How does an adult get back into horses? [long post]

A

AnnieBox

New User
Joined
8 August 2012
Messages
6
Visit site
As a bit of background info, I used to do riding lessons as a little girl and when I got a bit older I did some volunteering at a couple of stables, helping to look after the horses, grooming, mucking out, brining them to and from the fields of a weekend. That sort of thing.

At one of the stables I took a confidence breaking fall (Dr's said I would be dead or brain damaged if I wasn't wearing my riding hat) and although I continued caring for the horses I stopped riding. Once I got about half way through secondary school, studying for exams and doing coursework took priority and since I wasn't riding anyway, I stopped going to the stables.

Fast forward though the boring years, I finished school and went to college. While I was in college (animal care course) I did a work experience fortnight at a livery yard and loved it, even rode one of the horses round the schools there and it felt great to ride again, but after that, all horse contact stopped again. I then moved into the heart of the city and never did anything horsey every again and have pretty much forgotten everything I used to know.

Then this year I went to the new forest show. The sights, the sounds, the smells, I didn't realise just how much I missed horses until then, I've been pining for horse interaction ever since. But trouble is, I am now 25 years old and overweight :(...

I've mailed a few places but their volunteers are always children and early teens and I think that's not the right environment for a mature 25 year old, not to mention I couldn't ride the ponies anyway. Riding schools all have a maximum weight allowance these days which I am sadly over, by a fair margin and people doing horse shares always seem to want experienced people/riders, which I'm not any more.

I am losing weight at the moment which would help with getting riding lessons eventually, but I'd really love to try getting back into horses sooner, but I just don't know what else I can do. I won't buy my own yet because I don't know enough about them to be a full time carer and that wouldn't be fair on the animals, also I am fighting off some debts before fun things in life become a full time financial commitment.

Anyone have any advice or suggestions for a girl like me?
 
Try volunteering for local RDA group.
When you have got to know the staff and horses and you have shown yourself to be responsible, you may well be able to ride on of their horses, even if only for a short time. Many RDA groups have weight-carriers because their riders are sometimes large and often unbalanced.
 
You could find somewhere to get back into handling horses easily enough: volunteer at RDA maybe or at a rescue centre? Then once you've back into the swing of it would should be dead easy to find someone looking for some 'on the ground' help. I've got quiet youngsters I'd be more than happy to have someone come and play with regualrly and an old mare who's love to go for inhand walks.

Getting riding experience will be much harder :(. If you're over the weight limit for most riding schools than you'll be too heavy to ride the majoiry of horses I'm afraid. Add your lack of recent experience, which will make you a novice, wobbly rider and it'll be very hard unfair work for the horse.

Another option might be to find someone looking for help with their driving horse? You need two people to take a horse out in harness. I know someone locally who's always desperate to find people to go out driving with her.

However congrat on the weight you've lost already :D There's not better incentive than aiming for a suitable riding weight!. And any handling experience you manage to get now will be great exercise. You might be able to ride quicker than you think!

Where abouts are you and someone could maybe suggest places to try for volunteering?
 
Thanks for the comments so far.

As said above, I live smack bang in the middle of the city Portsmouth on the south coast. I do have a car and could travel a bit, but I do work full time so I don't want to go too far and be spending hours on the road each night just to get 10 minutes worth of horsey time, if you understand me.

The thing with being in a city and haven been out of the loop for years, I have no idea where any horse places are and they are often tucked away and hidden unless you know where to look. Any suggestions are more then welcome.

I know I can't ride yet as it would be unfair to the poor things due to both my size and ability though it is a goal I would like to work toward, but in the mean time I would be more then happy to get my hands dirty with the many other aspects of horse ownership and care. I'm not in it purely for riding, I love all aspects of animal care.
 
Try putting up another thread with 'Portsmouth' in the title ask ask if anyone could suggest anything (more likely to get noticed by the right people)? Place you could volunteer. Places you could put up an advert (tackshops?) asking if anyone would like some help caring for their horse.

It's a shame you're hundreds of miles from me!
 
