Getting back into horse ownership

Sycamore123

Sycamore123

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Hello!

I wondered if anyone would be able to give me some ideas! I left a full time job working with racehorses about 3/4 years ago, and sadly had to sell my own horse for financial reasons.
I have been working in an office ever since, and have managed to save up and buy my first house, which is ongoing at the moment. When the sale has gone through I feel I will be financially secure enough to buy my own horse again- however it’s not something I want to rush into. Previously I spent all day riding young racehorses, and my own horse, who was quite tricky so not the most fun. I really want to try eventing, and while I feel like once I get my fitness back I would be confident to ride pretty much any horse, I don’t have any technical skills at all! I have ridden a few dressage tests when I was younger, and I’ve schooled racehorses over large fences, however I don’t think I’d be able to navigate a showjumping course!
So, my plan I think is, firstly, find somewhere to have a few riding lessons, so that when I get my new horse I can actually enjoy riding. I’d feel very strange riding at a riding school when I have spent quite a while being paid to ride, but I feel like it’s a completely new skill I need to learn. I’m very worried about going and being treated as a beginner, but I suppose I am in terms of dressage and schooling! Does anyone know somewhere in North Yorkshire that they would recommend for teaching this kind of thing?
Secondly, I feel like it would be a good idea for me to loan/ share a horse for six months or so. I have a friend with a small yard where I can ride whenever I feel like it, but it’s very different from getting up at 6am to muck out when you really don’t want to! I’ve never shared or part loaned a horse before, so I’ve got no idea of how to go about this, and I’m not even too sure how it works and how to find a suitable horse!
Thank you if you’ve managed to read all this- and if you have any advice at all it is more than welcome!
 
Lessons are great, I'm 40+ and not done jumping for ages - I called the local reputable stables and asked for adult jumping lessons. I was certainly the only person in the group with a driving licence and half had their mum with them but I got back into it, enjoyed it and just had to get over myself when the 8 y/o's were better than me!

Sharers I would look at preloved for your area - loads of different options of how is works but the adds on there will give you an idea of the range of what's available.
 
Thank you that’s really helpful! I will have a look for good riding schools nearby and see if any are starting lessons soon. I’ll also have a good look on preloved☺️
 
You can get private lessons to focus on exactly what you would like to do. Visit first...watch a class..meet the teachers and if you like it book a trial
 
Thank you both! I will have a look- most of the riding schools near me seem quite focused on children, but there are a few further out which look good- I’ll have to go and watch a few lessons after lockdown!☺️
 
Sounds like you have really thought about it - your plan sounds very sensible ?
Not much else to add, just wishing you luck, and, please keep us posted on your journey!
 
I think you will find the "getting back to riding" easier than you think but you are certainly going about it the right way by looking for lessons first. I don't suppose it will be long before you are itching to have your own!!! One thing to bear in mind while you are making lots of new horsey friends is to look out for the one whose judgement you respect and who will be able to help you choose a loan horse or buy one if that is the path you want to follow.
 
Thank you- I will definitely keep you all posted! And thank you @Trouper, I think it’s definitely important to find someone like that, I’m very lucky I have a couple of close friends who are very experienced who will be able to help me☺️ I have told myself that for 6 months minimum I will put my monthly ‘horse costs’ into a saving account, so that I’m sure I can definitely afford it as well, just for peace of mind, however I have a feeling it might end up being a lot less time than that!
 
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