When people say I'm going ache a lot, how much is a lot?

[QueenOfIce]

1st lesson coming up in a few weeks, haven't ridden since I was 16 am now 40. Consider myself a novice, so when I've had my lesson and I walk bow legged home how much am I going to ache the next day? Should I get a stairlift installed, will it be that bad?

Frouby I gave recalcitrant cob a great big kick with my right leg the other day. Got cramp all the way from my bum down to my calf.

Yes you will absolutely ache 2 days later!
But as you do more the pain will lessen. I’m 57 and have gone back to riding in the last few years, I have a private 40+ minute lesson sometimes weekly, occasionally bi-weekly and sometimes with a gap of a few weeks up to a few months depending on different circumstances. It’s always my inner thigh muscles that hurt the most. I have sorted out my back problem (the muscles around T9 & T10 seize up) with wearing a very tight compression vest type top and for an old herniated disc injury I wear a lumbar corset under my tee-shirt. I once rode in a 2 hour lesson years ago, not having ridden for about 15 years, got off the horse, walked like John Wayne but then as the days went on every muscle in my body seized up! It took me about 6 months to recover! Have a look on YouTube for exercise videos specific to horse riding.

As for the joys of a weakened pelvic floor absolutely do not ride with a pad it’ll rub you raw! I purchased Derrière equestrian padded pants they are fantastic in protecting ones lady bits but also if you have a slight leak it’s ok. There are special pants on the market Thinxs and Modibodi that are for periods and weakened pelvic floors but offer no padding to protect your bits. Cycling shorts would work too.

You can pick up cheap jodhpurs and equipment online from Decathlon or elsewhere

Padded pants sound like an essential these days.

I did impress myself a few weeks ago by managing to clamber aboard by myself with no one holding dpony. Used un upturned triangle feed bowl for an extra boost.

I only mooched around in walk for a few minutes, dpony had only been sat on 3 times at that point and only led around so I was very chuffed with her and with myself too.

Jumped off and was being really careful not to catch her bum with my leg as I swung it over and not to slither down the side of her. So really enthusiastically launched myself off forgetting my left knee is a bit fucked and nearly ended up on my arse as it gave way.

Poor dpony going to have to be very accommodating. Dd (14) is a lovely little rider. But very, very nervous and panics if she even think something is going to go wrong.

I am not particularly nervous but physically a bit fucked .

Op you can absolutely have a horse as a pet. Would you be able to afford to keep one and continue with lessons though? Just thinking as your confidence grows and you build up a relationship on the ground with a horse you will eventually want to ride more regularly than a lesson once a week.

You could get a youngster, keep having lessons as youngster grows up then spend a bit of money having youngster broke in. Or just buy something that you can ride, but don't have to. So something quiet that can go a few weeks between being ridden.

Costwise you have livery, farrier (anything between £20 to £100 every 6 to 8 weeks), tack which must fit but there are budget saddles these days that are very fittable bit tends to be a one off purchase, rugs which again can vary in cost massively, worming, dentist, vacs from vet, and insurance.

I keep 2 ponies for very little compared to what some spend. As well as the basics they probably have 1 new rug each year each. So about £60 to £80. New headcollars every couple of months because they get lost or broken. 2 bottles of fly spray down the summer. The odd bottle of detangling or coat shine spray. I buy balancer down the winter which probably costs about £120, about £120 of other hard feed. Hay and straw included in livery.

Of course you can own them without riding. However better idea to go for something that is maybe a veteran or if a mature animal you may like to find somebody to exercise them for you.

There are plenty of in-hand classes at shows if you like grooming and presenting them and want something competitive to aim at.

I returned to riding this year at 43. Now have my own horse. He is 15. Some people said he was too old. But he suits me perfectly. Passed 5 stage vetting with flying covers. I am completely in love with him. After 12 years of zero me time. I am one very happy middle aged stiff and sweaty woman.

My 1st lesson is booked, I can't wait! though unfortunately I'll have to as it's not for a few weeks yet due to work commitments. I better get stretching!

Realise I've just repeated my op 🙄 that's how excited I am

theresahairbrush I’m jealous! I so want a horse! I dream about getting one- always have! Ds is off to uni next month and although I have my dpuppy maybe a horse would really be a tie.

queenoffice have fun!

I don't know how to quantify it, but a lot! Don't plan any strenuous exercise for the next day!