The RDA or horse/donkey sanctuaries are probably your best bet but also try city farms or open farms too

I am in a similar situation to you but am older at 35 and the wrong side of 20 stones so I have resigned myself to the fact that getting back in the saddle is a few years away but in the meantime I have bought a Welsh pony with a view to showing it in hand and breaking it to drive in a few years - I know you arent in a position to do that at the moment but when you are on financial steady ground dont let your weight hold you back from your dreams x
 
Don't give up! The RDA is a fabulous charity and if you could find one local to you, send them an email explaining about your weight but offering to help anyway. They would probably jump at the chance of having another volunteer and you would learn at the same time. When you have lost some of your weight they may help you learn to ride again. :)
 
Also, look in your local papers for details of livery and DIY yards as you may be able to help out with some owners horses. Look on the internet for livery yards too and in local tack shops around your area - they usually have adverts up.
Keep going with the weight loss though, well done you. Walking is great for weight loss and can be built up in time and/or speed over time. My husband lost 3 stone by upping his walking levels and cutting back his portion sizes slightly...so good luck, it can be done and then you can start on your riding lessons.
 
You don't say how overweight you are. Many riding schools have a limit of 12st which is tough for tall people, but if you look around there are places that can accommodate riders up to about 16st if you ask. Often they are training centres so focus more on adults.

The other thing to consider would be doing a horse care qualification, that would help you get back into things and up to date so you could look for a share. Maybe do the horse owners certificate or bhs stage 1 care.
 
Pop some online adverts on sites like Preloved, Friday Ads etc etc explaining where you are, your experience and the fact that unless they have a heavyweight horse you could ride then your happy to help out around the yard and possibly groom at shows.
There are allot of people out there who would love a hand with their horses and especially now we are going in to winter.
Once you've been around horses again for a few months all your experience and knowledge from your younger years will flood back...you probably know allot more than you realise and your just lacking in confidence.
Read loads online, buy magazines, read books and just learn as mich as you can...the basics haven't changed over the years but you will see a great difference in the range of things you can buy, use etc etc like rugs, bits and it would be good to have an understanding of these things.

You could offer your services at local RDA, Charities or even show/event arenas. Allot of people think that these places only hold one or too big shows a year but there are smaller classes all through the week at many of them and they always need people to put jumps back up, let people in the ring, score etc etc the more you hang around with horsey people the more chance you have of getting to know people who can help you out?
 
Your local RC might be a good place to start, you could volunteer on show days and maybe join the committee. It would help you make horsey contacts that might be able to get you a share. Some have non-mounted rallies and socials too.

The other thing to consider depending upon finances would be buying your own (a suitable weight carrier obviously) and keeping it on full livery or working livery at a place that gives lots of help and support. Somewhere like a good riding school.
 
You sound like me a few years back. I dieted madly til I was under the weight limit and found a kiddie yard for initial lessons (I'm a teacher and they liked the help plus my CRB check!) and I volunteered. I also went to the RDA to lead etc.

I was offered a volunteer job the other week at a driving/museum type place: see what is around you and go visit.
 
Hi AB,

look on nfed.co.uk There are plenty of ads to look through, in fact, there's a new one in the share, part loan section that may suit you. They're in Sarisbury Green so maybe not too far from you? If you start off with just enjoying being back around horses again and keeping active the weight will start to fall off.
Good luck with your search and I'm sure that there will be someone out there with needs that match yours :)
 
My god - reading some of the replies above it sounds like we need a little inspiration here!

How does this sound - 2 months ago I went back to a riding stable - I haven't ridden seriously for over 20 years (and practically nothing for the last 10+, I am also overweight 15st+ (oh dear!! I must do something about that!), and at 5'9" I am a big lump. My riding centre caters for adult riders as well as kids (I've seldom seen such a selection of different horse sizes) so some stables can sort us larger folk out - you just need a decently built horse - my 15.2hh half shire cob used to carry me without effort - I'm now hiring a 17hh hunter type - he is fabulous. I've now been out on 4 one hour long hacks, 2 weeks apart and it is absolutely amazing - I've been cantering, popped a small jump this week and can't believe what I've been missing. I am sure in the area the OP lives she will find a riding centre that has a suitable horse if she rings around.

