First lesson in 25 years and my legs are hurting!

[Mugginscake]

This probably belongs in the returning to riding thread but I don’t know if that’s still going. We bought my highland cross home at the end of January. She’s shared between myself (who used to be a competent rider 20 years ago) and my 14 year old son. She was very unfit, very unresponsive and nappy when she arrived but hadn’t done any arena work and was ridden by a novice who just used to take her for a walk. She’s come on a lot but still has a way to go. We’ve been doing lots and lots of hacking. I was worried that this mornings lesson would see her not being very responsive but in fact it was me who was a bit rubbish. My lower legs started really hurting part way into the lesson and they are ever so achey now. What things can I do to get myself in better working condition!?

Pilates especially equipilates to straighten you and release tension.
Highlands can be notorious for being backwards in the school so I'm sure you will get good workouts 🤣

Pilates. I do the online Rider Pilates (you'll find them on facebook) started with the free 5 day course and then signed up paid sessions. I returned to riding in my mid 40s after a 20 year break and its helped massively. Also flexi stirrups (I'm saving up for the Acavello's) help with my dodgy previously broken foot.

Stretch before and after lessons. As a new rider just learning I can say that sitting the trot with no stirrups is a special kind of hell as far as muscles are concerned. I feel your pain 😂 and mine. Mostly mine...

Also make sure she is responsive, carry a schooling whip and flick it every time she doesn’t respond straight away. She will soon need less leg.

@Mugginscake good point made by @Spaghettihulahoops . Hot horses need more leg and horses who are behind the leg need less leg.

@Spaghettihulahoops it was trying to make her more responsive that might have been part of the problem. We were doing 3 paces in walk then transition up to trot then reward by relaxing aides. She was doing great and she’s come on so much but it was my legs that couldn’t cope with lots of trotting around in circles. @twistyizzy she was utterly unresponsive when she came to us, problem now is she’s learning faster than me 😁 You might be right about Highlands she certainly wasn’t backwards being ridden through the fields earlier 🙈

@Mugginscake yes they are renowned for being hard work in the arena but great for hacking! A woman at our yard has a Highland that just wouldn't go forwards, I suggested she took it hunting. It definitely worked but she had zero brakes and got told off by the hunt master 🤣 they are tanks!

Ah there is nothing worse than the achey, wobbly legs post lesson. Did you get a big, red sweaty head as well?

I have a highland, and she can be very stuffy in the school. She hates it no matter what we are doing, except for free jumping which she loves and turns into a bit of a mad head. I find she responds better to verbal praise and a scratch than the whip and they are very, very clever so soon get the gist of what you are asking and when they will get a fuss.

I get about 10-15 mins of solid, forward schooling before she turns off mentally. It's not fitness either, shes a pocket rocket (when she wants to be) out hacking.

@HighlandCowbag it’s a good job I don’t like schooling either then . We’re never going to be doing hours in an arena. And yes a massive red head 😆

Only thing I can think of to help with rising trot is to make sure you’re not rising too far. Can you do rising trot without stirrups, using the movement of the trot? If not practice this, even out hacking.