Would this be completely bonkers?

[Pleasedontdothat]

I had riding lessons as a child but was never particularly good and stopped when I was 11 or so when other things got in the way. By the time I stopped I’d only just started to canter and pop over a tiny cross pole. When I was a teenager I’d go on the occasional hack and beach ride but nothing regular and I’ve not ridden since.

Dd’s been riding for years and is miles better than I ever was (she has no fear!). She recently got her first horse and they adore each other. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time down at the yard, helping her groom him etc and find it very calming. I’ve been going through a lot of stress recently (horrible time at work and mental health crises of family members) and I’ve decided I need to spend a bit more time doing things just for me.

Would it be crazy to get some riding lessons with the aim of eventually going out for a hack with dd? I’m not sure as I’m now mid 50s with a dodgy knee and an inability to bounce ...

Not crazy

Lovely idea.

Definitely go for it!

Do it. Do it.

I found my mental space the same way. Similar age and lacking bounce. Wobble but definitely no bounce.

Then oops. I now have my own horse and we ride together.

Eek ... I’ve spoken to the instructor at the yard where dd keeps her horse and she’s got a very steady cob she uses for beginner lessons and she’d be very happy to give me some lessons. Now I just have to work out if I’ve got anything suitable to wear without spending a fortune (I don’t do leggings and dd’s jodhpurs would be way too small...)

Get yourself to the local tack shop and indulge.

Go outdoors have Whittaker Jodhs which are good value and thick enough not to show every lump and bump. Unlike the new trendy leggings style jodhs.

As you get into it - if you have a dodgy knee it might be worth spending the money on some flexi stirrups. I did. Even for my lessons on my instructors advice and it was game changing. Sprenger bow balance from Amazon (much cheaper) were the ones I was recommended.

There will be a local horsey FB buying and selling page- bet you will find all you need on it. Have fun!

You won't regret it! Well, you may a bit the morning after your first lesson, but long term it will all be worth it!

I've just started lessons for the first time in my life at age 32 - LOVE IT 😍 I got some jodhpurs from Sports Direct for £15 and for now have had the ok to wear my Chelsea boots...

Sounds like me! My DD’s loan a pony, eldest has been having lessons for over 4 years now and youngest a few months. I had been umming and aahhing for years and decided to bite the bullet a few weeks ago. Had 2 lessons now and looking forward to more but it’s much harder than I remember, and I have lost ‘fearlessness’ but like you I love being at the yard. Go for it

I started to ride again at 61, last year, so far I have done two short riding holidays and had lessons every week for a year. I was very nervous to begin with but things are improving. i may get another horse when I retire (sold my last one 16 years ago) and I certainly want to go on a horse safari while I can still get on and off. Go for it!

Go for it

@Pleasedontdothat please don't take this the wrong way but I'm having a major de-clutter from my wardrobe (life in general) and have several pairs of breeches heading to the charity shop... if you were interested... Happy for the postage to be covered is all 😊

First lesson booked for next Saturday (when dd will be having a rather more advanced lesson with her instructor...). I’m looking forward to it - if not the aching the next day! Dd offered to teach me on her very forward-going ISH but I thought that would be the fastest way to have a complete breakdown in mother-daughter relations (I still remember my dad’s attempts to teach me to drive with a shudder 😬)

@OldSpeclkledHen that’s a very kind offer - if they’re a size 12 that would be great! Let me know

Ooohh well done you. Okease let us know.

I may have to book us too now

Absolutely you must do it! It’s fantastic and so good for the soul. I finally started having lessons again at 53 after stopping formal lessons at 12. I had my horse fix through my children but once they flew the nest I decided it was time for me to relearn and it’s just wonderful. Mind you I ached a lot in the beginning and I certainly don’t bounce when I fall off. Where I ride we get the horses prepared too as well as ride so I get to have lots of time with the horse. Enjoy