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.

Do it!

I started a couple of years ago: always wanted to ride as a kid but grew up in big cities and my parents weren't at all up for it.

Best decision I've made in years....it's cost a fortune, but I absolutely bloody love it. I'll never be anywhere near as good as my riding friends who did it as kids, but (despite a distinct lack of style), I can now do schoolwork, jump and love hacking out.

It makes me super happy and is my "go to" for distressing...I can't recommend it enough!!!

Ahem. De-stressing

Go for it. My father runs a busy horseriding riding business in Spain and gets plenty of first time riders in the 40s+ all the time!

I'm in my 60's and ride regularly, but have been doing it since childhood (on and off). Falling off is always a possibility. Get a good quality body protector, an approved hat and go for it. I currently ride a very sensible horse who I can trust ... look for one similar and go for it.

I did lessons with my kids when I was in my 40s. I didn't see the point of taking them and then just sitting watching. After the first couple of lessons my muscles and joints got used to it!

If you're afraid of falling, you can actually learn how to fall relatively safely. Jockeys and other practicioners of equestrian sports undertake fall training. For that matter, so do people who do judo or who are training for parachute jumps. It might give you more confidence if you could find something like that.

Do it! I rode as a kid and got back into it in my 30's. 10 years later I've had the best time of my life with my horses. I lost the horse of my life last year (he was only 5) but I now have another (that dh bought me for my 40th!) and she's awesome even though she's only 4!

It is addictive, exhilarating, frustrating, rewarding and worth every penny.

A school friend of mine had always struggled with her weight and then on loads but decided it was now or never in her early forties. She lost over 8 stone and book ridinf lessons as it had always been a secret childhood dream. It's her main hobby now and she even goes on residential horsey holidays

Okay I'm going to do it! Thanks everyone.

I am scared of falling and breaking something but if there is fall training then I think that would definitely help. Plus the body armour looks like it might be a good safety measure.

What kind of things should I be looking for in a good school?

Do it if you wan to. There is no age limit to starting new hobbies. Just don't become a horse bore

Glad you are going for it OP! I've had ponies since birth (mum had her own and whole family is horsey) and although it costs me the earth and I spend 80% of my time covered in straw/hay/muck/horse piss/horse hair/hoof oil etc etc (I dare not add up the amount they cost me!) I have never regretted it for one day.
Good riding school wise, if you are on facebook join your local equestrian page and ask for recommendations. Always a good start. Go for a visit first and look for a tidy yard, healthy and happy horses, up to date health and safety policies, latest hat standards (if you will be borrowing a hat) and have a chat with the owner/instructor and see if you like them! My daughters instructor (she has regular lessons on her own pony as you can never learn enough even if you have been riding for years!) is the perfect fit for her -tough and firm but encouraging and pushes her. You may be able to watch a lesson first and see what you think -our local school encourages this.

You're not dead yet and you could just as easily fall down and break something in the shower. Go for it.

Do it, do it, do it! I started riding again last year after a 6 year break and it's the best thing I've done. My daughter has just started riding now as well and just being around horses again has made me happier. Give it a go, I bet you won't regret it!

I'm a mature lady who rides.darling don't let anyone put you off,it's wonderful to do new things whatever your age.

Find nearby yards and have trial lessons. Then choose the one you like best. I started somewhere but got bored with them insisting on one thing very slowly and the tiny school which was limiting so swapped to one with a huge arena.