Learning to ride as an adult in Gloucestershire

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I would love to learn to ride, I have been on a horse only a couple of times in my life but would learn to ride properly.

Is this something quite normal to have a complete novice in their 30s?

Does anyone know a stable they could recommend in the Cheltenham/Gloucester area? And are there any other tips you have for someone completely unknowledgable about horses!

Thanks very much.

[BlueChampagne]

Any decent riding school wouldn't bat an eyelid. I'm sure quite a few parents take up riding when their DCs start. I used to ride in Glos but not for many years. I rode at Summerhouse off A38 and Hyde near Minchinhampton.

Otherwise, Hartpury would be the top end to start!

[CMOTDibbler]

I had a great lesson from a Summerhouse instructor, but a friend has had a really bad experience there. But give it a try.

Theres loads of novice adults where I ride (nr Malvern) - its nice as you get to properly hack out which is what most adults want to do and most schools don't offer it

[Poledra]

No advice on stables but go for it, GetOrf! I started riding when I was 25, gave up for 8 years or so at 33 (pg and bfeeding) then restarted at 40 I'm still a total novice but dream of owning my own big fat draught horse one day. Oh yeah, don't be scared of the big hosses - big hosses are the knees of the bees, especially for lanky gits like thee and me.

Don't ride in jeans, get some proper knickers (someone on here once rode in a thong - took their nethers weeks to recover) and wear some boots with a small heel. You don't need any gear until you decide if you like it - most yards will lend you a hat for a few weeks.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Hahaha at get some proper knickers!

Thanks so much everyone. I had a look at Summerhouse (I have seen that so many times when coming off the M5 but forgot about it) and the lessons are a lot cheaper than I thought, only 20 quid.

I don't know what I want to do really, just learn to run on them I think. Hacking would be lovely, Malvern is a bit far though, I travel a lot in the week and can't be bothered at weekends. But I just need the basics, I can't even get on a horse without a big box.

That's funny you say that about big horses pol, one of the few times I have been on a horse I was expecting (as a novice) to have been given a little pony to try. Didn't think that it went on height and weight, and as I am tall they gave me this bloody great big elephant sized horse to try. It was lovely though.

[Travelledtheworld]

Summerhouse are offering taster riding lessons for £10.00 so go for it. They have great wet weather facilities ie you can ride indoors or an all weather arena.

[Travelledtheworld]

Yeh honest waist high knickers are vital !

[mrslaughan]

We've had 50 and 60 year olds start at the yard I ride at.... They have always wanted to learn, and in retirement they have the time..... It's fab!

[Callisto]

I always ride in jeans and a thong - I don't possess any big knickers. I do mainly ride in a racing saddle though, which are a bit more forgiving.

Talland has a good reputation, but I wasn't happy with the lessons they gave DD a couple of years ago. There is a little riding school at Daglingworth (your side of Cirencester) which is nice, very tidy and with well looked after horses. Also Elmwood and Wickstead near me but they might be a bit far from you - Elmwood is the other side of Carterton and Wickstead is Faringdon way.

Go for it, you'll love it and no one will care how old you are.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I don't even wear knickers normally. I guess a shopping trip to buy big knickers is in order.

I will have a look at daglingworth as well, and try one of those taster lessons.

I would mind after the basics going on rides in the countryside, rather than just in a training area iyswim. How long do you reckon it would take for me to go from being barely able to sit up straigh to being able to trot etc (or is that a how long is a piece of string question).

I am going to call them today. Excited!

I always wanted to ride as a child but it was completely outside my grasp.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Thank you everyone.

[Littlebigbum]

As long as a piece of string,lol
We never stop learning,
So just enjoy it.

[monkeyfacegrace]

Getorf, Im going to start hacking at Ongers farm in Upton. My dd goes there for lessons occasionally. Its £25 for an hour and a half hack, and usually there is only 2 or 3 riders! They go right up into the hills

[Callisto]

The riding school at Daglingworth hack out in Cirencester Park which is really lovely.

[BlueChampagne]

Ooh we used to hack to Cirencester Park from Hyde - fab!

On the subject of knickers, a friend has ridden across the Scottish Highlands and came back with stories of fellow riders doing it commando, so big knickers not compulsory!

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Oh that's good monkey, I often drive through Upton as a short cut and usually see small groups of riders, didn't know that there was a riding school there, so will have a look at that as well.

[Travelledtheworld]

there is a new initiative to gt older people to start riding for fitness. See www.hoofit.co.uk
From first time on a horse to being able to walk, trot and control a horse independently estimate 4-6 lessons. Trotting can be a bit tricky but once you have mastered it then you never forget.