Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ Section, we will add more to this soon.
Commonly Asked (7)
The following category features questions that we get asked very often.
- Mondays: Closed (horses day off)
- Tuesdays: Closed (by Appointment Only)
- Wednesday: 0800-20:00
- Thursday: 0800-20:00
- Friday: 0800-18:00
- Saturday: 0800-13:00, 13:00-17:30 (by Appointment Only)
- Sunday: 0800-13:00, 13:00-18:00 (by Appointment Only)
HATS / HEADGEAR
We supply British Standard Riding Hats to all new clients FREE OF CHARGE. However, if you ride regularly we advise you purchase your own hat.
RIDING BOOTS / JODPUR BOOTS
We current have most of the common sizes available in limited numbers. If you ride, we advise wearing footwear with a heel, Wellington Boots are okay. The reason a heel is required is because it prevents your foot passing through the stirrup; in the event accident, your foot passing through the stirrup could result in the rider being dragged.
CLOTHING
There are not really any restrictions on what you should wear, although we make the following recommendations for first time riders with no gear of their own:
- Jogging Bottoms or Some kind of Trouser (jeans can rub, so we advise against them)
- Long or Short Sleeve T-shirt.
- In Cold Weather a Jumper and Even a Coat is a good idea, although the school is totally enclosed, it can still be a little nippy during the really cold months.
All new clients must fill in a Rider Registration form and have an Assessment lesson. This requires contact, medical, emergency contact details, it must be completed by the end of the your first Lesson with us. An instructor will fill in the final section as they will grade you on your current abilities.
This is by no means an exam, it's a Health and Safety requirement.
We keep copies available on the premises, but if you wish to download, print and fill in one before you arrive you can get it here in pdf format. Available on the Left Navigation Bar.
You can download it here:
Yes. It has a raised platform with cushions, and one side has a heater for those cold days.
Yes!
Yes, we sell vouchers for any service (rides, hacks). They are laser printed on expensive parchment paper, and come in a matching envelope. They are excellent Gifts for all occasions. These will be available for purchase online "AGAIN" before the Christmas Rush.
The following rules apply for young children:
Minimum Age: 4 Years and Over
Age 4: Horse/Pony Rides (led by a handler)
Age 5: Minimum Legal Age for Private Lessons
Age 6: Recommended Minimum Age for Private Lessons
There are 2 reasons we recommend children be aged 6 and over before starting Private Lessons.
- Most children will have reached a height where they can make meaningful input themselves (short children will have problems being able to squeeze and make contact with their legs, if they are not longer than the saddle).
- The teaching won't be wasted, younger children don't always understand everything that is being said to them, or they are often extremly shy and won't acknowledge a stranger. (although riding is a great way to increase someones confidence!).
Once children are 6 and older, these issues don't usually apply. So this is why we recommend age 6-7 for starting Private Lessons, however, everyone is different, we're willing to discuss to individual cases. But managements decision is final.
Currently, we enforce a Weight limit of 14 stone.
We will ask your Height and Weight during booking, please don't take offense, it's so we can assign you a suitable horse.
Facilities (3)
Questions and Answers regarding our facilities.
Yes. It has a raised platform with cushions, and one side has a heater for those cold days.
Currently we don't have the facilities to allow customers to stay on the premises for a holiday, however this could change over the next few years.
However, Brighton is an amazing town, full of Hotels, B&B's, we could potentially offer you a package deal on riding for a week if we had space. Although I would advise enquiring via e-mail or phone first (01273 503842).
The Chestnuts Riding School is unable to answer enquiries regarding The Chestnuts Livery Yard and its services.
Hacking (5)
Questions regarding Hacking and Trekking
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed (by Appointment only)
- Wednesday: All Day
- Thursday: All Day
- Friday: All Day
- Saturday: Mornings (PM reserved for loaners)
- Sunday: Mornings (PM reserved for loaners)
It's difficult to safely accommodate riders of mixed abilities. Our policy is to only allow riders out hacking once they are competent at Walk, Trot and Canter. We enforce this by requiring every new rider to undertake an Assessment Lesson.
