Matchmoor Riding centre Matchmoor Lane, Horwich, Bolton

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.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.