First time horse riding

[26buzy]

Good evening,

I have just booked my first ever horse riding lesson for Sunday, it's a half in hour private lesson!

Any tips of learning to ride as a adult?

Thanks

Relax and don’t try too hard. What I mean by that is don’t over ride.
Enjoy x

@Fireinthegrate thanks for the advice

Listen to the instructor! Don't rush things, it can take a long time to get confident with mounting and walking. Don't underestimate how much you will ache the day after

Have fun.
It’s one of those things that takes a while to ‘click’ and for weeks you think ‘oh this is boring just walking around an arena’.
Then suddenly you feel and proper connection / understanding with the horse and it’s like nothing else.

It's a lot harder than it looks and you will ache! Relax, don't tense up and enjoy it!

I did a lot as a dc, occasionally do it as an adult. I always forget about the aching muscles the next day!

Thanks everyone! I have been told to expect aching! I'm really looking forward to it!

If they suggest removing your stirrups - don't.

@Iamblossom is the reason as why I should say no to that?

Book a massage for the day after. You will be sore! Removing stirrups should be a long way off.

The next morning, do those sideways lunges to loosen up your inner thighs. Otherwise crossing your legs when sitting down will be almost impossible.

Other than that, relax, have fun and listen to the instructor.

I agree. Have fun!

Have fun and prepare to haemorrhage money

Have fun and prepare to haemorrhage money

So true!

I’ve recently started having lessons after a break of nearly 40 years . I haven’t ached too badly afterwards although the day after is worse than the immediate aftermath! My instructor got me trotting without stirrups on the third lesson - I actually find it much easier than with stirrups and it’s also easier to get the rhythm of the rising trot when I get my stirrups back. My aim is to get to the point where I can go on a hack with dd and her horse so need to be confident with walk, trot, canter and be in charge of steering and brakes! I’m really enjoying it - I’ve been spending lots of time at the yard anyway since dd got her horse and find being around horses immensely therapeutic

@Pleasedontdothat thanks for that information! I'm glad you are enjoying it! I grew up on a farm, so am used to being with horses etc! I am hoping this is the start of a long hobby!

Wear something comfortable without a seam. Not jeans! Also, wear solid shoes with a small heel. Make sure that you are comfortable, sitting in the lowest part of the saddle. The length of stirrups will eventually be to personal taste, but go with the coaches' recommendation and ensure that they are even to start with (stand up in the stirrups to try). Ask the coach about your sitting position, so that'd your not slouching, slumping or leaning forward or back or over stiff. The coach will introduce you gradually to all these whilst fussing around about how tight the girth is, how to hold the reigns, etc. The coach should be calm and go at your pace. You'll probably forget everything to start with - so don't let the coach rush you along! Also, consider if you think that the yard is a happy place, with well mannered horses with suitable temperment!

My first lesson was good, walked around the indoor arena for 15 mins just getting more comfortable in the saddle, and then to get me to relax more, she led the horse outside to for a walk around the farm! I have booked to go back next week! I already ache!

You'll ache more tomorrow!

It's totally worth it, though.