Horse riding, what's sensible?

[Bodear]

Hi all, I'm in my mid thirties and looking to start horse riding again. I did a bit as a kid but was more enthusiastic than proficient!
I'm more interested in learning what I need to learn for hacking than becoming technically excellent just for the sake of it if you see what I mean.
Please could you give me an idea of what I can expect in terms of lessons and riding schools. Also, any recommendations in and around Huddersfield would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Depends on the school, horses and type of hacking. I went to a school that let me hack out after a year of lessons & jumping. Another school let me hack out after about 3 lessons. Your best bet, imo, is to go to a school, explain what you're looking for, book & go on a lesson so they can judge your standard and take it from there.

Generally, you need to be fairly proficient to hack out, manage a bolting horse, manage a spooked horse, deal with jumps, dogs running about etc .. although some schools are pretty lax.. unless they have totally bomb proof horses ofc). I would be wary about lax schools.. I wouldn't be happy with a school if they let novices hack out and would question their insurance

I should add that the place that let me hack out after 3 lessons, was after I already had 8 months of lessons in the other school. At one point I was riding for 3 hours a week (lessons & hack) to prep for a week long hack abroad. I have been riding on and off since I was a kid.

The health & safety of the horse is as important as the riders- an unhealthy / unhappy horse could result in injury to the rider and horse because as you know, the horse will be sure to make you aware how it's feeling

Thanks for your input. That's good advice; I'll find a school, have a lesson and see what they think. Thank you!