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.

If anyone is in the Rossendale area and wants a horsey fix - PM me...

giraffes You found my happy place on MN .

How is everyone getting on?
BonkeyTB is going through a twat stage. Someone is coming out next week to give me their opinion on what it is/how to deal. Fingers crossed she will see something that I am missing or at least have some advice!

Not sure how much more my poor achy legs can take .

How did you get on with BonkeyTB's consultation Bonkey?

Hope everyone is doing well? :)

I'm having to reduce my weekly share to every two weeks as money is a bit tight :( - luckily the lovely lady whose horse I share is being amazingly flexible with me. Loving it all so much. I sometimes get to the yard before she does, so I get to make up the breakfasts for her three horses, do their haynets, bring them in, and so on, so they're all ready for grooming (our favourite bit!) when she arrives. Then we usually hack out for an hour and a half to two hours, before coming back to the yard to turn out, clean buckets, skip out and so on.

It's my happy place . Just need work to pick up now so I can get it back up to weekly again...

Giraffes have you been visiting my horse behind my back?

pixel she's lovely!

Went to my lesson on Saturday. First time in a group. Rode a different pony. Forget that she was a bit bigger than my usual ride, and really eager. I'd never cantered her before (only done it twice and still squeal every time) so didn't want to try with a group. But pony had other ideas. Eeek! But stayed on.

pixel if you lived near me then I would def be visiting your horse behind your back Lovely pic.

Guess what I got on groupon?? 1.5 hr lesson for £16...and you are allowed to buy 3 per person so I did woohoo.

Will need to antihistamine up and have my inhalers with me and my neb in the car just incase but am so excited. Bit of a risk with my lungs but will see how I go! Seem to be managing ok visiting them and when I have been on recent hacks have been ok :) Fingers crossed.

That's really good, I always mean to look on Groupon but then forget. Not sure I could manage a 1.5 hr lesson though!

Me either!

I got a groupon deal like that too giraffes. First lesson is in a fortnight. I'm soooo excited. It's been about 10 years since I rode last. I have these 3 lessons (1.5hr each) then I've booked 2hr fast hack when we're on holiday in the summer. When I booked they asked me if I was comfortable galloping over uneven ground. Eek in hoping I haven't lost the fearlessness of my teens.

Oh no, why would I come and nose around here again?!! Was reminiscing with my mum recently about bombing around cross country courses on my pony as a child... Gave up at 17 and ridden on and off, mainly off...life, babies etc. It never leaves you does it? Trying to tell myself that it's too expensive/dangerous/time consuming now but even smelling freshly cut wood chips takes me right back to my beautifully presented stable!! I should just put the lid back on shouldn't I?!

No perfect get involved again.

I'm studying at present exam on Friday and went for a hack and a canter this afternoon. So lovely being out and about.

So tempted! Wish the rest of my family was interested... Good luck with the exam, is it horsey related?

No I wish it was - law related. The horseys are getting me through though!!

No one I my family is interested in riding. Mum begrudgingly paid for lessons when I was younger then I fell off and that was the end of that.

I bit the bullet last September and hopped on again and have started learning from scratch. I love it.

Have just ridden bareback for the first time! Only managed a trot. But so lovely. Felt very free (if a bit wobbly)