Am I too old and fat?!

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Please be kind... this is a tiny flame of hope I’ve got here, and it’d be easily extinguished!

Someone posted in a local FB group that they were looking for someone to exercise their horses during the week. Now there’s no way that I could do that at the moment, but it sparked a real yearning in me to get back on a horse. I’d have loved to ride as an adult, but have always been skint so could never afford to. I was a horse-crazy kid, had lessons up to age 12 or so and then a horse from then through to 15 or so. He was a bombproof, lazy, elderly gent, so that was really just hacking, bombing around fields herding sheep and jumping over combinations of hay bales. So I was fairly experienced, but at a pretty basic level, if that makes sense.

I rode from time to time in my later teens, occasionally in my twenties and haven’t sat in a horse for at least 15 years. I need to lose 4 stone. I’m incredibly unfit - back problems, hysterectomy a few years ago, laziness and depression have contributed to a perfect storm of blubber and flab. The only exercise I’ve ever enjoyed is riding (not that it felt like exercise, I just loved it), and when I had this little glimmer of ‘blimey, maybe someone like me could actually ride as an adult’, it made me feel that it would be something worth getting fit and losing weight for.

So (and if you’ve stuck with this tale of woe this far, thank you!) my questions are...

Is riding like the proverbial bike... ie. you never fully forget how to do it? Or would it be like starting from the beginning again?

I’m assuming that I’d need to lose a lot of weight and get much fitter (considering I’m starting from such a very low bar!) before getting to a point where I could go and have some riding lessons to brush on old skills and develop new ones? Any thoughts on that?

I’m assuming that core strength would be the thing to focus on? I was thinking I could start with just doing a minute or two of exercises frequently throughout the day - squats, standing press-ups, star jumps etc, as that feels doable. Also pilates/physio exercises for core strength that I was taught an age ago and couldn’t be arsed to keep doing. Does that sound sensible?

Is it a common thing that horse owners look for someone to exercise their horse? I realise I’d have a shedload of work to do before I was competent enough for someone to let me loose on their horse, but it would be a goal to motivate me, if that makes sense.

Would I have to lose most of the weight first, or is fitness more important? I have a couple of friends who are very horsey, and they’re both carrying a fair bit of weight, so is it more about strength and flexibility?

*on a horse, not in a horse, obviously - I’ve never sat in a horse.

Go for it! Def build up your core strength and then maybe have a couple of lessons just to see how you get in before offering your services to exercise someone’s horse .

I’d love to ride again but an rta has put paid to that.

• get on !

Honestly, lost some weight first. You say you were experienced but at a basic level which suggests you won't have the best seat etc

Sorry to hear about the rta, @Candle1000, and thank you for the encouragement!

@cactusthief I know I need to lose some weight first! What I was asking is whether I need to lose all the weight first. Apart from anything else, I wouldn’t even put on a pair of jodhpurs in the privacy of my bedroom, at the moment, let alone be seen in them in public.

Are you near any horse sanctuaries like Red wings, perhaps you could volunteer to muck out the stables etc, so you are near horses which would (I'd imagine) be good for combating depression and maintain your motivation, picking up tips, making connections in the horse world so likely to hear of anyone who needs their horse exercised or taken care of whilst on holiday and physically getting fit as well.

I know nothing about horses but my mum volunteered at the stables when she was growing up in return for lessons. She's not ridden since she was around 15 and I know it's something she wishes she could have gotten back into. Alas, money and circumstances have prevented it.

Go for it. Enquire at your local stables.. Friend of mine did exactly what you are proposing has never looked back.

It depends how much you weigh in answer to your question about having to lose all of it. Riding schools have a weigh limit depending on the horses they have available so you might be within that.
I’ve ridden a 17’3 shire before and I’m sure she could’ve taken a fair bit.

I did this OP - used to compete a fair bit & was pretty good but hadn't ridden for around 20 years when I took it back up as an overweight very unfit person.

Firstly it is a bit like riding a bike but with slightly worse balance, the basics such as rising trot etc are all still there

Secondly, yes core is important but thighs are as well - I remember my instructor coming to catch me as I dismounted from my first lesson as my legs were very wobbly & she has taught people before that crumple into a heap on getting off

Definitely go for it though, I love it.

@BlastEndedSkrewt that’s really encouraging, thank you!

@Bigsighall I’m nearer 15 stone than 14. Size 16/18, 5’8”. I’ve piled on weight since my hysterectomy.

Thanks for the encouragement, folks.

You don't say exactly how old or how fat you are but IMO you are never too old- lots and lots of people return to riding as adults and get along great - I've posted before about a lovely man at my yard who re-started lessons in his 60s, he has his own horse now and does all sorts, hacking, hunting, jumping, cross country etc! There are also lots of ladies of a similar age who are a little more 'sedate' in their tastes but still get a lot of joy from riding, pottering around the lanes etc.

As to too fat, there is obviously such a thing as weighing too much to safely ride, you don't have to tell us how much you weigh, but as a guide most riding schools have an upper limit of between 12 and 15 stone, depending on what horses they have, so if you are above that then yes you may need to lose some weight first. I'd call your local school up and enquire then you know where you are, it will be a good motivating factor if nothing else!

