A thank you for all the encouragement

[suestowford]

I've posted a few times about my return to riding. I started having lessons last year, and am continuing with those. Last lesson I had a revelation, I was riding a young horse and we didn't get everything right, but I suddenly realised that although this was not an easy horse, I wasn't scared of what he might do. This amazed me as I've always been a bit of a coward.
I have also begun to ride out with a local yard and have been cantering out on the moor which is about as big an open space as you will find. And I've loved every minute of it. I am fitter, and can ride for longer than I could a year ago.

I do wonder if being post-menopause has made a difference in how I feel about it all. There's certainly other things in life that I feel differently about, now I'm not so hormonal.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to all those of of you who have encouraged me through this past year, and if anyone else is in the same boat I'd say to you, if an old bat like me can do it, anyone can

 

[Skib]

So pleased for you - from another old bat.

 

[eahotson]

Very pleased for you.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Yay! What a Great thread! Well done x

 

[Bradsmum]

Well done you, it’s great to hear such a positive update.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Fantastic update. So glad folks here gave you the encouragement and confidence to start riding again and you're now enjoying yourself.

 

[Merry Maxmas]

What a great update, so glad it's going well for you I've just returned to riding after a 10 year break, I'm 58 and have Long Covid and Osteoporosis so there are physical restrictions to consider, I am taking it very slowly and having half hour semi private lessons with my daughter, I can only trot for a very short time as I get out of breath and my body tires quickly but I'm loving it, it's all coming back to me it's just getting my body to cooperate, slowly but surely I'll get there, your post gives me the determination to keep going

 

[Skib]

I'm 58 and have Long Covid and Osteoporosis so there are physical restrictions to consider,

I cant comment on your medical conditions but after I recovered from a serious op, I used the wi fit programme via our TV, not only for stamina but for balance.
I may do it again next winter as I am now far from fit.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

What a lovely post!

 

[Merry Maxmas]

I cant comment on your medical conditions but after I recovered from a serious op, I used the wi fit programme via our TV, not only for stamina but for balance.
I may do it again next winter as I am now far from fit.

I've just started Rider Pilates alongside "normal" pilates to try and ease the muscles into remembering what they are supposed to do, slowly but surely I'll get there

 

[suestowford]

What a great update, so glad it's going well for you I've just returned to riding after a 10 year break, I'm 58 and have Long Covid and Osteoporosis so there are physical restrictions to consider, I am taking it very slowly and having half hour semi private lessons with my daughter, I can only trot for a very short time as I get out of breath and my body tires quickly but I'm loving it, it's all coming back to me it's just getting my body to cooperate, slowly but surely I'll get there, your post gives me the determination to keep going

I also had a 10 year break (I am 60). When I restarted I too could only trot for short periods of time. Now I can do more. I think as we get older it takes longer to regain fitness, but I hope that if you take it steady this will happen for you.

I have found that riding at a yard has made up my mind for me that I really don't want another riding horse of my own. I like riding with other people and if I had a riding horse I'd be riding on my own all the time. I've been wondering what I would do when one of my oldies dies, at least now I know, I'll just need another companion pony. I don't think there'll be any difficulty finding one of those.

 

[Merry Maxmas]

I also had a 10 year break (I am 60). When I restarted I too could only trot for short periods of time. Now I can do more. I think as we get older it takes longer to regain fitness, but I hope that if you take it steady this will happen for you.

I have found that riding at a yard has made up my mind for me that I really don't want another riding horse of my own. I like riding with other people and if I had a riding horse I'd be riding on my own all the time. I've been wondering what I would do when one of my oldies dies, at least now I know, I'll just need another companion pony. I don't think there'll be any difficulty finding one of those.

Thank you for the encouragement, it definitely takes longer to regain fitness but I'm hopeful - a year ago I couldn't have even considered riding again so things are already looking up

 

[suestowford]

Just to add a postscript to this post - I have been out today and we had to pass a field of pigs. None of the horses were thrilled about this but mine was judged to be the most likely to go past them, so we were asked to see if we could lead the others past. He was a bit of a snorty dragon but we did it.
I keep waiting for anxiety to sneak back in but even pigs could not bring it on today