Advice please - returning to riding after 20 years

[necklaceofraindrops]

I used to ride a lot until my mid 20s. I rode on and off for another couple of years, but I haven't sat on a horse for nearly 20 years.
I'd like to start riding again but I feel very out of touch. So I have some questions and I'd be grateful for some help please:

1. what clothing do I need to get for riding lessons? Do I need to get jodhpurs and boots?
2. what other equipment will I need to get or what could a riding school provide?
3. what should I expect to pay for a 30 minute 1-1 lesson? What about for a group lesson?

Thank you for any help! I'm cautiously excited about getting back on a horse but none of my friends ride so have no one to answer my daft questions!

Stables usually have hats you can borrow until you’re sure you’ll continue. Some thick leggings and flat boots with a heel should be Ok. No jeans. My riding schools have safety stirrups so I’ve seen people riding in trainers (wouldn’t do it myself).

Im in north Scotland. I pay £20 for a 45 minute group lesson. For a private lesson it’s £30 for 30 mins and £45 for 45 minutes. Another school nearby charges £18/£25/£35.

Do you know where you’d go? You could speak to them and have a look around and watch a lesson.

I’ve just started riding again after a break of 20ish years which is when my last horse retired . I’m having a semi private lesson with my sister who has had an even longer break and it costs us £66 for 30 mins on a weekday . Where we ride you can borrow a hat but we bought hats and jodhpurs to start in , both had jodhpurs boots and have bought half chaps since starting back . I’m really enjoying it and frankly as soon as I got on the first week it all came flooding back and is like I never stopped .

Ooh very exciting, love it when people get back into riding. To answer your questions:

1. For your very first lessons you shouldn't need to buy anything. Just wear comfy, not too baggy tracky bottoms or leggings (nothing with a prominent inner seam as this will rub!) and sensible shoes with a block heel (not trainers or wellys) - some schools will lend you boots and all should lend you a hat. If you like it you can pick up jods at decathlon and 2nd hand boots on ebay very cheap so you may want to kit yourself out a bit initially. Hats should never be bought 2nd hand but it isn't very expensive to get your own, maybe £50, depending on whether your head is a standard size!

1. Other equipment, a bit further down the line you may want to buy long boots or chaps, your own short crop or schooling whip, riding gloves and possibly a body protector. I personally don't like the feel of riding even in a modern light weight body protector so for schooling I take the risk and don't wear one, but do for jumping and hacking. That's a personal thing though. If you want to hack it would be sensible to get some high vis and for winter you might want to invest in a breathable but warm waterproof jacket, one cut for riding as many are too long to ride in. But none of these are essentials!

1. Depends a bit on where in the country you are and the school, but the school attached to my yard charges £35 for a half hour private lesson or for an hours group lesson, £50 for a 45 minute private or if you share with one other I think you pay £35 for 45 mins. I think that's average-ish for the South East? You can usually get a discount for block booking a package of 10 lessons, buy 10 get the 11th free or similar so if you want to continue after your first try this is worth asking about. I'd go for private lessons at first then maybe ask whether there's a suitable group you can join.

Do make sure the riding school you are looking at is BHS accredited, as this ensures basic health and safety, horse welfare and teaching quality standards are met. And feel free to ask any more questions about what to expect, no question too stupid!

Thanks everyone! You've given me some great advice and I feel much more confident about what to expect.

Great advice to go for BHS accredited school and to ask to watch a lesson.

I'm feeling quite excited now. I'll let you know how I get on

WARNING: I returned to riding after a 20+ year break 3 1/2 years ago. I now have 2 horses who have absolutely taken over mine and my families life and I love every minute

Those hairy big eyed mind mugglers really get into your head and you'll change your life for them