Is this achievable? A pony trekking weekend, 12 hours in the saddle, not ridden in years…

[imacroissantgirl]

This might be quite fanciful and I’m expecting some ‘don’t be ridiculous’ replies but please be kind.I used to be a very keen pony girl in my teens and was a competent rider.
I’ve come across a riding holiday that has really taken my fancy, being out in the fresh air and beautiful countryside as well as being around horses again!
I’ve researched a local stables that will assess me to check my skills enough to go hacking and they offer either 30mins or upto an hour.
I’m considering starting in September and building up my fitness to go on the holiday in May next year.
I’m in my late fifties now and have an active job as well as walking and yoga.
Any further ideas on getting fit enough for up to 6 hours in the saddle per day please? Perhaps I’ll find it all too much but I’d love to find the confidence again to enjoy it with being a creaking wreck…

You'll be ready by May next year if you build up your time slowly. I haven't found anything that's really helped get fit for riding again when I had a few years out other than spending more time in the saddle. Take some lessons as well as hacking so you can improve your position which will make it easier for both you and the horse. If the 6 hours is mostly in walk, see if it would be possible for you to get off every so often for a few minutes and walk alongside the horse to give yourself a bit of a break.

Sounds brilliant OP, go for it.
Get some super comfy jodhpurs and get some riding practice. Trekking stirrups are a bit longer which is more gentle on the legs.

From the title I was going to say you'll be in a lot of pain! lol

But if you get back into riding regularly beforehand you'll be fine.

If you want to do some extra exercise as well as the riding to help, you want to be doing exercises that focus on absorbing force. Lunges, squats, jump squats, that sort of thing. Hip flexor strength is also important so hip adductors and abductors. Have a look on youtube for some riding-specific workouts.

Take a couple of heat packs with you and some preventive ibuprofen and youll have a fab time!

Yes at first thought you meant going from nothing to two days of trekking!
I think with some regular riding between now and then you'll be absolutely fine. Out of the saddle you mainly want to work on strengthening your core and legs as well as working on your hips and ankles for flexibility but it's sounds like with what you do already it's not like you have a mountain to climb.

Also, make sure you have a really well fitted riding hat if buying new as often people get fitted with hats that are a smidge too tight (being told it will settle down as the foam compresses) and this will result in pain and cracking headaches when worn for extended periods.

Swimming breast stroke is good as it uses the inner thigh not used for much else other than riding. Also yoga or Pilates as flexibility and core strength are very helpful.

Comments are really helpful, tentatively thinking I can do this! X

You’ll be fine, just get yourself to a riding school, or find a yard you can volunteer at ie poo pick for hacking in return.

Nothing will emulate actually riding, so that’s all you can do.

I went on a 2 1/2 hour trek when I was early fifties having not ridden for years. I fell off! At the end of the trek my Ankles were so sore I took my feet out of the stirrups to wiggle them about at the same moment my previously slow coach pony spotted home and decided to trot rapidly downhill on a stony track. I basically bounced off and managed to do a tuck and roll into a clump of heather. It was very embarrassing, my DS felt very superior.
i would like to have another go and to that end I’ve been going to the gym and working on my strength, particularly legs. I think I need a couple of lessons too, I was taught in the days when you were supposed to grip with your thighs, which doesn’t help, and I also tend to have my stirrups a bit short I think.
I did go on a trek that used Western saddles when I was about 40 and that was great ( on an Appaloosa!).

Start doing lots of squats!

Why don't you start riding at the local stables? If you start in Sept your bum will be completely acclimatised by May!

My Mum is 20 years older than you.
She is hoping to do a half day trek in December (not in the uk!). In the past 40 years she has been on a horse twice. Really struggled after the first time (20 years ago), was fine after the second time ( a few days ago), and is going to continue riding until the holiday.
Go for it!

I've been waiting to reply until today .... I've just been on a riding weekend. I've ridden for 5 hours today and 6.5 hours yesterday.

I'm mid 50's and have only been riding a handful of times in the last 15 years. Although I rode quite a lot from teen until in my 30's.

I had seven half hour lessons in the two months before this weekend just to make sure I hadn't forgotten things.

I've had the best time. My knees hurt by the end of the last ride and I was very stiff leg wise when I got off and definitely needed a mounting block or bank to get on when we popped off to open gates etc. It was hard riding but I was fine.
I'm probably above average fitness from long walks and runs but by no means super fit.

But if I can do it, you can too.
Hope you have a wonderful time.