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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

First ride in 15 years today.

12 replies

Mirage · 08/10/2011 13:43

I had a private riding lesson today,the first time in 15 years I've been on a horse,and I have't ridden properly since 1981!

I rode the hugest roan cob I have ever seen,I needed steps to get on.We walked and trotted and it was just like riding a bike,it all came back to me.I was astounded to be honest,I was very nervous about going,but as soon as we started trotting I felt at ease.The instructor said that she could tell the point that I relaxed and got my confidence back and that she thought I could do some cantering if I felt like it,but I didn't want to push my luck.She reckons that 3 or 4 more lessons and I'll be confident enough to exercise dpony when the girls are at school, if need be.

She's going to put me on something faster next time.Should be interesting.

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Poledra · 09/10/2011 20:25

Woohoo! Well done you!

I had a really crap lesson today - the gray I ride was in a lazy mood, I got cross and he got stubborn. But it's the first bad lesson I've had since I started back in June, so not so bad.

Glad you enjoyed yourself.

Original poster

Mirage · 09/10/2011 21:11

Thank you Poledra. It is hard when horses and ponies aren't in the mood-ours was very difficult and stubborn today.She's grey too.

I'm starting to feel it in my inner thighs and off for a hot bath in a bit.

How is your dd getting on now? I thought of her yesterday after I picked DD1 up off the ground and trotted out 'it takes seven falls to make a rider'.

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startail · 09/10/2011 21:30

DH says you never forget, rode every week from 8 to 18, then very occasionally when visiting home till his Mum died.
Hasn't been on a horse for 12 years then gallops a huge beast across the Majorcan country side on holiday.
I've never seen such a

Poledra · 09/10/2011 21:58

DD's getting on OK, thanks for asking. She did have some nerves (and a few tears once!) but she's in a group lesson now and I think finding that more fun.

She's being taught by the 'gentler' of the two instructors at the yard now, and getting on well with her (the man who teaches there is great, but he himself admits he finds it harder to strike a rapport with a group of younger children, though he's good one-to-one with them).

DH and I did try to subtly let her know that, if she really wasn't enjoying it, she could stop (though we're generally the kind of cruel parents who prefer them to stick at things for a little while at least!) but she is determined she wants to ride, so we'll keep on for now. And today she rode one of the horses that she fell off and everything went well, so I think that was a big psychological barrier breached! And it helped that I had such a shit lesson and she did so well - you know, see, Mummy has bad days too! (though I didn't fall off, fortunately - I'm a lot older and fatter than her, and it's further to fall ).

Original poster

Mirage · 10/10/2011 21:33

I'm glad she's got her confidence back.Children can be merciless can't they? Mine were desperate to come and watch me,but I banned everyone-even my lovely horsey neighbour threatened to come and watch me.It was a good thing too-I spend all my time telling my two to shorten their reins,and what did I get told to do during my lesson?

My girls must have had low expectations of me-as soon as I got out of the car,they ran down the drive shouting 'Did you fall off?' Thanks for the vote of confidence dds.

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Original poster

Mirage · 10/10/2011 21:35

startail that sounds such fun.I don't think I galloped even when young,fit and fearless,not voluntarily anyway.

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TanteRose · 11/10/2011 08:03

just seen this - I too had my first ride in over 20 years on Saturday

interesting how it does all come back to you, and like you Mirage, the stable owner said he could see the moment when I relaxed and got a bit of my confidence back

it was great fun - I went on my own, but may well take DCs next time. DH, who has never ridden, wants to come with me next time

I had a hot bath on Saturday night, and thought I had got away with just slightly achey inner thighs, but I am still feeling it today. Deffo feeling my age

Original poster

Mirage · 11/10/2011 08:37

TanteRose,thanks for posting,it is funny how you subconciously remember these things.I'm glad you had fun too.

My inner thighs were the only achey bit of me-I was expecting far worse to be honest.I was eying dpony last night -the por thing 'll know about it when I get on board-I weigh about 7st more than her heaviest jockey!

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Original poster

Mirage · 11/10/2011 08:38

oops,atrocious spelling there-was typing and nagging the dds at the same time.

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TanteRose · 11/10/2011 08:45

it was just my inner thighs too, but the muscles are still a bit sore today...

the rest of me feels great I get chronic stiff shoulders from working on a computer all day and the exercise did me the world of good.

I was also huffing and puffing while trotting, so obviously got a good cardiovascular work out too!

Roll on next week

olderyetwider · 11/10/2011 10:05

Careful, you lot. I didn't ride for nearly 30 years, DH had ridden once in his life. I started up again after we bought GD her first pony, DH had some lessons, and GS rides sometimes. So now we have 4 entirely necessary horses

TanteRose · 11/10/2011 10:21

ah, well, no danger of horses for me - I live in a flat in Japan

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