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 ...
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The tack room
Would this be completely bonkers?
Pleasedontdothat · 30/10/2018 15:19
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! 
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 
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
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
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