Adult new or returning riders up for a chat?

[Hereforthedramaz]

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!

I’m hacking rather than having lessons at the moment as well. I was getting a bit bored of going round in circles and it’s easier to canter in a straight line through the woods than worrying about getting the correct leg in the school!

I am a new rider! Complete beginner. Only had 3 lessons so far. Before my lessons, I had never even sat on a horse!

I had a lesson this morning. My previous two left me feeling positive, but I feel slightly defeated today. It was raining, my legs felt uncomfortable in the stirrups, I think I twisted the saddle when getting on today. I was all fingers and thumbs with the reins and was trying out the rising trot, but just didn't feel like I was doing it properly and couldn't get in a rhythm.

Oh well, I'll try again next week! :)

Hope you're getting on OK!

My aim is to gallop along the beach ⛱️

Hi all, was a bit disheartened after my last lesson. Had a brief and very messy canter, and as I can only afford to ride once a month I didn't think I would progress so was ready to sack it off as a bad job. I'd already booked in todays though so went along.

Oh. My. God. What a difference! I got paired with a smaller horse so I wasn't constantly fighting an absolute unit who was either over it or ready to go at full speed. Had a lovely canter and left the lesson feeling uplifted and happy and having booked my next one 😂

That's great @LadyFlumpalot
Keep going @Rainpuddle you will get there

Hive mind - I am struggling with going back to riding after my fall in November. I had whiplash and then a numb arm/hand for several months. I just feel so indispensable to my family that it feels selfish to pursue a hobby that is inherently high risk. I wasn't even doing anything dangerous (trot and the horse tripped) and it was my worst ever fall. I do want to go back.

Also feeling a bit disheartened today - exactly a year ago I did my first ever dressage test (unaffiliated intro C so not exactly Grand Prix 😉but still …). Obviously I’ve had some time off but my lesson today felt like I was a million light years away from being able to do a dressage test again - on paper the horse I was riding today was very similar to the one I made my dressage debut on - small, fat riding school cob 😳 - but I’m realising quite how well-schooled the horses were at my last riding school. Everyone’s very nice at the current school (and they were the only one to get back to me with availability when we moved) but I’m realising quite how unschooled the horses are - with the one I had today to get canter you basically have to charge into the corner, kick and if you’re lucky he sort of falls into canter. If you do what I’m used to - get a decent trot, sit for a couple of strides, outside leg behind the girth etc he doesn’t have any idea what you’re asking him to do. I realise if I were a better rider I’d be able to get more out of him but it’s sooo much easier riding a responsive horse that has buttons already installed 😮‍💨

@PseudoBadger I’ve also struggled with thoughts of am I being selfish but I’ve decided that life’s too short … I think you regret things that you don’t do more

Just remember folks that riding is a marathon not a sprint and you never, ever stop learning. That's why Olympic riders still have lessons. The more you learn the more you realise how little you know. That's why it is so addictive because you literally never stop learning.
The magic happens when you can work in harmony with the horse and you feel at one with it. Remember though in order to become a competent rider you have to learn how to feel the horse you are riding and thereby adapt your riding to make the best of each uorse.
You are all at the start of the journey so cut yourselves some slack and keep working at it. I've been riding for over 30 yrs and I'm still learning and bettering myself 😊

Hi everyone I'm also feeling really disheartened at the moment. I've got a part share of a pony who I've been really enjoying getting to know in the last few weeks but took her for a short hack along the lane the other day and it was a disaster. She was really spooky on the road at everything - just jolting and being nervy at things like branches and puddles. All was under control but then a big vehicle came round the corner and she completely freaked out, spun around, didn't listen to me, wouldn't stop, basically wasn't listening to me at all. It was on the road and there was a car behind me who luckily stopped to give me time but I decided to just give up and go back to the yard. Even on the very short walk back she was nervous, spooky and difficult and saw a bird she didn't like the look of. When we got back to the yard she instantly relaxed. Not only that but the bugger nipped me when I was tacking up (she always hated having her girth done). I really don't know how to take it forward. I'm too much of a novice to deal with a spooky horse who I can't hack but I don't want to give up!

