Riding Lessons: Group or Private?

So, you’re finally ready to take those riding lessons you’ve been thinking about. Great! Once you find an instructor you like, you might have another choice to make. Some stables and equestrian centers offer both group riding lessons and private riding lessons. Which one should you choose?

Group riding lessons are going to be less expensive than private lessons, but you won’t get that one-on-one attention. An important question to ask is about the size of the group. Obviously, you’ll get more individual attention if the group is made up of only three or four people. With a large group, you might get lost in the crowd.

Private lessons will most likely be just you and the riding instructor. You’ll have his or her full attention, so you can ask as many questions as you like and get instant feedback. Expect to pay considerable more per hour for all that individualized attention, however.

If you’re shy, private lessons will probably work better for you. Also, if you’re an absolute beginner, a couple of private lessons might be very beneficial. Once you’ve mastered a few basics, you might want to join a group lesson and compare the two types. Group lessons can be a lot more fun than private lessons, especially if you know some of the people in the group. If you’re training for a specific discipline, private riding lessons will likely be more beneficial.