Returning to the saddle… after 40 years!

MargeretIntheWood · 2024-02-19T01:25:51+00:00

It really has been that long. Haven't ridden since I sold my lovely quarter horse when I was 17 and left home. I am thinking of taking it up again; specifically, going on a riding holiday this summer at the invitation of a friend. It will be run by a stable, but they divide riders into "experienced" and "beginner" groups and the former are allowed to gallop, etc. Am I going to remember how to ride or will I end up being bounced around like a basketball and eventually fall off? I don't really fancy doing the nose-to-tail thing either so am wondering if I should just skip it and leave galloping in my memories of the halcyon days of my youth. Has anyone ever returned to the saddle and how long did it take before you felt comfortable again?

Floralnomad · 19/02/2024 01:34

I returned to riding after about 25 yrs and it literally was like I’d never stopped , it all just came straight back to me .

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 19/02/2024 01:37

Floralnomad · 19/02/2024 01:34

I returned to riding after about 25 yrs and it literally was like I’d never stopped , it all just came straight back to me .

Thanks. that is good to know. I ride “Western” style in case that might make a difference.

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ElizabethanAgain · 19/02/2024 02:58

How exciting! Why not book a couple of individual lessons first and see how you go. I'm jealous.

Pleasedontdothat · 19/02/2024 07:00

Definitely go for some lessons first before plunging into the holiday. I could barely walk after the first time I got back on a horse as an adult as the muscles used by riding hadn’t had a workout in quite some time! You’re also 40 years older so will probably be a bit less agile than you were as a teenager. There’s a whole thread on here of adult riders returning to riding and we’ve mostly had a very positive experience but for some of us it’s taken a while to get back to where we want to be (still a work in progress in my case..). I have no experience of western riding but know complete beginners who’ve gone ranch riding on holiday in the states and have had a good time so I get the impression that it’s maybe a bit more beginner-friendly than English style but in any case a few lessons first would help you get more out of the holiday than just plunging in and hoping for the best.

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 19/02/2024 09:55

ElizabethanAgain · 19/02/2024 02:58

How exciting! Why not book a couple of individual lessons first and see how you go. I'm jealous.

That is a good idea… if I can find anywhere that gives Western style lessons. I am in the UK but the holiday would be riding Western style.

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SoMuchToGive · 19/02/2024 10:00

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Sure someone can suggest a place that does Western! As an older rider I v much agree about getting some lessons and getting those riding muscles reacquainted with what they need to do 😂

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 19/02/2024 10:00

Pleasedontdothat · 19/02/2024 07:00

Definitely go for some lessons first before plunging into the holiday. I could barely walk after the first time I got back on a horse as an adult as the muscles used by riding hadn’t had a workout in quite some time! You’re also 40 years older so will probably be a bit less agile than you were as a teenager. There’s a whole thread on here of adult riders returning to riding and we’ve mostly had a very positive experience but for some of us it’s taken a while to get back to where we want to be (still a work in progress in my case..). I have no experience of western riding but know complete beginners who’ve gone ranch riding on holiday in the states and have had a good time so I get the impression that it’s maybe a bit more beginner-friendly than English style but in any case a few lessons first would help you get more out of the holiday than just plunging in and hoping for the best.

The ranch riding was probably at what used to be called a “dude ranch”. The horses are very docile and they just follow nose to tail with the horse in front. They don't need any guidance from the rider and they stay at a walking pace. I could do that on the holiday if I presented myself as a complete beginner but I think I would quickly get very bored and a bit depressed remembering what fun it used to be.

Right, I'm off to look for Western-style riding lessons in England. I still have my old saddle and cowboy boots so will have to see if I can still fit into them (both). 😆

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 19/02/2024 10:01

SoMuchToGive · 19/02/2024 10:00

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Sure someone can suggest a place that does Western! As an older rider I v much agree about getting some lessons and getting those riding muscles reacquainted with what they need to do 😂

South west. Not far from Bristol.

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SoMuchToGive · 19/02/2024 10:07

I can’t help with that area but rest assured that some of our MN horsey friends will
be along. Enjoy your holiday!

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 19/02/2024 17:53

SoMuchToGive · 19/02/2024 10:07

I can’t help with that area but rest assured that some of our MN horsey friends will
be along. Enjoy your holiday!

Thank you! I haven't had any luck finding a Western riding establishment local to Bristol/Bath via Google, so if any MN horsey people can recommend somewhere, I will be very grateful!

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JellyBeanFactory · 19/02/2024 20:12

There's a place in the New Forest, probably a bit far?

CSPS2019 · 19/02/2024 22:02

Hey OP. Reinhill Equestrian do Western. Gloucestershire and so shouldn’t be too far from you. Not been so not sure what it’s like

Leannemc79 · 19/02/2024 22:16

Hi there , I returned to the saddle after a 5 year break , not too long but I was cautious and felt unsure . I only had about 4 years riding experience before the break . Self taught besides a few lessons , use to have my own horses but was only ever a happy hacker . Anyway my partner had bought me a trekking gift voucher . It was amazing ! The guides asked experience etc and matched you to the appropriate horse . They asked did I want to go off with the others for the canter / gallop trail . I was unsure at first and said I'd decide a bit later . They did put a lot of confidence in me and I decided to go for it , and was so glad that I did , it did just come back to me after a little bit in the saddle , connecting with the horse etc . So I'd suggest go for it enjoy the experience and you might not have to decide from the start and could play it by ear regarding the gallop . Either way you will have a lovely time being out on the horse .

