Matchmoor Riding centre Matchmoor Lane, Horwich, Bolton Reviews

Matchmoor Riding centre Matchmoor Lane, Horwich, Bolton
★★★★☆
4.0
76.0% of users recommend this
  • Value For Money

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Latest Reviews

“Ordered 2 groupon vouchers, they never let you book!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by 110Koch on 06/08/2018

Ordered 2 hacks from Groupon but despite several attempts at contact never had a reply. Total waste of money and never received the refund as they told Groupon it expired. Was told also it was too late to get a refund from Groupon total waste of £30 on two vouchers very annoyed and emailed again some months later to be ignored.

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“awesome day out.”

★★★★★

written by WayneGalbraith184 on 18/06/2015

FANTASTIC. I went with 13 ladies for my hen party. The staff quickly identified who was very nervous and paid close attention to them. They made the hack hilarious and for those ladies that were petrified before asked if they could go back. Thank you to all the staff for making it such a brilliant day. X

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“I smell BS”

★☆☆☆☆

written by 280Stack on 09/06/2015

I can't help but think that the good reviews are being put on from people who work or are in some way implicated to this farm. All the negative comments are true, wouldn't touch this place again with a barge pole, the place should be shut down!!

Littlemiss74's Comment

Written on: 21/08/2021

While I appreciate your view, I can assure you I am in no way related to Matchmoor or its staff. I gave a 5* review based on my experience. I'm sorry yours wasn't what you expected but not all reviews are false

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“A lovely afternoon ”

★★★★★

written by Kaylie188 on 06/06/2015

First time at matchmoor today and my daughter had a fabulous time , found the staff  friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. My daughter got to grips with it quite quickly and can't wait to return, I might even give it a try myself . The horses where clean and seemed happy.

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“I Have been reading these reviews”

★★★★☆

written by harriet2141 on 27/05/2015

I Believe this centre is BHS Registered . If so it will be inspected on a regular basis and any shortfalls will be quickly rectified . I doubt very much (As the center is listed by the BHS) There is much fact in some of these comments.

Randolph12399's Response to harriet2141's Review

Written on: 28/12/2016

I'd encourage anyone to go down and view this awful place and make up their own minds, oh and mind the very rude owner.!!!

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“A great time”

★★★★★

written by diandsteve on 10/05/2015

Me and my husband had our Groupon trek yesterday, first time we'd ridden in almost 35 years and we really enjoyed the experience. I was a little worried about all the negative comments on this website but needn't have been. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Our horses were perfectly behaved and trotted when we wanted to even though I was told mine was lazy. We will definitely be returning.

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“ worse nightmare”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 10/05/2015

I did my work experience at matchmoor riding stables last year. The horses were not given any beds at all. The taps for their water hardly worked. The schools had equipment all over the place and we're full of weeds. That is the general care done that I have to complain about. Now the employees... I got accused of not being able to ride when I have ridden since 3 years old and stated I was a novice rider, why would I lie? The first horse I rode chucked me off, he was moody before I even mounted him but they were having none of it, after the fall they got me a different horse, he was soo lazy and would not go into trot but I got critised saying I wasn't doing enough to get him going. The third horse I rode was a bumpy horse who was very uncomfortable and just followed the other horses around even when you was controlling him correctly but yet again I got criticised because I couldn't rise very well and he was all over the place. Now back to the equipment in the arena, this horse tripped over it and nearly sent me flying! Now back to my fall, they said I'd be fine and that nothing was serious and told me to keep on working, I couldn't walk very well and was in agony never the less I carried on as normal as they assured me I was fine. 9 months later and I am still having problems with my knee and can't do anything about it. Overall I would not recommend someone to ride there as their horses are mostly lazy, do their own thing or are dangerous.

Ginnyb9440's Comment

Written on: 07/08/2015

Just because you're riding since 3 years of age doesn't necessarily mean your riding correctly. The instructors are there to provide teaching and constructive criticism if necessary. You don't state how many years you have ridden for - your language suggests that you have never had formal riding instruction before and the fact that you were chucked off the first horse and almost fell off when another horse tripped - suggests that you are not very secure in your seat.
The horses at this riding school are most certainly not lazy when ridden correctly - they are lazy and switch off if you constantly nag with your leg - well wouldn't you?
You have a mouth in you head (obviously) - if you did not feel you could continue to work you should have insisted you got medical attention - I would assume an accident form was submitted??
If the horses were dangerous there would be a lot more accidents. At the end of the day they are animals and animals are unpredictable - horse riding is a risk sport - if you don;t want to take the risk - don't do it.

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“Horrible rude ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Jimmy1971 on 26/04/2015

Today I went to Mach moor riding school it was horrible the horses had cuts blisters they had not been brushed they all there dead hair on them what the staff has not brushed off it went all over me some of the staff was so rude they shouted at you the horse what my sister went on was 28 years old and they think that it can ride it could of slipped over the got it to trot but it was so so tired I am never ever going there agin

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“Absolute rip off”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Neveragain119 on 15/03/2015

I went to matchmoor after I bought it for my partner for a Christmas present off groupon. I myself have my own horse but went along with my partner for moral support so he wasn't on his own and thought I could brush up on a few things were lessons were concerned. When we arrived, albeit 15 mins late we still had 15 mins of a lesson (of which I thought) and an hours hack. The horse got brought out for me which hadn't been brushed proper (basic stuff), still had mud stuck to his neck and ears. We got took to the "school" and I use the term very loosely! The kid who was giving me the lesson asked us to walk then change the rein. We did that the she asked me to trot round the school, well I could of done if the horse wasn't dodging the bog that covered a quarter of the school. That was it, lesson over!!! We then waited ages to be sent off for our hack, again I use this in the loosest term! Off we went down the road all one by one and one thing I know that you don't do with a horse on a hack is just turn them round and head back, funnily enough, every started to say how their horses had started to walk a lot quicker! All I can say is I definitely won't be going back and the place should be shut down as a riding school!! Do not go, they are just filling their pockets from groupon and not giving you what you've paid for!! It was a dump too. If you know anything about horses you'd turn around and go home.

