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!

Hi all,

I've loved reading this thread and all your stories of getting back into riding. I rode as a teenager and I'm thinking of trying it again now as an adult but feeling apprehensive to take the plunge!

Any words of wisdom or a virtual kick up the bum would be welcome

Well done! How was it?

I went out to see DHorse today and unfortunately found a deep cut just above his coronet - we think from wire. He was amazingly good about having it washed and sprayed with iodine. The owner is arranging the vet. It doesn’t look infected so hopefully he’ll have a quick recovery. As I couldn’t ride I used the opportunity to take some pics of his handsome self, so here goes.

Wisdom - buy a well-fitting helmet. Kick - book that lesson today! :)

Lovely looking chap 🥰

@Gremlinsateit thank you what a beautiful horse you have!

I've contacted a couple of local riding schools (not a tonne of choice round here unfortunately) and I'm waiting to hear back, eek! I hope somewhere can fit me in.

@Gremlinsateit that nose ♥️ I hope his cut heals well!

Good luck @bombombo hope you find somewhere nice!
Have you contacted the BHS British Horse Society? They will have a list, and probably some tips too

BHS

Thank you @Solosunrise, I got the details of the ones I contacted off the BHS website

If they all get back to me, I'm torn on which to choose. Anyone got any advice on how to choose between different riding schools, what should I be prioritising?

I think your best bet is to go and have a look round and see which one appeals when you get there. Try to watch a couple of lessons. Contrary to popular opinion, you shouldn't be paying to be shouted at.
Nor should the horses be looking miserable or anybody be pulling them about

@bombombo I tried a fair few before settling. Number 1 priority to me was the horses looked well cared for, had turnout, well muscled etc. I'm not in the UK though and would like to think anything bhs approved has that covered.
Other priorities where what sort of horses I could ride, was the instructor experienced with teaching adult riders, what was weekend availability like and did they offer group lessons.
I ended up choosing a school that fit all my priorities apart from they only do private lessons as I decided the beautifully schooled horses and instructor I felt comfortable with was worth that sacrifice. My bank balance would disagree as it was the most expensive school I tried 😳 but I felt I learnt more in one 30 minute lesson than I had in all the other 1 hour lessons combined

Ask to watch a lesson, do the horses look happy and alert or are they switched off and bored? Are the horses well shod, clean and groomed, decent fitting tack that is well looked after, overall look and feel of the yard. How do the staff treat the horses, is the yard peaceful and quiet with no shouting?
Then meet the instructor who will be teaching you, do you get food vibes? Are they interested in you and your aims, do they offer a variety of lessons ie arena/hacking/riding in fields? Do they offer BHS training/stable management lessons on top of riding lessons?
Are the clients all kids or is there a good cross section of ages?

Thank you all so much! Great advice.

Talked to DH about my plans and he's getting very carried away now talking to people at work who own horses about livery costs 🤣 were a while off that dear!

I have a baby and feel ready to add something into my life that's just for me, if that makes sense. At the moment it's all baby classes and housework 😂 looking forward to carrying on reading about all of your journeys!

My advice - do it! Especially if you are at that stage of feeling touched out with a baby and needing to reconnect with yourself.

I dont know what it is about horses... but if you are the horse type, then there is no better way to reconnect with yourself than be around a horse. My mental health is WAY better after spending time with my boy. I struggled a lot after having a baby, hitting middle age, juggling job and home etc. I feel like getting back in the saddle has saved me.

It costs a FORTUNE. A literal FORTUNE (livery, lessons, vet, farrier, tack, etc etc etc - theres always something to spend money on). Basically, all of my disposable income goes on this. But its the best money I spend. I tried counselling. Hated it. Owning a horse is my counselling. When I ride, my mind empties of all the stress and anxiety. I bend my will to his and I ask him to do the same. When it works (hes young... I fall off a lot), its incredible. A true partnership. I give to him... I ask him to do the same... And he gives freely to me (sometimes!). Then after he has treats, scratches and we chill together. Sometimes I just hand graze him, talking to him nonstop.

Now I realise the above makes me sound crazy... But if you get it, then you'll get it!

