. because most kids startings parents won't want to buy a hat on the kids first lesson, as the kid might give up. same with boots. Make sure they all wear proper hats and boots (good idea to supply some of those too) or insurance might not cover (eg. if they fall off and get dragged because they're wearing wellies) You could provide fluresont vests - but they're not necessery.
and you'll need planning permission for a riding school - if the land doesn't already have it you'll have to apply for change of use (from grazing/livery to riding school) or else!!! and you'll need fire-saftey instruction, make sure everyone knows the drill and can get to the field/place to meet in case of fire. have a no smoking rule (if someone smokes on the yard it can make your insurance invalid) and a 'all hats on under 18's on the yard at all times' rule. you'll need someone to take away muck. its a big job. My friends own a riding school with 20-odd horses and it's really hard! they also have a business in london to keep the riding school going. Good Luck to you, don't get put off. you can do it if you believe!
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beckie
Grand Prix Poster
Sensible dressage horsey - haha!
Posts: 2,697
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Post by beckie on Aug 11, 2006 16:57:31 GMT 1
forgot to say, you'll need a BHS stable manager certificate too.
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Post by fallenangel on Aug 11, 2006 18:15:43 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies! What I wanted to know is, who is it that says you must have BHS qualifications etc? The insurance companies didn't even ask me, nor did the licensing people. I taught at a Riding School many years ago, unqualified, but all above board and insured. Joto, I know about the insurance, it's the "host of other things" that I need to find out about! Could you specify for me please? Many thanks!
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Post by nervouswreck on Aug 11, 2006 18:23:37 GMT 1
I have taken my daughter to 2 riding schools and they both have riding hats. We do still take our own though. Neither one of them have flourescent vests though which is a good idea.
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Post by eskimo on Aug 11, 2006 18:53:48 GMT 1
The BHS exams are vocational although they are usually used heavily in riding schools.These exams are fast becoming a requirement of some yards. I believe that you still can get insurance for a riding school without BHS exams although with qualification they might reduce the Premium.
I personally would run a riding school without Qualifications. If you did have an incident even though insured you have know way of proving that you are trained to a certain standard.
Also if you are planning to work with kids you would have to be checked. I would highly recommend a fist aid certificate, Equine specific first aid would be good. I would also recommend attending a BHS run Child protection course.
Please look into all the pitfalls of running a riding school including possible accidents and where you would genuinely stand with insurance.
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Post by eskimo on Aug 11, 2006 18:55:46 GMT 1
I meant to say wouldn't run a Riding school without BHS qualifications. I missed the n't off the wouldn't sorry!!
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Post by jogypsy on Aug 11, 2006 19:52:31 GMT 1
As far as I'm aware *prepares to be shot down inflames* you do not need qualifications to teach but you do need them if you wish to apply for BHS/ABRS approval and there will be implications on your insurance, although unless you have a sterling local reputation, qualifications do help attract clients to your business. Your local authority licence shouldn't be a problem as the criteria don't seem to be too difficult to achieve. All the info you should need regarding H&S etc should be available via the web and a visit from your local H&S Executive Officer. I've been taught by good and bad qualified instructors so I think I know where you're coming from. The BHS do a four day (or it was when I did it) trekking certificate which allows you to escort up to 6 people on hacks - that's a doable qualification. Echo child protection training and first aid as essentials.
*just trying to help!*
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Post by fin on Aug 11, 2006 20:24:08 GMT 1
Well, the best lessons I've had weren't BHS, shall I put it like that!! You definately need to get yourself police checked etc, and everyone working with you, if you are going to be working with kids. THere are HUGE child protection issues ATM--I think talking to Social Services is probably the best place to start. Hats, boots, body protectors, hi viz gear, definately a good idea. If you talk to Charles Owen in Wrexham they can supply the sorts of hats that you can adjust to fit-they do them for riding schools only I think. First Aid qualification might be a good idea too! Where are you in North Wales? THis is hugely exciting--practically everyone round here has closed down now
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Post by jes on Aug 11, 2006 20:32:38 GMT 1
I work p/t at an ABRS approved riding school, just 4 hours on a Saturday.
I don't have any qualifications, apart from First Aid certificate and Riding/Road Safety, and I lead rides out and teach. My qualification is experience!
No-one at the yard had any qualifications when we got ABRS approval, it's not a requirement I don't believe. Some of the f/t staff have now started the ABRS exams though.
We have a large selection of hats and also fluorescent tabards.
