Half hour lessons or hour lessons?

I would usually say an hour, but in this case I'd go for the half an hour ones. When you first start anything new, anything you are taught can be quickly forgotten if it isn't practiced regularly! Also, if you end up with two lessons one week and still half an hour every week after, that's an extra half an hour of riding!

Apart from that, you seeing the horses/ponies you will be riding more regularly will get them used to you quicker than staying with one for an hour and then not seeing them for a few weeks.

If I was in your position (which I hope to be soon, I'm desperate to start riding again but don't have the money :( ) I would take the half an hour ones :)

do the half hour lessons. you'll get more riding in. 2 a month wont do you any good really, so the half hour twice a week is best for you! also, if there is a place where you can get at least a 1 hour lesson once a week i suggest that. anything more than an hour of riding (for a lesson) is a bit much unless it is a group lesson. so do the half hour lessons and ask if they have group lessons you can join into every couple of weeks.

Is that 30 minutes of ride time, or 30 minutes total, including grooming, tacking, etc? Because if it is ride time, go for the 30 minute lessons. At first as you learn your legs and core will tire quickly until you have built up enough strength and muscle memory to lesson for an hour. Especially in the beginning it is also very very important to ride as often as possible... Muscle memory is key. If that time includes grooming and tacking, better to get at least 40 minutes of ride time twice a month, rather than 15 minutes twice a week... I would also see if after a while of training, and you have progressed to knowing the basics, that you see about taking some semi-private hour long lessons instead of 1 hour private lessons, this way you would probably be able to afford one per week, and really you get just as much instruction, and you have someone else to look at, to help you understand.

I'd probably say if you have never ridden before go for the half hours a couple of times a week. You'll get to ride for a short time (which flies by) but as a total beginner it will be enough to get the feel for it and you'll benefit from regular lessons.

Maybe after a month or so of lessons move on to hour long lessons which would be less regular but you'll have the basics under your belt. To me it's like riding a bike - you don't forget how to ride but you skills will fall back the less often you practice..so in my opinion it's best to learn on a regular basis and then practice less regularly

*As you get better you'll want longer lessons as you'll do more. At first you'll only walk and trot (which to me is just a warm up so I want more than that), but once you get cantering you'll want the hour lessons to feel like you achieve something at the end

Riding with a group is fun, and it teaches you to navigate around other horses, just like you would in the show ring, but you don't get 100% of the instruction on you, especially if you're having a problem. If the group is holding you back, I would definitely go with private lessons. If you're serious about your riding and want to advance, private lessons are the way to go. The instructor only has to focus on one person, so they can cater the lesson to your needs, not to 3 or 4 kids' needs. Personally, I'd go with the private lessons. Yes, they're a little bit more money, but you'll learn a lot more and advance a lot quicker. Besides, you can always organize a trail ride or a free ride where you can ride with all your friends!

1 hour = 2 rides a month

1/2 hour = 4-8 rides per month?

For beginning I believe that it is best to keep it short and sweet.

You are just getting started, in the beginning you may be sore from working new muscles.

Horses learn best in multiple short lessons, I personally think that humans do too.

Good luck!

Definitely the half hour. Lessons are short and sweet, you can focus on one thing at a time, and you get to ride much more often! Have fun :))

i would take the hour lessons twice a month because when you have a lesson you have a few weeks to practised what she taught you then when you go for you next lesson later on you can show your instructor how you have been practicing and how you are eager to learn new things and willing to put the time and effort in my instructor gives me hour lessons ever 2 weeks and she knows weather I've been practicing or not and i think that's good because when she can see that i have practiced what she's tolled me it shows i cant wait to learn the next thing

At least an hour!!! If not more! Horse riding is very relaxing and you do fine. The most important thing I can tell you about horse riding is, absolutely NEVER be afraid of the horse. Get on that thing, and OWN IT and show the horse who's boss. Otherwise the horse will take advantage of you and there is a good chance you'll get hurt. Horses can be very stubborn and can tell immediately if you're apprehensive or not. Horses do not care about people and it takes a long time to build any kind of relationship with one. It's common for horses to walk under low trees and anything low to try and knock off the rider. It is your responsibility to be in command and make the animal do what You want it to, not what it wants to.

When you get on it, never let go of the reigns. When you want to stop, you say HO with authority while pulling back on the reigns. When it stops, you put the reigns down and get out of his mouth. If you can do that, you'll do just fine.

Half hour. Not as much time to ride, but you will be doing so more often.