Adult learners... How long until you were competent?

[LearnerLou]

Hi all, my first post here

I'm in my mid twenties and new to horses. First sat on one about 4 years ago, did a few lessons, a bit of trekking etc. but was so sporadic I never made much progress! Then in August this year I decided to crank things up a notch and learn to ride properly. I found a yard just 5 mins from home, rang YO to see if she had the inclination along with suitable horse to teach complete novice and have been hooked since!

It's like I've opened a door into a whole new world. I'm keen, but utterly clueless! Everything feels so new and overwhelming; the horses, the language, the equipment, even the personalities take some getting used too! I've learnt the basics, but is it possible to ever catch up and have the freedom to go out and do the really fun stuff?!

I'd love to pop out for a hack on my own one day, or round a small XC course, or maybe compete in a local show. Not the highest of ambitions, yet it still feels such a long way off! YO is wonderful, so patient with all of my noviceness. She runs a 'rent a horse' scheme and has let me loose on two lovely mares who I have regular lessons on (twice weekly, flat and jumping) and unlimited riding beyond that, I try and get out 4 times a week. When I'm not having a lesson I either potter around in the school practicing whatever we did in the last lesson or hack out with one of the other girls.

I'm wondering if I'm doing the right things to work towards my goals? I'd love to hear about your journeys, especially those of you who've also learnt as adults ( please tell me there ARE others?!) or those who've returned after a break... How long did you spend getting to the 'competent' stage, where you were able to do a bit more in addition to lessons?

Lou
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A pic of the lovely mare I ride most, she is so forgiving!

 

[dollface]

I'm not an adult learner but love how passionate you sound, enjoy and it will all happen for you x

 

[Heucherella]

Hi, I learned to ride as an adult, in fact my first lessons were a 40th birthday present to myself. I had one half hour private lesson or one hour long hack a week for 18 months, then moved on to a share horse where I started doing little dressage comps, and lots of solo hacking. 18 months later I bought my own horse, and was soon doing xc, adult camps, fun rides, hunting etc. So now, 6 years after I first started, I am out there having a whale of a time, doing anything and everything that comes my way

You are lucky that you are getting lots of riding experience, so I expect you will progress more quickly than me. Have fun - you will be competent in no time

 

[Springy]

Just enjoy it and dont rush

People who think they know it all know nowt lol

The horseworld is FULL of bitchy people (I conclude it must be a pheremone that horses give off that can make people sooo nasty)

People forget we all started somewhere.....

You have nothing to prove you just steadily work towards your goals then you will feel better when you get there

Good Luck

 

[putasocinit]

Welcome, enjoy, be prepared to spend all your hard earned money, doing what you love ofcourse.

 

[Gingerwitch]

As long as it puts a smile on your face who cares what you do ?.. you do sound full of enthusiasm which is great- but dont try to hard.... its said you need to do something hundreds of times before you stop thinking about it and you will have times when you feel like you are not learning - but you are establishing your current learning curve.

Just do not get involved with anyone negative - either instructor or peer group - they are not worth it as the will errode all you confidence.

Enjoy it for what it is - a rewarding way of gettng a bond with an animal and some excercise both mentally and physically and dont get put off !

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You are doing fine, you're obviously enjoying your new hobby and you've found a good RS to teach you. You've made good progress IMO for 4/5 months riding. I'm sure you will achieve your goals and probably before too long. It depends on the horse as much as the rider, when you will be able to hack alone etc.
None of us have ever 'got there' in that we can do anything on any horse at any time, so you are doing what we are all doing, no matter how long we've been riding (40+ yrs in my case) - striving to improve. Enjoy! And welcome to the forum.

 

[**Vanner**]

I was told 10,000 times for something to become ingrained! ::

It is more than possible to have your dream. It does just take time. The more often you ride the better and the more often you are around horses the more you learn. Look to do some stable management courses as a starter then perhaps help at a riding school to practice.

I have friends who were very novice when they bought their first horse - fortunately the right one for them but she came at a fair old price! They explained that when they arrived on the yard and we all helped them whenever they were struggling. They now have two and are fantastic horse owners. They both learnt in their thirties - so it does happen.

 

[Wiz201]

Is it just me, I can't see the piccie?
I rode as a kid, but I'm far from being able to ride anything other than a safe plod.

