Page 12 | Adult new or returning riders up for a chat?

Hereforthedramaz · 2022-07-09T12:20:49+00:00

I have recently returned to riding after a very long gap. I was a very casual rider as an early teen, happy hacking on plodding ponies rather than technical riding. I am thoroughly enjoying having proper lessons now. I thought it might be nice to chat with other newbies or returners, all non-horsey people in my life and there is only so much they want to talk about it!!! Also the stables I'm going to is so lovely and welcoming but, in their own words, aimed almost entirely at 8-12 year olds so it would be nice to talk to some adults!

LoveToWearADress · 04/09/2022 09:28

@Pleasedontdothat I'm so sorry to hear you've had an accident. I am a fellow sufferer in terms of accidents and I am still considering what to do about my riding life. I tried a horse last week that really wasn't for me.
The thing with accidents is, they can happen in any sport or any circumstances, so try not to beat yourself up about it too much and just focus on getting better. Easier said than done, I know! 🌺❤️🌺

DuaneDibbley · 04/09/2022 09:53

@Pleasedontdothat don't know how I missed your post - I'm so sorry that happened to you. Get well soon xx

Pleasedontdothat · 04/09/2022 10:15

Still in hospital but not for too much longer I hope. I’m gradually getting more mobile and am feeling more like me but back and ribs are going to be painful for quite a while 😕

It’s going to be months before I can get on a horse again and I’m going to have to wear a body protector when I do. There’s a BHS approved riding school ten minutes from our new house which offers lessons and hacks which will be a good place to start back and my daughter will look out for a calm, kind, possibly older pony for me to enjoy pootling about on. DHorse is not really the gentle hack type but he can enjoy being a horse in our fields and I’ll do groundwork with him - he really enjoys going through things like obstacle courses etc so we’ll bond that way instead.

I've had a few mechanical horse lessons in the past but to be honest didn’t find them that useful as a beginner - they don’t have the sensation of moving forward which makes a huge difference when learning how to sit to the canter I think. I suspect I’d find it more useful now I know more and could concentrate in more detail on different aspects of aids etc

LoveToWearADress · 04/09/2022 10:29

Pleasedontdothat · 04/09/2022 10:15

Still in hospital but not for too much longer I hope. I’m gradually getting more mobile and am feeling more like me but back and ribs are going to be painful for quite a while 😕

It’s going to be months before I can get on a horse again and I’m going to have to wear a body protector when I do. There’s a BHS approved riding school ten minutes from our new house which offers lessons and hacks which will be a good place to start back and my daughter will look out for a calm, kind, possibly older pony for me to enjoy pootling about on. DHorse is not really the gentle hack type but he can enjoy being a horse in our fields and I’ll do groundwork with him - he really enjoys going through things like obstacle courses etc so we’ll bond that way instead.

I've had a few mechanical horse lessons in the past but to be honest didn’t find them that useful as a beginner - they don’t have the sensation of moving forward which makes a huge difference when learning how to sit to the canter I think. I suspect I’d find it more useful now I know more and could concentrate in more detail on different aspects of aids etc

Oh you poor thing!
Focus on your recovery and think about future you in terms of your mobility and comfort.
Sounds like you have some good support which is also key for your physical and mental well-being and recovery.
Horses can really put us through it sometimes 🌺❤️🌺

Solosunrise · 04/09/2022 13:09

So sorry, i missed your post too @Pleasedontdothat! Very best wishes for your recovery

Allthegoodnamestakken · 05/09/2022 10:25

So sorry to here you're hurt @Pleasedontdothat wishing you a speedy recovery!

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 06/09/2022 11:24

It hadn't occurred to me until someone suggested it on another thread but to get some more yard experience I am going to be volunteering at a local RDA riding school.

Really excited!

