Yes, you will find a range of lesson prices in all regions, and sadly MA is somewhat known for being on the higher end. I grew up riding in the Holliston/ Norfolk area. My parents paid $500 for a set of 10 group lessons at a lesson and show barn. When I was in college I rode at a more lower key barn (actually it was known for therapeutic riding) and paid $350 for a set of 8 lessons. A great place to look up barns is
www.equinesite.com
You will find that the big separators between prices are these:
-If they have an Indoor ring (same for heated amenities such as tack rooms or viewing areas)
-Reputation of the trainer (trainers with more experience and proven success of their own/clients, will charge more)
-Quality of school horses (this can vary, but barns that use "show quality" horses for lessons are likely to charge more)
As a rider just starting out, I would think about what you want out of riding. Mostly trail riding? Training for showing eventually? Do you mind riding with kids or do you want adult only lessons? How far are you willing to travel?
A few questions I would ask:
-What are the lesson policies (do you pay as you go or buy a session, what is the cancelation policy/make up policy, bonus points for a barn that has a printed sheet with this info)
-Do the riders tack up and cool out the horses or do you arrive and get on (if it is the former, don't worry, your first few times they should (read: if they don't, you probably don't want to be there) have someone who will show you how)
-What happens in inclement weather (important if you choose a barn without an indoor ring)
-Is the instructor licensed? How many years have they been teaching?
-Ask to see which horses are used with adult beginners (some barns cater to young riders and have only ponies or horses that are not suitable to adult beginners).
-What is the helmet policy (are they required, do they lend them to beginners)
If you have time I would watch a lesson:
-Do the Horses look happy? (riders should not be needing to constantly kick/use a crop (short whip) or yank on the horse's mouth to make them stop, horses especially for a novice rider should not buck or rear)
- Do the riders look happy? (should not seem nervous or bored)
-How does the instructor interact with the students? (does he/she yell or ridicule? Is he/she focused on the lesson (not on cell phone or talking to others outside the lesson), does she pay equal attention to all the students? Also pay attention to teaching style, does he/she prefer to pick on thing to focus on or continually hand out small pointers? Where does she stand (side of the ring, center, follows the student)
-The ring should be fairly flat and without large rocks, if it is dirt or sand it should not be too dusty, it should have a gate capable of being closed and secured, check to make sure there isn't a deep "Track" along the outer edge of the ring.
Good luck!
A few notes about purchases for riding:
-Make sure you have comfortable boots for riding, they should have a small heel (no sneakers) and should fit close to your foot (no big rubber goulashes)
-Many first start out in jeans but you may want to purchase some schooling tights which are stretchy, don't have hard seams (jeans can chafe) and are breathable for summer riding
-Once you have decided to stick with riding, you should purchase your own helmet (personally, I'm a little neurotic about head lice and a helmet is only ~$50, I'd get one sooner rather than later)