Lartons Riding School, Frankby, Wirral

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

Larton is great as I have a twelve year old, a nine year old, a seven year old and a four year old.

As the four year old is not old enough for lessons yet but she is very eager to ride, she goes on 'walk-outs' where one of the workers walks her and a pony around the block a few times.

The seven year old has just moved from the blue ride to the pink ride, I'm very proud steph!

My nine year old has just learnt how to canter and is moving up to the green ride.

My twelve year old is already on the gold ride! So happy!!

And lastly, I have three horses of my own however only one of them is broken in so I'm hoping that together, me and my daughters can break the others in. (If I haven't mentioned already, I ride there too, but on privates)

I would recommend Larton to anyone willing to give up half an hour to an hour of their time to learn a new skill, and it's great for all ages!

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.