Holiday Horse Riding Activities
You can send un an enquiry using the email or Whatts App buttons above, and follow us on social media for our latest news.
This page tells you a bit more about what we can offer you and what to expect at your visit.
Jazz taking in the view from Trencrom Hill to the north coast. Hayle estuary and Godrevey lighthouse in St. Ives Bay
Planning a trip to Cornwall and keen to do some Horse Riding whilst your here?
The Old Mill Stables Equestrian Centre is a British Horse Society (BHS) Approved Riding Centre located in Lelant Downs in the South West of Cornwall.
The riding school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB), between the towns of St. Ives and Penzance. The yard is positioned adjacent to woodland at the base of Trencrom Hill, a National Trust preserved site. The location allows for excellent ridden routes through beautiful woodland and rugged Cornish moorland, with elevated views to both north and south Cornish coastlines available.
The Old Mill Stables Equestrian Centre does have availability for additional Lessons or Hacking sessions, which fit around the regular weekly activities of the Riding School.
If your keen to ride with us during your visit to Cornwall please note that advanced booking is essential as this capacity is limited and can be booked up quickly during the holiday seasons.
Please also note that all horse riding activities are pre-booked to set times and we can not accommodate walk-ins, however its always worth dropping us a message incase we've had a late cancellation.
See our How to Contact Us page which contains a general enquiry form you can submit, alternatively you can send us a message by email or WhatsApp.
A Group lesson in the Indoor/Covered riding Arena.
New to Horse Riding, feeling rusty or have a specific goal in mind, consider Riding Lessons ?
The Cornish country side is beautiful, the hills, woodlands and fields around OMS being particularly stunning in summer months. However, you may find it more satisfying to have a riding lesson(s) during your stay, rather than being led out on a hack or woodland walk.
Working towards a specific goal in the saddle, such as balanced rising trot or a first canter or jump, within the controlled environment of a riding school arena, may be the natural high and sense of achievement your looking for. Building confidence in the saddle within the riding school environment can then make hacking out in the future more enjoyable once some of the basic horsemanship skills have been established.
Hacking on a country lane with a Cornish Mine Engine house in the view between the ears!
Hacking / Treking
OMS lies adjacent to woodland at the base of Trencrom Hill. Trencorm is a National Trust Preserve and Iron Age hill Fort. The location allows for excellent ridden routes through beautiful woodland and rugged Cornish moorland, with elevated views to both north and south Cornish coastlines available.
All OMS Rides are Escorted rides. The number of escorts being dependant on the, number, age and experience of the riders in your group. Please note rides will also be tailored to the least experienced member of the ride group.
Woodland Walks
Woodland walks are aimed at the the beginner/novice with little or no ridden experience, These taster sessions last approximately 30mins with the ride leader and escorts as required, being on foot, rather than on horseback. This can be a lovley way to introduce youngsters to the joys of riding in a beautiful woodland setting.
The woodland around the stables allows for ridden routes with very little road work. Our Woodland walks enter the woodland a few minutes after leaving the yard gates, minimising the need for on country road riding. The access road to the woodland is off a particularly quiet lane leading out from the yard back gate to the woodland access.
The ride leaders will give some basic instruction throughout the session and are happy to answer any questions you or your children have along the way.
See our How to Contact Us page which contains a general enquiry form you can submit, alternatively you can send us a message by email or WhatsApp,
Hacking / Trekking
Our Hacking routes stick to the quieter rural back roads and Bridleways, avoiding the main traffic routes between St.Ives Penzance and Hayle.
Depending on the experience of the group the ride leader and escort(s) maybe mounted or on foot.
See our How to Find Us to investigate our local area via mapping
See the national Trust website for more about Trecrom Hill Trencrom Hill National Trust
A group lesson in the Outdoor Arena
On the day - What to Wear etc
ARRIVAL
Please arrive at least 15 mins prior to your ride time to sign in and prepare for your ride.
We aim to get you mounted sharply at your booking time and begin your session asap. Please be aware our staff may be required for a later booking and therefore please understand we need to adhere start and finish times. As such please allow enough time for travel/traffic etc and fill in the registration form prior to attending your session - a link to the registration form will be on your booking email footer.
Everyone visiting the yard must sign in and sign out at reception. A clip board with the days sign in sheet is located on the table in reception. Please remain at reception until a member of our staff comes to greets you.