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“Absalutely disgusting!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 22/11/2014

I went for a half hour hack this morning,I've never been and I've been riding ten year and have 8 horses of my own,but I decided to try this as my cousin was going and she is a beginner,the staff were rude! I got there and was waiting a good 20minutes before I was given a horse to ride,the poor thing had no life in him and was soaked with mud!! There were 4 or 5 horses cramped into one stable and they all looked unhappy,the hack was quiet and whatever the horse did we got in trouble for because we were apparently "winding them up",I don't recommend at all,the owner was rude and stuck up,the stables are Absalutely filthy and there is no excuse for the horses not to be brushed,weither they live out or not they should be cleaned especially in winter! Won't be going back,I've been to many riding schools and this one was awful! Plus all the people putting good reviews are under 13 and have no experience to know any better.

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“The good reviews must be fake, go and view and see the...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Timothy431 on 05/10/2014

This place is filthy, horses are depressed and in mucky stables. The whole place smells far worst than any stables should do. The owner is very rude, no doubt they will be under investigation soon. Ignore the good reviews they must be fake, go down and look for yourself, but don't waste your money first.

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“Great value for money! ”

★★★★★

written by lilindjas on 29/08/2014

Had to write this review as I had read bad reviews and felt I needed to tell you about our experience. My 10 year old daughter and her friend went for an amazon deal day, The experience was around an hour and half in total. We were greeted by a lovely friendly chatty lady,was introduced to the girl that was to be the girls teacher/guide who was equally as lovely. The girls had a half hour lesson followed by around an hours trek around the roads outside of the riding school. The girls had an amazing very hands on experience and this deal was fantastic value for money. The horses looked well looked after and cared for. We have been to other riding schools but Matchmoor gives the riders by far more riding time and trust than other schools I have experienced. My daughter said it was a fab way to spend her birthday and cant wait to go back. Just Make sure you take your wellies!

Randolph12399's Response to lilindjas's Review

Written on: 28/12/2016

Anyone reading good reports of this place please go down and see what an awful place this is.!!!

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“put record straight”

★★★★★

written by Wren196 on 08/08/2014

me and loads of friends of a certain age have been riding here for 10 years plus. need to put the record straight 1 these horses are well loved. when they get old they retire not sold on to meat market or anywhere. 2 horses live out in herds which is natural, very few horses live in that's why no bedding down etc 3 if horse unsound vet is called. horses rested.ie he was out of action for 2 years, charlie only just came sound and had awful injury when idiots let loose and he was hurt on road out of action for further 2 years. 4 one of the few riding schools locally to offer hacks out, many hav stopped due to insurance costs. even one hour over tops is good. 5 the instructors are good,

Randolph12399's Comment

Written on: 28/12/2016

Please don't believe any good reports go down and form your own opinion of this awful place.!!

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“fantastic place to go”

★★★★★

written by Andyandlinda on 26/07/2014

Myself and my partner went to matchmoor yesterday, 25/7/14 and all I can say is don't belive the bad reviews. All the staff we met were friendly and professional, the horses were very good natured and looked to be well looked after. We had a fantastic time and are planning our next visit there.

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“Amazing!”

★★★★★

written by Nelson1963 on 30/06/2014

Me and my sister have been going to matchmoor riding centre since 2013, and we can walk, trot, canter, and jump. The staff are really friendly and so are the horses, the stables are clean and the horses all looked after, and its very cheap to pay for. There are many things to do like riding, cleaning stalls, putting tack on horses, grooming, dressage, jumping, and there is also an annual show that is very popular and a lot of fun. I would recommend this stables to anyone, its amazing!

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“Horrible Experience!!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 28/06/2014

Booked Matchmoor for my daughter's 7th Birthday party. The owner was rude and insulting to guests and parents. Inexperienced riders were forced to ride horses with no guide and there was not enough food to go round. Everything was too much trouble - even a request for a knife to cut the birthday cake was met with 'tuts' and 'huffs'. My daughter said it was the worst birthday party she has ever had! Do not recommend

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“can't wait to go back!!”

★★★★★

written by Wallaceyp119 on 21/06/2014

Had a fantastic afternoon via Amazon deal. My daughter and I used to ride elsewhere but owing to work commitments could not always arrange a lesson, decided to try Matchmoor and found the staff extremely helpful, informative and friendly. Horses were brilliant and a pleasure to ride. Can't wait to go back.

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“Match moor is the BEST!!!!!!”

★★★★★

written by on 07/06/2014

I have been riding at match moor for over 7 years and now I am 12. I would recommend match moor to any body ,most of all people under 16. The over thing is that the horses and the staff are really good. The horses are really good to ride they are also good friends. You start of with something easy and build your way up to outstanding rider. Like i said before i would recommend match moor to overs.

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“Should be shut down and reported to the RSPCA”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Chavezdy480 on 18/05/2014

Went to matchmoor on a groupon deal which I assume groupon do not vet their offers. The owner has no customer service skills and is extremely rude. The whole place is appallingly dirty and unkept. The horses are in their own filth and depressed. Do not go to this stables.!!!!

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“Well worth it”

★★★★☆

written by BroonDandTina on 30/04/2014

Had a lovely afternoon at Matchmoor, staff were friendly, as were Jack and Patrick, our horses. Got the full time we paid for plus a few after the trek. L looked after us very well, got us trotting in the ring and took us on the hour long trek. Thank you everyone, would recommend.

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