Also, middle-aged.
I love horses and always have. I rode ponies maybe three or four times as a child, never really learned technique, just larking. Never had regular access to horses.
I moved to this very horsey village five years ago. Last year my husband bought me two riding lessons as a Christmas gift and I had a great time--although, at 43, I was disappointed at the amount of physical fear I felt. I wasn't afraid of the horse himself, as I could tell he was a gentle boy who enjoyed the exercise. It was just being up so high made me tense up. I'm ashamed to say that in the two lessons we didn't even advance to a trot. I was shaking all over and it took all my courage to sit up properly in the saddle as we walked around the track.
Given the expense (and my lack of progress) I didn't sign up for any additional lessons.
However I keep thinking of horses. I need a hobby too (to counteract stressful job). We have a postage-stamp garden and anyway couldn't afford to keep a horse or pony at present.
Would it be crazy of me to put up an ad or something offering my services to a local horse-owner? I'm imagining a scenario in which I could go and muck out someone's stalls every Sunday, for instance, and then maybe get up on the horse and do a gentle ride around the paddock, building confidence.
I am sure I could do a good job cleaning out the stables and brushing down the horse if someone showed me what to do. As far as riding, I figure if it's a gentle cob or something we could both just take it easy around the pasture--definitely not taking it out on the road or trail.
If you were a horse-owner, would you welcome an offer like this? Or would I come across as a crazy lady who would do more harm than good?
AIBU?
WIBU to do a horse share (as a non-rider)?
matildasquared · 27/03/2014 14:34
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