We have horses to suit beginner, novice or advanced riders of most shapes and sizes. Our horses are very important to us so ensuring their comfort and welfare is important. We need a recent and accurate weight at the time of booking (be warned: we do have scales and may ask you to step aboard!) and we may have to refuse riders who are over our limits. Vets advise horses carry only 15% of their own bodyweight. Our horse team changes so it is worth while enquiring – currently (2019) our limit is as follows:
16+ adult lady beginner/novice riders up to 13 stone (82kg). 16+ Men or tall and experienced lady riders can be up to 14 stone (90kg) for our 17hh horses. Children under 12 must be under 9 stone (57kg), children under 16 must be under 12 stone (75kg) to ride our pony and smaller cob team (exceptions may be appropriate for the very tall teen). We apologise if we are unable to accommodate you.
Everyday with some Christmas closures
We are open 9am – late, 7 days a week including most public holidays, although we don’t teach on a few days around Christmas. We have a lot of fexibility in what lessons are available – to get a favour, see our lesson timetable. There are set sessions also for those looking for a weekly group on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Our kids club is super popular. Visitors welcome but only be appointment please.
Child Weight Limits: up to 12: 9st/57kg / Child 12-16: 11stone/70kg
Children can start riding with us from the age of 5, and we offer a range of opportunities depending on their age and ability. Most of our younger children ride our ponies in our small group / Pony Club sessions where they can enjoy mixing with other youngsters learning to care for and ride the ponies. Children are on a lead rein or lunge rein until they are confdent and balanced enough to be more independent. Advanced and confdent children have numerous options
Adult limits: Ladies 13st / Men: 14st/90kg.
It helps, but we have also taught those recovering from hip replacements, strokes, or with partial paralysis. Our teaching methods and horses can accommodate various levels of ftness. If you can briskly walk a dog then you are probably ft enough to ride gently. For the comfort of our horses we have a weight limit of 13 stone (82kg) in ladies although tall heavier men up to 14stone (90kg) can be accommodated by our giant 17hh hunters.
We have huge variety available
We offer options from 30 min (child) to one hour shared, small group lessons, semi-private and private lessons as well as 1 or 2 hour Moor Rides for canter level and holiday activity days. Call to arrange a tour and see what we have. The clubhouse has viewing on to the indoor arena or outdoor deck on to both arenas. Just call the offce to arrange.
New beginners/novice teen/adults: You will start on lunge rein if necessary. First lesson is £50 for 1 hour private (we have a bulk buy off peak deal). Adult beginners need to commit to regular privates to ensure your progression and move you on quickly past the basics. Phone so we can chat about what suits you best.
Younger Children: Youngest children may ride in a private starter lessons and we offer a range of small well managed group and club options from lead rein to Moor gallop level. We have a Mini, Half Day and Full Day Pony Club for our regular young riders and group lessons after school. Prices start from £23. See the Kids Club Website page for more. Regular child riders can fnd savings and rewards by joining our Club scheme.
Holiday Makers: All ages can enjoy either tailored sessions or join in our usual riding activities as appropriate to your level
See below:…….more info on advanced riding and further information
Intermediate/Advanced Riders: We can accommodate teen/adult riders at all higher levels whether leisure, competitive or BHS Career Pathway riders including on our advanced horses. We regularly run advanced groups, specialist lessons for dressage. Gallop moorland hacks are also offered to advanced riders. In winter, we offer a mid-week winter hack option discounted to exercise or school any of our youngsters or faster horses.
We ask you to call us to make bookings. This allows us to understand your needs and advise what opportunities are appropriate for you. Because we are out working during the day, please be prepared to leave a message and we’ll call you back. Please note: We can rarely accommodate group beginner lessons such as school, youth or large party groups or take beginners on Dartmoor. Our group size is usually 5-6 riders.
Cancellation Notice of 48hours applies to your booking
Phone Sophie / Offce: 01364 388188 – you may need to leave a message. We do much prefer frst bookings by phone.
Regular bookings are done via our on-line booking system so you can easily manage ongoing bookings and payments.
Oh yes, but we are seriously big on safety and passionate about teaching the correct and essential principles of riding and horsemanship whilst making the experience safe, relaxing and fun. There is a page on the website with information.
We offer Dartmoor hacks to pre-assessed riders either well known to us or assessed 10-15mins and seen to be experienced enough riders to enjoy riding out safely. For your own safety you must be able to canter competently to ride on Dartmoor, we therefore do not offer trekking for beginners or take holiday makers on the moors unless you are pre-assessed as competent in canter. Advanced longer gallop hacks and beach riding are offered to advanced riders.
You tell us……
We want to prepare you for a lifetime of enjoying horses, skilfully, naturally and based on correct equitation - perhaps being a horse owner yourself one day. We will train you to understand horse psychology, be able to infuence and understand your horse through body language and through your skills both in handling equipment and whilst in the saddle.
This translates to practical skills such as getting to know the horses, being assertive around the horse on the ground, able to groom and saddle up your horse, lead your horse in walk and trot and be confdent adjusting your equipment – all whilst under the supervision of our qualifed adult staff and owner/manager Sophie Osborne BHSII. You will be ‘horse wise’ both in and out of the saddle and learn to feel at home around these big beautiful creatures!
Please call us to enquire, arrange to visit or watch a lesson in progress. See us and our team of horses and ponies in our FACEBOOK albums as well as on the website. Tel 01364 388188
By appointment only please. CFEC is both our home and business and we love our quiet time too!