WHAT TO WEAR
If you have horse riding equipment with you please wear it on the day. Please note your own riding hat would need to comply with current British Safety Standards. Many older hats no longer comply with the current safety standard requirements.
Use of a riding hat is included, we also have body protectors available to use if required
Make sure to wear comfortable clothing appropriate to the temperature on the day. Arms and legs should be covered to protect from chaffing or abrasion. (Not just for falls, hedges have brambles, saddles can rub etc). Thicker leggings / jogging bottoms, a long sleve T-shirt / sweat shirt and a boot / shoe with a small heal would work well, water resistant clothing is advisable if the weather looks like rain is possible, try to avoid loose clothing that flaps around in a breeze.
A pair of light gloves is also desirable to hold the reins, gloves help prevent rubs and increases grip if you / your horse become a bit sweaty. Please remove your jewellery before you ride, you wont want rings / ear rings etc on in case they rub or catch on anything, horses manes etc. Long hair should be tied up / plaited for similar reasons.
MOUNTING
Upon fitting your Hats and other safety clothing you will be taken to our Riding School mounting area where your horse/pony will be brought to you. Our staff will introduce you to your trusty steed and instruct you on the correct procedure to mount. They will then check your tack and clothing and help you adjust as necessary, stirrup lengths girth tensions etc. You will then be introduced to your instructor or ride leader who will brief you on the session. Please ensure to listen to your leader/instructor they will be giving you instruction that will be directly related to ensuring your safety.
A FEW TIPS FOR NEW RIDERS
Look forward to where you want to go, this affects your body position which communicates with the horse. Looking to the left will twist your body and adjust your seat pressure slightley which will encourage your horse to turn left..
Try not to look down at the floor, its the fastest way to get there by following your eyes. Sit up tall but relax your waist/core to move with the horses movement.
Keep the ball of your foot in the stirrup and a little weight in you heal so that the heal is slighly lower that your toe. Keeping this leg position makes you more secure and less likely to loose your balance.
A good position is key to improving your riding, Imagine a vertical line from your ear to your hip to your heal. keeping this position can help keep you in the optimum position for balanced riding. The better balanced and synchronised you are, the easier it is for the horse to carry you. and the better it feels for you. Try not to grip with you legs but sit on your seat bones and let your leg hang to a neutral position where you can apply it.
Remember the reins are connected to the bit in the horses mouth, be soft but clear with the signals you send to the horse through the reins. Your having a converation through the reins a bit like sending signals via morse code. It can be a refined subtle conversation if the messages are clear and clear from background static (unnecessary (movements with no meaning) which make it hard for the horses to understand you. You can then ask the horse to bend/turn left or right, slow down and build energy without excessive hand/bit pressure.
Listen to your instructor and enjoy yourself, but try to feel what your horse needs from you, they are keen to please if not confused by what your asking.
Horse Riding is a Risk Sport
RIDING IS A RISK SPORT - Your choice to ride is voluntary. We take care to provide suitable and safe horses and ponies for our customers, but all animals can be unpredictable.
We strongly advise all horse riders take out full personal accident cover.
The following Policy is included in our rider registration form and repeated here for ease of access and understanding. If you ride at OMS it taken that you understand and accept the the risks associated with equestrian sports.
Horse Riders’ Code of Conduct below.
I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risk that I may fall off and could be injured. I accept that risk and agree that the Old Mill Stables will not be liable for injury or damage to property unless it is caused by their negligence. Where I am signing on behalf of a minor I have explained the Riders’ Code of Conduct to my child and we both accept the risk and agree that the Old Mill Stables will not be liable for injury or damage to property unless it is caused by their negligence.
The Horse Riders Code of Conduct
• I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risk and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions.
• I may fall off and could be injured. I accept that risk.
• I understand that instructions are given for my safety and agree to follow instructions given to me.
• I understand that wearing an appropriate riding hat and body protector may reduce the severity of an injury should an accident happen and agree that I will always wear a riding hat while riding.
• I understand it is my choice whether or not I wear a body protector.
• I understand that my riding Instructor will make decisions based on information I give them and agree to always be honest and volunteer information about: my abilities and riding experience any previous riding accidents any medical condition(s) which may affect my ability to ride
• I understand that competing carries enhanced risk over and above general riding and agree that if I chose to participate in any competition or event, it is up to me to ensure that I have the experience and ability to undertake the ridden tasks including any jumps which form part of it. If I am in any doubt, I will use my judgment and experience and not enter.