To learn to ride a horse in my 40s?

[Bambamrubblesmum]

Am I crazy to think I could learn? Has anyone done it?

Keep thinking about falling off and breaking something but I'm wistfully longing to go out on long country rides and enjoy the experience.

Go for it!

Why not? I learned in my 30s and I wasn't the only one!

DO it. I've had horses my whole life so I don't know about learning as an adult (I was on a horse long before I could walk) but honestly it's the most wonderful thing. I am never ever happier than when I'm on a horse.

Go for it, horse riding is a lot of fun...and there's nothing like holding onto a chunk of make (if you're a baby like me) and feeling the horse accelerating into a gallop underneath you!

Chunk of mane

I've known older people to take it up.

I would go for it, there are people on my yard in their 70s still galloping about! Be warned it's addictive though

Go for it!! There's a girl on YouTube called PonyCam who rides with a helmet camera. Occasionally her mum (who I think is 61) wears it. If she can ride, you can!!!

I would like to learn. I had lessons as a child but they were sporadic and not very good. I can do a rising trot but couldn't sit a canter, basically I just learnt to hang on.

My daughter rides and I'd like to be able to ride enough to be able to go on riding holidays with her. I had a few lessons a couple of years ago and my hips struggled a bit (I've always had clicky hips) which has put me off. However we've just got DD a horse that would be big enough for me to ride too so I'm tempted to try again.

Go for it. I had Horses when i was younger and my DM didnt learn until she was in her 40s.

Once you are into it you will never wanna stop.

Come over to the tack room section on Mumsnet! I'm late 20's and have just started having lessons, I love it. Go for it!

We had horses when we were younger, and we taught my father to ride basic level in his 50's, then decent level dressage schooling when he was in his 60's.

It's a great way to keep fit as well, does wonders for your core (and other muscles )

The key is to finding a good school (which I failed at hence a recent post I made on here), if you put a post up on the horse section on here with your rough location, there's lots of knowledgable people on there who could probably recommend a good one. If your worried about injuries, invest in a well-fitted hat & body protector.

Be warned though, it's addictive

I'm 48 and started learning last year - having a great time! 😊 Go for it!

I didn't even get on one until I was 30 so go for it. Such great fun! Mostly when you fall off you don't break stuff (mostly!!)

Do it!
Ive got friends in their 70s & 80s who are still riding.

and yes its addictive!

Definitely find a good riding school, like anything else, some are better than others and you want an instructor who will give you confidence and horses whose welfare is looked after (again sadly not all riding schools do)

Some riding schools do intensive beginners riding courses and some also have the option to learn some basic horse care along the way.

I've ridden all my life and have regularly chucked none riding adults onto horses- they love it!

Go for it and don't let age put you off! I'm early forties and it's on my to do list.

You go girl. Giddy up!

Yep go for it. Be prepared to find muscles where you never used to have them - I recently went back after a very very long break and was Ina hint for a few days!

I started in my 40s. I wanted to find something I could do with my two DDs that we could do together. We had private lessons every Sunday afternoon. It was lovely. Great exercise- that surprised me as I thought it was just sitting on a horse but it's really a whole body workout!

I never reached any level of competence but thoroughly enjoyed it.

(I also tried skiing but despite skiing before, the DCs overtook me by our third day!)

I would love to learn as well but I'm a big baby and find horses a bit scary (don't ask me why, we had a grumpy but pattable Shetland when I was little). I get so jealous when I see people on horses like it's the most natural place to be. I think if I climbed on one I'd spent the whole time wobbling around til I fell off!

I would love to learn as well but I'm a big baby and find horses a bit scary (don't ask me why, we had a grumpy but pattable Shetland when I was little). I get so jealous when I see people on horses like it's the most natural place to be. I think if I climbed on one I'd spent the whole time wobbling around til I fell off!

My DF learned in his 40s so I don't see why you can't - I was pony mad and he learned to accompany me. It was great going over mountains together.

Do it, I learned in my 30s once I dropped enough weight. An acquaintance is still riding age 70, plus someone of a similar age used to win all the showjumping when it came to speed rounds at the local show centre.

There are people in their 40s learning at my yard now. Don't go crazy buying stuff until you're sure you're going to carry on.