Hi. Returning rider here who has just taken on her first part loan...

H

Horsegirl94

Member
Joined
7 August 2025
Messages
10
Visit site
So I need as much knowledge as possible!

I've been lurking this forum for some months now so thought it was about time I joined.

I recently returned to riding as a 31 year old, I have ridden since the age of 5 - 17, used to help out at a yard as a teen, then completely stopped.

I've had 3 children during that time and all of my 20's have been focused on being a mum and I have now gone back into the hobby I have a true love and passion for.

I found weekly lessons weren't giving me my horsey fix and found a lady in a yard close by to me who asked me to part loan her 14 year old Irish Cob 3 days a week. I went to meet him on Sunday and he is absolutely gorgeous, I fell in love with him straight away!
I won't be rushing in to riding him, which is fine with me as I'm still continuing my weekly riding lessons. His owner said she thinks best I do groundwork with him at first to get to know him, however I have never done lunging. I have been open and honest that I am a novice after such a long break however she is happy to teach me on the job and I'm excited to start.

Would be lovely to make new horsey pals and any tips and advice are welcome!
 
Congratulations on getting back into riding. I share also and find it an ideal way to still enjoy riding. My own pony is retired. Just always turn up and always err on the side of caution with decisions with someone else’s pride and joy! I hope you have loads of fun!
 
I have a horse I ride once a week and i really look forward to it.

I normally ride Sunday morning but I'm going swimming with my dog this Sunday at our local open water lake so I've reluctantly said I can't ride but she said I was more than welcome to ride in the afternoon instead so glad I won't be losing my ride this week as it means such a lot to me.

How many times will you get to ride OP?
I work full time and they pay some chap to ride weekdays and Saturdays another go so I relish my Sunday mornings! They said they'd pay me to ride, I said no way, was so grateful of the chance I didn't care about money!

Enjoy! Let's see some photos too!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have found a good, supportive owner as well as a nice horse, congratulations! I dove in with getting a full loan 7 years ago after a long break from riding. My horse's owner was brilliant through my trial period, it made a huge difference.
 
Hi👋 you are one step ahead of me, and I am so excited for you! Your story sounds very familiar to mine, ridden most of my life, never owned my own but loaned in the past and now my two children are a little more self-sufficient I have gone back to weekly lessons and the odd bit of hacking. My daughter has now got the bug so I've no excuses! I absolutely cannot stop dreaming of my own, but like you really do need to loan first to build confidence on the ground really.
How are you finding it?
 
Welcome, and congrats on finding what sounds like the perfect horse share 🤩 there is a whole world of groundwork out there beyond just lunging and it can be super beneficial for the horse’s posture and mindset.
 
Horsegirl94 said:
His owner said she thinks best I do groundwork with him at first to get to know him, however I have never done lunging.
Click to expand...
Ground work is not necessarilly lunging nor long lining. Leading the horse with you on foot and the horse in a head collar with a 9 ft lead rope It is an excellent way of gaining compliance from a horse that one is gong to ride.
There is an introductory anthology of groundwork from various trainers by Lesley
Bayley, Groundwork Training for Your Horse.
This would give you a taster and you could move on to books by the trainers she lists. These days one can watch many of those same trainers on You Tube or their websites.

It is a useful tool to have. I was due to return to riding today but the share mare appeared very bolshy. I was reduced to circling and backing her up on the yard to get her attention and settle her down. At one point she was towing me and because I havent ridden since March, I decided not to ride her after all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top