Getting back into things

[Natalie85]

Hello,
Just looking for some advice please.
My love for horses has recently been rekindled. I rode as a child for over 10 years and was a confident rider. I stopped riding at around 15 years old. As of recent my children aged 3,5 & 7 have fallen in love with horses too (probably my influence lol) they ride weekly at a very small local stables. They are very friendly and I am going to start volunteering there to be around horses more and learn.
My question is at what point would you start to think about a possible part loan? How much about horses should you know to own one?
My experience of horses is mainly just riding not so much taking care of them, but I'm so so passionate to learn. I don't want to rush into anything but just want some advice as how else to learn etc.

Thanks

 

[Shay]

You can take a BHS Horse owner's certificate which is quite good for basic care. Have you got back in the saddle yet?

Or were you thinking about a loan for your children?

 

[Cutgrass]

I've been wondering about this as I'm in a similar situation. I've been riding again for six months but one lesson per week doesn't feel like enough time in the saddle!

I looked into BHS but it seems it's not possible to do it atm due to covid.

*Natalie85* do you find riding harder then you remember it being? My core muscles are shot after having my two girls!

 

[emilyjeff]

Hi Natalie, I was in quite a similar position to you about three years ago! Only difference being my kids were already teenagers by then and not interested in horses at all! I rode a lot as a kid, got to a fairly good standard but gave up at 16 when weekend job/ going out with mates seemed more important! Anyway I had cancer at the age of 36 and it really made me think- right I need to do something for me! Started out thinking I would like to just hack out a couple of times a month. That turned into riding once a week- mixture of lessons and hacking. My riding was awful to start with and yes as Shay mentioned my core muscles were non existent! Soon improved though and was going on longer hacks, jumping courses etc.
I had been back riding about 6 months when I started sharing a horse at the riding school/ livery yard I was at. This was quite expensive but it meant that staff were always on hand to help with stuff and I continued having weekly lessons too. This lasted about a year until I felt I had outgrown both the horse and the situtaion. I now have a full loan and ride 3-4 times a week. 12 year old me would be so impressed with myself!!
Anyway, not sure if you were thinking of a part loan for you/ children/ or both? Aside from your riding ability are you ok catching/ leading/ dealing with pain in the arse herd mates who want to try and escape? Are you capable at grooming/ tacking up? If not these are probably skills you will acquire whilst helping at the stables. If you are then you are probably fine for a part loan now. The owner may well expect you to go up and get on with it on your own on your days but they won't expect to you to deal with anything out of the ordinary by yourself.
Best of luck x

 

[Natalie85]

You can take a BHS Horse owner's certificate which is quite good for basic care. Have you got back in the saddle yet?

Or were you thinking about a loan for your children?

Thank you Shay,
No I haven't got back in the saddle yet as most of the horses at her stables are small ponies. I will definitely look into the horse care certificate.

 

[Natalie85]

I've been wondering about this as I'm in a similar situation. I've been riding again for six months but one lesson per week doesn't feel like enough time in the saddle!

I looked into BHS but it seems it's not possible to do it atm due to covid.

*Natalie85* do you find riding harder then you remember it being? My core muscles are shot after having my two girls!

I haven't actually ridden myself, just the kids as her horses are mainly ponies but I definitely need to get back into the saddle

 

[Natalie85]

Hi Natalie, I was in quite a similar position to you about three years ago! Only difference being my kids were already teenagers by then and not interested in horses at all! I rode a lot as a kid, got to a fairly good standard but gave up at 16 when weekend job/ going out with mates seemed more important! Anyway I had cancer at the age of 36 and it really made me think- right I need to do something for me! Started out thinking I would like to just hack out a couple of times a month. That turned into riding once a week- mixture of lessons and hacking. My riding was awful to start with and yes as Shay mentioned my core muscles were non existent! Soon improved though and was going on longer hacks, jumping courses etc.
I had been back riding about 6 months when I started sharing a horse at the riding school/ livery yard I was at. This was quite expensive but it meant that staff were always on hand to help with stuff and I continued having weekly lessons too. This lasted about a year until I felt I had outgrown both the horse and the situtaion. I now have a full loan and ride 3-4 times a week. 12 year old me would be so impressed with myself!!
Anyway, not sure if you were thinking of a part loan for you/ children/ or both? Aside from your riding ability are you ok catching/ leading/ dealing with pain in the arse herd mates who want to try and escape? Are you capable at grooming/ tacking up? If not these are probably skills you will acquire whilst helping at the stables. If you are then you are probably fine for a part loan now. The owner may well expect you to go up and get on with it on your own on your days but they won't expect to you to deal with anything out of the ordinary by yourself.
Best of luck x

Thanks for your reply.
I'm not that confident catching, or tacking up so maybe I'll get a bit more experience before loaning x