 

[LearnerLou]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement! It's VERY reassuring to hear that others have taken on the adult learner challenge and succeeded

Heucherella, that sounds like amazing progress! Sounds like you've been able to try your hand at a bit of all sorts after a relatively short amount of time. If I could safely manage a solo hack (just the fields around the yard) and perhaps the smallest of shows by summer 2013 I'd be super chuffed!

And yes, thank you all for reminding me that there's no rush! Like Crimbowitch mentions, I do tend to try to hard, and want to run before I can walk. I see everyone else going off and doing xyz and want to be right there with them! But I mustn't forget to enjoy the moment

Lou
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[LearnerLou]

said you need to do something hundreds of times before you stop thinking about it and you will have times when you feel like you are not learning - but you are establishing your current learning curve.

Very valid point! On many occasions I feel like I'm getting absolutely nowhere, then all of a sudden I'll notice I've had (what feels to me) a major breakthrough, i.e I finally manage to keep my heels down, or to balance nicely or not bounce 10 foot out of the saddle in canter. Small things to others, ecstatic moments for me!

Lou
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[LearnerLou]

be prepared to spend all your hard earned money, doing what you love ofcourse.

Yes, I'm noticing a theme emerging already... Started riding in August, and at that exact time I also started feeling poor!

Lou x

 

[TrasaM]

Well done and welcome
I started learning to ride in June 2011 aged 52. I've been on an amazing journey of discovery about horses, myself and horsey people and I'm loving it. I've have two lessons most weeks and I am really fortunate to have friends' with horses which has allowed me to get lots of practice with riding and horse care. I'm taking it slowly but I hope at some point to do dressage. My RS horse plus one of the horses I share are quite challenging and this has really pushed me along in the learning process.
I don't know where the journey is taking me but for now I'm happy just to learn as much as I can and to become as good a rider as I can be.
Take it slowly and enjoy every minute of it it's an exciting journey

 

[LearnerLou]

I was told 10,000 times for something to become ingrained! ::

It is more than possible to have your dream. It does just take time. The more often you ride the better and the more often you are around horses the more you learn. Look to do some stable management courses as a starter then perhaps help at a riding school to practice.

I have friends who were very novice when they bought their first horse - fortunately the right one for them but she came at a fair old price! They explained that when they arrived on the yard and we all helped them whenever they were struggling. They now have two and are fantastic horse owners. They both learnt in their thirties - so it does happen.

10,000 times? Eeek indeed! Had better keep practicing!

Thanks for sharing. Have thankfully got some very supportive people on yard, they're having to teach me absolutely everything, from putting a rug on to picking hooves! I am such a novice noob!

Lou x

 

[LearnerLou]

Well done and welcome
I started learning to ride in June 2011 aged 52. I've been on an amazing journey of discovery about horses, myself and horsey people and I'm loving it. I've have two lessons most weeks and I am really fortunate to have friends' with horses which has allowed me to get lots of practice with riding and horse care. I'm taking it slowly but I hope at some point to do dressage. My RS horse plus one of the horses I share are quite challenging and this has really pushed me along in the learning process.
I don't know where the journey is taking me but for now I'm happy just to learn as much as I can and to become as good a rider as I can be.
Take it slowly and enjoy every minute of it it's an exciting journey

Wow! You're inspirational! When you say a couple of the horses you ride can be challenging, what do you mean?

One of the mares I ride can be very strong, and chucks in the odd small buck and rear when windy. I like to think she's equipping me well for the future!

Lou
X

 

[HollyB66]

I had my first lesson just after my 46th birthday, I had 1/2 hr lesson each week. After about 10 months I bought my first horse and kept her on a small yard. With hindsight this could have all gone horribly wrong, except I had the right horse on the right yard with the right people - I consider myself so fortunate.

I bought my horse in the November and rode in the yard school until about February, one of the ladies was an instructor so I had a lesson once or twice a week. I then ventured out for short hacks and did my first sponsored ride that summer, we also went to our first adult summer camp

In the 3 years I've owned my girl we've done lots of sponsored rides, non competitive endurance rides, hacking, and even tried hunting

I've just started to try dressage and think that will be our challenge this year.

Good luck with your adventure, it's never too late to learn and we never stop learning

 

[LearnerLou]

I had my first lesson just after my 46th birthday, I had 1/2 hr lesson each week. After about 10 months I bought my first horse and kept her on a small yard. With hindsight this could have all gone horribly wrong, except I had the right horse on the right yard with the right people - I consider myself so fortunate.

