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Horse Riding Centres and Stables - Scottish Borders
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The Scottish Borders still has more horses per head of
population than any other part of Scotland. For centuries horses
have been our lifeblood and we’re passionate about them.
Nowadays, it’s old farm buildings with their beautiful sandstone
archways and cobbled floors that give us insight into the numbers of
working horses that ploughed the land from dawn till dusk on Border
farms. Happily, however, in 2012, horses are just as vital a part of
Border life as ever they were, continuing to enrich the culture and
the economy of the people who live here.
One of the attractions of riding is the feeling of a special bond
that is possible between horse and human. It is hard to put into
words, but is demonstrated often. For example, when you've just made
a mess of a jump, got the timing all wrong, and the horse has
graciously scooped you back into the saddle, rebalanced himself and
you, and cantered off on the correct lead as though nothing had
happened.
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Riding Stables - Southern Scotland |
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We should never underestimate how much the
horse can teach us about how to ride. If we can learn to listen to what the
horse is trying to say then we can ride in sympathy, rather than in
opposition.
Riding in the Scottish Borders is certainly an inclusive experience. Nowhere
more so than during the various annual 'Common Ridings' and 'Rideouts' where
it's possible to see or indeed join hundreds of other riders galloping together
freely across open moorland - a truly thrilling experience. These exhilarating
festivals are not for everyone however. If you want to have great fun, feel part
of a riding group and develop your own riding potential to the full, there are
many contrasting associations, clubs and organisations in the Borders that will
welcome you. Being part of a like-minded group is all part of riding fun. You won't have
far to look to find something that is just right, regardless of your age.
Whether you're a 'daredevil desperado' or perhaps more 'mellow and mature' in
the saddle, there is much to choose from if you want to join up!
In the Borders we have excellent Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs. A number of
national organisations also have either branches, representatives and of course
many members in our region. The British Horse Society Scotland, Scottish
Carriage Driving Association, Riding for the Disabled, British Equestrian
Vaulting. The Border Reivers Polo Club, The Scottish Endurance Riding Club, The
Classical Riding Club and The Scottish Equestrian Association are all well
represented offering quite literally something for everyone. carried the men of the
Borders into many a battle. It was on horseback
too that the ‘bounds’ were checked as the people of the Borders protected their
own from marauders. Their legacy lives on in some of the spectacular ‘Common
Ridings’ – unique, annual, equestrian festivals that celebrate our indebtedness
to our Borders‘ ancestors. |
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Bailey Mill Accommodation & Trekking Centre
Bailey, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire, TD9 0TR Tel: 016977 48617
Contact: Mrs Pamela Copeland
Langlee Riding Stables, Langlee Jedburgh,
TD8 6PB
Lesley Douglas runs this friendly family business
close to Jedburgh offering a wide range of riding opportunities plus a good
selection of horses and ponies. Hirelings also available.
Tel: 01835 862 560 Mb: 07789 266 233
Mill Farm Stables, Chirnside, Berwickshire (BHS Approved)
A friendly welcome awaits all who visit Mill Farm
Stables near Chirnside, Duns, Berwickshire.
Children are especially welcome - Tel: 01890 818 104
Kimmerston Riding Centre - Wooler (BHS Approved)
Just over the Scotland/England Border, this long
established riding centre offers spectatular riding in the Cheviot Hills and
on the wild, romantic beaches of Northumberland. Holiday packages and
hirelings are also available.
Enquiries Tel: 01668 216283
Peebles Hydro Stables - Peebles
Situated close to Peebles Hydro this riding centre
offers great riding on the beautiful hills and forests surrounding the
hotel.
Enquiries - Innerleithen Road, Peebles, Peebleshire, EH45 8BQ Tel: 01721
721325
Fraser Ainslie Equestrian, Galashiels
For excellent 'Scott's Country' hacking. Hacking
close to the River Tweed, through woodland and pretty rollling hills around
Sir Walter Scott's famous Abbotsford. Scenically situated close to the
Border Town of Galashiels, this riding establishment offers a range of
mounts to suit varying abilities of rider.
Hirelings for Common Ridings and Hunting also available
Tel: 07773 230663
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Ian Stark Equestrian Centre - Selkirk
Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the centre is the premier venue for all things equestrian in the south of Scotland.
The BHS approved centre offers riding lessons with extensive hacking over the 500 acres of hill farm which boasts panoramic views of the stunning borders countryside. The centre has around 30 horses and ponies and is busy for lessons and hacking 6 days a week.
For all lesson enquiries please phone the centre on Tel: 01750 20202
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Stable Life, Dryden Farm Riding Centre (BHS Approved)
Dryden, near Ashkirk, Selkirk, offers a wide range
of riding opportunities including schooling, lessons and good off road
hacking
Tel: 01750 32277
Travel services Personalised travel tours and
activities in the Scottish Borders. Horse riding and pony
trekking holidays and vacations in the Scottish Borders.
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Learning to ride can seem a daunting task,
because unlike learning to drive a car or ride a bike, you are in charge of a
live, large animal, with a very distinct mind of it's own! This is the message
that I would like to stress from the very beginning. Don't forget that very
fact, that the horse is a living creature, with feelings. He was not created
for the purpose of carrying a rider on his back, and so it is necessary that
we as riders are aware of our actions, and what he is feeling as a result of
them. So often the horse is punished for being stubborn, or 'misbehaving' in
some way or another. Very often his so called 'misbehaviour' or
resistance is his only way of communicating to us that we are doing
something to him that he finds uncomfortable, or even downright painful.
Unlike a dog, he cannot yelp or cry out in pain, so he has to try to tell us
in the only way he knows how, and for his 'disobedience' is then further
punished. Is it any wonder that so many horses end up in the slaughterhouse
as being 'unrideable'? If riders were educated in the proper way right from
day one, then I can guarantee that there would be many fewer so-called
'difficult' horses.Sadly, in this country, we are often expected
to learn to ride on horses that have had their sensitivity completely
obliterated by years of bad riding, that you have to kick repeatedly to make
them even move, and pull on the reins to stop or turn. No horse was born like
this. Some things you might have to put up with,
like poor saddles, but at least you'll know that if you're struggling to keep
a good position it may not be all your fault.
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