OP posts:

LikeAnOldFriend · 07/09/2022 07:29

Pleasedontdothat · 04/09/2022 10:15

Still in hospital but not for too much longer I hope. I’m gradually getting more mobile and am feeling more like me but back and ribs are going to be painful for quite a while 😕

It’s going to be months before I can get on a horse again and I’m going to have to wear a body protector when I do. There’s a BHS approved riding school ten minutes from our new house which offers lessons and hacks which will be a good place to start back and my daughter will look out for a calm, kind, possibly older pony for me to enjoy pootling about on. DHorse is not really the gentle hack type but he can enjoy being a horse in our fields and I’ll do groundwork with him - he really enjoys going through things like obstacle courses etc so we’ll bond that way instead.

I've had a few mechanical horse lessons in the past but to be honest didn’t find them that useful as a beginner - they don’t have the sensation of moving forward which makes a huge difference when learning how to sit to the canter I think. I suspect I’d find it more useful now I know more and could concentrate in more detail on different aspects of aids etc

Really glad you're getting there, hope things are much better soon

LikeAnOldFriend · 07/09/2022 07:31

Hereforthedramaz · 06/09/2022 11:24

It hadn't occurred to me until someone suggested it on another thread but to get some more yard experience I am going to be volunteering at a local RDA riding school.

Really excited!

That sounds a great idea. I did that for a little while years ago at our local RDA and it was a really well run yard so was a great way to get experience like that!

bombombo · 07/09/2022 10:04

@Pleasedontdothat so sorry to hear you're hurt it's a bloody dangerous sport. I hope you're continuing to feel more mobile, are you home now?

bombombo · 07/09/2022 10:05

@Hereforthedramaz what a great idea! That will be fantastic experience and so rewarding too!

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 07/09/2022 10:19

Thanks @bombombo and @LikeAnOldFriend I've been wanting to find a volunteering opportunity for a while and this charity sounds so good.

Plus I get the experience so win win!

Looks like I'll be helping with a big, kids lesson weekly.

I'm off to a lesson at lunchtime today, I'm quite pleased it's cooler today!

OP posts:

Pleasedontdothat · 07/09/2022 12:43

I’m out of hospital (hurrah!) - I’m able to potter about the house which is all good for my recovery but it’s amazing how quickly I get tired 😳

According to my discharge letter I actually managed to break five vertebrae (T4-T8) and four ribs - one on the front, two on the side and one at the back. The physios were the most helpful in terms of giving me a rough timeframe. They said it would take 6-8 weeks for the bones to heal, around 3 months for the soft tissue injuries to resolve and to be careful not to do anything ‘jarring’ like running or riding until it was all healed. I’ve googled my exact injuries and have found a few cases all of which made a full recovery which has cheered me up

Enjoy the volunteering @Hereforthedramaz that sounds great!

LikeAnOldFriend · 07/09/2022 13:17

Great news @Pleasedontdothat that sounds really positive!

This morning enjoyed some time on the ground with my boy… life is so busy at the moment really have to carve out time for more than the usual horse chores!

But this morning DD (2) and I took him a walk in hand, then she had a really little ride on him in the sand school and then I let him play a little. Used to do join up type exercises years ago with him and always have used the sand school for just a bit of messing around and relaxing. Nowadays whenever we go in and I take his head collar off he just follows me around from the off. He enjoyed a potter this morning.

I’m still reading on some in hand things we can do with a bit more structure too @Hereforthedramaz but just nice to have some time.

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 07/09/2022 13:27

@Pleasedontdothat that's brilliant, so pleased to hear you are home and on the mend.

@LikeAnOldFriend he looks so happy just pottering around with you and taking your daughter for a ride! The last photo really shows how handsome he is too!

OP posts:

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 07/09/2022 13:29

I'm just back from a lovely lesson, in the outdoor arena which is always nice.

Me, another rider a bit more advance and an instructor teaching a young pony some school manners! Felt like a lovely relaxed lesson, finished off with a mini hack through the woods.

Very happy, had a lovely canter even on the lazy schoolmaster pony who usually just stops!

