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!

Hello! I haven't ridden for quite a few years, despite being a mad keen pony clubber as a teen. I occasionally sit on a friend's old pony for a short hack but that's all.
I'm really tempted to start again at a local riding school.
I'm mid 50s so if i don't get on with it now I probably never will!
Lovely thread. Thanks for the inspiration!

Hi @Solosunrise

Go for it!

If all our experiences are anything to go by you won't regret starting up again! Are you in a "horsey" area?

I have my next lesson tomorrow, really looking forward to it

I am in a horsey area. I get my horse fix from helping a friend with hers from time to time, but one is a fit competition horse and the other is a semi retired pony so not up to much any more.
I know of a couple of nice riding schools locally so i will ring and see what they can offer :)

Just had my next lesson, a private half hour on the lovely schoolmaster.

I did trotting without stirrups, which I really liked.

And first cantering on this boy, I think I was a bit of a mess but the instructor was very encouraging!

I really feel the horse is listening to me now which I'm taking as a sign I have Improved!

That's so nice @Hereforthedramaz! Feels good when it starts to come together.
Ive found a couple of schools that look promising. I'll make some calls tomorrow.
Meanwhile I'm doing some visualising and have dug out some old textbooks. I bought this one last time I felt the urge to start again!

@Solosunrise ooh a riding manual, good idea!

Is it useful?

Yes @Hereforthedramaz it is useful and inspiring with many many photos. I had a similar (but not so comprehensive) one when i was a child. Reading it makes me feel about 10 again, and pony mad!
This book includes off the horse fitness exercises and mental preparation, and the riding stuff goes from beginners and how to get started, up to descriptions of high level eventing and tips on buying a horse.
There's a bit about understanding horses - herd instinct etc, but mainly a riding and training manual so not much about stable management.
I think it's well worth a read!

I thought this looked interesting, for example

Well adult pony club was a blast 😀. The musical ride was so chaotic yesterday that we considered changing our music to the Benny Hill theme tune 😬 but today all the ponies behaved and riders didn’t suffer total memory loss. I would strongly recommend doing something similar if you can find it at a local riding school as the extra, intense sessions really boost your riding skills and confidence. Back to reality tomorrow with a bump as I’m in the office but I’ve got a long hack booked on Saturday so looking forward to that.

@Solosunrise ooh that summary looks really useful, thank you! Might find myself a manual to read far too many times!

@Pleasedontdothat oh wow that sounds truly amazing!! I can't seem to find anything similar nearby, I've found loads nearby aimed at kids!

Congratulations! That’s my main goal :)

@Pleasedontdothat that sounds great, glad you enjoyed it. The riding school I rode at from 4-18 did adult pony club days unfortunately I now live thousands of miles away and it's closed down. Can't see anything similar near by infact I found it hard to locate a school that did adult lessons.
The school does do mini competition days with adult classes a few times a year though so my goal is to get good enough to enter one.
I've also convinced DH to come and watch my next lesson and take a video of me cantering so I can see what my legs are doing. Hoping that will then help me visualise and correct them.

It is an oldie but a classic book "Ride with your Mind" by Mary Wanlass. Really helps with techniques of how to visualising relaxation rather than just telling you to relax.

It is an oldie but a classic book "Ride with your Mind" by Mary Wanlass. Really helps with techniques of how to visualising relaxation rather than just telling you to relax.

Hello all.

Sounds like we are all having a fab time. I'm still learning the rising trot. Ive been practicing without stirrups, holding onto the pommel. The horse is very kind and helps me along!

Go you! Well done.

My yard does adult drill rides with either a lecture beforehand or a pimms afterwards which I suppose would be bit like adult pony club

That would be brilliant!

@Pleasedontdothat impressed with the jump.
All my local RS seem to be full on kids stuff during holidays, though I have yet to ring and see what they offer adults. I may end up putting it all on hold till September.

That would be great! The riding school I’m going to has lots of kids’ stuff for the holidays but they’re still doing their normal hacks which are adults-only plus they’ve started doing ‘adults Fridays’ for the rest of the summer. The timetable includes musical ride sessions, improve your canter, intro to XC, groundwork sessions, how to lunge and long rein, demos etc.

They've realised they have two main demographics - under-16s and middle-aged women - and they want to cater for both groups.

Very much the middle aged demographic here! What I'd love, and I know a local RS used to do, is a morning adults class lesson followed by coffee and biccies.
I had a few lessons about 10 years ago and they were all private and quite serious, but this time round I'd like a bit of a giggle with it

Oh I love this thread!! Can I join??

I'm really lucky to still have my childhood pony a 26-year-old Fell who I adore. He was officially retired a couple of years ago due to arthritis but in the last couple of years has astounded us all with how well he's doing and now would be absolutely fine doing the pottering hacks that were all we've ever done - only thing is I think I'm too heavy just now. Im bang on 20% of his body weight which I know is really the maximum but with his age and arthritis I'd like to be less. He is just enjoying life in the field just now and the kids 4 and 2 sit on his back for toddlers around the school or farm which he loves, but I'd like to shift some weight and get on him while he's so well and able.

Yesterday we went to a riding school and my oldest daughter and I had a pony trek - I was on a 16.2 Welsh D, a lot taller than my 14hh boy! She was lovely and I really just loved riding! First time in a year or two and first time riding another horse in over a decade.

Thinking of maybe going for odd hack in next couple of months and putting all my energy in to getting a bit of weight off to take my boy for autumn wanders.

Would love to chat - so inspired by your weight loss op and all the chat of returning to riding after so long! Definitely felt strange to be in a riding school yesterday for first time in 22 years!!

Hi all!

@LikeAnOldFriend
Hi and welcome!

How lovely to be still riding your childhood pony, cheekily can we see a photo of him?

Getting back on him sounds like a fantastic weight loss goal, you'll get there in no time.

Lol 14 to 16.2 must have felt like a huge difference!

Are you planning on doing any lessons etc?

Oh always happy to oblige with a photo! Here he is, bit greyer than he used to be but still as handsome! Have had him since 2000 when he was just turning 4 so been a lovely long time!

Not sure if I'll go for lessons, would need to if riding anyone else I think as have just got so used to him over the years! But would love most of all just getting back in my favourite seat on him!

Oops didn’t work here he is!