H&H Community - good to be joining here

[LondonRoo]

I have joined to get advice as a newly returning rider. I rode as a child up to teens and then not for another 40 years due to weight related issues. I've been riding weekly since start of 2023 and I'm beginning to feel more comfortable. I love horses and enjoy being back at the stables every week. I am still working on my balance and coordination and dismounting is a bit of a challenge for some reason ! with persistence and courage, I hope to become more confident.

 

[Rumtytum]

Hello and welcome!

I am looking forward to your posts as am pretty much in the same position as you (but older ).
Hadn’t been on a horse for forty years and never had a lesson until I started at my super riding school six years ago; I’m 68 and really enjoying making up for all the lost equine time!

 

[Skib]

Welcome back to riding and to horses. Persistence and safety are what you need. Plus perhaps a body protector?

I am still riding in my eighties but the dismounting problem might have prevented me. After a very elderly gentleman fell on the cobbles when dismounting after a solo hack, my first RI at my very first lesson taught me how to dismount cavalry style, standing in the left stirrup to bring my right leg over. On a cold day when I feel ancient and stiff, it isnt totally easy. But a kind staff member holds my horse and I have aways dismounted that way.

 

[LondonRoo]

Hello and welcome!

I am looking forward to your posts as am pretty much in the same position as you (but older ).
Hadn’t been on a horse for forty years and never had a lesson until I started at my super riding school six years ago; I’m 68 and really enjoying making up for all the lost equine time!

Amazing ! great to be connected here. Happy to see I'm not the only one refusing to let my age stop me from realising dreams.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Welcome

 

[Kunoichi73]

Welcome! I'm another one who ride as a child but then had a break (just under 30 years). I restarted just before COVID. I'm currently riding once or twice a week and also trying to work on balance and position. Good luck getting back into it.

 

[LondonRoo]

Welcome back to riding and to horses. Persistence and safety are what you need. Plus perhaps a body protector?

I am still riding in my eighties but the dismounting problem might have prevented me. After a very elderly gentleman fell on the cobbles when dismounting after a solo hack, my first RI at my very first lesson taught me how to dismount cavalry style, standing in the left stirrup to bring my right leg over. On a cold day when I feel ancient and stiff, it isnt totally easy. But a kind staff member holds my horse and I have aways dismounted that way.

I bought a body protector and my own hat, feel like if I have the right gear it's my committment to take this seriously. I was doing better with dismounting until past two weeks where I was put on a taller horse and that was fairly terrifying mostly clearing the cantle rather than the slide down ! also then back on my regular large pony but had a dodgy dismount yesterday and nearly landed on my *** !

 

[Barton Bounty]

I bought a body protector and my own hat, feel like if I have the right gear it's my committment to take this seriously. I was doing better with dismounting until past two weeks where I was put on a taller horse and that was fairly terrifying mostly clearing the cantle rather than the slide down ! also then back on my regular large pony but had a dodgy dismount yesterday and nearly landed on my *** !

Happens to all of us

 

[nagblagger]

How and welcome.

 

[ycbm]

Well done in cracking your weight issues to get back on a horse. And welcome to HHO

 

[Red-1]

Well done in cracking your weight issues to get back on a horse. And welcome to HHO

I came to say the same. I lost 4 1/2 stone to get going again after a short break and stress left me clapping it on. Losing substantial weight is no mean feat, but I did it for the horse's sake, especially when I bought a smaller one for my aging joints. Well done for getting that done!

For dismounting, you can dismount straight onto a block. I did this for years if riding a bigger horse. They do need training to stand by the block, and it is also a technique that you have to get your head round, but I would keep my foot in the stirrup until the other one was on the block. My blocks are high enough that the stirrup is level with the top step, more or less, so the saddle isn't pulled over by lowering. I also find that I have my right hand pressing on the offside, above the knee roll, which I press on to keep the saddle stable on the horse's back as I take the weight into the left stirrup.

By pressing on the other side, it is possible to do even a military dismount to the floor with a fairly loose girth, so it really doesn't twist the saddle as some people fear. You press on the opposite side until you are on the way down, then only use the stirrup for slight speed reduction.

I always mount from a block and also use the pressing on the saddle on the opposite side for this, with the right hand. Again, it means I can mount with a loose girth (not that I often do!) so it shows that the saddle isn't pulled over or twisted. You are pressing near the stirrup bar so it evens out the pressure.

 

[ycbm]

The other technique you can try, which is my standard dismount, is to lean forwards, put your left arm over the right side of the shoulders, take some weight into your armpit over the withers and push up on the saddle flap with your right hand, swing your leg over the cantle and hold yourself on your armpit as you slide down the horse's shoulder.

I call it my old lady's dismount but I've been doing it ever since hitting the ground too hard with freezing feet became too painful.
.

 

[Skib]

but had a dodgy dismount yesterday and nearly landed on my ***

I did fall backwards like this once onto the tarmac (wearing helmet and bp so wasnt hurt) but now I take care to grip the saddle as I descend.

shoulders, take some weight into your armpit over the withers and push up on the saddle flap with your right hand, swing your leg over the cantle and hold yourself on your armpit as you slide down the horse's shoulder.

I wanted to try this after watching a video of a 90 year old dismounting this way. I went to the sand school to try it with a soft landing. The YM didnt like it at all. She said I risked slipping head first over the right hand side of the horse. It is true that one's head is a heavy weight.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Hello welcome.

I'm in my mid 60s. I dismount in the school for a soft landing now after ending on my bum on wet cobbles. Even after a hack I sometimes walk to the school when I get back, if the yard is wet or my feet are very cold. If there's someone with me I get them to stand on the off side holding the horse with one hand & pulling down on the stirrup with the other. My method could best be described as ungainly slither. Like all aspects of riding you'll find it gets better with practice and confidence.

 

[Skib]

I hack and we get back to the yard along a stretch of tarmac drive where we dont trot. I find it helps with the dismounting if I ride some rising walk as we approach the yard. It loosens me up.