Devon River Riding Centre

20/11/2025

15/11/2025

Important! There is a problem with our card machine can everyone try and bring cash tomorrow thank you and sorry for the inconvenience

20/10/2025

Important Update on No-Show Policy
We had a full booking system yesterday, but around 60% of customers didn’t turn up for their lessons. I completely understand that unexpected things can happen, but if no notice is given, it’s impossible to fill those spaces at short notice.
Preparing for lessons takes time and effort — including getting ponies ready — and last-minute no-shows are unfair on both the team and the ponies. It only takes a couple of minutes to send a quick message, and that makes a big difference.
Going forward, if there is a no-show without notice, the full lesson price will need to be paid before rebooking.
Thank you for your understanding and support — this helps us keep everything running smoothly for everyone. 🐴✨

29/09/2025

🌟 Holiday Pony Camps! 🌟
Join us — and your four-legged pals — for pony fun and adventures this holiday!
Whether you're just starting out or already confident in the saddle, we've got something for everyone:
🐴 Beginners Camp
📅 Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th
Perfect for those new to ponies — enjoy riding, grooming, games & more!
🏇 Intermediate & Advanced Camp
📅 Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd
For experienced riders ready for more — advanced riding, games, and skill-building!
✨ Bring your own lunch
✨ Limited spaces — book quickly to secure your place!

18/09/2025

💔 Devastating Losses at Our Yard – Grass Sickness 💔

Grass Sickness is a devastating disease of the nervous system that hits suddenly and has no cure. Sadly, it has been confirmed as the cause of the losses we’ve faced over the past few weeks.

We’ve had to say goodbye to some very special horses:
🌟 Star and her foal – homebred and so loved.
🦄 Dexter – our legend we brought back from Ireland 13 years ago, who carried so many riders safely and gave his all every time.
👑 Zola – our princess who, though only with us a short time, touched so many hearts.
💙 Zippy – our reliable riding school pony of over 10 years, the one we could always count on and loved by everyone.

To lose so many so quickly has been a nightmare, and the yard feels empty without them. We are still nursing another horse who is unwell, so please be patient with us. None of us have ever faced anything like this before, and the emotional toll has been huge — especially on Megan, who has cared for them tirelessly, and on Tom, who has found this of course incredibly hard.

We are so sorry to everyone who has been affected by these losses. We know how hard this is for the children and riders who loved and learned from these horses and ponies.

We are forever grateful to Anne Logan, our vet, who has been incredible in helping us understand this disease, keeping our horses comfortable, and supporting us every step of the way.

We are heartbroken, but we’ll keep fighting for the rest of our herd. These horses will never be forgotten, and their memories will always stay with us. 🐴💔

Thank you all for your patience, support and understanding as we get through this together. Lessons and routines may feel a little different just now, but please know we are doing our very best for both horses and people.

14/09/2025

🐴 Rider Weight Policy
Due to the recent illness and loss of some of our larger weight-carrying horses, we’ve had to reassess and reinforce our rider weight limits.
We understand this can be a sensitive topic, and we want to approach it with respect and transparency. However, in a riding school environment — where horses often carry newer or less balanced riders — it’s essential to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Why This Matters:
Our horses and ponies work hard, and their comfort, safety, and long-term soundness depend on being matched appropriately to riders. Our weight limits are carefully set based on each horse’s size, build, and workload, and include considerations such as tack weight and rider experience.
Rider Weight Limits:
Experienced riders: up to 12 stone (76 kg / 168 lbs)
Beginner riders: up to 11 stone (70 kg / 154 lbs)
While other schools may offer different limits, these are the maximum weights our horses and ponies can comfortably and safely carry in their current workload.
Helping Us Help the Horses:
To ensure the right horse is allocated to every rider, we kindly ask that all riders update their weight with us every few months. This helps us make appropriate matches and protect our horses' welfare.
We truly don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable — this policy is about animal welfare and doing what’s best for the horses we all love and rely on.
We’ve also attached a BHS (British Horse Society) poster explaining the science behind rider weight and its impact on horse wellbeing.
Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation.
Together, we can ensure a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment for everyone — especially our horses.
This may change in the future please do keep checking back

Thanks for your cooperation Devon River Riding Centre

13/09/2025

30/08/2025

Today, our beloved Dexter crossed the rainbow bridge. 💔
For the past 13 years, he’s been more than just a horse — he’s been a true character of the yard, a teacher, a friend, and a companion to so many. From helping beginners find their confidence to proudly competing, Dexter has touched countless hearts and left an impact that will never be forgotten.
Fly high, big man. You’ve given us so much, and we will miss you more than words can ever say. 🌈🐴

27/08/2025

Massive well done to the girls who braved the rain tonight to join us for young riders academy 🙈

26/08/2025

We still have a few spaces available for our young riders academy tomorrow night if you would like to book in pm the page 😊

16/08/2025

Looking for old riding boots if anyone is having a clear out 🙏

26/07/2025

All set up and ready for our fun day todays fun day hope to see you all soon ☀️