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!

@Pleasedontdothat 98! That gives me hope. I have a lesson tomorrow after a few weeks off. I’m feeling sort of brave so will hopefully get some small jumps in.

Chiming back in here after having dipped in and out from the beginning (mostly out!)

When this thread first started I was starting back at riding lessons for the first time in 20 years, at a new riding school, and was hoping get back into it and also to lose weight and shape up to potentially get back on my 27 year old boy. In the meantime his arthritis worsened and he had ended up definitely fully retired, and life had got in the way of riding lessons too, so I had just been enjoying pottering about with him.

I still am, and he is doing well - couple of flare ups recently but he's happy and enjoying retired life at the moment which is all I ask for, and I love spending time with him and taking him walks.

But a couple of weeks ago I started back riding lessons again actually at the original riding school I rode at 20+ years ago and where I got my boy from, and I can't tell you how much I'm loving it!

Have had two lessons, both on a beautiful cob who is a dream to ride and so like my own boy - today was my second and we were doing some pole work and popped over some little cross poles too!

I honestly felt like a child again, am absolutely loving it. Am booked in once a fortnight and I just can't wait to do more. It's been brilliant - hard work and a proper workout but just such fun.

@Pleasedontdothat sorry to hear you parted with Polo but sounds like it's all worked our really well and the share sounds brilliant.

@gettingolderbutcooler I feel exactly the same way! Isn't it fun!

@Pleasedontdothat sorry to hear it didn't work out, it was good of you to put him first and it sounds like he will have a great life at his new home! hopefully the right horse for you comes along soon.

@theferry good luck with the jumping!

@LikeAnOldFriend Glad to hear your boy is enjoying retirement! and that you are enjoying lessons again.

I had another lesson yesterday, still not 100% recovered from the fall but getting there. Finding I am getting frustrated with lack of progress and trying not to beat myself up. When I went from riding once a month or so to weekly I felt such a leap in improvement with the increased riding. Now it feels like i'm plodding along much slower but I don't have the time or funds to ride more than one 45 min lesson a week so I need to accept that.
Once all my muscles and bones are fully recovered I might give some of the equipilates previously discussed a go so I can try and increase improvement rates that way.
I definitely feel like lack of riding fitness is holding me back currently even though I am actually pretty fit. I run, cross fit and weight lift but still my lungs are burning and my legs aching 15 minutes in to riding.

I feel like I’m on a roll this week! I had another lesson yesterday and for the first time since my accident managed a) to pick up canter exactly where I wanted to every time and b) canter circles 😊. I finally feel like I’m getting back to where I was before my fall.

Lovely updates from everyone. And so impressed with those of you returning to riding in your 50s and that someone learned at 93. Gives me hope as I started to learn at 47. I’m still out of the saddle at the moment due to finances but do hope to get back one day. And these stories of real people help me to think it will be a possibility! One day.

The jumping was good. Had a little incident where she got a fright—she swerved to the side and then took off for a few strides. I was thrown out of the saddle but mananged to get my balance back and stop her. I would have got off there and then but the instructor kept me going and it was all good after that. . Just wish I could ride more often!

Where was the course you did in Cheshire please?

93?! That’s seriously impressive!

Sorry to hear it didn’t work out with Polo but your new share sounds promising!

@Flyingcarpetintraining the place I went to in Cheshire was Willington Hall

I booked through Equestrian Escapes but it would probably be cheaper to book direct

@Pleasedontdothat I have just gone down a rabbit hole looking at all the holidays I can do if only 1. I lived in the UK and 2. I had a spare few thousand. I might look into the Cheshire one next time i'm visiting family I do think an intensive would be good for me.

Question for you all, has anyone done lunge lessons? not as a complete beginner but going back to the lunge to work on specific position things? I am wondering if i'd find it useful or if i'd be wasting money to be bored going round and round in a circle.

