I havent ridden for many years but I want to get back into it now...

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

so what do I do? My DH called someone who wanted to share her horse, all she wanted was it hacked out twice a week and half the shoeing costs. Seems like the perfect deal doesnt it? But I feel that I am too heavy for her horse, it was a slim cob.

The horses that I used to ride were at least 15HH, usually more 16. I dont know if it is the weather turning and it is nice again (har de har) but it will be lovely again soon and I fancy a jaunt out on a horse.

I never had official lessons when learning, I used to help out at stables and got some lessons and lots of saddle time in return. Maybe I should get some proper lessons under my belt, oh I dont know.

Someone help me.

I would, without question, go for some lessons first. Find a nice, approved riding school near you, with reliable horses, proper facilities and a good instructor. Get back into riding in a controlled environment and once you find your balance again you can think about sharing.

thanks booboo, a friend of a friend has a livery and school nearby and she is a very good instructor (so Ive been told) so will go get some lessons just to make sure I still love riding.

Definitely get some lessons to ease back in, then get yourself a share and have fun

echo others re lesons first

have in mind to that sometimes riding a non riding school horse can be very different partly because if you have just had lessons on a school it might be very different hacking out, ...partly depending to what sort of horses you rode at riding schools. Some RS horses are less responsive and / or used to unbalanced / beginner riders and some as great schoolmasters. You might find privately owned horses vary greatly and some are very responsive.

I had one person come to loan my horse and said she had done galloping and jumping... turned out it was only in the confines of a school. She had kittens when I took her out for a hack and we went on the road and up a hill.... did not even get out of walk !

My grandaughters who ride RS pones have to be reminded when they ride my horse that kicking her and any use of a crop is most definately not required

re weight ........ a 14 fit short backed stocky cob with good bone may well take as much or even more that a taller lighter horse . Maybe just ask the owner of the potential share cob what her limit is .

I hope you get back into riding , its fun ... have a great journey exploring the equine world again!

I'm thinking of getting back into it as well, how are you getting on?
So far I have called a RC but they don't have any suitable horses so still looking

I had my first lesson in more than 10 years last week and am having another on Thursday. If you haven't ridden in a while you will need lessons, I was like a sack of potatoes despite having ponies of my own for 5 or 6 years until i was 18! I found it really hard, much much harder than I remember it being, my legs were agony for a couple of days. I'm 5'4" and 11 stone something and the assured me that they would have something for me to ride and I was given a 15h cob.

It cost £25 for half an hour private and £35 for an hour, I don't think I could cope with an hour at the moment.

Like you though i'm hoping to get a share when i've got confidence back.

Hi! I know it's a shlep but why don't you come with me! Nice horses and great company.

I rode DD1's 13hh pony on Sunday.I haven't ridden properly for over 30 years although I did have a lesson back in September.It was only the second time I've ever ridden dpony but we went out for a hack and it was lovely,DD2 was on her little pony and offered to lead off him if I wanted. She is 7 and her pony 12hh,I'm 5ft 8 and nearly 10st,plus I hadn't ridden on the road since 1978! DD1 is away on a school trip next month,so I can ride her again then.

My local stables has said they don't have anything suitable for me to ride as only have ponies at the moment so asking a few others now. I hope they have something more heavyweight for me.

My old horse was an Irish x Shire so could handle it easy but will see. Fingers crossed as I don't want to have to buy or loan something yet but can't wait to get back in to the saddle