Can we have a thread for those who have returned to riding after a long time out of the saddle?

[Peanutbutterandnutellanutter]

I used to ride as a teenager (only lessons) didn't ride for years and recently got back in the saddle in my 30s.

I have been riding a friend's old cob who has been great to get me back in the saddle, she's an angel to handle and is a total superstar out hacking, but is soooo lazy in the school so I have decided to get some lessons at a riding school in addition to riding the sweet but lazy cob.

Amazingly I think I might have actually found a decent riding school! I've been to a lot of schools I didn't like for various reasons (different instructor every week, instructor young and struggled to relate to 30-something returning to riding, booked private lesson but had to share school with 5 other horses, horses that won't trot/canter without being whipped, lessons that start late and finish early......)

Anyway I had my first lesson at the new place this week, the instructor actually talked to me about my ability and picked a suitable horse to match (ie sensible but willing) the lesson was great and it felt soooo good to ride a forward going well-schooled horse for the first time in years!

Please come and tell me about your experiences returning to riding.

Loving all your updates, keep them coming!

I have not had a lesson for a few weeks - the place I have been riding at has a Groupon offer on at the moment so seems to be booked up at weekends weeks in advance and I can't ride during the week due to work commitments. I did have a lesson booked but they phoned me that morning to change the lesson to the afternoon but I was busy in the afternoon.....will try again.

Have also been recommended another local stables so might check that out too

I'm on a mixed ability group which is fine but gone from being worried I'd be the one who'd hold everyone back to feeling I'm being held back. We were trying to ride an exercise as a group yesterday but it was hopeless as the weaker riders just couldn't keep their horses in trot . Also one of them let their pony charge right up my inner - I nearly got kicked. So although like the social side of the group lesson I may switch to a private or semi-private lesson.

My lessons are private. It's the first time I've had private lessons and I do really like it - focus is100% on me and my riding - no waiting around while instructor deals with someone else having a problem etc. my lessons are only 30 mins but I do feel like I learn a lot in that time, more than in a 1 hour group lesson. Maybe give private lessons a try and see what suits you best.

I've never been in the safe (apart from the odd pony trek on a hen weekend) but I'm becoming more and more keen to have a go and am contemplating lessons for my birthday. Any hints/tips/recommendations?

I take it you meant 'saddle' not 'safe'?
If that's the case...
Ask someone (or better yet, several someones) who rides to recommend a stables.
Phone the stable and ask about adult learners. Also have a look at their website.
Once you find a stables with a good local reputation which is prepared to teach you, book a lesson and see how it goes.
And be prepared to be very stiff down the insides of your thighs the next day!

Safe ??? Damn auto correct. That's meant to say saddle !

The key is finding the right riding school - word of mouth, is always a good try. Go and have a look at the stables and general set up before booking your lessons

Buttercup check out the BHS (British Horse Society) website for a list of approved riding centres in your area. These should meet certain standards.

I'm a returner too! Having ridden until the age of 17 and having had a pony mad childhood (never had my own) working at livery yards etc, "life" got in the way. Finally at the age of 33 having not stopped dreaming of one day having my own, I got back in the saddle. Roll on 2 years of weekly lessons and hacks, I now am on my second share horse and loving it, although still desperate for my own! Dcs now both ride, DS7 is a great little jumper, and DD4 loves grooming! Plan is to try and get my own in the next year, although I am getting broody so who knows!

Broody for a baby...or a horse? .

Haha I'm having that dilemma Oscar - always wanted two children but after a month of being back into weekly lessons I keep wondering whether a horse could be my second 'baby' ;)

Had the best lesson last night. The horse they put me on was amazing to ride - think I'm in love.

Can I sneak in?

I have ridden since the age of 7 - at 15 got a TBx. The horse of my dreams, although a bit of a handful...we just clicked!
At 19 I got pg and she went out on loan for a year and then they bought her.
I had my little shetty to keep me 'in the horse word' but kept him on a small farm with mostly just us there so riding was off the cards for a long time. Ds is nearly 7 and until recently I think I have ridden a small handful of times boring circles round a field for 10mins .

In July I got me a ex racehorse as you do after years off and after a few hiccups, I am on board finally!

Really really early days but I have completely forgot how much I missed riding my own. Does that make sense to anyone else?
I love riding full stop but there is something about riding a horse that is mine that really does it for me, I feel more of a sense of achievement maybe? Or maybe its the freedom to do what I like? I don't know but its ace!

In regards to the children thing - I have one DS, my shetty and the TB. BonkeyTB has very very much replaced any tiny hankering for another baby....he is my new baby!

think I'm in love

Aahhhh, horsie love is just wonderful.

I am getting a little closer to thinking about starting up riding lessons again...

Bonkey I understand totally - I have never owned a horse but when I worked at my local yard many years ago I had one or two that I looked after 'as my own'...

One day, I will own my own... one day... :)

Ah I think I might have found my people. I was horsey mad as a teen and kind of adopted my aunties too small for her pony as my own, life got in the way and I now have two DC's and a busy job with lots of shift work. DD was 11 this year and had expressed an interest in riding so we got her lessons for her birthday and she has continued with weekly lessons since then and is absolutely loving it. Taking her and dropping her off at he stables has really made me miss that horsey lifestyle! My aunt and uncle own a livery yard with small school but they don't do lessons and it's about 15 miles away so not too far but not easy to just drop in to.

How much are you all paying for lessons? We pay £23 for 3 hours for DD which is 45 mins riding in group lesson and the rest of the time is 'stable management' which I think is really beneficial (plus From the yards POV we're actually paying them to get our youngsters to do the 'dirty' jobs!!)
I don't know if I can justify taking another £100 from the monthly budget just to indulge my love of all things horsey!

For my riding lesson each week, one hour group - £24
I also go to a pony trekking/trail riding centre and I pay £25 for a one hour hack (don't do that every week just now and again as a treat)

I pay £30 for a 30 minute private lesson. Am in the South East just outside London so very expensive around here

My place feels very expensive, but I suppose it is Chichester. I pay £147 a month for weekly lessons, 1hr long and with no more than six in a group. So far there's never been more than four of us, so I do feel like I get individual attention. But I'm considering trying out another yard that is a bit cheaper in the new year.

Great lesson on Saturday then fab hack on Monday. Just off for another today. Excited!!

Jealous! I've not been for ages, riding my friend's ploddy cob tomorrow but can't wait for a good lesson!

Visited the cheaper yard and I think I'm going to stay where I am. Much happier with the conditions and care of the horses at my yard.

Once a week riding doesn't feel like enough :( Almost applied for a share horse the other day but decided against it but am regretting it now. Wishing I hadn't as the horse was absolutely beautiful, I think I just lacked the confidence to go for it. Sigh.

Pardon your lessons don't sound that expensive compared to places around here. Whereabouts are you?

I'm thinking about looking at other yards as the place I have been having lessons is always booked up at weekends

In Chichester - it works out about £34 for 1 hour group lesson (no more than 6 people). I'm happy enough - I was just curious to see what the slightly cheaper yard was like :)

Lesson today was great. Just working on controlling pony and perfecting my rising trot. (It's not quite there yet). Feel absolutely exhausted. But so happy. So glad I decided to get back in the saddle.

Dh thinks that if it's something I'm still doing this time next year we can maybe look to lease a horse. Or go in on a share. Maybe. (Need to a, get good quick and b, win lottery...)

Having not had a lesson at a riding school since I was 14....I am shocked at the price of them now!
I used to pay £10 a hour .
I keep a high maintenance tb and a shetty on not much more a week!

Definitely cheaper just to get a horse .