It's amazing how much it puts you in a good mood!

OP posts:

LikeAnOldFriend · 07/09/2022 13:34

Hereforthedramaz · 07/09/2022 13:29

I'm just back from a lovely lesson, in the outdoor arena which is always nice.

Me, another rider a bit more advance and an instructor teaching a young pony some school manners! Felt like a lovely relaxed lesson, finished off with a mini hack through the woods.

Very happy, had a lovely canter even on the lazy schoolmaster pony who usually just stops!

It's amazing how much it puts you in a good mood!

That sounds amazing.. Lovely finishing with a mini hack and getting to enjoy being outdoors and sounds very successful!

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 07/09/2022 13:51

@LikeAnOldFriend the mini hack is a nice touch. Unless they run out of time, my school charges the same for private and group lessons but balances it out by getting a slightly longer group lesson plus the mini hack.

Simplifies the payments for them!

OP posts:

Allthegoodnamestakken · 08/09/2022 05:29

Glad to hear you're home @Pleasedontdothat
@Hereforthedramaz My school also let's you finish with a mini hack through their woodland trail provided you can ride well enough to do it alone. It's such a lovely way to finish the lesson.

LoveToWearADress · 08/09/2022 07:32

@Pleasedontdothat so good to be back home! And best of luck with your recovery. Gentle stretches, doing things little and often and REST got me back. Mine was a head injury so slightly different but fatigue was a huge issue. Wishing you lots of healing time 🌺❤️🌺

Original poster

Hereforthedramaz · 17/09/2022 22:24

Hi everyone.

I had another lovely group lesson and mini hack today.

I was on a new horse who apparently can be frustratingly stubborn or a lovely ride and I'm pleased to say he was lovely.

Again pretty big, 16.1, and 28 years old so no cantering.

It was a perfect riding day here today, cooler but lovely and sunny.

OP posts:

mrsrobin · 18/09/2022 07:02

@Pleasedontdothat Glad to hear you are out of hospital - I wish you a speedy recovery :)
@Hereforthedramaz Your lessons are sounding great. I plucked up courage to contact a school after lots of research - to be advised they can't take on any more riders! So I am back to square one!

Allthegoodnamestakken · 18/09/2022 10:38

@Pleasedontdothat hope you're doing well
I had a private lesson yesterday and braved some jumps. Teeny tiny cross poles. The horse I ride isn't the biggest jumping fan and refused quite a bit but my instructor was happy with how I rode her and has said she will put me on one if the more forward keen jumpers next time so feeling pleased with myself.
Finished off with a good gallop through the woods and then a walk back to cool down.

Pleasedontdothat · 18/09/2022 10:59

Checking in 😊- it’s three weeks tomorrow since my accident and I’m doing remarkably well. Standing up for more than a few minutes gets very uncomfortable so I’m having to take frequent sofa breaks which is frustrating. We’re also in the middle of moving house 😬. I’m having to take more of a supervisory role and poor DH is getting rather stressed..

I was supposed to be starting physio next week but it’s been put back because of the move. I’m so looking forward to being able to ride, run, cycle again but in the meantime I can live vicariously through your adventures!

bombombo · 21/09/2022 18:59

@Pleasedontdothat fantastic news it sounds like you're doing really well! Moving house is another added stress you don't need though 🙈 I'm a conveyancing solicitor so know it all too well 😂

I had a lesson today on a very cheeky horse 😂 he suddenly threw a strop when asked for canter and threw his head down. Thankfully I stayed on! But it knocked my confidence a bit. Instructor has offer to let me back on the little ploddy cob next week to build my confidence up for a while, which I'm very happy with! Only 3 lessons in after 15 years away from riding so I definitely need to work my way up.

Last week I rode a gorgeous 15.3Hh warmblood x, he was quite forward but well mannered and good brakes. Only thing is his canter is SO FAST I felt like I was galloping 😂