Biting the bullet!

[Kipandbud]

I have had horses for around 20yrs now and have always ridden and worked on large competition yards up until about 8 years ago.
Three years ago I injured my knee at work and had an op however its still not right. Around 6 months after the op I bought myself a lovely little mare to bring on, however things didnt go according to plan and apart from my knee not holding up...... I had a nasty fall off her and haven't ridden her for two years next week.

I also have not sat on a horse since! Now i still have my mare on livery and she is currently in foal, however I miss riding and although there are horses on the yard I can ride, I have totally lost my bottle!..... Really I should have got straight back on asap!

I'm bothered about where to go though, I have worked at a lot of riding schools around this area in the past and dont want to go somewhere I am known ( will be embarassed at being a gibbering wreck!) and could do without the gossips! I am not telling anyone I'm doing it.....even my hubby and i'm hoping my knee will hold up to an hour.

So...... I have just booked on a group lesson at a riding school out of the area. I am now having second thoughts and am trying to talk myself out of it!!! Aaaarrrggghhh !

Am i doing the right thing?

 

[JDChaser]

I think a riding school is a good place to start, so long as you make sure you have a chat with the instructor before hand and explain the situation and so you can check you like them and will have confidence in them! Although i would say perhaps its worth forking out for a few private lessons initially, as this would help take the pressure off? Good luck!!

 

[colormorestud]

I too lost my confidence I think its a common thing the older you get

mine I lost with a youngster even though I had broken and backed many in the past,I'd had a bit of a break to have my daughter and the 3yro I had purchased when I got back into horses wasn't unbroken as I had been lead to believe,he had in fact been tried to be backed by inexperianced people very badley...to cut along story short and to stay on topic...I got him backed in the end by an ex jockey who had a way with problem horses,when he eventually told me he was ready for me to ride I couldn't bring myself to it..I had to book a lesson at the local riding school and then shaking from head to foot finally rode my boy!!
It didn't work out however with him as I never completly trusted him and I think for a partnership to work horse and rider have to trust each other..
Maybe your mare isn't the right horse for you?

 

[Kipandbud]

JD - Yes it probably is a good idea to meet the instructor first and explain what has gone on, however I have set out a couple of times to go to the riding school and speak with someone but I always find an excuse not to go! . I did consider a couple of private lessons but I'm not sure that my knee will hold up yet, I dont want to pay over £40 in case I cant ride for the full lesson.... I just guessed it would be easier to have a minute on a group lesson and drop out if it gave me grief!

Cm - I bought my mare as a four year old, she had been backed and was being hacked out locally by a lady. Due to other reasons I turned her out for a few weeks after I got her and when brought her back in she needed re starting - I did this but after she reared with me I found out she had been 'broken' a couple of times and had been a problem!

She's coming 7 this time and has found her new vocation as a broodmare!.... she's being sold after the foal is weaned. So fingers crossed I can look for a riding horse whilst foalie is growing up!

Just bricking myself at the thought of getting back on one!

 

[Chavhorse]

Well done you! I sympathise completly I too had ridden all my life, Was an instructor in a previous life. I then had the mother of all falls broke bits of myself and lost all confidence.

Menwhile I had been out and bought a recently backed 3.5 year old (don't ask!) He was sent away to be re-backed and schooled (I was not fit enought to do it....well it was a good excuse!) then I got the come over on Saturday and wear your Jodhs not your jeans call....Gulp.

I was put on top and my trainer kept me on a lead rein until I begged her to be let off.

It will come back I promise you....Rescue Remedy helps a lot! I would recommend booking a one on one lesson with an instructor you have been totally honest with (and yes you do feel a noodle!) and ask them to put you on a lunge line.

I am lucky in finding an instructor who is a mix of cool calm and collected and bullying bitch troll from hell

I will admit I still get the butterflies before I get up but once on I am fine. Every new thing is a milestone.....I walked for days before plucking up the courage to trot,, first trot was a disaster then I got the hang of it again next day I was trotting pattens. Thought of first ride outside was terrifying reality of first outside ride was wonderful. Second outside ride I forgot to take the Rescue Remedy! I have a feeling that as soon as the school thaws I will be bullied into my first canter.

Good luck and honestly you will be fine.

 

[colormorestud]

ah another poor horse that sounds like it has been backed badley

Yes I can understand how you feel,as it so difficult to trust the sellers in this day and age and most horses over a certain age could have a rather colourful past!
When you come to look for a new horse,ask for a trial or loan for a couple of weeks... a genine seller will be only too happy to do this especially if you explain the reason why,its not like you are an inexperianced rider you just want to make sure it the right horse for you.
I was lucky to do this with my old boy who I regained my confidence with...believe me he wasn't that quietest of horses he was very spooky,but he made me feel safe and we trusted each other and for me that was us half way there...
Try the riding school (a private lesson-and explain how you feel) believe me once you are back up there it all comes back naturally and each time your confidence will grow,you'll soon be back out there with your new horsey

good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[Kipandbud]

Does rescue remedy work then? I have heard of people using it before but have never seen it! Might have to invest!

If all else fails I'll have to drag my first pony out of the field and make a comeback!..... although I'm not sure he'd be impressed, he's only 13.2hh and 30yrs old!...... why cant I find another like him!!!

 

[Echo Bravo]

Kipper1 yes yes yes you are doing the right thing just take it one step at a time and if it's a group lesson even better as there are other people wondering what the hell are they doing there and you get to chatting and you will find you will start to enjoy riding again. A nd it sounds like your old boy is like a few others hard to find, do you think that horses are no longer given time to mature and given time to be backed.

 

[Dubsie]

I think the old pony comeback is a great idea. I would suggest to get a friend to hand, drag your 13.2 out of the field and try 10-15 minutes. You know he's safe, he'll probably enjoy it just for a little while, and you'll feel more confident for when you go for the hour lesson.

I borrowed a horse + daughters RI and got back on after 25 years or so - just a plod round our field and a bit of a trot, to see how I got on, then went hacking at a local RS with glorious off road hacking. Didn't do lessons at daughter's RS as it's all too intensive in the school stuff, whereas I just wanted to get back riding enough to hack with daughter and friend.

Have fun!