I bought my horse in the November and rode in the yard school until about February, one of the ladies was an instructor so I had a lesson once or twice a week. I then ventured out for short hacks and did my first sponsored ride that summer, we also went to our first adult summer camp

In the 3 years I've owned my girl we've done lots of sponsored rides, non competitive endurance rides, hacking, and even tried hunting

I've just started to try dressage and think that will be our challenge this year.

Good luck with your adventure, it's never too late to learn and we never stop learning

HollyB66 - great to hear a success story! Were you specifically looking for your first horse after 10 months or did the right one just pop up? I have to say, I am ALWAYS day dreaming about the day I'll be competent enough to have my very own!

 

[LearnerLou]

HollyB66 - also curious to know how you first got into doing sponsored rides etc?

Lou
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[horsesatemymoney]

Welcome A good option, maybe in the future, is to part loan or share off somebody, as a middle ground before you take the plunge (or plunges, as usually happens!) and buy your own

 

[LearnerLou]

Welcome A good option, maybe in the future, is to part loan or share off somebody, as a middle ground before you take the plunge (or plunges, as usually happens!) and buy your own

What an excellent username!

Yes, I'd def consider the share option. Though I'm not sure if I'm doing a form of share at the moment?? YO calls it 'rent a horse' - I pay fixed amount each month, which includes my lessons plus unlimited riding on top (sharing with one other person, so working around each other), but horses are on full livery so I'm not responsible for any upkeep, neither am I responsible for any vets bills etc. Is this similar to a share?

Lou
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[HollyB66]

HollyB66 - great to hear a success story! Were you specifically looking for your first horse after 10 months or did the right one just pop up? I have to say, I am ALWAYS day dreaming about the day I'll be competent enough to have my very own!

I was specifically looking for my first horse. When I was searching I came on here alot and got some good advice. I tried about 6 in total. I ended up chosing a 17 year old chestnut arab cross mare, and although quirky and probably not a 'first' horse - actually turned into being my perfect first/second/third horse - I will have her forever.

I wasn't fully competant when I first got her, but was in the right environment to learn the stuff I didn't know and I am still learning from those that know more. We've both survived the first 3 years together so we must be doing something right.

I got into sponsored rides by going on an 8 mile one that is known locally to be well run. I went with a very good friend and her bombproof pony, again we survived and went from strength to strength.

Because my girl was 17 and is now nearly 21, she's probably seen most things and is therefore fairly unflappable. I don't know her history, but imagine she has had a good life previously, so is well rounded in her attitude.

 

[LearnerLou]

I was specifically looking for my first horse. When I was searching I came on here alot and got some good advice. I tried about 6 in total. I ended up chosing a 17 year old chestnut arab cross mare, and although quirky and probably not a 'first' horse - actually turned into being my perfect first/second/third horse - I will have her forever.

I wasn't fully competant when I first got her, but was in the right environment to learn the stuff I didn't know and I am still learning from those that know more. We've both survived the first 3 years together so we must be doing something right.

I got into sponsored rides by going on an 8 mile one that is known locally to be well run. I went with a very good friend and her bombproof pony, again we survived and went from strength to strength.

Because my girl was 17 and is now nearly 21, she's probably seen most things and is therefore fairly unflappable. I don't know her history, but imagine she has had a good life previously, so is well rounded in her attitude.

Sounds like you've done really, really well there! Hearing your story makes me feel quite relieved, just shows that you don't have to know it all already to enjoy horse ownership. The right support network is clearly very valuable!

 

[TrasaM]

Wow! You're inspirational! When you say a couple of the horses you ride can be challenging, what do you mean?

One of the mares I ride can be very strong, and chucks in the odd small buck and rear when windy. I like to think she's equipping me well for the future!

Lou
X

Hi Lou..thank you..
It's the difficult ones who teach us the most I think. The RS horse I got put on after about six months after I'd got the basics of trot, canter and jumping. Whereas all the other horses I'd been taught on were very ..er lazy, he was the total opposite in that he just wanted to go fast. So after lots of effort to get the plods to even move I was presented with mr horse who had some difficultly with stopping and was very tense and sensitive. He taught me calmness and relaxation because if for any reason I tensed up he would immediately zoom off with his head in the air. So there was lots if breathing and calm voiced praise. The first time I got him to do a nice collected canter for me I cried. He's also taught me flying changes.<3 Love him.