@PseudoBadger maybe look at it from the perspective that falls are rare, especially in a controlled environment like a riding school. Even when you do come off, most of the time you don't need A&E afterwards.

Perhaps have a chat with the school, maybe have a half-hour private lesson to get some one-to-one to rebuild your confidence.

@overitunderit unfortunately spring grass can turn even the sanest horse a bit wild. Horses are generally more spooky alone too - do you have someone else you could ride out with?

@liveforsummer I think the spring grass might be the issue. Do you know how long spring grass lasts for?! It's a very small yard so there isn't really anyone else for me to hack with right now unfortunately. There is maybe one potential lady I could ask- it's something I've considered as I did wonder if it might help pony.

Not only that but the bugger nipped me when I was tacking up (she always hated having her girth done).

Has she been checked for ulcers?

My confidence has come back a bit. I had a run of about 6 weeks where I only rode once. I think I’m that excited to be back to my weekly fix that the nerves have been pushed to the background. I have a lesson tomorrow so I’ll see how it goes 😀

I take it back! I have a lesson in an
hour and the nerves are back in abundance. Seriously questioning whether I should continue with lessons.

How did it go? Did the nerves ease as soon as you got on?

A bit. I was on her at the start thinking I’ve had enough and it’s not worth the stress, but then I jumped a small round and loved it again 🙈

@theferry that’s just it isn’t it? Nerves up to the lesson, wishing it was over after 5 mins then getting off at the end of the lesson feeling exhilarated and wanting more! I think I’ve just accepted now that nerves are a large part of this hobby and I’ve got to just deal with it and hope I don’t fall off 😂!

Nerves are definitely part of it but the key is channeling them into something positive.
There's a great saying in the horse world:
Bravery is feeling the nerves but going out and doing it anyway!

i agree entirely. I’m still smiling from today!

I am so happy! I had a good lesson today.

I posted about my most recent experience last month which was a complete disaster at a new riding school (horse spooked throughout, wind so strong I could not even hear most of what the instructor said & had sand on my face/in my eyes for most of the lesson, felt like I had forgotten everything, staff not really friendly)...

I was considering giving up.

Today I finally got back on a horse. I booked a lesson at a different school nearby, had a great, very experienced instructor who made me feel at ease. Lovely sunshine and steady/comfy horse.

The most eventful part was the horse getting some sand in his nose and deciding to go for some over dramatic sneezing/ coughing but beyond that it was a lovely experience. That school has much better facilities, staff and horses so it was worth trying something else as well and it did make a big difference.

Update: had a lesson this morning. Felt amazing. Improved on rising trot, actually managed to do it for a lap! Different instructor with a more direct/strict approach, which I think I respond better to!

I really need to work on feet and steering. Turned left instead of right when asked 😳

Anyway, now I'm all nervous hoping I remember everything for next time!

It's funny how up and down horseriding makes me feel. Today was brilliant though :)

It’s great to hear that people are feeling more positive! I’ll join you too - had a couple of lessons this week on 2 different ponies and felt great on both - the instructor today said that it’s the best she’s seen me ride! Feeling very happy right now. The nerves are still there but they’re not taking over.

Can I ask about something that surprises me reading some of the comments: are adult beginners having lessons on ponies?

I was given horses from the start and I usually get the biggest ones (although I am of really build and about 5ft.4)...

I was given a 17.3 one after a few lessons when I started!

Have I missed an opportunity by not trying out ponies that are big enough for adult riders :) ?

Depends on weight of pony + weight of rider. The rule of thumb is weight of rider should be 15% the weight of the horse + then you also add the weight of tack. So some native pony breeds could carry a 9 1/2 stone adult but for a beginner adult a horse would be a safer bet.
A beginner rider will be "heavier" than a more experienced, balanced rider so this needs to be considered too.

@Greenfairydust the one I've been learning on is a pony. I'm 5ft and 129lbs and was given the pony on my first lesson. Had the same one each time.