Matchmoor Riding Centre — Attraction in Bolton

Extremely disappointing experience with this riding school. When I booked as a group I explained we were beginners. As you get there they ask you to fill in the paperwork stating your experience, again told them it was our first experience. That makes no difference to this business - the idea is to get as many people in a group with others and take your money. We had no teaching and no information about how to ride a horse. Why accept beginners then? Clearly it was for money. As we went out in a group of ten we were very rudely told by Andrew, one of the instructors/ volunteers, within the first minute that ‘if we did not stick to the rules he would stop and we would be taken back in’. As we explained no one had given a single instruction, he then blamed us for ‘being late’ and not telling them we were beginners, neither of which happened. They make you walk with the horse up the moors then back which was enjoyable. However, my horse spooked and bolted after seeing a bull - I held the reins in as hard as I could as per instructions whilst it bolted, so much so that it snapped. Obviously massive injuries as I fell to the ground, including severe back pain. I am actually a doctor and appreciate it was not the schools fault the horse bolted. But to be that carefree with health and safety is beyond me. I have been riding once at another school and they were amazing. I now have severe back pain and will be off work this week. I see spinal injuries at work and I count myself lucky to not have had one. The staff did apologise but blamed my friends for screaming as they saw me fall which ‘made the horse more scared’ - as if that made a difference. As we got back no first aid was offered, absolutely no assessment of my injuries (bruised and battered everywhere) and the owner was clearly not bothered. I cleaned myself up and they took no responsibility for their major wrongdoings. No regard for the seriousness of my injuries - ‘a few grazes’ - have these people heard of spinal injuries? We did get a refund for myself after debating with them but i’m just thankful my injuries weren’t worse. This is a very dangerous company and I don’t say that lightly. I see multiple spinal injuries at work and this school has been reported as they seem to take safety so lightly. Comments have been made that the horses are neglecged so spook easily which I agree with. Please look into your safety for the sake of your customers - I feel one day it won’t go as well as my injury. I can honestly say this has put me off horse riding and I would rather pay more for a...

Fantastic! Me and my 10 year old daughter are experienced riders but my daughter had lost confidence. She wanted to regain it so I booked a private lesson and 1 hour trek. My daughter ride a lovely chestnut gelding called Henry who took good care of her but I was on a black mare with a white blaze across her face called Lily. I didn't have a good history with mares but I got on Lily anyway. My daughter's face was a picture when she sat on Henry's back. She was beaming from ear to ear. Henry was a big horse but he was very gentle and calm. We walked into the school and walked around until we were nearly ready to go for our trek. We were just about to take our last lap when all of a sudden Lily spooked and jumped to the side and I fell off. Now I have gave this a rating of 5 star still because you fall off you fall off there's nothing you can do. I got back onto the saddle and carried on. Once we had finished the instructor asked us if we wanted her to walk alongside us or ride ahead. My daughter seemed pretty confident so she said she didn't mind and so did I. I particularly liked how friendly and calm the instructor was. She opened the gate and instructed us to follow her my daughter was in the middle of us three and she followed on behind the instructor I followed on last and told Lily to walk I was surprised to see she was so stubborn and was fighting the bitt. One I had finally got her to walk we were quite far behind but then Lily started to trot up to catch up which I didn't mind it was quite nice. The trek was fabulous and the views were amazing! My daughter did struggle on the way back because Henry had sped up a little bit because he knew his dinner was waiting for him when he got back. My daughter (being an experienced rider) quickly adapted to his pace and settled down almost immediately. We walked back and again it was beautiful! Will definitely be booking again soon!...

It’s a Pity 1 star is the only option as it doesn’t deserve that. My 6 year old attended her friends birthday party . We arrived to be greeted by her friends mum ( no staff spoke or approached us ) we went to the “ party room “ some of the girls went to look at the horses in the stables. We all of a sudden heard shouting. “ you cannot be out here go inside “ I thought she was talking to a dog , nope she ( old lady ) was speaking to 5/6 year olds. She then slammed the party door in the parents face. She then came in the party room and shouted at them for being too loud and that they wouldn’t be able to ride if they shouted. My daughter was put on a horse and left. The old woman then shouted at her that she was holding the reins wrong. She’s never been on a horse and wasn’t shown. I asked a member of staff is she was always like that the young girl said yes I’m petrified of her. When the girls arrived back from their ride she shouted at them again and told them to be quiet. One of the mums said to her they’re only 5/6 years old . She said I’m only bothered about health and safety ( clearly not if the state of toilets and party room is anything to go by ) she said I’ve been doing parties for 45 years and never had an issues , well going off online reviews isn’t true. She also shouted that she was “ up to here with it all “ because we were stood watching our children in the field when they got back . This woman is absolutely vile and shouldn’t be working with the public especially young children she needs to improve on her customer service skills as well as the “ party room “ that hasn’t seen a lick of paint or clean in the 45 years she’s allegedly been doing it. She’s lost a lot of potential business as not one parent at the party would recommend going their due to her shocking behaviour...