Become a Horse Ranger
Horse Rangers share a love of horses and being outdoors. These sessions give your child the chance to learn how to care for and ride horses, make new friends, have fun, and pick up key life skills on the way.
What being a Ranger looks like
Rangers care for the horses, learn to ride and work towards their badges. Here are the practical bits.
Where we meet
The Stockyard, Bushy Park, Hampton TW12 2EJ.
When we meet
Sessions run every weekend, 51 weeks a year.
Who it is for
Children and young people from the age of 8, whatever their challenges.
How often your child rides
About twice a month, during designated riding weeks.
Anything else you want to know before a first session, just ask us.
Your weekend at the Stockyard
Five things fill a session. Most weekends include all of them.
Caring for the horses
Your child will learn responsibility, confidence, and practical horse care skills.
Stable management and safety
Routines, safe practices, and how to work effectively as part of a team.
Riding
Riding skills, balance and confidence, roughly twice a month during designated weeks.
Badge work
Badges that celebrate their progress, achievements and personal growth.
Peer-to-peer mentoring
Supporting and learning from others, developing teamwork and leadership skills.
Who can be a Horse Ranger?
Horse Rangers aims to be accessible to all and offers a range of programmes to suit varying needs.
The Weekend Programme is delivered in large group sessions, with around 60 children attending each weekend. While children are divided into smaller groups for activities and riding, we are unable to provide one-to-one support. Children who require dedicated individual support are likely to be better suited to our RDA programme, where activities are designed around providing more personalised assistance and support.
Children can join Horse Rangers from the age of 8. Leadership roles start at 12.
More than just riding, spending time with horses uniquely helps young people thrive. Why horses?
Riding for the Disabled
Our Riding for the Disabled sessions are specialist sessions for children, young people and adults with physical, neurological and learning disabilities. To find out more please visit our RDA programme.
Our facilities
Horse Rangers is registered with both the British Horse Society (BHS) and Richmond Council as a 5* rated Riding School which means quality assurance in our facilities and how we look after the horses. We have annual inspections to ensure we comply with their regulations. We have a large indoor arena and direct access into the beautiful surroundings of Bushy Park for hacks.
Sessions and subscription
Our Weekend Youth Development Programme runs every weekend of the year, in four squadrons.
Days and times sessions run
- Squadron 1Saturday, 08.15 – 12.3010 plus
- Squadron 2Saturday, 12.30 – 16.4510 plus
- Squadron 3Sunday, 08.15 – 12.3010 plus
- Squadron 5Sunday, 13.30 – 16.308–10 yrs
- The Weekend Programme runs 51 weeks a year.
- No previous experience is required before joining.
- Parents drop off and collect. You are not asked to stay for the session.
Our subscription
£185 a month
To join Horse Rangers, we rely on monthly donations of £185, to cover the upkeep of our horses and home at the Stockyard in Bushy Park.
How we can help with costs
At Horse Rangers, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to benefit from time with horses, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Ride Together Fund
Supported by the Hargreaves Foundation
Thanks to the generous support of the Hargreaves Foundation, our Ride Together Fund helps remove financial barriers, ensuring that children and young people can access Horse Rangers’ programmes and experience the many benefits of spending time with horses.
If the subscription is a concern, support may be available through the Ride Together Fund. Please email admin@horserangers.org.uk to find out more.
Would you like to help? See the ways to give.
Joining Horse Rangers
Children can join Horse Rangers from the age of 8.
To register your child, please complete our Registration Form. Once we receive your completed form, your child will be added to our Registration List and we will contact you when a suitable place becomes available.
The length of time before a place is offered varies depending on your child’s age and availability within our groups. We will always get in touch as soon as we are able to offer a place.
The office line is answered Monday to Friday. Or email admin@horserangers.org.uk.
Registering your child: frequently asked questions
How does the Registration List work?
We’ve made a small change to how children join Horse Rangers. In the past, families often had to wait a very long time before a place became available. Now that we can offer places much sooner, especially for children aged 10+ (there is still some wait for children aged 8 to 10). To reflect this shift, we’ve replaced our old “waiting list” with a Registration List. This simply means your child is registered with us, and we’ll be in touch as soon as a suitable place opens. It’s a quicker, friendlier way for young people to join our sessions and become part of the Horse Rangers community. Please note that we take children from the age of 8.
Who can join Horse Rangers?
We welcome children and young people from the age of 8.
How do I register my child?
Simply complete our Registration Form. Once submitted, your child’s details will be added to our Registration List.
What is the Registration List?
The Registration List is a record of children who are interested in joining Horse Rangers. When a suitable place becomes available, we contact families directly.
Why has the admissions process changed?
Over recent years, the cost of living situation has changed how many families plan activities for their children. As a result, fewer young people, particularly those aged 10 and above, are joining or remaining on our waiting list. Because of this shift, we are moving away from the long waiting list model that historically meant families could wait several years for a place.
Does this mean places are now easier to get?
In many cases, yes. We are now able to offer places much sooner, and sometimes immediately, depending on age and availability. This allows us to welcome young people more quickly and make better use of the opportunities we can offer.
How long will my child wait for a place?
Waiting times vary depending on age group and availability. Some age groups may have shorter waiting times than others.
Why did waiting times used to be so long?
Historically, demand for places was extremely high, and families often registered their children many years in advance (sometimes at birth). This led to waiting times of 5 to 10 years. Changes in family circumstances and wider economic pressures have reduced this demand, allowing us to update our approach.
What happens if my child is already on the waiting list?
If your child is already registered, you will not lose your place. Instead, the new system means you may be offered a place sooner than expected. We will contact you directly if a suitable place becomes available.
Are you still accepting new registrations?
Yes. Families are still welcome to register their interest. However, the process is now more responsive, and waiting times are significantly shorter than in previous years.
How will I know if a place becomes available?
We will contact you directly using the details you provided when registering. If your contact information has changed, please let us know so we can keep your record up to date.
Can I update my contact information after registering?
Yes. Please let us know if your contact details change so that we can reach you when a place becomes available.
Do I need to re-register each year?
No. Once your child is registered, their details will remain on our Registration List unless you ask us to remove them.
Will the cost of membership change?
Our membership contribution remains £185 per month. We regularly review our costs to ensure our programmes remain sustainable while continuing to provide high-quality experiences for young people.
Can I check current availability?
Yes. If you would like to know whether places are currently available for your child’s age group, please contact us at admin@horserangers.org.uk or call 020 8979 4196 and we will be happy to help.
Does this change affect the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) section?
No. The RDA programme continues to operate separately, and families involved in RDA will be contacted directly regarding availability and admissions.
Can I contact Horse Rangers about my registration?
Yes. If you have any questions about your registration or would like to update your details, please get in touch with us.
