My boyfriend and I went to Larton Riding School for an assessment lesson. I have taken riding lessons before, my boyfriend is a newbie. We had an appointment at 5.30. Went to reception at 5.25 the lady started complaining we were late for filling a form, but she never mentioned this before. I called 2 times to book, plus once to confirm in the morning, and gave her already our personal info by phone. Anyway. Be sure to go 15 min early. Our trainer didn't explain the basic safety postures for either of us. Thankfully, I could remember what to do, and an amazing little girl explained what to do to my boyfriend. No longline was used at any time, although this was my boyfriend's first time riding, and my first class after 20 years! My horse was nervous throughout the lesson, and started galop three times without my control. She laughed and said I was doing OK. One minute before the end of the lesson, my horse thrown me off the saddle. I landed on my head, neck sore and injured. She asked me to seat for a minute, then asked me to bring back the horse and fill the form. I was still shaking and confused from hitting my head. Thankfully another amazing little kid helped me to walk the horse back and take care of him. I went back to reception to fill the accident form. The receptionist gave me the form saying: "bloody hell, your first lesson" more annoyed than worried for me. Indeed no one asked if I was doing OK. I know accident can happen, but how they managed the whole experience for both of us was just very bad. I'm going back riding, just not to Larton.

Firstly, prices are different to what is quoted on their website so watch for this. After the £18 induction I was quoted £20 after specifically checking the price for future lessons at the office. After the start of the next lesson they asked for £24. When I explained that’s not what I was quoted so will pay it in future but not for today as I was given no notice, they threatened to stop my daughters lesson right there and take her off the horse if I wouldn’t pay the full. My daughter is only 8. I reluctantly paid as I didn’t want to upset my little girl and asked them to cancel all future sessions. Then at the end of the session the instructor deliberately had by daughter come off the horse into a big thick pile of manure which she was then so upset about. How terrible to do that to a child. My daughter was so upset and confused. Disgraceful staff and management. In addition after the sessions when they do the walk around the instructors just gossip with each other and ignore the kids on the horses. Like others have said they couldn't be less interested in the lesson. Sat in the middle of the room and barking repetitive instructions to children whilst not even looking at them. Mostly on their phone, not bothering with going over to check the kids, no eye contact, no feedback at the end...just really rude. Should not be working with children. Avoid avoid avoid.

Tool my child to a beginners lesson (£15) and the instructor couldn't be less interested in the lesson. Sat in the middle of the room and barked repetitive instructions to my child whilst not even looking at him. Mostly on her phone, not bothering with going over to check him , no eye contact, no feedback at the end...just really rude to be honest.

Went for a £15 beginner lesson in a tired facility and the instructor sat on her mobile shouting instructions from the middle of the room whist hardly even lookibg at my child. Just rude. No eye contact, no interest, didn't give a damn

I am not trying to disprove anyone else's opinions or reviews, I'm just sharing my personal observations and thoughts. I can definitely point out the positives: the horses are docile and healthy (or hardy, I'm undecided yet), flexible lesson choices, hacks are available, the loan schemes seem to be a brilliant idea and kids get to learn a lot on the horse experience days. But the entire place feels worn. The indoor school looks as though it needs a new layer on it and the outside school's fences seem to be sinking into the ground. Saddles needed replacing (I mean, I've never been to a riding school where there is a literal chunk worn out of the skirt), numnahs need washing and saddle pads binning. The level of horse and yard care is entirely dependent on the competence, willingness and number of helpers available. This meant on multiple occasions horses remained dirty and in need of grooming and having their feet picked from the field, through their first lesson and till the end of the day. Jobs were also left incomplete (One being cleaning the tack. They were at it for 20 minutes, maybe, before losing interest and putting back the only two bridles they'd started to clean), stables were allowed to stay unclean for far too long, equipment was left lying around on multiple occasions and more. Some of the helpers spent more time sitting around than getting stuff done. But you can't blame them, they're not getting paid to do this. The staff felt unapproachable and bored. Only one seemed to be able to raise a smile and others were impolite, difficult to talk to and made you feel like an idiot for asking logical questions. They also seemed to remove themselves as much as possible from the yard work. Instructors appeared disinterested and seemed to take advantage of having parent free lessons as I can count a good few times I saw them texting while teaching. We understand lead rein lessons can be dull but try to look engaged at least. Some people may enjoy this riding school and admittedly I was only there a short while but it seemed impossible to even get a goodbye from one of them when I completed my last day there. So yeah, personally I've been to better.

