Got on a horse for the first time in over 10 years today

[ReHorsing]

Hi all,

I'm not a mega horsey person (know very little about care, never had plans to own, worried I won't fit in on this board), but I rode for 6 years once a week when I was a teenager.

I stopped when a turned 17/18 - boys and nights out were more important to me than getting up on a Saturday morning to ride.

Anyway, I've been looking for a way to do more exercise and get outside. I'm now 29, and on a whim I booked myself a 30 minute private lesson.

I went this morning and I'm overjoyed. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Trot came back to me instantly and by the end of the 30 minutes I was able to canter again! I was really scared before, but I'm over the moon with how my nerves fell away when I got in the saddle. I didn't think I'd get the hand of things for a while but I guess it's like riding a bike.

I just wanted to share my great experience! And in order to motivate myself to keep going, does anybody have any tips for returning riders?

Thank you!

Well done.

You will hurt tomorrow

Take a bath. I went back after a similar gap and my unused muscles were killing me the next day. Especially my inner thighs! Well done by the way!

My bums already sore! Bath it is

I started riding after a 22 year break after DD1 started riding. I love it & really glad I went back to it.

You’ll never look back now! I’m 57 and have returned to riding after a long break interspersed with the occasional ride. I got my horse fix through ensuring my DC rode and luckily my dd carried on. When she left home I started again, I just love it. I get the horse ready, I ride for 40 or so minutes (private lesson), care for the horse afterwards, pop him back in the stable and go away feeling like I’m 12! I’ve fallen off so many times and on one occasion hurt myself but I’ve got back on and find it fascinating how much there is to learn. My teacher does dressage and jumping. I watch YouTube riding videos to try and improve my technique and also so I can learn it in English as I have lessons in French. If I could I’d have my own horse so I could ride every day.