Nr 2. Is a 5 year old cob I share. He's been an absolute devil wth his owner but for me he behaves really well and has allowed me to practice more calm and always being in charge because if he senses any weaknesses or anxiety he will play up ..hence why he's horrible with his owner as she gets anxious. it's great when he shows what he's capable of as he's got a bad reputation so having some of his critics see how great he can be is really rewarding.

I've now moved on to riding horse nr 3. She is a large WB mare (friend's horse) who is inclined to very expressive spooking and although previousley a very well trained SJ horse, has not had any schooling for at least two years.
I'm quite excited about her as she has fabulous paces so I'm hoping to get instruction on her in the spring. Dont know how i will ever learn to sit to her huge trot though!
I think I'm developing a theme here..tense anxious horses lol.

I am really fortunate to have different horses to practice with. I do want to have my own at some point but there's no rush. So much to learn yet.

With regards to competence it's a bit of a moving target. You start feeling that you've got the hang of something and then the RI adds another dimension to it or changes the horse and then it seems like you've gone back a few steps and have to start all over again. It's been quite a challenge and much more complex than I'd ever believed before I started. But I'm hooked

 

[HollyB66]

... I pay fixed amount each month, which includes my lessons plus unlimited riding on top (sharing with one other person, so working around each other), but horses are on full livery so I'm not responsible for any upkeep, neither am I responsible for any vets bills etc...

This sounds like an excellent arrangement!

 

[LearnerLou]

Hi Lou..thank you..
It's the difficult ones who teach us the most I think. The RS horse I got put on after about six months after I'd got the basics of trot, canter and jumping. Whereas all the other horses I'd been taught on were very ..er lazy, he was the total opposite in that he just wanted to go fast. So after lots of effort to get the plods to even move I was presented with mr horse who had some difficultly with stopping and was very tense and sensitive. He taught me calmness and relaxation because if for any reason I tensed up he would immediately zoom off with his head in the air. So there was lots if breathing and calm voiced praise. The first time I got him to do a nice collected canter for me I cried. He's also taught me flying changes.<3 Love him.

Nr 2. Is a 5 year old cob I share. He's been an absolute devil wth his owner but for me he behaves really well and has allowed me to practice more calm and always being in charge because if he senses any weaknesses or anxiety he will play up ..hence why he's horrible with his owner as she gets anxious. it's great when he shows what he's capable of as he's got a bad reputation so having some of his critics see how great he can be is really rewarding.

I've now moved on to riding horse nr 3. She is a large WB mare (friend's horse) who is inclined to very expressive spooking and although previousley a very well trained SJ horse, has not had any schooling for at least two years.
I'm quite excited about her as she has fabulous paces so I'm hoping to get instruction on her in the spring. Dont know how i will ever learn to sit to her huge trot though!
I think I'm developing a theme here..tense anxious horses lol.

I am really fortunate to have different horses to practice with. I do want to have my own at some point but there's no rush. So much to learn yet.

With regards to competence it's a bit of a moving target. You start feeling that you've got the hang of something and then the RI adds another dimension to it or changes the horse and then it seems like you've gone back a few steps and have to start all over again. It's been quite a challenge and much more complex than I'd ever believed before I started. But I'm hooked

I totally agree, you learn tonnes riding the slightly more challenging horses, and your instructor must have thought you were progressing well else wouldn't have put you on!

Before now I'd only had a few lessons on plodders and trekked on horses that basically just followed the one in front, there were never any challenges to deal with, and so there was no 'stretch' in the learning process. I've come on leaps and bounds since being at current yard. No word of a lie, back in August I used to scream, literally squeal every time horse broke into canter, I found it so terrifying! Likewise going over my first few jumps, they were only on the first hole, can't be more than 10cm off the ground!! Now I can hardly believe where I'm up to, I'm relaxed at all paces and starting to jump a little higher, although not much mind you!

Such an exciting journey, absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing, so great to hear others stories.

Lou
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[LearnerLou]

This sounds like an excellent arrangement!

Yes, I thought so too! Doesn't feel cheap at £215/month but for the level of input I get from YO, plus no real responsibilities, it does seem ideal for my experience level.

Lou
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