Horse Riding for Beginners: Club Prices, the Role of the Jobcenter and Available Support
Horse riding offers a unique experience for children and teenagers – but the cost can be a serious obstacle. Below is an overview of typical training prices in German riding clubs and schools, and how the Jobcenter can help support this hobby.
1. Boberger Reitverein (Hamburg)
Weekly course for children (6–10 years): €90/month
Trial course (4 sessions): €30
Additional or private lessons: €23 per session
Membership fee (for pupils/people with disabilities): €10/month
2. Reitinstitut von Neindorff-Stiftung
Lunge lessons for beginners (25 minutes): €50 per session
10-lesson lunge package: €450
Group lessons (60 minutes for children/pupils/students):
€30 per lesson, or
€250 for a 10-lesson package
3. Local centres such as Vogelsbergdorf
Group (4+ people): €12.50 per lesson
Small group (3 people): €17 per lesson
“Triple” lesson: €25 per session
4. Riding schools / independent instructors
Individual lessons for children: typically €30–39 per 60 minutes
For adults or very personalised one-to-one training, prices can range from €56–75 per session.
If you receive benefits such as Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe, there is – depending on your city or region – the possibility that costs for riding lessons (especially for children) may be covered.
1. Support through “Bildung und Teilhabe” (Education and Participation)
This programme can fund monthly fees or course costs for children.
Riding can be recognised as a leisure, educational or physical activity, especially if you explain the educational, therapeutic or social benefits for the child.
2. Support via “Teilhabe am sozialen und kulturellen Leben”
This component is designed to enable children and young people to take part in club activities and courses.
It can cover membership fees in a riding club, lesson fees or special holiday riding programmes, particularly if the child shows a clear interest.
3. Partial or full cost coverage
Depending on the municipality and the responsible authority (Jobcenter or Social Welfare Office), costs may be covered partially or up to 100 %.
Often there is a monthly or yearly maximum amount within the Education and Participation budget.
4. How to apply in practice
Contact your Jobcenter or Sozialamt and explain that your child would like to attend riding lessons.
Obtain a written quote or cost estimate from the riding club or school (membership, monthly fees, number of lessons, trial package).
Submit your application for cost coverage before the riding lessons start – otherwise you may have to pay everything yourself.
Find a local riding club or riding school and ask for a detailed cost breakdown (membership + regular lessons).
Ask your Jobcenter early whether riding lessons can be funded as part of your child’s social and educational participation.
Use trial offers: many clubs offer 3–4 trial lessons for a total of €30–60, which is ideal to see whether your child really enjoys riding.
Expect monthly costs of around €90–150, depending on the club, lesson frequency and package.
Submit your application before the school year or season starts so that funding can be approved in time.
Club prices range roughly from €12.50 per group session to €90–150 per month for regular lessons.
Initial trial lessons usually cost between €30 and €39 (sometimes slightly more, depending on the provider).
With help from the Jobcenter and the Bildung und Teilhabe scheme, costs can be partly or fully covered for children.
Early communication with both the club and the funding authority is essential.
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nonetheless, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please regard the information in this article as an initial guide and always consult the relevant authorities and institutions for binding and up-to-date information.