As to fitness, you will probably enjoy your first forays back more if you have a basic level of fitness, riding does tend to use very specific muscles which you can only really build through riding itself (unhelpfully!), but the following will help (a) a reasonable level of cardio fitness so you don't lose puff too quickly, so walking/jogging/swimming (b) reasonable but not massive core, upper body and leg strength - probably the gym or weights is best for this and (c) reasonable balance and flexibility - yoga or pilates best for this. But honestly you don't need to worry too much, I see lots of averagely-fit-at-best people starting lessons and they all cope fine so don't feel you need to go overboard before you can try

Riding isn't exactly like riding a bike and I would expect you to need a good few lessons/hours in the saddle before you get back to your old ability level, returners sometimes get quite frustrated at for instance not being able to pick up rising trot immediately or not being able to get a sluggish riding school horse going without some practice - but with some patience and perseverance you should get there, plus hopefully enjoy the process on the way! Enjoy, it's a brilliant hobby, so addictive (prepare to want to spend allll your money and time on riding from now on!)

Sorry, cross posted re your weight - I'd still call a local school or school(s) up, you might be within or near their limit. I think the school attached to my yard has a limit of 13 stone for beginners so you wouldn't be that far off but as I say others might have a higher limit so worth an enquiry! To reassure you re jods, you don't have to wear anything too tight to start with, joggers or similar are fine although be wary of inner thigh rubbage and 100% wear comfy underwear or it'll be wedgie central. I can recommend a sports bra or very supportive scaffolding also!

Have a look. There will be some places that do to 15st (this shire could’ve taken more). You might get back into it and love it.. mucking out is a good way to get fit!

OP I started riding again after 25 years 4 years ago, always worried I was too big - I went from 18 stone to 15 and started riding a huge sticky maxi cob at a nearby riding school.

Fast forward and I'm now nearer 13 stone and have a gorgeous french draft ( Comtois ) who lives at home with me and my daughters horse ( another Comtois ) and a wee cob for my 7 year old.

I never ever thought I'd get back into riding, and, to be fair we are only happy hackers but it makes me sooooo happy!

Go for it, there are riding schools that have large plodding horses that would be able to take your current weight, don't keep putting it off like I did.

I wish I'd got back in the saddle years ago as I'm stiff with some joint issues ( my girl is a darling letting me get on and off at the mounting block ) she is a ploddy mcplodson and that's perfect for me, nothing makes me smile like she does! Here's Photo of me, my daughter on my girl and her daughter. Good luck with getting back into riding, it's so worth it.

Sorry that was meant to say a stocky maxi cob and that we have mother and daughter Comtois for myself and my daughter

You're never too old but you will need to lose weight before you can ride at most stables - but what an incentive!! [horse]

Ring some stables near you and explain what you’ve said here and see what they say.

The stable where the DC ride take people with previous experience (even as teenagers) from 14 stone. No experience at all, 13 stone

So you’re not far away from their weight criteria.

Hopefully your stable can offer the same.

I hope it gives you the motivation to go back to Pilates & work in your core strength etc we can’t get younger, but we can get happier 🌷🐴

Maybe you could see if someone just wants help with stable duties for now. Just being around horses and out in the fresh air really lifts the mood and also the weight starts to come off with all the exercise! You could ask at local riding schools or have a look on sites like preloved for private arrangements.
Many riding schools have a cut off of 13 stones but some will take up to around 16 stones if they have suitable horses and if you are not a complete begginer.

Thank you for all the encouraging replies. I’ve been doing short bursts of squats and standing pressups for the past few days, and am feeling hopeful.

I’m 46. Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could be fitter at fifty than forty?!

Good for you! And it’s great you are thinking of the horse too. A woman I know had taken up riding. She’s late 50’s and around 21 stone and I really feel for the horse!

Blimey @PrisonBreak, I’m surprised she found anywhere who’d let her ride!

@Prisonbreak that’s disgusting. I can’t believe someone could be that selfish and cruel. People make me despair sometimes, they really do.

Yeah I it’s awful. I’ve spoken to her but she snapped my head off. I was just concerned for the horse

Go for it OP.

I am 42. I weigh about 13st, not very fit and haven't rode for a similar time scale to you. I did however have a pony for dd when she was tiny (an accidental purchase), then another. Then as she got bigger I realised it was me that was interested not dd. So bought a baby pony for me to eventually ride. Dd decided this summer (just as we were breaking pony in) she wasn't interested and I have finished her off myself, which included clambering on by myself and getting her going.

I have loved every minute of it. Regularly absolutely shit myself getting on, didn't think I could do it on my own, nearly fell off last week getting on as my saddle slipped and ache after a few minutes.

Phone round local riding schools and find out their weight limits. Get down to the limit and go for it. Swimming would be good, pilates and anything works your core.

I felt a lot more secure once I was than what I thought I would. Very much like riding a bike. I knew what I wanted to do, my body knew what I needed to do. I will struggle a bit as we start moving through the gears I think but for now, I am doing good.

In fact I am incredibly proud of myself and my lovely pony, who is a highland and as wide as she is tall. Am not squashing some 13hh jumping pony.