Stoke Lane Stables

Stoke Lane Stables is a fully licensed, insured, ABRS+ accredited riding school and Pony Club Centre at Bayford near Wincanton, run by an instructor with over 30 years' experience owning, breaking and training horses. Lessons are described as innovative, fun and confidence-boosting, with no shouting or aggressive behaviour tolerated from instructor or rider. Sessions run with around 4-6 riders, carefully matched by ability, and it is common for several rides to run simultaneously, a flatwork lesson and a hack, for example.

Hacking is central to the offer, using the countryside around the village plus "suburban" rides looping into Wincanton town. All horses are road-safe, high-visibility tabards are mandatory and provided, and the centre actively promotes the BHS Ride Safe scheme. A person on foot accompanies all hacks except those for advanced riders, and lead riders carry a first aid kit and walkie-talkie. Stable management is a core part of the ethos alongside riding.

Two 20m x 40m arenas are set up in the flat paddock year round. Note: park in Bayford village and walk up the lane, there is no waiting area, and parents are asked to drop off and return at the end of sessions unless leading their child.