Return to horse riding after 20 years?!

[Dazedandconfus]

Hello!
I used to love horse riding, had a pony and then a horse growing up, but have not been on a horse for around 20 years now!

Has anyone gone back to it? Was it like riding a bike and you remember how (to an extent) or was it like starting over?

I’m keen to maybe see if I can still ride and therefore would be ok on some of the lovely riding holidays I keep seeing advertised!

I’m 49 and reasonably fit etc, but have no idea how I’d be after all these years!

I take it you are a woman.
Even slim men, if they are not short, might be too heavy.
76 kg is limit in many centers.

It definitely does come back to you although you will ache like nothing else the next day or next again day! Find a good BHS riding school and have some private lessons. It's really hard to find good trekking centres as the insurance is so high. They are either dodgy, and take loads of risks to cut corners, or so safe all you do is walk! It's a real joy to find a good place. I'd recommend Iceland for horse riding holidays.

Yes a woman - I’m 5ft 8 and about 10.5 stone so should be ok 😊

Thank you so much! Yes I can imagine the aching is quite full on.
I will take a look at Iceland - that would be fun! I think I remember going to a place just outside Edinburgh years ago too with Icelandic ponies 😊

Definitely do it,its the best and you'll totally remember it all.you can build up the muscles slowly,do some work outs at home along side it from you tube.

Womens only holidays are nice because you won't get couples who keep to themselves. Also, it's very different way of bonding when you have a ladies only group. Not that many men riding, but it happens.

From personal experience, I would suggest doing this at a time when you can take the next two days to recover! It's worse than when you start to learn to ride, because you remember which muscles to use, and try to use them - but they're not accustomed to the movement any more, so you end up with aches in places you'd forgotten you have.

It won't take long to get your muscle strength back - well worth the effort! :)

I went back after 30 years and have now had horse shares for 10 years (am 60 now and have no thoughts of giving up). Its my lifeline and I love it

Last year my mother - in her 70s - went on a holiday that had an optional horse riding excursion across the plains. She was determined to try, so did a couple of lessons - after about 50 years off a horse, then found various places to trek within a day trip from home. And she did ride (side saddle!) across the plains. She started about 6 months before the holiday.

Go for it!

I've always had horses but had 10 years off riding whilst having DC.

My horses grew too old in the meantime so has to ride a friend's horse to get back into it, was quite nervous and very stiff and everything hurt afterwards but could still ride and stay on fine.

Do it.

Or actually don't and save yourself a fortune 😆

Amazing! So lovely and gives me confidence to try too 😊 well done to your Mum

Awww lovely! Thank you. I think I’d be very stiff and achy too, but I really think I’d enjoy it! Going to give it a go! 😊

Great advice thank you! Definitely makes sense 😊

Thank you! Good plan - I am definitely thinking it would be worth the pain and feel very excited to give it a go again 😊

I went horse riding for 12 years when I was younger. had an older pony on loan for 3 years. Very much hacking, jumping over homemade jumps and chasing another couple of horse on a 16 hands horse. I haven't ridden for 41 one years, but would be more than comfortable other than the latter.
However, I would expect my inside legs to suffer, maybe lower back afterwards. If you do a lot of exercise already moving hip joints in various directions, they shouldn't be too bad. I've never had a riding lesson in my life, just felt my way as I went along.

Hope you enjoy. You've got me thinking.

Sadly my re-entry into the equestrian world wasn't the dream I was hoping after 32 years hiatus.
I was constipated for nearly a month after a ride in the summer. I will not be attempting again. Thank you

I went back to it about 20 years ago - late 30s.

Lucky enough to have a riding school at the end of our lane! A group of ladies, we were all so nervous we couldn't eat breakfast on riding day but all loved it once in the saddle.

I found my shape had changed since i rode when i was young (bigger up top) and it affected my balance a lot. Legs were sore, bum was sore, i got super hot and shed clothes all through the lessons even in winter 🤣

I fell off in canter one day and broke my coccyx. I got back on ect ect and i was fine in the moment. Cantered again that day ect. However i had to stay off lessons for a few weeks to heal and it made me realise how badly it would effect life if i really hurt myself (3 kids at primary and 3 jobs). This ruined my nerve and although i went back to my lessons i never cantered again. Gradually stopped lessons. Still LOVE horses. Still look out of the window when i hear them go by like a kid 😊

You’ll be fine 😊
I’d advise some work on your core though. I’ve been riding my friend’s pony recently after only riding occasionally for the past 14ish years and that’s where I felt it the most (in trot), so I’ll be working on mine! (I used to be so agile 🤣🤣)