First horse ride

[Downsize2021]

I'm a middle aged woman doing my first private lesson tomorrow. I'm excited but nervous. Does anyone have any advice or words of wisdom?

So lots of stretches beforehand. Wear comfy trousers - not jeans, the seams will rub. Enjoy every second.

Supportive bra, avoid lacey knickers. Prepare to get addicted.

Breathe !

Eyes ahead not down .

Agree on comfy knickers & decent bra !

Enjoy it :)

Definitely comfy big knickers and trousers with no seams
Get there a little early, you can always wait in the car
Relax and breathe and sit up
Have a bath after with some radox or Epsom salts!

I was terrified of horses, my grandad loved them and forced me on to a pony age 3. I came back from the ride and said "again". He sold his car when he stopped driving due to his eyesight and bought me a horse
My mother still refers to it as a passing phase, 33 years later...

Your head and your heart keep high,
Your hands and your heels keep low,
Your legs stay close to your horses sides and
Your elbows close to your own.

Gave a brilliant time and come back and tell us how it went!

Stay calm, relaxed and loose.
Look ahead not at the floor
Boobs pushed out, bum under
Most Important bit......have fun and enjoy

Definitely stretch!

I really disliked the horse I had my first ever lesson on, so much so I didn't want to go back despite begging for lessons for years (I was 15) so if that happens to you don't let it put you off. I had a different horse for my second lesson and we "clicked" straight away. I ended up riding him for 4 years and then buying him when the school retired him.

Have fun :)

This tickled me earlier.

Have a great time

No advice but I hope it is an enjoyable experience.

Pragmatism- you can have a million pound horse when you go to bed and when you get up it's lame and worthless till it's sound again.
Scepticism- horse with pus in foot, holds leg claim totally unable to use it. Horse fractionally lame actually has broken leg.

As a lecturer at college told horses are dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.

Sports bra. Proper riding boots. Think about your balance and core.

Don't scream when the horse goes into trot. The reins aren't there for you to use them for balance bitter memories from group lesson last week

Have fun, and remember to breathe! My husband came with me last month for the first time - he said "that wasn't so bad, I might do that again"! It's only taken me 28 yrs of asking him to try it!

I'm 33 and had my first lesson yesterday and absolutely loved it. Got the bug now!

Thanks everyone! Great shout with the sports bra- I'd never have thought of that! I'll try to breathe and stay calm! Can't wait!

Hope you have a good time, be prepared to become addicted though and don't forget to update us

Accept that you will ache afterwards - all those people who dismiss riding as a ‘sitting down sport’ are unaware it does actually use muscles! You’ll feel out of control to start with, even at a walk - this is normal as horses are sentient creatures with a mind of their own, over time you learn how to get a horse to want to do what you want it to. Don’t be scared by this, just enjoy the fact that a half ton creature with a top speed of 40mph is happy to carry you on its back. Be aware that it takes many expensive hours of practice to get to a point where you are capable of the basics, and all of it will cost money and make you ache (and smell like a stable!) and if it’s for you then you won’t care - you’ll empty your bank account, take the bruises, aches and more, and embrace the pong just to have another go. Once you are part way competent, you’ll be able to ride other people’s horses and compare skintness and injuries. 🤣🤣

Well I'm definitely feeling tired! I learned to walk, halt , turn and we did a bit of trotting but I wouldn't say I did very well! I think it was more the case that the horse was humouring me but I did love the experience!

I think I'll book a few more lessons and see if I can master a trot at least!

Heels down

Well done! Glad you enjoyed it. All beginners need a kindly horse that will humour them. And middle aged beginners ideally need a nice middle aged person teaching them. Nothing worse than an 18 year old shouting 'good girl!'
at you. You also need one who is comfortable discussing bras and the dreaded chuff chafe!

www.yourhorse.co.uk/horse-riding-training/piggy-frenchs-perfect-riding-position-tips/

Brilliant @downsize2021! Enjoy the lessons, if not the empty bank account that the equestrian bug brings!

The girl was actually 16 but she was brilliant! I think the horse was
About the same age. Which when you add them together..... nope. I'm still older !