Going back to riding after 9 yrs :-)

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horseperson

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I'm really thinking of going back riding. I started riding when I was 9 have owned ponies and horses in the past. But after 9 yrs I'm after getting back into the saddle, the only problem being is my weight, I'm 15 stone I have already lost 62lbs though. Do you think I should wait until I have lost more?
 
I'd say speak to the staff at the riding school. They'll know what weight their horses are up to. (I waited until I was down to 12 stone before I started again, though.)
 
Depends on what you'll be riding and what your seat is like. As long as it's a sturdy horse and you have a fairly light seat then you'll be fine. Some lighter riders can cause more problems by sitting heavy and lurching around. If you're balanced then weight becomes less of an issue.
 
Thanks for your replies so far :-).

I live in the New Forest and I have phoned up some local schools most are 14 stone limit but I have found one that is 15.5 so I will give them a ring and book a lesson. :-) just didn't want to flatten the poor horse.:(
 
Provided you can find a suitable horse then go for it. You've done amazingly well to lose so much already you'll be even lighter before you know it.

I had the best part of a decade off before returning to riding and have now been the proud owner of a nutty tb for nearly a year :)
 
I also went back to riding after a long break. Lost two stone to do so. Mainly because i'm 5ft 2 and at my previous weight i'd had to ride the schools 18hh Shire x

A couple of months later I brought my own and had him now over a year :-)
 
I went back after a long break in my late twenties and I've had an enforced break due to nothing suitable to ride so will be back this summer hopefully! Good luck to you in your diet and riding hopefully the riding will be helpful in that respect too.
 
I use to love dressage so would love to aim for a horse of my own in a few years, if my oh let's me. When I meet him I owned three :-) and an 18 month old baby, I had to sell them two years later the stable expenses got to much even on DIY. I so miss horses. I fell pregnant with my son while training to be a riding instructor:( Have worked in the past for a local riding centre.

I was a bit shocked at the prices of lessons though, they range from £20 per half hour private to £35. I'm really looking for an instructor who does lessons on the lunge to start of with, did this as a child.
 
You sound as though you'll be fine.
I recently started lessons after 3 years - just out hacking every now and then instead - and initially it was as though I'd forgotten everything! Truly embarrassing. A few weeks on and it's coming back (slight phew!). From what you say you have been well ahead of me in the past, so it'll take even less time ;)

I pay £24 for 30 mins' private - in recent years prices have really rocketed (or that's what it feels like!).

Keep forgetting to say: well done re weight loss - wow.
 
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Yesterday I phone a local riding stables a booked a lesson for next Tuesday at 11:30 :D. I'm so excited :D

They have a weight limit of 17:5 stone for hacks and 15:7 stone for lessons, price is £23 for 30mins in an out door school so I hope it doesn't rain.

Thanks for all your positive replies :-)
 
Have a great time and Radox on standby for when you get home!!

Congrats with the weight loss - nothing like riding to help you shift a few more pounds. perhaps you can do some chores for them too. I have 4 in at night at the moment, with all the shovelling and sweeping I have lost my baby weight without even thinking about it
 
You'll be fine!

I had a 20+ year gap from riding (bar a 6 month stint 10 yrs ago), and although it's taken me a while to find my seat again, it's working out fine and I now have a loan hoss and to be honest I think I'm riding better now than I ever did. (Though I am sure falling off is going to hurt more than it did 20 years ago).

Well done on losing the weight - that's brilliant. Enjoy the riding!

(Oh yes and be careful. If I count the kids' ponies I now have a small herd - making up for lost time!).
 
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