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.

The pony I was riding can be a little so and so and take the mickey out of her riders. So going from walk to trot instead of asking as you do I applied my leg very strongly and like an idiot used my stick. Don't ask. What was my brain thinking? Quite rightly she bucked but spun at the same time and out the side door I went. Lesson learned! The school is a rubber cushioned surface which did much to lessen the impact, and I did get back on and had a little canter later. Next week stick stays in the car. I never ever used to ride with one. I just automatically thought she was going to refuse to trot on and applied aids much too strongly.

Enlightened Don't beat yourself up about it. Sticks are funny things. I always used to ride my mare with one but won't dare touch BonkeyTB with one so I don't bother taking one, I do however prefer to have just n case on anyone elses horse. Its great you got back on!!

I had a bit of a incident today and I'm all doubtful again. Not ridden for a few weeks - bugger pulled two shoes and then was lame blah blah blah but finally took him out today and he was in 'coiled spring racehorse' mode which I haven't experienced before and quite honestly I shit my pants for a while.
Fine to start, bit jumpy but settled and then halfway round he just switched. Tried to nap and got arsey when I pushed him on, then wouldn't walk (beautiful collected trot for a while though, must get him to do that on purpose in the future ), then he decided to take a turn 'towards home' which wasn't in fact towards home, wouldn't go back then had a fit once he realized.
At one point he planted feet in the middle of the road and just stood there neighing he is very vocal anyway but I fucking hate it when he does it when I'm on board , I have no idea why, and he wouldn't move. People were watching out of windows .
Amongst all this he got his back end up a few times - my heels have never been so far down in my life!!!

I nearly got off twice and then thought 'No, get a grip' , but 2 mins from home we have to go down a steepish slope and I wimped out and somehow managed to get off whilst he was in prance mode. I just did not fancy sitting on him while he was twatting his arse down a steep narrow slope.

Now I am thinking am I up to him?
I stayed on today, not even close to coming off but if it hadn't of been sunday afternoon then the roads would have been busier and it could have been worse .
Going to do some in hand work for a few days and the get my friend with balls of steel to hop on once he has a bit more work under his belt and hope he was just super duper fresh

Hello I have just (unintentionally) got a pony. I used to compete a lot, it was my life and I still have a horsey business but I gave up riding. I found out my old competition pony was being seriously neglected but also up for sale and now I'm the proud owner of a very lame, quite old insane pony! Much to my (non horsey) husbands joy and happiness

Hard work these horses aren' t they? Would lunging him help just to take the fizz out of him before you jump on?

I did lunge for 10 mins today before getting on. One little fluff about and he settled .
Unfortunately I can't do it often shouldn't really today because the ground is too wet and we have no arena....

I am really hoping its just one of those moods and it won't pop out everytime....one good thing though - despite feeling like he could have tanked off at any second ....he didn't! Thats good!
Honestly, this horse has had me through so many emotions in the past 6 months!

Emilymillie How long ago since she was yours?

having woke up with very sore neck and shoulders yesterday it would seem without realising I bumped my head when landing. On closer inspection riding hat is totalled - hard outer has cracked away from inner shell

Aaaaa just about to have a ride for the first time in 14 years since I sold my childhood pony. Going for a 2 hour hack and absolutely petrified!!! The horse is said to be very sensible and a total softie so I'm more dreading the aches and pains afterwards!! Will need later

2 hours ???
Your going to need lots of later...more so tomorrow .

Good luck, I'm sure you will have a ball!

Ouch ouch ouch!!
I couldn't believe how scared I was, when I was a teenager id do anything with a horse, then whip about the fiends in full gallop but now I'm a grown up I was scared of everything. Managed it though, trotted and cantered a fair bit, reminded me of being 17 :)
Booked again for 2 weeks time.

Is it too early for ?

Really lovely to read this thread though, will be lurking.

I have had my first canter in 5 years!
And my god has my horse got a canter to die for! I felt like I was flying!
He has redeemed himself fully!

Went out round the fields (also a first with him...had doubts in my head about riding a ex racer round open fields) and couldn't resist
I am on a horsey high!

why I was the same and then I had my ds and a long break...
I have found that since ds 7 years ago I have the thing in the back of my mind that I could die....not great but my balls are coming back slowly the more I ride. They have to, they don't have a choice .

Hows the thighs?
Funnily enough i have escaped the pains....I think because BonkeyTB is so narrow???
I rode a cob not long ago and I couldnt walk for days!

