do You ever forget how to ride?

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lucy_jw

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hi all, new here! I have not ridden in a while, probably 10years if i am totally honest but i have recentely started to want to ride again, do you think you ever forget how to ride? I was thinking of taking some lessons but i guess i feel a bit embarrassed about if i will remember the basics,Will my 6 year old know more than me lol i have certainly not forgotten how to care for horses but its the riding part, dare i admit that i am scared to ride again?
 
No! Riding is like riding a bike! I only started riding again last year after a 6 year break. The first lesson, I say the first 25 minutes look disastrous but your body does remember and the feeling comes back. I think that hardest bit is building back your 'riding' muscles.
 
Like MP said muscle muscles forget more. Lessons are always needed though no matter how long you ride for or don't. I read a lot and it does help.
 
I got back into riding 3 years ago after a 13 year break. It all came back to me pretty quickly (even the bad habits!).
Before you go for your first lesson I would suggest some inner thigh warm up / stretch. The problem with remembering what to do is you try to do what you always used to do - but you forget your poor muscles haven't done it in a while! I nearly crippled myself in my first lesson.
 
It comes back quite quickly - although some things are taught differently now. You don't ever forget how to balence and move in harmony with the horse - although it might feel like it for a while! You might need reminding of some of the more refined aids for dressage moves. No-one ever stops learning.
 
Having just got back into riding following a 10 yr gap i reiterate what everyone has said, it is a bit like riding a bike and although the first couple of lessons it takes a while for your body to readjust and position to become established it does come flooding back.....the hardest is your muscles which you will become familiar with and reaslise muscles you never knew you had!! I find Radox muscle ease a god send and a few warm up stretches helps!

The hardest for me is i had a big accident and the reason for my 10 year break so my self preservation radar is on full alert however my instructor is brilliant as i explained the above and she really helps to relax me whilst pushing me. I have found a mixture of lessons and hacks really has helped to build up my confidence.

So much so im off to look at my first horse on loan as an adult today!!:)

Good luck
 
yep its all about getting the muscles going again. i had lost a lot of my core strength so i felt like a beginner again cause of my rubbish sitting trop and seat! I got a couple of lessons back on the lunge to help my seat as that had seemed to have disappeared! that's fantastic you are back in the saddle again!
 
Welll, I didn't ride for just 10 weeks once; and in that time every muscle I had ached and my back developed a grumble! So my body obviously needs to be riding and responds negatively when I don't!

BUT hey, you're gonna be very sore in the, er, regions where it counts, for a while until you get your muscles back in to riding; and you'll be walking around like you've had an embarrassing mishap for a bit - then all of a sudden you'll find that you've got your seat back and your muscles have toned and you're there enjoying your riding again!

Good luck, and hope it all goes well.
 
I couldn't ride for a month or two a while ago because my pony went lame, and when I started again, I found rising to the trot made my legs ache :o but it all came back to me pretty quickly. I think it's more the muscles that forget, not the ability, but apparently (from my Auntie who had a 15 year break) you can feel a bit inadequate because you expect to start again where you finished off, but that it's a lot of fun.

I'd say that you should definately have some lessons - they'll make sure everything goes smoothly and it'll boost your confidence if nothing else :)

I'm sure that it'll all be fine (as long as you stretch, thoroughly :P) so good luck :D
 
Don't do what I did - they asked what I could do so I ticked, walk, trot, canter, trot without stirrups....
My first lesson back after 13 years was spent mostly working in trot without stirrups!
I think the instructor must have had a masochistic streak!
 
I used to do a bit of teaching in a RS and got a few customers through the years who were coming back after long breaks, they almost all felt the same way you do just now. My advise, take it slow, have a laugh with it and try not to get frustrated that something you found easy 10 years ago now seems really hard, it will come back in time :)
 
thank you all so so much i feel so much better now knowing all of this. Visiting a couple of riding schools next week and hope to have a lesson at the weekend, i was not novice before had jumped and done everything else but never got into dressage.
 
marinitagsd said:
I had a 15yr gap after losing my beloved Mariner but getting back on horseback seemed the most natural thing in the world, didn't forget was just a bit rusty! lol
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Exactly the same reason why i stopped, when my Nicky was sold i never ever found another that ever matched her, i trusted her so much and i still get very upset to this day that i had to let her go. I miss her every day, nothing will ever break the bond, but i have to try to get back in the saddle. I have a daughter and she has a pony on share and i watch her riding and long to join her.
 
marinitagsd said:
I had a 15yr gap after losing my beloved Mariner but getting back on horseback seemed the most natural thing in the world, didn't forget was just a bit rusty! lol
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Exactly the same reason why i stopped, when my Nicky was sold i never ever found another that ever matched her, i trusted her so much and i still get very upset to this day that i had to let her go. I miss her every day, nothing will ever break the bond, but i have to try to get back in the saddle. I have a daughter and she has a pony on share and i watch her riding and long to join her.
 
I have just ridden today after a 5yr break... It all comes flooding back! I was really nervous but it went fine. I would say that it is tough on your legs, mine are killing! Good luck though, it's a great feeling.

Xxx
 
Your muscles forget. Your brain is ok. I haven't ridden regularly for 20 years (meaning to get back into it properly as soon as can afford to) but even on the odd ride in that time, it comes back quickly. But I'm in agony the next day...

Right now the only riding I'm doing is a week in the summer where I volunteer and normally get a ride every day or so that week. Last year it was the first time on a horse for about 5 years, went out for a quiet plod around in walk (about all I do now) horse spooked at nothing, span on a sixpence and took off down the path right under a low tree. I kept my balance during the spin, ducked under the branch, sat up, pulled him in a sharp circle to a halt, and done, all in a couple of seconds. Was amazed I didn't just fall off, but somehow those instincts just kick in when you really need them.
 
I agree with everyone else, I was the same - had a looong break from riding. When I started again, I found that I remembered most things, but it's the finer points that needed working on - which leg to trot on, straight back,heels down, elbows in, relaxed hands etc - but it didn't take long and most of the more "technical" aspects feel totally natural (still need to work on the heels though!).

I am sure once you've had your first lesson, you'll feel quite surprised about how much you do remember (and proud of yourself too!).

and if not....practice makes perfect (well, kind of) ;)

xx
 
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