Larton riding school is the best thing that ever happened to me I love it so much I would never leave not even if I was moving to a different country it's my life the teachers are amazing the helpers are aged 10 over and we couldn't doubt it at all. I DONT KNOW WHY SOME PEOPLE POST HORRIBLE THINGS ABOUT IT. IF YOU DID THINK ABOUT YOUR ACTIONS. ITS THE BEST!!!!!

Love this riding school I have been the for 2 years and all the staff are friendly and helpful they have different sized ponies to suit all ages . Cheap and good I would recommend this to everyone who loves ponies

This is the best place ever I go every Saturday and stay there all day helping all the staff and at 11:30 ride I would give it a million stars it's my life wouldn't miss it for the world

THIS IS FAB! this riding school is honestly the best riding school on the wirral, i help out there and i sometimes, well, actually I always think to myself, I would rather be at larton, there is honestly no other way to describe it than say that i feel like when im at larton, all my problems just dissapear, they treat me how I've always wanted to be treated, with respect, dignity and even a little authority, they let me be exactly who i want and they dont talk about me, argue with me or criticise me in any wa, shape or form and i just honestly love larton. I love all the people and all the ponies and the horses and just everything about it really, i even LIKE shovelling up poo every now and then, i just love it and there is no place that i would rather be at any time ever, than at larton riding school, thank you guys i would recommend larton riding school for EVERYONE! who knows, i might just be your leader... Thank you for reading my review.

Larton is amazing. Barnston closed down and I was really upset so then I moved to larton ( we're I first started to ride ). Going to some we,re else knowing I was never going to ride at my favourite stables ever again was really a sad thought at the time. Me 2 private lessons were really good and then I moved into a yellow ride. I was very scared for jumping as I had never ridden the horse I was put on before. However my instructor forced me to! I am really glad she had now because the horse was a good jumper. Now I can help out at weekends and get a free ride if I help out on Wednesdays which you ride the same day! Every we're is so organised even the working liveries! I find it really cute that every horse has their own time to go out to the field. The lesson is always on time and finishes the exact time it is supposed to! Every horse is really cared for. However my only down side is that it is really dusty and sometimes going home covered in dust.

When in first started i was really scared but they help you loads. And the horse which you have for your assessment normally sticks with. <3 (; i would recommend Larton to anyone no matter how old or young you are. Also the lessons are very cheap wether you are in private or group classes. Another thing is that my parents can go to the pet shop, go fishing, go to the cafe or just watch me whilst i am riding.There is not a thing that I do not like a bout Larton.

I've been riding there since august 2013 and I now know how to canter almost perfectly, I help out there as much as I can and I have done my work experience there too, they have recently bought new horses too, now there is Peter Pan, mr. blue, Lady, Caddy, Ruby, Clive, Albert, Sasha, Monty, Jack, Indy, Metro, Izzie, Hugo, Pearl, Tsara, Todd and George, also, now that Barnston is shut, it is the perfect place to go! Everyone there is so nice and I wish I could work there too.

Friendly, helpful and informative, thrilled with my daughters first lesson and she can't wait to go back, thanks, a very happy mum :)

i went to larton for my work experience and thought it was an okay riding school. not too bad but could be a lot better. the instructors are not the nicest and their is one 'instructor' (that i know of) who is only 15 and not qualified to teach anybody let alone young children. also the yard seemed to be run by 9-12 year old volunteers which i found very strange. it appears to be very large however there are only around 16 horses available to clients and are all around the same height and level. the rest of the stables are for livery only. it is not as expensive as some of the others however this does reflect on the quality and upkeep of the horses. the riding school seems to be more focused on making money that the welfare of the horses or the clients. i would recommend this riding school only to someone looking for a one off fun lesson, however for anyone who is serious about their riding and wishes to progress well i would steer you in the direction of foxes riding school which is in the same area and is easily ten times better.

Really child freindly and patient. Give good attention to saftey and they do know what they are talikng about. really heplfull. Would reccomend private lessons if your child is shy. best teaching and value for money on the wirral. Wont go anywhere else

Hi,not talking about the riding school part. Anyone who is interested in storing their caravan there might be interested in the way customers are treated. On finding our caravan missing from their secure storage bays we were treated with no respect or concern.Caravan has now been reported stolen to the police and I am sure the staff will assist them with their enquiries just like they assisted us ,not.