@Allthegoodnamestakken yes to lunge lessons - I find them really helpful in that you can solely concentrate on your position rather than steering and keeping the horse going. Doing exercises like canter with no stirrups or reins is a challenge on the lunge but doable but I wouldn’t even consider it on my own 😬

I’d love to do more horsey holidays - there are a few trips which are definitely bucket list worthy.

@Pleasedontdothat I just wanted to say I have seen your thread about you DH and I am so sorry, sending you all the virtual strength and support I can.

@Pleasedontdothat I am so very sorry for you loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.

I've been having lessons for the past 2 months and today is my first hack out with my instructor.
It's pissing down with rain 😩
Horse is a bit clumsy- hope I don't fall off if he trips on a canter. He's 17'3 so it's a long way down.....
Wish me luck!
By the way my past riding hols have been via In the Saddle and went to Andalusia with Los Alamos. Best trips!

@gettingolderbutcooler good luck! I hope you manage to enjoy it despite the rain. I'm sure if the ground is to wet risking a slip the instructor won't get you to canter on it!

I have had a few more lessons, still battling with getting a good contact, some minutes I can manage it the next I've lost it again but trying to stay positive and remember that a few months back I couldn't get it even for a minute.

oooh could i please join this thread? i had ponies when i was younger, then had a baby and stopped riding until he was around 1 then stopped again, that was 9 years ago and i'm now a very unfit 34 year old. I've just booked a lesson for Sunday, i'm so nervous!!! I'm most scared about how unfit i am so hoping this will give me the kick up the arse i need as i just love horses and riding.

@C0keZer0 welcome! We’re a similar age with a similar break in riding although no kids for me. I found I ached after the first few rides but my muscles got used to it quickly. Now a year into riding regularly again and I’m finding it’s a real motivator to keep my fitness up. I no longer ache but as we’re doing more I find I constantly need to be better at cardio, stronger legs arms etc. I’ve become much better at actually going to the gym class now I have a goal of being a better rider to focus on!

SOrry I know this is an old post, but I can't work out if you swing your foot to the front or the back. Thank you!!! To anyone that answers.

Hi @honeysuckleweeks its a bit of a slow thread but a few of us are still around. Your right foot should always swing to the back of the horse so when you land you land facing the saddle not away from it. I have never tried grabbing the stirrup leather but I usually grab mane or the front of the saddle and try to slide down on bigger horses. Smaller ones I admittedly just jump down in one swoop.
If you're struggling you could ask to dismount at the mounting block so its less of a way down.

@honeysuckleweeks I struggled with dismounting for ages when I came back to riding. I tried holding onto the right stirrup leather but that didn’t really help and it was still an inelegant scramble with lots of heartfelt thanks to saintly riding school horses 😳. I’ve now realised the key is not to overthink it, get your head down low enough (on the left side of your horse’s neck) and then just swing your leg with oomph - all in one movement so it needs to be quick - and then you’re on the ground before you know it! Bend your knees as you land and ta-da!

I still slide down as though I'm dismounting a 16.2 (which is what I used to ride).I now ride a 13.2 and I'm always suprised at how quickly I reach the floor 😆

@Allthegoodnamestakken ah sorry i didn't see this. i've never even done a gym class :D i've just gotten down to a weight so that actually let me on their hugest horse so that's the level of fitness were at!! It will serve ,e right and i'm determined to not stop the weekly lessons so i'm going in the right direction.

i wonder if i'll get to break into a canter, i'll report back on how it goes anyway, and how the hell i graciously dismount LOL. Are you doing lessons or hacking?

Thank you for replies. My first lesson is in a month. Wish me luck

This sounds like my style! Edit - although I have visions of my left leg still stuck in the stirrup and the rest of me in a heap!

Start exercising now! I can't move.

@C0keZer0 Well done on the weight loss! the horse riding will help your fitness but if you can find the motivation to even do small amounts of other exercise it will help. Even just walking will help with the cardio side of things.
I am doing lessons, almost at my 12 month anniversary of starting riding again and its been great. I admittedly wasn't starting from nothing as I rode very reguarly previously but hadn't done anything proper in about 10 years when starting again.

@honeysuckleweeks Good luck!