Anybody on here want to help me get back in the saddle?

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Arizahn

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So, between my crappy health meaning I gained nearly a stone and had to quit work, and Hippo's quirks meaning she needed a rider who was way more on the ball than I am, I ended up selling my mad little mare :(

It was the right thing to do: I couldn't ride her as she was too unpredictable and I have absences, and I was worried in case she ended up needing expensive vet care for the melanoma - which insurance wouldn't cover. She went to a local dealer, was bought by a local woman, who has since sold her to a woman in Scotland. Hippo is on full livery, at a reputable yard, making a young girl very happy and I hope they go far together :) Her new owner is in regular contact, and wants us to come and visit sometime, which is nice.

Anyway, I have decided to get back into riding, but to stick to lessons on quiet horses until I am more sure of myself. My confidence is somewhere below rock bottom at the moment, and my riding muscles are gone. So planning on taking it slowly: just totally relearning everything from the ground up. My husband has started up a new business, and our finances are improving to more than they were before. (Oh the irony.) He has said that if all goes well, then he will buy me a new horse, provided that it is a complete schoolmaster/schoolmistress and that I agree to full livery for the first six months whilst it is settling in :) Overprotective hubby, lol!

Now, this is not going to happen for at least a year, probably closer to two. But in the meantime, would anyone like to recommend ideas for my riding? Instructors, schools, etc. I am in Northern Ireland, can travel anywhere within County Antrim or County Down. Must be suitable for a now very nervous epileptic, occasional absence seizures but no drop attacks, 5'4" and 12 stone 3 lbs. Oh, and has dodgy left knee, but is fine once on board - just makes faces mounting! Has all her own gear, and actually enjoys yard chores, so glad to help out around the horses too!

Thanks all, off to duck and cover now for having sold Hippo!
 
I can't help with getting you riding, but just wanted to say I hope someone else here can. :)

I hope no-one will give you a hard time for selling your mare, she wasn't right for you and it sounds like things have worked out well for her.

It sounds like you have a very caring husband, lucky you. Good luck in your quest to get back in saddle. :)
 
Me three very pleased for you.
I am a 'returner' and have never been happier the most important thing is 1) the right horse and 1) the right instructor and 1) the right yard and 1) the right mix of liveries.

Can't wait to hear more.
 
I must be mad, lol! Over the past year, during a period of around eight months, I have experienced the following:

Horse tanking off in school...rode it out
Horse napping, spinning and tanking off back to yard...laughed it off and went back out
Horse tanking off in school, throwing me into post and rail fencing...broke my ribs and was ordered to stay off
Horse spooking, leaping sideways across school, tanking off, throwing me and trampling me...bruised everything, bloodied a fair bit too, but got back on
Horse planting...sat there for twenty minutes until I got her moving again
Horse charging out of her stable past me, crushing me against the door frame and cracking my ribs...bellowed and dragged her back in
Horse rearing under saddle at sight of unexpected pedestrian...rode it out and apologised calmly to the pedestrian who was somewhat terrified

Yes, I need something quiet after that!
 
Oh yes! Forgot that there were also yard politics at second yard :(

I will definitely be asking for my name to be put down for the first yard I was at! I moved to be closer to home, but it wasn't as good at all.
 
No where near you but I would have loved you to come and ride my highland mare she is a gem only 13.2 and loves teaching people to ride so is safe she also loves a good rider to go out to play with and have a good gallop or go jumping but she doesnt get that now as her only rider is an 8 year old beginner
 
Aw, windandrain, at least she has a pupil to teach! I'd feel too big for a 13.2 even a nice solid one. My mare was a very tall 14.3.
 
There is a fabulous instructor based just outside Carryduff. She is great with nervous adults and children and is very patient - she has too be to teach my son! She has nice, sensible types of horses and ponies. I have known her for too many years to count and she is the only instructor around here I would send him too. She does private and small group lessons, I have never seen her teach more than 4 or 5 in a ride. I will pm you her details but if you want any more info before contacting her give me a shout.
 
TJP said:
There is a fabulous instructor based just outside Carryduff. She is great with nervous adults and children and is very patient - she has too be to teach my son! She has nice, sensible types of horses and ponies. I have known her for too many years to count and she is the only instructor around here I would send him too. She does private and small group lessons, I have never seen her teach more than 4 or 5 in a ride. I will pm you her details but if you want any more info before contacting her give me a shout.
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Sounds perfect. :)

I'm so glad that you are in touch with hippo's new owner.
 
Going to ring the instructor tomorrow!

Am really glad that Hippo ended up where she did, the new owner seems to be her perfect match and has a good instructor on site too :)
 
Dont you believe it her biggest rider was 6ft and 15 stone and she didnt look silly. Have fun with the instructor I am sure if will get you going again
 
Am booked in for an assessment lesson next week! Think I will invest in a new sports bra, and some thermals if this weather keeps up :) Thanks again everyone, I will keep you guys posted on how I progress!
 
Well done you for not giving up, not close enough to help, but I am sure that someone will be able to help you. Go back to basics and only move on when you feel that you are ready not when other people think you are. I hope it all goes well for you,please keep us up to date on how it all goes.
 
Arizahn said:
Am booked in for an assessment lesson next week! Think I will invest in a new sports bra, and some thermals if this weather keeps up :) Thanks again everyone, I will keep you guys posted on how I progress!
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Brilliant. Good luck. Look forward to the updates.
 
Had my first lesson today and it was brilliant!

Admittedly, I was far from brilliant: I was actually shaking with nerves at first. But the instructor is amazing, and the horse was a real sweetheart:) I was on the lunge, lots of walking and working on my hands and posture. I feel so much better now. And it's great to have the issues identified and explained. I am curling forwards and to the right, and my left elbow keeps tensing - I think my body remembers falling. I also need to keep my reins held a bit more firmly: shorter than I would have, and fingers need to grip more. But to give as the horse moves. Oh yes, and my leg muscles are so in need of work!

But by the end of the half hour I was doing better, and am now aware of the areas I need to fix:) Plus I had stopped shaking! Next lesson is this Friday, hopefully I will be able to go twice a week for a while at least.

Thank you so much TJP for pointing me in the right direction! And thanks to everyone for their support.
 
Am really happy:) I nearly chickened out this morning but husband encouraged me to at least go and meet the instructor. And once I smelt horse again, that was it, there was no going back...oh dear, I am an addict, aren't I?

I have also been formulating a longterm plan for my riding. First the confidence and basic skills - it's like I have forgotten everything, tbh. Then work up to improving myself a bit at a time, basically keep building and pushing myself.

When I do buy my own again, I want to buy a nice quiet weight carrier, something that I can enjoy hacking out on in between lessons. Probably a hairy table on legs type, with a mane down to its knees. Nothing too tall, as my knee isn't reliable and anything over about 16hh has me struggling to safely dismount! Besides, I'm only 5'4" myself. But that is way off for now:)
 
Arizahn said:
Am really happy:) I nearly chickened out this morning but husband encouraged me to at least go and meet the instructor. And once I smelt horse again, that was it, there was no going back...oh dear, I am an addict, aren't I?
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About two years ago, I returned to riding after nearly 35 years away. :eek: I used to be violently allergic to horses, so I'd barely been near any for all those years, let alone go onto a yard.

I decided to take the bull by the horns and just walk onto a yard and book some lessons, as I walked up their drive the smell hit me. :D nothing like it, my spirits soared and I knew I'm not going away again if I can possibly help it.
 
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