FAQs

Can anyone apply to ride at the Magpie Centre?

The Magpie Centre offers riding and carriage driving to children from the age of 5 years old up to and including adults of any age who are living with a disability or additional needs such as autism.

When do you offer lessons?

We are able to offer regular riding and carriage driving lessons from Monday to Friday during term times only.

Our lessons are held:

9.00am – 3.00pm Monday

10am – 6:15pm Tuesday

10am – 6.15pm Wednesday

9.00am – 3.00pm Thursday

9.00am – 12.30 Friday

Carriage driving lessons are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

We offer tea with a pony on Wednesday afternoons from April to October.

We also offer Equine Assisted Learning Therapy sessions in a block of six sessions held on consecutive Wednesday mornings.

How much do lessons cost?

Lessons are 30 minutes long and are priced as follows:

Individual Riding @ £36

Group Riding @ £25

Carriage Driving @ £36

Stable Management / horsemanship @ £21

Equine Assisted Learning Therapy (EALT) consists of six 45 minute sessions held over six consecutive weeks, and each session is £50 (total for the course is £300)

Tea With a Pony is £6 per person.

Please note prices are subject to change.

I want to apply to ride or carriage drive, what are the next steps?

All riders and drivers need to complete an application form and be assessed, so that our instructors can allocate the most suitable pony. Care is not only taken to match the rider to the most suitable pony, but to make sure our ponies are not overworked and can cope with what is being asked of them. For this reason, we do have a waiting list and cannot guarantee when a suitable slot will become available. We do try to keep the waiting time as short as possible and regularly review the list. To download an application form please click the button below.

Download rider application form

To apply for a course of EALT or for Tea With a Pony bookings please contact the centre on 01553 810202 or email the centre on MagpieCentreWNRDA@hotmail.co.uk

I have a pony whom I think would be perfect for Riding for the Disabled. What should I do?

We are always on the hunt for suitable equines to join our team here at the Magpie Centre! If you have a healthy, sound equine between the ages of 5- 15 and with a calm temperament whom you are looking to loan or sell then we would love to hear from you. Please call 01553 810202 or email the centre on MagpieCentreWNRDA@hotmail.co.uk