Fordbank Livery & Equicentre, Johnstone, Renfrewshire

After putting up an announcement on there social media site yesterday,this yard should take at a good long hard look at they're yard ethics,The yard that they were quick to share with everybody to say had a POSITIVE result of STRANGLES EQUI but NO STRANGLES,know nothing about these results and should perhaps put they're energies towards running they're own yard PROFESSIONALLY,what seemed to be omitted from they're post was that the yard in question has just had 2 LIVERIES move to this yard (FORDBANK)and did not ask for any Strangles Tests before they arrived,or even now knowing that there is a POSITIVE RESULT,This is so unprofessional.

My child had attended Ford bank stables for roughly 2 years, paying for group lessons and semi privates for them, initially I was pleased with how my child was doing within the school and my child was happy to go every week, over the last 4 months or so, we began noticing inconsistencies in the lessons being given, one week they would be jumping straight jumps and the next, they had poor balance and were just going over trot poles. We have finally moved to a new stable and the first few weeks has been spent trying to fix errors in the way my child rides that were taught to them by staff at Ford bank, on talking with other people I have repeatedly heard that Ford bank are happy to take your money but don’t progress your kids as they should, also it’s hard to get 100% attention on your child’s riding when instructors are on their mobile phones or talking to other people within the yard. The best thing we ever did was to move stables, my child is now being taught to ride the correct way and has 100% attention from their instructor!! Would not recommend to anyone!!

Would highly recommend Fordbank to anyone wanting to start horse riding. Went for my first ever horse riding lesson last week and came away feeling much more confident for my second lesson. The two people I dealt with are both lovely and very patient and put you at ease straight away .

My son had a pony party at Fordbank yesterday. Such a fantastic day, at a great price. All the kids had a blast! They got a ride, and a chance to learn a little about the ponies during a grooming session. There’s even a lovely party room! Staff were super helpful, and patient with the kids. Smiles all round! Would definitely recommend!

By far the best riding school, my daughter has had many of lessons here,including a birthday party. Staff and riding instructor are very approachable and friendly, horses are well kept.They even have an indoor arena for those wetter days! Surroundings and views on this yard are amazing, would highly recommend.

My daughter has been riding here for over 5 years now and myself for 2 years. I have seen my daughter grow in confidence week after week from being at the stables. My daughter was always quite shy and unsure of herself, but just from being around the stables and the support she has received with her riding has in my mind helped her grow into a much more confident young women. I myself after a 30year gap in horse riding wouldn't consider riding anywhere else. All the horses and ponies are well taken care of and i have always found all the staff and owner to be extremely friendly and helpful. I would strongly recommend this family run stables.

What a fantastic riding school my two girls have been coming here for years, value for money, well cared for horses and pleasant, helpful and approachable staff, always able to discuss any concerns I may have. Manager and daughter always giving constructive feedback and praise to all riders. Will continue to recommend this stables to anyone wishing to ride x.

My daughter has been attending Fordbank Equi Centre since she was 5 years old. Now 7, I have watched her grow in confidence on a weekly basis. She has a smile from ear to ear from the moment she arrives to the moment she leaves. It’s a working yard so yes, it’s dirty! However the horses are clearly well cared for, clean and tidy. The instructors, the owner and her daughter are clearly very experienced and do their best to ensure the kids are happy. However, you have to appreciate that horses have their own personalities, so inexperienced riders may struggle to control them. It’s therefore very important that parents allow the trainers to do their job. I love nothing more than watching the lessons and have watched my daughter improve week on week. She’s happy so I’m happy.

Thank you Fordbank for everything!

What a great place for your child to learn. Absolutely amazing staff and very experienced riding instructor. If the weather is bad there're an indoor arena

I purchased the pony party on group-on. After several attempts to get hold of someone to booked this I finally got an answer by text. This was fine all got booked and code passed on, however, at no time did the person I was dealing with give their name or ask me who I was or who's party it was for. I arrived at 11.45 for my party which was due to start at 12noon and couldn't see anyone around to ask except for a number of dogs. I finally saw someone and I said I was here for the party and she pointed me to a shabby little room - no way is this a party room! The room is like a hut with a wooden bench and table down the middle. A sink in the corner which had no running water and a storage box as a bin. The children required the bathroom and I was pointed across the yard in to another very run down building where the toilet was. This was absolutely disgusting and should not be open to the pubic. The toilet was dirty / did not flush / there was no toilet roll available (I had to provide tissues) and above all there was also no running water in here for the children to wash their hands. I find this absolutely unbelievable when they know the children will be using the so called room to eat!!! The woman - no idea who she is as at no point did she identify herself - was very rude and was rude to one of the girls who worked their. She asked one of the girls if she could do the trek and the girl paused and her comment to her was "that's fine if you have to think about it then I will not ask you again" but not said in a nice manner it was aggressive! The girls then got saddled up in a very run down area. She again at no point asked who the birthday girl was or what age she was. My daughter asked if she could pick her horse and she said no just get on this one which made my daughter upset. They went out trekking for only 10-15 mins / returned and then brushed a horse for 5-10 mins and that was it. I was paying for a two hour pony party but there was no way this was worth the money. We sung happy birthday and then left. Again at no point was anyone near to ask how we were getting on, did we need anything - absolutely no customer service at all. As we were leaving the lady shouted "is that you away". I just feel that if you are doing childrens parties then there are some provisions that should be made to cater for this and that would be running water so that kids can wash their hands before eating especially when dealing with horses and also to ensure a clean and working toilet with toilet roll. I felt very let down with this place and will at no point ever use this place again and would not recommend it anyone.