Hello :)

[nykea]

Hello from a newbie

I have recently got back to horses after more than 8 years break. I've been riding for a few years before, had a horse under my care (not mine, the owners just got bored but didn't want to sell her, so I took over) but unfortunately I was never a "good" rider. I've always struggled with balance in canter (in full seat), and my jumps were laughable (on few occassions that I didn't fall, it would be best described as a "free-flight over the horses back" ). It didn't help that the horse I was taking care of was not very well backed either (she was backed as a youngster, then had a very novice rider, daughter of the owner, and after a couple years she was put on pastures with no work whatsoever), for example, when she would jump, she wouldn't pull her front legs up. I know that a part of my problem was mismatch between me and her, as when instructor from our stable put me on his dressage horse, I sat the canter out beautifully. I have also had a pretty serious accident once, when I fell on top of my head and had a brain concussion.
Fast forward, I moved to the UK (from Poland) in 2006 and had to stop riding, as I couldn't afford it. Now I have moved to the countryside and there is loads of horses around, with owners more than happy to see me come and attend them. Unfortunately, this break made me a bit unsure around horses, so at the moment I just do a bit of grooming (horses out in the field all the time, so no yard work! ) and am trying to get myself used to them again. There is an absolutely stunning gelding that would be perfect for me... only he's not backed yet! He's also very cheeky so definitely not a good idea for someone with my confidence and skill level! There is also an ex-eventer, apparently she's great to ride, but I'm still a bit nervous... I will probably take a few lessons in a formal riding school before I try to ride her.
Within the last years I went pretty heavily into dog training, also learnt a lot about general animal behaviour (conditioning etc), so I understand some things about horse riding a bit better than I used to in the past. But then I know that sometimes dog-experience can be actually a problem when I deal with horses (predator vs prey).

I would very much like to know:
- what sources would recommend?
- which riding schools in Callander (Scotland) area would you recommend?
- do you know of any good free-lance instructors that serve this area?

I know that I am reasonably close to Gleneagles, but I don't know if there is any point in me going there, with my skills?

Thank you for reading, and I hope to get some feedback from you!

 

[nykea]

And this is the beautiful gelding I fell in love with

 

[Red-1]

Hi,

I don't know about training in Scotland, but wanted to say welcome to HHO!

I would not discount Gleneagles, I only visited once to give my mare a leg stretch and lunge on the long journey to compete at Burgie, and the facilities were fantastic, and there were some "normal" looking horses there.

It may well be very expensive, so maybe just start with the telephone directory? Look for a training centre or riding school that is BHS approved. Look also for tack shops, as the people in them will know the reputations of the schools near you.

I would not buy a horse until you are competent and confident to walk, trot and canter, and pop a small X pole. Even if you do not want to become a "jumper" it is a test that you are reasonably secure in you seat if the horse does a big movement, but in a controlled manner.

Good luck!

 

[Woody Le Bois]

Hi there! It's great that you want to get back to riding and you are right in deciding to take lessons first!
I am from Poland too! I lived in UK for 10 years and evented a bit (show jumped in Poland loads). I recently moved with my horse to France and we are slowly making our way through the maze of French bureaucracy and hopefully will be out eventing and SJing soon.
I lived in Bucks area so can't help you with any riding schools in your area but if you have any questions just ask
witamy na forum

 

[nykea]

Thank you so much for your welcome. I'm nowhere near thinking about buying a horse, at the moment I have quite a few other animals and having had a horse under my care I know how demanding this is.. However, I wish I could finally learn the art of horsemanship (loose term here ) in a proper way... When I was child my parents were not supportive of me riding at all, so it wasn't easy. I was saving all my pocket money for lessons, then moved to a non-school stable where I was riding horses that definitely exceeded my capabilities. I'm hoping that this time it will go better!
As for my abilities, I definitely knew how to trot, canter in half seat and jump small X poles. But that was then... At the moment I am quite pleased with my progress, going to the field and grooming horses is already paying off in terms of my confidence Little Casper was quite pushy at the beginning, now he respects my space a bit more and let's me touch him all over