For me, this week has been fab. I had my first arena lesson with baby horse. He was amazing. I was a little worried... but he didn't put a foot wrong. And my instructor was so helpful - telling me all the ways young horses are different and what they need. Now baby horse is going on his holls. He's going out in a little herd to just enjoy being a horse and to mature up. The idea being - hes learned a lot... I want him to enjoy his work, so time to do some rolling and grass nibbling. I ll prob bring him back in a few months, but I ll leave it dependent on him.

@BeardyButton That is amazing! What a partnership you're building. I love that you're letting him go off and do some frolicking in a field for a while too, you're obviously putting him first and he'll love his time off with the herd. I hope I'm lucky enough to have my own one day too,

I'm not back at work yet but will be in November. I'm lucky that I'm absolutely loving being at home with my baby, but I realised I'm just not making any time for myself. I feel like I need to do something now and again that's just selfish/for my own enjoyment. I definitely relate to what you say about the juggle too, which is only going to get worse when I'm back at work. DH is thankfully brilliant and giving me a shove to go and do it 😂

I second the literal fortune! I would so love a horse again but it would probably outlive me now, so I stick with mucking about with those belonging to friends!
But I also agree 100% with the mental health benefits.

Why not buy an oldie looking for a quieter life? The horse market is really weird at the moment. Seems only young and older are any way affordable. The ones in the middle either go without being advertised by word of mouth, are unaffordable or there are undisclosed 'issues'. I was actually looking for a horse in its late teens early 20s. But then the baby was shoved under my nose and I fell head over heels.

I ride out with women in their 60s and 70s. They are more than able. A back protector/ airjacket, well fitting helmet, safety stirrups and maybe a gel out seat saver and off you go. If you really really want it, and you can afford it (or like me you cant but you do it anyway) then you should do it. Life is too short to not do the things you really want to!

ps, you prob know all this.... sorry if post is patronising. The reason I post is I am at the stage of life where I want to reflect on what I really want to do with the rest of it. I ve had a lot of loss recently - family, friends etc... Its made me realise that life is short.

@BeardyButton funny you should say that as I thought all that after I'd posted. I think what I really mean is, I'm not sure I necessarily still want to be mucking out in my dotage! I'm enjoying a good old potter without the responsibility at the moment. The only thing i miss is a decent lesson and the opportunity to complete from time to time.
I agree that you're never too old, and i do appreciate your thoughts!

I'm so sorry for your losses

Thanks. You just get to that stage in life, right?

I get what you mean. I have mine on full livery. The place hes at, its not that much more expensive than DIY. One of the things Im really enjoying is female company. Theres a lovely community of women of all ages (20s up to 70s). We have a hack and then a coffee.

But I am very 'term time' busy so I do wonder whether I ll be able to keep loving it when it gets cold wet and I am super busy with everything else. We ll see!

Could you borrow one of your friends horses for a lesson? I d love someone with experience to take my baby for an odd lesson - he d learn too.

Just back from a really good lesson.

It all seemed to come together (relatively, still lots for me to improve on!) for a really fun and successful lesson.

We did a "dressage test" obviously not a proper one but it was really fun doing a little routine.

Couldn't agree more with pps and the mental health benefits of a ride or even just time around horses. I'm still hopeful of finding a suitable share one day so I can get some more time in with one horse.

Also had a lovely lesson today, rode a different horse who was a LOT more forward going than my usual one so I was a bit nervous to start but actually once I relaxed it was great. Apparently the horse I usually ride doesn't love jumping so my instructor wants me to get to know this one so we can try some jumps after a few more lessons.
I completely agree about the mental benefits, I love that when I'm on a horse I have to focus, I can't think about anything else other than the horse and what we are doing. Its the hour a week where I feel I can really switch off and not think about work, life, family stresses etc.

Hi everyone I've been following the thread for a while. I'm thinking of getting another horse - I sold mine last year after an accident and not regretting it.

I've spent the year recovering from the accident and getting fit again. Now that I'm better I notice the horse shaped hole in my life.

Hi all.

I've had a brilliant couple of weeks. Had a weeks holiday do treated myself to a lesson everyday. It's been so helpful snd I'm cantering now nearly all the way round the arena. I've learnt to tack up, untack and turn the horse out.

So good for my mental health

What a brilliant idea, a week off with lessons everyday sounds wonderful!

You must have progressed so much, it is slow progress going weekly!

Depending on timing my instructor will generally have me partially or fully un-tack but I'd really like to be reminded of all the ground handling bits and yard stuff in practice. I think I need an adult pony day!