Thighs are ok but I think I broke my bum muscles :(
Well done on the canter, what a rush - I know what you mean by horsey highs!!
YY to thinking you might die, I wore a body protector for the first time and did think about my children quite a bit when I was getting ready to go out.
Horses seem much bigger them they did 15 years ago.....

I came off BonkeyTB before I had even gotten on (bad back...he exploded whilst I was mid mounting) back in Aug great start and broke a couple of ribs. I swore I would never get on another horse again especially mine without a body protector .

Still haven't got one despite everything....must get!

You are very brave getting an ex race horse! Think you may be my new hero!
I can't get over how different riding as a fearless teenager feels to riding as an adult, I was barely in control and my position was terrible (my stirrups were way too long).
I spent my entire teenage years at the stables and id love to do it again. Maybe one day when my DC are older, they are only teenies.

Pah...possibly more stupid than brave.
I would never have been happy with a nice steady horse...its just not in me to take the easy route - deep end every time

I'm getting there slowly but the idea of dressage is much much more appealing to me now than the cross country I used to love .

I think I am very lucky that my boy is very laid back most of the time for a ex racer and genuine. I have a lovely horse on my hands and I feel incredibly lucky....more so after today.

DH (that's Horse, not husband...the latter is in the doghouse this week) has discovered his racing genes this week. I took him out for a hack through the fields (first time hacking in several weeks) and I think he forgot that I was on his back and began to break into the galloping/bucking/"Look-at-me-I-can-fly!" routine that he normally only does at turn-out time. Was torn between going with it (exhilarating but dangerous) or reining him in. We compromised and speed-trotted back to the barn. I love this horse to bits :)

I've currently got my feelers out for a share horse :) Work situation has changed yet again, and I've got myself a new job that pays a bit less but is giving me the chance to build up a little freelance business on the side. It's three days per week in the office so I have two days 'free', so I think I'm going to take the plunge and share :) Loving my lessons but once a week isn't feeling like enough at the moment, and I miss the grooming/mucking out as well.

Waiting to hear back from potential shares is killing me! If anyone knows of anyone looking to share a horse in the Chichester area two days a week or so, let me know ;)

I'm going to meet two lovely horses on Friday to hopefully share two days per week. Very excited. Plus it's riding lesson Wednesday today, whooop!

I've decided that I'm going to start up a Friesian fund. I have fallen in love with them, and will have my own one day! I WILL!

Let us know how it goes pardonmy I'd love to get a share at some point. Back on the lunge this week, really enjoyed it and the fact that I didn't ache too bad the next day I hope means that I was gripping on with my legs and maybe the muscles are coming back!

Met the potential shares and their mum over the weekend - lovely horses and a lovely lady. Had a bit of time on one of them today in the school and then went for a short hack while she walked her dog alongside. Horse needed a bit of encouragement and is not as forward going as some of the riding school horses, but it was lovely to just plod along the country lanes - there's something about the sound of hooves that is so relaxing :)

Thank you for this thread. I haven't been on a horse since our eldest was born but I have been thinking how to get started again. At the moment, I can't commit to full time horsey stuff but would love to start spending time with horses again.
In. A new area how do you go about finding and meeting horsey people? I don't want to do the riding school route.

If you're on facebook you could see if there a local horsey group. There's a couple in my area and I'm lurking at the moment until I feel ready to advertise for a loan. Seems to be quite a few people on there needing help with their horses or loaners/sharers.

Thanks MIL. I feel a bit silly asking someone 'please can I help with your horses' as it sounds like me but 20 years younger. I would be happy just doing field checks/turnout/ mucking out once or twice a week to be honest but am really nervous to ask in case I get labelled a weirdo! I am on Facebook but rarely use it. Will get dh to help me search for groups.

Also try Preloved I found my share pony on there.
I don't think people will think you are weird for wanting to help with horses. I found on the whole people prefer to have adult sharers / helpers than teenagers / kids.

Thanks banana. That's good to know. Alsoreassuring that I'm not the only one looking into this.

Can I join in? Used to ride as a teen, helped break and bring on youngsters in my late teens then married at 20 and didn't ride again until 3 years ago when I had 6m of 1:1 lessons. Bought my dd1 a pony 2yrs ago as she is a fab little rider then eventually got myself a loan a few weeks back. Having not ridden for a few years it's been hard going and feel like I've forgotten everything! It's coming back to me slowly but haven't dared canter yet-I don't know what I'm expecting to happen but I'm terrified! Words of wisdom please...,