Barrow Hall Stables

My little girl went for a 7th birthday present and she loved it. She she got to style the horses hair before taking her on a ride

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I have been riding at Barrow Hall Stables for about 18 months and have really enjoyed it. This is a well-run riding school that caters to a range of equestrian goals with a selection of well-trained calm horses. The Horses Of all the riding establishments where I have ridden, these are the calmest, happiest horses. They get a lot of group turnout for riding school horses, and are ridden with minimalistic tack (Almost all school horses are in cavesson + single joint loose ring/eggbutt snaffle…none are ridden with martingales). It is expected that the rider will eventually unrug/untack any of the school horses and lead them to the mounting block on their own (a testament to how calm and well trained the horses are). I think a proof of the effectiveness of the horse care is that they have several old school horses (25+), still going strong! For the Rider BHS have a lot of horses with a range of experience (from schoolmasters to youngsters), and with a range of different conformations (from turbo cobs to showjumpers). This plus the range of riding arenas (indoor, covered, large outdoor, showjumping field, XC field, canter track), give one a great number of tools to become a better, more confident general rider. There are several knowledgeable instructors, increasing the chance of finding one you click with. The toilet is spacious and decent, and there is a coffee machine. Additionally, they offer stable management lessons, to include lunge lessons. Hacking The onsite hacking is a phenomenal facility. While obviously not truly all weather, it and the canter track, open up so many options for lessons (warm up on the tracks…have the whole lesson on the grass…). The offsite hacking is varied with a moderate amount of road work, and lots of undulating offroad sections including a lot of potential canter spots. Considerations BHS is focused on Showjumping, thus they don’t normally do much “dressagey” instruction i.e.: sitting trot, stirrupless work, lateral work, or lunge lessons. However, these can be requested/the horses can do these things. The staff don’t put any pressure on you to jump. BHS seems to be more tailored to private, teenage/adult lessons. The minimalist tack and management limits hands on experience of tack and management practices (eg martingales; hemp bedding), which could be a problem if one is training for equestrian qualifications.

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These are lovely stables with a good selection of well cared for, well behaved horses and ponies. All the lessons are well organised, varied, and designed to fit and develop a rider’s ability whether 121 or in a group lesson. The teaching staff are lovely, professional and know their stuff. Great facilities with good sized open and covered arenas. I’ve just moved to Suffolk from London and can’t wait for the lighter days when we shall be able to ride out.

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Sign for a waiting list for regular riding lessons 2 years ago , driven to ask in person once to see how much longer. Called twice to check and few times booked a private 1:1 while waiting . I the meantime our neighbours sign in and got it straight away ! Just showing that waiting list doesn’t exist. Is not being followed and check . And poor child is waiting …. Wanting this specific stable ! Very disappointed with treatment . Recently sended an email asking how much longer again …. No response ! They only email we get response to is when they have 1:1 lessons available which are ridiculously expensive . Then the response is within minutes . It’s greedy and rude to have this attitude and treat people like that

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