Getting back into riding after a long break?

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Ranyhyn

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As week 36 of pregnancy looms on me I've started to become hugely excited about the prospect of riding again!

It's been 8 (and will likely be 10) months since I last rode, previous to that it was sporadic at very best (think, I've sat on my new horse some 10-15times) So let us say I haven't ridden properly in over a year.

So I'll be looking at riding again this winter, my mare will be sent off to be schooled/brought back into work anyway - not feeling like getting on her after such a break.

So I was thinking, for those who've come back after a break - have you used this time to get lessons or an intensive course? How has that worked? Was it a good idea to be broken down and built back properly AFTER such a long break?

Knowing that my core muscles will probably be shot and I'll inevitably feel my balance differently etc, are intensive lessons a good idea - or should I go for lessons every week til I get stronger and THEN book an intensive course?

Any thoughts welcomed!
 
When I was in a similar situation to yourself, quite a few years ago now, I actually spent some time getting fitter off the horse first was and this was very useful and prepared me for my return to the saddle.

I started hacking first of all and then gradually introduced lessons.
 
Thanks Texel (great name btw :) )
I can't WAIT to get my fitness back on the ground, tbh being as we sheep farm and I have the three horses, I have kept relatively fit but my own inadequacy has really narked me throughout the whole process!

I suppose once the mare comes back, I could start off with hacking to build myself up maybe...
 
Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!

I would wait and see how you feel after having your baby. Length and frequency of lessons may well be governed by how much time you have away from baby, and how tired you feel. Personally, in the first few weeks after having my son, if someone had offered to have him for the afternoon, I would have slept - and then slept some more!

As Texel has said you can spend some time getting fitter - perhaps find a gym with a creche and do some Pilates classes - or as I did, lots of walking pushing a pram to stop my little darling from crying!

Every new baby is different - and every new mum copes in different ways. Just see how you feel. You have many years of riding ahead of you:)
 
Thanks Liz, riding is my only me-time so I'll definitely be making time for it come hell or high water! We're lucky we have droves of doting grandparents, aunties and uncles just clammouring for some time with baby so I'm going to make the most of it and reclaim a little slice of my life for me :)
 
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