It's an introduction for you to the Riding School, horses and that Instructor, before you ride, you'll state your current riding abilities, and we'll grade you after to see if you match up. If we feel your safe, we'll allow you out on further hacks, otherwise we'll suggest you take further Private Lessons or join a Group to brush up your skills.
We hope to offer Trekking in the future, this involves Western Saddles with a large pommel, this would allow riders of mixed abilities to participate in hacking without undergoing an Assessment Lesson first. Unfortunately I can't provide you with a date for this, although we should be offering this by Summer 2009.
The cost for One-Off Standard hacking is listed here:
http://www.chestnutsridingschool.co.uk/downloads/pricelist.pdf
Yes!
Yes, we sell vouchers for any service (rides, hacks). They are laser printed on expensive parchment paper, and come in a matching envelope. They are excellent Gifts for all occasions. These will be available for purchase online "AGAIN" before the Christmas Rush.
Currently we don't have the facilities to allow customers to stay on the premises for a holiday, however this could change over the next few years.
However, Brighton is an amazing town, full of Hotels, B&B's, we could potentially offer you a package deal on riding for a week if we had space. Although I would advise enquiring via e-mail or phone first (01273 503842).
Safety is our primary concern when working with horses, we understand they can be totally unprectictable, and always try to minimise the risk. The single most important item of P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment) is your Riding Hat, horses can travel at speeds in excess of 30mph, and falling off and landing on your head at that speed can be fatal, at least with a riding hat you have a chance.
Health and Safety (3)
Questions regarding Health and Safety.
All new clients must fill in a Rider Registration form and have an Assessment lesson. This requires contact, medical, emergency contact details, it must be completed by the end of the your first Lesson with us. An instructor will fill in the final section as they will grade you on your current abilities.
This is by no means an exam, it's a Health and Safety requirement.
We keep copies available on the premises, but if you wish to download, print and fill in one before you arrive you can get it here in pdf format. Available on the Left Navigation Bar.
You can download it here:
The following rules apply for young children:
Minimum Age: 4 Years and Over
Age 4: Horse/Pony Rides (led by a handler)
Age 5: Minimum Legal Age for Private Lessons
Age 6: Recommended Minimum Age for Private Lessons
There are 2 reasons we recommend children be aged 6 and over before starting Private Lessons.
- Most children will have reached a height where they can make meaningful input themselves (short children will have problems being able to squeeze and make contact with their legs, if they are not longer than the saddle).
- The teaching won't be wasted, younger children don't always understand everything that is being said to them, or they are often extremly shy and won't acknowledge a stranger. (although riding is a great way to increase someones confidence!).
Once children are 6 and older, these issues don't usually apply. So this is why we recommend age 6-7 for starting Private Lessons, however, everyone is different, we're willing to discuss to individual cases. But managements decision is final.
Currently, we enforce a Weight limit of 14 stone.
We will ask your Height and Weight during booking, please don't take offense, it's so we can assign you a suitable horse.
Horse and Pony Rides (1)
Questions regarding Horse and Pony Riders
Currently we don't have the facilities to allow customers to stay on the premises for a holiday, however this could change over the next few years.
However, Brighton is an amazing town, full of Hotels, B&B's, we could potentially offer you a package deal on riding for a week if we had space. Although I would advise enquiring via e-mail or phone first (01273 503842).
Payment and Billing (1)
Questions Regarding Payment and Billing.
Yes!
Yes, we sell vouchers for any service (rides, hacks). They are laser printed on expensive parchment paper, and come in a matching envelope. They are excellent Gifts for all occasions. These will be available for purchase online "AGAIN" before the Christmas Rush.
Pony for the Day (3)
Questions Regarding Pony for the Day
Pony for the day is unsuitable for Total Beginners. The rider should be able to Walk, Trot and Canter.
