Returning to riding

[Horsemad]

Going riding this morning for the first time in 25yrs! Had ponies as a kid and did gymkhanas, etc but feeling a little apprehensive - not about being on a horse, more about how my poor flabby body will cope!
Will I be able to get up on the darn thing? Will my pelvic floor muscles desert me in my hour (30 mins) of need...?

Having a private lesson & will take it from there. #excited!

Watching with interest!

I'm so envious OP, you must let us know how it goes!!

I will!

Hope you had fun! I've recently got back into riding in my 30's, not been properly since a teen. Absolutely loving it, though my thighs and bum were sore after the first few rides!

Had a great time, got up to a canter which was brilliant. I felt a bit rusty but soon got back into it.

Felt really sick when I got home though, almost threw up and had a very bad headache. Not sure if it was because I was a bit dehydrated/hadn't eaten, or whether my hat is too tight but it was not pleasant!
Could be exertion induced nausea I suppose, I was out of breath just trotting, which is shameful!

Anyway, I am going again next week, so will see how I feel afterwards.

Brilliant, well done! So glad to hear it went well.

Re the nausea, I ride very regularly and thought I was 'riding fit' but had quite an intense jumping lesson last week and went properly jelly-legged and nearly vommed when I got off. I am also a scuba diver and the same thing happened at the end of my last dive...

I think it might be that when your adrenaline is up and you are enjoying yourself you push yourself beyond the limits of your normal fitness, plus in riding (and diving!) we are often very bad at doing a proper warm up and cool down routine unlike in other sports. I was brewing a bit of a cold as well which might not have helped. I'd be surprised if it was your hat unless it was really pinching you? If it happens again maybe worth mentioning to your instructor though?

Thanks maxelly, you could be right re the fitness thing and I am very unfit, so that's the most likely cause.

Back again tomorrow 🏇 😁

Enormous pants - and consider a wax... Finding out the hard way can be v painful!

Yes, I had my big knickers on!!

Lesson 2 and no feeling sick afterwards 😀

Well done Horsemad I’m glad it is going well. I’m also hoping to begin riding again after a similar amount of time. Seeing your posts has given me more confidence to book a lesson.

Stop now! For the sake of your childrens' university fund! It's now only weeks until you start researching yards and idly perusing for sale ads!

Hahahaha Vintage, I'm already doing that!! Added advantage is that we have some land sitting idle... 😉

Minstrels, go for it! 😁

Oh dear... That complicates things. You can't buy just one as it'll need company... Then the problem with two is separating them so you can ride without drama. So now you need three!

Lol, I was saying that to DH the other day!! His face was like this -->

Lesson 3 - different horse this week, which was nice as she's a bit more forward going.

I don't ache as much either! 😉

Really enjoying this 🙂

That's so nice to hear, sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good work!

How are you getting on?

I somehow missed this, still enjoying it. We are doing lots of schooling and I'm a bit rubbish at serpentines - can't visualise where I'm meant to go!

I was exactly where you are 3 yrs ago. Now I have 2 ponies and a hugely diminished savings fund. I dream about horses, think about them when I'm driving. I definitely work to live now. My horse(s) bring me balance. Very few problems seem as big after a few hours of horse time.

Quick tip: If you have children avoid any temptation to get them involved. I now have a son who was never interested in horses now at agricultural college who tells me how to deal with horses (using his 2 mins of experience) and a daughter who thinks she's Charlotte and wants to steel my horses.

Enjoy every minute. My only regret is for the years I was away from horses. My husband says he loves watching me ride, not for my amazing skills (I have none) but because i'm constantly smiling and laughing.