Lessons at 50

[Catscatsandfourcats]

I'm turning 50 in a few months time and thinking about starting horse riding lessons. I've never been on a horse in my life but have been taking my DDs to lessons for the last year. I'm really enjoying the time we spend at the stables and would like to be able to go for hacks with my DDs. The riding school does adult lessons but am I too old? What if I fall off?!

You're never too old! If you like the teaching style you've seen, a variety of horses at the stables (to suit weight, height, ability - the staff will be able to have a chat to say what they have/you will be suitable for) give it a go, a couple of private half hour lessons - doesn't sound long but your muscles will disagree to start with!!

It's amazing for fitness and the feeling of asking an animal to trust and do something you ask is great. Take things slow and if you come off, dust your bum off get back on and I bet you'll be hooked!!

I had lessons at 35 and still pop on now and again at 50!!
Go for it op!!

Go for it!!
One thing I would advise is it is MUCH easier if you have a bit of a fitness base in terms of core strength etc
So while you’re thinking about it I’d get doing a bit of yoga, it’ll help so much

Well I’m late 50s and started riding a couple of years ago (after riding a bit as a child several decades ago). Like you, I was spending a lot of time at the yard with dd’s horse and decided to give it a go. After a bit of stop-start because of lockdowns I started again last May and I love it. I’m now cantering happily and going on hacks as well as having lessons in the school and next week I’m going on adult pony camp . I’ve fallen off once a few months ago but it was a slow motion topple off the side - I got straight back on and didn’t make the same mistake again!

Go for it OP!

Right I'm going to go for it. Yoga a great idea. I've actually been thinking about that due to being confined to my bedroom with covid.I'm starting to feel better and need to exercise! Adult pony camp sounds like it'll be great fun too.

I started at 50 like others after not riding for a lot of years! I find it so relaxing now, especially going for a hack in the woods after a stressful day at work. Give it a go!

Definitely go for it.

I started riding last summer at 32 and I absolutely love it - my instructor teaches all ages from children right through to a lady in her seventies!

Go for it. You will either love it or know it's not for you but at least you won't be left with a what if.

Do it! But I would make it part of a general fitness strategy if you don’t have a reasonable to good level of fitness already.

I’m around your age and ride 5-6 times a week if I can but I’ve always ridden and maintain a reasonable level of fitness such as I can ride for a good few hours and then still jump down off my big horse without feeling all of my bones rattle.

If you’ve never ridden you’ll be using muscles you might not know you had and the more flexible you are with good cardio capacity will make it both easier and more fun.

I taught in riding schools for years and had many mums and some dads take up lessons having watched their children. Those who stuck with it were the ones who were fittest to start with.

They were more balanced and therefore felt safer in general than parents who struggled to control various muscle groups.

It is a sport after all.

We had someone come to our riding school in their 80s. You are never too old to start riding

I picked it up again at 56 in lockdown and rediscovered my love of riding so much that I bought my first horse in 2020 .... never too old :-)

Flixon that's amazing! I hope you are enjoying your horse.
As everyone else has already said, you're never too old and it's a great way to enjoy the countryside and keep fit too.