Additional Information:
- Only Available during the School Holidays.
- Usually operates on a Friday (and other days depending on demand).
- 2 Hours Riding Guaranteed.
- 1 Hour Lunch Break.
- Arrival Time: 10:00
- Departure Time: 4pm
- Activities During the Day
- Learning Basic Horse Care.
- Grooming and Caring for their Horse.
- Learning to Tackup and Untack their Horse.
- 2 Hours of Riding Minimum (sometimes more).
- Making friends with likeminded children of their own age.
Pony for the day requires that the rider can Walk, Trot and Canter. They need to have an Assessment Lesson and meet the minimum criteria before they would be allowed to book this activity.Riding Activities available for Total Beginners:
- Assessment Lesson -> Private Lessons
- Horse and Pony Rides
- Trekking (not available until 2009)
Once a client can Walk, Trot and Canter they can take part in almost any activity.
Safety is our primary concern when working with horses, we understand they can be totally unprectictable, and always try to minimise the risk. The single most important item of P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment) is your Riding Hat, horses can travel at speeds in excess of 30mph, and falling off and landing on your head at that speed can be fatal, at least with a riding hat you have a chance.
Restrictions (2)
The following rules apply for young children:
Minimum Age: 4 Years and Over
Age 4: Horse/Pony Rides (led by a handler)
Age 5: Minimum Legal Age for Private Lessons
Age 6: Recommended Minimum Age for Private Lessons
There are 2 reasons we recommend children be aged 6 and over before starting Private Lessons.
- Most children will have reached a height where they can make meaningful input themselves (short children will have problems being able to squeeze and make contact with their legs, if they are not longer than the saddle).
- The teaching won't be wasted, younger children don't always understand everything that is being said to them, or they are often extremly shy and won't acknowledge a stranger. (although riding is a great way to increase someones confidence!).
Once children are 6 and older, these issues don't usually apply. So this is why we recommend age 6-7 for starting Private Lessons, however, everyone is different, we're willing to discuss to individual cases. But managements decision is final.
Currently, we enforce a Weight limit of 14 stone.
We will ask your Height and Weight during booking, please don't take offense, it's so we can assign you a suitable horse.
Riding Lessons (4)
Questions regarding Riding Lessons, including:
- Assessment
- Private
- Semi Private
- Group
- Jumping
HATS / HEADGEAR
We supply British Standard Riding Hats to all new clients FREE OF CHARGE. However, if you ride regularly we advise you purchase your own hat.
RIDING BOOTS / JODPUR BOOTS
We current have most of the common sizes available in limited numbers. If you ride, we advise wearing footwear with a heel, Wellington Boots are okay. The reason a heel is required is because it prevents your foot passing through the stirrup; in the event accident, your foot passing through the stirrup could result in the rider being dragged.
CLOTHING
There are not really any restrictions on what you should wear, although we make the following recommendations for first time riders with no gear of their own:
- Jogging Bottoms or Some kind of Trouser (jeans can rub, so we advise against them)
- Long or Short Sleeve T-shirt.
- In Cold Weather a Jumper and Even a Coat is a good idea, although the school is totally enclosed, it can still be a little nippy during the really cold months.
Yes!
Yes, we sell vouchers for any service (rides, hacks). They are laser printed on expensive parchment paper, and come in a matching envelope. They are excellent Gifts for all occasions. These will be available for purchase online "AGAIN" before the Christmas Rush.
Currently we don't have the facilities to allow customers to stay on the premises for a holiday, however this could change over the next few years.
However, Brighton is an amazing town, full of Hotels, B&B's, we could potentially offer you a package deal on riding for a week if we had space. Although I would advise enquiring via e-mail or phone first (01273 503842).
Safety is our primary concern when working with horses, we understand they can be totally unprectictable, and always try to minimise the risk. The single most important item of P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment) is your Riding Hat, horses can travel at speeds in excess of 30mph, and falling off and landing on your head at that speed can be fatal, at least with a riding hat you have a chance.