Wbeezer · 19/02/2024 22:36

I fell off the first time I've went on a long trek for experienced riders after decades out of the saddle. It was because my leg muscles were so exhausted and sore, I took my feet out of the stirrups on a downhill section to wiggle my ankles a bit, the horse, a bit of a slug up until then, chose that moment to start trotting downhill on a very uneven track and I basically bounced out of the saddle, just managed to tuck and roll! Rather embarrassing as DS3 was with me, he looks like a sack of spuds in the saddle but seems to have a velcro seat, something to do with being relaxed.
Id recommend doing a lot of squats before you go, fitness is key.

LydiaPoet · 19/02/2024 22:41

25 year gap and multiple surgeries - bugger my legs ache after but it feels so good…. And no I didn’t go back on lead rein but I’m not up for jumping or cantering massively right now. The first time I got on - getting on was fine - getting off I was worried about my hips (very tight and I struggled to swing my leg over) third time I went - no issues. It has loosened my hips up massively. I am envious though of my daughter cantering around and jumping in perfect harmony with her horse. It’s a delight to watch.

Leannemc79 · 19/02/2024 23:05

Just seen that you ride western . Where I went ( Cannock chase , uk ) a lot of the horses ride both English and western . The one I was on ( spirit ) rode both . He was tacked to ride English for me , but had a western saddle , first time I've ridden in a western saddle , they are sooo comfy

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:45

JellyBeanFactory · 19/02/2024 20:12

There's a place in the New Forest, probably a bit far?

Is it Burley Villa? A bit farther than I'd like but I'll bookmark it just in case. Thanks!

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:46

CSPS2019 · 19/02/2024 22:02

Hey OP. Reinhill Equestrian do Western. Gloucestershire and so shouldn’t be too far from you. Not been so not sure what it’s like

Reinhill looks very promising. Thanks!

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:47

Leannemc79 · 19/02/2024 22:16

Hi there , I returned to the saddle after a 5 year break , not too long but I was cautious and felt unsure . I only had about 4 years riding experience before the break . Self taught besides a few lessons , use to have my own horses but was only ever a happy hacker . Anyway my partner had bought me a trekking gift voucher . It was amazing ! The guides asked experience etc and matched you to the appropriate horse . They asked did I want to go off with the others for the canter / gallop trail . I was unsure at first and said I'd decide a bit later . They did put a lot of confidence in me and I decided to go for it , and was so glad that I did , it did just come back to me after a little bit in the saddle , connecting with the horse etc . So I'd suggest go for it enjoy the experience and you might not have to decide from the start and could play it by ear regarding the gallop . Either way you will have a lovely time being out on the horse .

That all sounds lovely! I am really looking forward to it now.

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:50

Wbeezer · 19/02/2024 22:36

I fell off the first time I've went on a long trek for experienced riders after decades out of the saddle. It was because my leg muscles were so exhausted and sore, I took my feet out of the stirrups on a downhill section to wiggle my ankles a bit, the horse, a bit of a slug up until then, chose that moment to start trotting downhill on a very uneven track and I basically bounced out of the saddle, just managed to tuck and roll! Rather embarrassing as DS3 was with me, he looks like a sack of spuds in the saddle but seems to have a velcro seat, something to do with being relaxed.
Id recommend doing a lot of squats before you go, fitness is key.

Squats… roger that. And I can imagine exactly what you described happening to me. Trotting is the worst for being bounced around in a Western saddle. I vaguely remember that I used to slightly stand up in the stirrups for trotting. I don't know if this is correct as I was self taught also.

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:54

LydiaPoet · 19/02/2024 22:41

25 year gap and multiple surgeries - bugger my legs ache after but it feels so good…. And no I didn’t go back on lead rein but I’m not up for jumping or cantering massively right now. The first time I got on - getting on was fine - getting off I was worried about my hips (very tight and I struggled to swing my leg over) third time I went - no issues. It has loosened my hips up massively. I am envious though of my daughter cantering around and jumping in perfect harmony with her horse. It’s a delight to watch.

Well done! I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for the tip – I shall make sure to add some yoga hip loosening postures into my routine leading up to the holiday. I am worried about mounting also, but I assume they will have a fence or stepladder for stiff old crones like me.

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Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 20/02/2024 23:56

Leannemc79 · 19/02/2024 23:05

Just seen that you ride western . Where I went ( Cannock chase , uk ) a lot of the horses ride both English and western . The one I was on ( spirit ) rode both . He was tacked to ride English for me , but had a western saddle , first time I've ridden in a western saddle , they are sooo comfy

I will look up Cannock Chase — thanks! I have never ridden in an English saddle so I don't know how they compare. Used to do a bit of bareback riding but I think I will be leaving that one in the place of memories.

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Leannemc79 · 21/02/2024 10:06

https://www.cannockchasehorsetrekking.com/

There you go , you can even look at some of the horses on the site , I think spirit is on it , but I do know that a fair few ride both western and English . But honestly spirit was awesome , he didn't put a good wrong bless him , done everything I asked of him xx

Original poster

MargeretIntheWood · 21/02/2024 15:04

Leannemc79 · 21/02/2024 10:06

https://www.cannockchasehorsetrekking.com/

There you go , you can even look at some of the horses on the site , I think spirit is on it , but I do know that a fair few ride both western and English . But honestly spirit was awesome , he didn't put a good wrong bless him , done everything I asked of him xx

Spirit looks and sounds lovely. I'll bet he is great fun to ride. The one called Pele looks a lot like my girl. (Miss her even after 40 years!)

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