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 in northern France and it is actually sunny today so high hopes for tomorrows lesson. Will probably be complaining about the flies by the weekend!

@Hereforthedramaz looks lovely!

I’ve realised I’ve only ridden about 4 times this year. A combination of personal circumstances and nerves. I’m hoping to get back into it now. Schools finish here in Scotland on Friday so the stables are going to be packed.

@Hereforthedramaz Glad your boy is feeling well!
I have agreed to trialing it for one month, went to ride her this morning and she was lovely, no bad behaviour and was prancing around for me like we were off to the grand prix. She really is a lovely mare hoping that she was actually just sick of school life and will be happier with me, the other sharer and her owner riding her only. She was often used for the children learning to jump as she loves jumping and never stops or ducks out but I think perhaps endless children flapping around on her was getting a bit much.

I will ride my friends horse also as he knows all the fancy moves and will allow me to learn and perfect things on a complete school master.

@Mollyplop999 The perks of cold weather riding really is a lack of flies they drive me mad! while seemingly not bothering the horse

Well it was actually boiling yesterday with lots of flies, we were inside in the grand manège and I had belting black horse, doing a cantering game in teams. Really felt like everything is coming together and actually enjoyed the speed and balance.

My girth came off (on the side I hadn't checked or tightened) but I didn't even notice until everyone started shouting so must have been doing something right with my legs for once.

Have never been so hot on a horse!

@FestiveAuntFanny that sounds so fun, even in the heat!

I often think what I'd really enjoy is an adults pony club to play riding games etc!

My old cob share actually had his saddle refitted today and apparently it needed filling out a fair amount so we are wondering whether it'll make a difference to the bucking, I'll find out at the weekend.

(Does make me feel awful if I was making him uncomfortable!)

@Allthegoodnamestakken really glad to hear it went well with the mare. She sounds fantastic.

Riding schools and owners knowing when a horse has had enough of lessons is so important, I can sympathise with the horses getting to the end of their patience and just wanting to be ridden by a couple of people!

@Hereforthedramaz they do a lot of poney games - I think it's called mounted games in the UK - at my club so we often do it in lessons.

I really like it and it's great for getting you doing something difficult without thinking about it too much because it's part of the game like a depart au gallop, getting on a moving horse which I totally can't do, and doing it all one handed with knotted reins.

It's mostly kids and teens in the competitions but there are old farts teams too, there's talk of doing an adult team at my club next year so we'll see.

Hello it’s been a while - I’ve booked three lessons starting next week on a summer offer at a different riding school. The riding school I had been to previously was just too expensive and the lessons were good but I just couldn’t keep doing it especially as I lost my nerve learning canter. It’s been 18 months since I’ve had a lesson. Looking forward to it at the moment and how I feel about it after will help me make the decision as to whether I’ll keep going or go thanks I’ve had a nice time learning but I’ll stick at walk and trot forever!

It's taken me a whole year of group lessons plus a few one to one sessions to enjoy cantering. I was scared and tense every time. Only in the last few weeks I've put my foot back on the corner and really asked for it and wanted it and also wanted to keep it going. I think the horses can tell when you really mean it.

If you think about how few hours you actually spend in the saddle as an adult it's amazing you can do anything at all.

I made it a real thing in my head, like fear of falling off, and really it does just take time and riding the horse which suits you because it's just another pace the horse has after all.

Good luck with your lessons!

@FestiveAuntFanny oh wow those games sound equally fun and terrifying!!

Thank you @FestiveAuntFanny thats really encouraging to know. And yes a thirty minute lesson once a week doesn’t add to much time at all.

Equally fun and terrifying is my whole riding experience!

I had a lovely hack out with my lovely old cob, interestingly no bucking at all today going into canter.

Could have been lots of variables but seems likely the saddle adjustments have really helped. He also generally felt more comfortable and eager.

We got into a lovely rhythm and felt like we could have just kept going if the ground hadn't got so hard at points.

Anyone else out riding today?

Went out with my daughter yesterday. Her pony was very spooky and the trails were really busy. It was still nice to get out though.

Had a lovey ride yesterday afternoon and even popped some tiny cross poles! @Hereforthedramaz glad your boy if feeling comfortable!

I did it. I got back on! First lesson for over 18 months yesterday. Don’t ask how my inner thighs are today 😂😂

Lovely ride on a nice sized mare for me in an outdoor arena which was nice in itself as all my lessons before have been in an indoor before. Just walk and trot transitions which suited me fine as canter is my nemesis! I did ok although I was a bit nervy when trot pace picked up despite that being the whole point to have a forward trot. My brain seems to think a good trot pace equals canter prep 🤣

No stirrup work promised for me next week as my leg position has not miraculously improved over my rest period.

Anyway confirmed I still love it and this riding school seems good.

Well we're in Corsica it's not too hot but nice.

Got what I thought was a disappointing plodder until it was cantering time when he proved to be scarily fast.

Did have a lovely trot and canter by the sea, whole different thing to the manège.

@cakeforme that sounds fantastic well done!

It must feel so good to get back in the saddle after so long and have such a positive lesson!

@FestiveAuntFanny oh wow!! Absolutely beautiful, puts my hack in the UK drizzle into perspective!

Thanks it was @Hereforthedramaz And loving the beach ride photo @FestiveAuntFanny One day hope that will be me🤞

Today was mountains, three hours up, down, across a river and through a vineyard, olive grove, past some scary cows and back.

We had totally excellent horses, mine was a reformed carmargue corrida horse and speedy but basically fearless and well mannered. Just as well as I had enough fear for both of us.

The guide was great, she had a difficult spooky horse which she managed incredibly well whilst talking to us and going up the really steep trails, never seen a horse jump sideways on a 45 degree slope at the terrifying sight of a gate!

There are going to be aches tomorrow but well worth it. It's really beautiful here, the only downside is driving is unbelievably scary on narrow switchback mountain roads.

@FestiveAuntFanny
Ooh I'm very jealous!! I've been to Spain a few times with In The Saddle and the horses were great and very well matched to their riders.

I'm now 4 weeks post hysterectomy (had an earlier date of 11/6 so I took it!) and am planning to restart riding beginning September.
Went back to the gym yesterday for the first time- only did 15 mins on cross trainer and a few light weights machines- but totally exhausted myself!

I’ve got my first lesson post-accident on Thursday. As long as that goes well then I’ll start making a plan to go back to my share TB again - I have really missed going to the yard. I’m still not allowed to drive - DVLA are taking ages to deal with my case and it’s so frustrating - I feel completely back to normal and not being able to drive is so debilitating as we live in the middle of nowhere 😬

Hope it goes well @Pleasedontdothat

@Pleasedontdothat i hope everything works out for you.

I had a lesson this morning—only my 4th ride all year. I decided beforehand that it would be my last. Forking out money for a private lesson when I’m terrified seems mad. Except I had a fantastic time. The horse was amazing. For the first time in quite a while I got off happy and exhilarated. Now I haven’t got a clue what to do! 🤨

Forgot to say that the horse I ride is 26 and on the verge of retirement. I do know that when she is fully retired I will stop. Don’t know when that will be, but I know I won’t start again with the new horse they’ve bought to replace her. It’s 7 and very green.