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pip
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by pip on Aug 11, 2006 21:33:14 GMT 1
The most successful riding school round here is run by a couple and they do not have BHS qualifications. What they do is have an indoor school and run lessons at 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 (and possibly 7.00 as well?) every weekday night (perhaps not Monday), leaving the weekends free for their own competiting. They also run holiday courses when they go more into stable management, but they do fancy dress competitions and displays to music and things like that, to make riding FUN and progressive.
Every lesson is first part riding and second part either jumping or games, alternate weeks. The pupils have a series of tests to take so they know they are improving, and the very best pupils start teaching the babies.
These lessons are only indoors, summer and winter. The ponies are all unshod. The ponies are by no means plods, some of them can be quite naughty and quite a lot of them have been given to the school becuase their owners couldn't handle them.
The only disadvantage of this system is that it gives the parents a false sense of how good their child is and I know at least one that went out and bought a nice pony for the girl to take to Pony Club - but she had never ridden outside an indoor school! Another pupil has gone on and bought an eventer and is now a BHS instructor, so the teaching is good.
It is a very popular school and there is a waiting list for lessons. Just to give you some ideas!
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kaleigh
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Post by kaleigh on Aug 12, 2006 0:32:49 GMT 1
hi fallen angel, i will apologise now for this veeery long posting, but it is THE RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACTS(REA) 1964 & 1970, & think it may be of interest to you.... This is the main legislation applying to all buisinesses which hire out horses and/or giving riding lessons. under this legislation, buisinesses are required to obtain a licience from the local authority which is renewable on an anual basis, subject to an annual veterinary inspection. Before a licience is granted, an applicant has to meet certain conditions. The applicant *must be within the local authority area & pay the necessary fee. *must be at least 18 or 'an incorporated body' *must not be disqualified from keeping a riding stable, a dog, pet shop etc. *must be a suitable person for running an establishment, in terms of having the necessary exsperience in the management of horses, or the relevent qualifications (BHSAI or above) *Must make available his premises & animals for vet inspection, upon whos report the local authority will decide wheher the applicants buisiness is suitable before granting a licience.
Having met these conditions, the local authority, before issuing the licience, must consider a no. of other matters appertaining to the health & welfare of horses (REA 1970 section 2)
*paramount consideration is to be given to the condition of the horses *Horses are maintained in gd health & in all respects physically fit. *The hors is suitable for the purpose for which it is kept * the horses feet are properly trimmed, if shod, shoes fitted properly & in gd cond.Suitable accomodation, whether purpose built or converted buildings is available in terms of: construction, size, no. of occupants, lighting,ventilation,drainage, cleanliness. * horses are adequately supplied with suitable food, drink & bedding material. *where horses are kept at grass there is adequate pasture,shelter,water & supplementary feed is provided. *horses are adequately exercised,groomed, rested & visited at suitable intervals. * reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases amongst horses *vet firs aid equip. & meds. are provided & maintained. *Instructions as to action to be taken in the event of fire are displayed *adequate accomodation for forage,bedding etc is provided * name, address & tel no. of licience holder is displayed
Ok, my fingers ache now, & im tired! To be BHS approved the licience holder does not need to be qualified to teach, but there must be a qualified instructor on the premises at all times! Hope this helps... Good luck,
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mrsj
Intermediate Poster
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Post by mrsj on Aug 12, 2006 20:54:04 GMT 1
As far as I'm aware *prepares to be shot down inflames* you do not need qualifications to teach but you do need them if you wish to apply for BHS/ABRS approval and there will be implications on your insurance, although unless you have a sterling local reputation, qualifications do help attract clients to your business. Your local authority licence shouldn't be a problem as the criteria don't seem to be too difficult to achieve. All the info you should need regarding H&S etc should be available via the web and a visit from your local H&S Executive Officer. I've been taught by good and bad qualified instructors so I think I know where you're coming from. The BHS do a four day (or it was when I did it) trekking certificate which allows you to escort up to 6 people on hacks - that's a doable qualification. Echo child protection training and first aid as essentials. *just trying to help!* echo all of the above completely - as long as you have the appropriate license and insurance and vet certs for your horses/ponies anyone can open up a riding school ... hence why there are some horrific ones out there. eta - I'm not implying your riding school would be a bad one ... just that whilst there are good riding schools out there they are very few and far between. Good Luck!
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rainbow
Advanced Poster
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Post by rainbow on Aug 13, 2006 0:27:19 GMT 1
On what Jes said, ABRS are alot more relaxed with their standards to approve a yard than the BHS. The BHS specify alot of things before they will put their name against the riding school, this includes horse's age, intructors qualifications, yard set up etc etc etc. They will also inspect the level of schooling of the horses and the level of teaching as they then give a brief discription on the internet of what each school can do, which is probably good for business...
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