Should I return to riding now my daughter is horse mad?

[ToRideOrNotToRide]

I’m mid 40s.

I rode throughout secondary school (just riding lessons) then had a break from riding from going to university until I was about 30.

In my early 30s I shared a very very steady cob for about 3.5 years. Basically just happy hacking. Cob moved yards so I went back and did a few riding school lessons.

Got pregnant aged 35 and stopped riding, and now I’m 44 and have not ridden since.

My DD is now 8 and horse mad. Has been riding for a year (riding school) and loves it.

Do I get back into it, with a view to it being something we can do together in future years?

I’m so on the fence. I’m a bit scared if I’m honest.

I’ve been getting into mountain biking over the last few years which ticks the getting outdoors in nature and doing an active hobby box. So I’ve not felt like I’m missing out.

DD is an only child so I’m fully ready and willing to support her hobby. Money is not an issue (within reason) and we live in an area with quite a few horses / share opportunities/ off road hacking etc.

Give it a go and see how you get on? If you have a few lessons, you might find that it's really not for you, then you can stop thinking about whether you should take it up again. Or you might rediscover your former enthusiasm. You won't know unless you try.

I got back into riding when my daughter started at the riding school as I realised I really missed being around horses. This has progressed to buying our own horse who we love very much 😊

I initially had a few private lessons and then joined a weekly group lesson for a few years. We waited until dd was ready for horse as wouldn’t have been able to sell an out grown pony.

Yes why not have a few lessons and see how you go? For me there's no way mountain biking would hit the same satisfaction as riding but ultimately if riding isn't for you any more you can definitely still enjoy it vicariously through DD - in general I'd say as the mum of a rider you have to get pretty used to that even if you do ride yourself, when DD and I notionally shared for a few years I certainly spent a lot more time watching or following her on my bike or on foot than I did riding myself 😂

@maxelly yes of course mountain biking was never a direct replacement for riding but it was what I could fit in / afford as a working mum of a baby / toddler . It gave me a bit off outdoorsy adventure, time in nature, exercise and sense of community .
Horses have always felt so all or nothing. Whereas the bike is happy being chucked in the shed when life gets tough !

You don't need to ride yourself to be supportive of DD doing it. She'll have plenty of horsey friends through riding school or just in general I doubt there a shortage of young girls who would like to ride.

Of course once you see her doing it you might catch the bug again. But as you say you're happy with biking for now which is totally fine.

But your experience in the past will hopefully be good for giving DD advice and maybe going for getting a share pony.

I think it would be a lovely thing to do. My mum was never interested in horses but I'd absolutely love to be able to go riding with her.

Definitely have a go. My dd and I both share the love of horses and riding. We bicker loads at the stables, but she loves it when we ride together!

Yes. Do it. I got back into riding when my daughter started lessons. We had a Welshie and a retired hunter on share for a year and it was wonderful. Bluebell hacks together in the spring time etc.

Same for us! My daughter and I now share our pony who we love very much and also loan another 1 day a week so we can hack out together, such a lovely bonding thing for us to do.

I got back into it after a long break with very little riding, and carried on riding even after the DC => uni.

100% recommend it.

Definitely do it! Just be aware your body will have changed from having kids though, so it may take you longer to get back in the swing of it. You won't be able to get riding fit just by riding alone. So if you don't already, highly recommend doing pilates or similar to strengthen your core. We all know you'll get the bug again once you start 😅

@Smarvellous although I’ve not been riding I’ve stayed in shape - I walk everywhere, run, cycle, swim and lift weights

That's a good start. I know many mums (myself included) found it hard and took a fair while to get back in the saddle so to speak!

If you're in an area with lots of off-road hacking, then that's a real positive these days. Sharing is (or should be) all or nothing, but generally I think riding schools offer a lot these days. Most of the less good ones have not been able to survive the predicaments of the industry, so mostly only the strongest and best are surviving. I'd def look at both options unless you have contacts for shares. I have sharers for my mare and the tales I've heard of first "trying" experiences with clueless owners chancing their arm, is quite scary...