If you really want to do it again then don't let folk put you off. Pay some visits if necessary let the riding centre look at you, state that you have some experience in the saddle - sometimes if you know how to carry yourself in the saddle and aren't just going to be a lump on a horses back then your weight might be less of an issue - some stables might let you have a trial session in a school area and see how you go.

By the way about the 'age' issue.......... so you think you've got a problem at 25? Well I'm 44 does that you give you some confidence!!? :D:D:D LOL

Go for it OP - do some ringing round and get yourself sorted!!
 
rockysmum said:
Where do you live. There are plenty of horse charities who would love some help
Click to expand...

Ditto - or advertise your services on your local Facebook horse group or preloved.

Another thought, contact your local Riding Club, you can find details online and offer help at shows, clinics etc. They will probably bite your arm off as they are always short of jump judges, dressage writers etc. Not exactly hands on but still horse related and could get you a new network of horsey friends. I found dressage writing realy helpful as you start to learn exactly what judges are looking for.
 
Ok ready for this?

Fort Widley Equestrian (top of Portsdown hill) has an open day on 23rd Sept 2012 - http://www.peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk/horse_riding_portsmouth-open_day.asp
I rode here a few times with Portsmouth Uni and it's not bad. I couldn't find a weight limit on their website.

Pinkmead Equestrian (near Botley) - http://www.pinkmead.co.uk/# (weight limit 16st)

Crofton Manor (near Titchfield) - http://www.croftonmanor.co.uk/ridingschool (weight limit 16st)

Roshauna (near Fareham) - http://roshaunaridingschool.co.uk/

Quob Stables Equestrian (Durley, nr Soton) - http://www.quobstables.com/
I've ridden here and it's not the cheapest place.. but the facilities were nice. Couldn't find the weight limit (my work pc didn't like the website :p)

Lavant House (near Chichester) http://lhstables.co.uk/adults/lessons/ - 15st limit

Willowbrook (Near Emsworth) http://www.willowbrook-stables.co.uk/ - Couldn't find a weight limit but their website says they want helpers! Not sure how up to date but worth trying?

Hampshire Riding Therapy Centre (Fisher's Pond nr Eastleigh, might be a bit far for you?) - http://www.hampshire-riding-therapy-centre.org.uk/Riding-School - Centre for both disabled and able bodied riders, may want helpers? Worth an ask :)

Sorry if you've already tried some of these places. Good luck!!
 
Wow, so many replies, thanks for the responses.

I have contacted my local RDA group and although they said they would love me as a volunteer, sadly they only operate on Monday afternoons which just won't fit in with my employment. Totally gutted.

For those who have asked about my weight, I'm currently 17.7 stone and 5ft 5" tall. Although I have lost weight already, it's been lost inches rather then pounds. (I've been doing boot camp sessions and have built a ton of muscle, I suspect that may explain why) So I don't expect to fall under the Riding School limits for riding any time soon.

Thanks soooo much to blueheron, I'll be sure to have a look at those links, as well as trying the other various tips people have posted.
 
I'd try getting in somewhere as a volunteer on the ground, to begin. You might find that being active around a yard helps you lose some more weight. Then you can start riding :D
I know what you mean about gaining muscle. It seems to happen to me too :(

They probably have countless teenage girls who want to help in exchange for lessons/hacks. But if you make it clear you're not expecting anything in return, then that might help you stand out? :)

Keep us updated with how you get on!
 
don't worry about the building a little muscle in the long run that will burn fat off quicker just make sure that you combine it with dieting.

I've started going to a local 'green gym' which is basically pulling weeds and helping to sort out areas that have become over grown, its great for losing weight although not horsey I know lots of people who need help with the weeds which have gone mad this year you could approach your local stables and ask if they need a little extra help. Try this if your interested http://www.tcv.org.uk/volunteering
 
Such a shame that your not near to me :-( I'm always keen to have enthusiastic help with my little herd.

I can recommend poo picking & sweeping for shedding pounds, i've got plenty of both if your ever up in Oxfordshire :-)
 
AnnieBox, I managed to lose 3 stone a few years ago. I'm not a medical person, and I didn't do it with any professional advice (which is often advcated with good reason), but If it's any help to you I did it by cutting out all sweet things (no puddings), losing most (not all) spuds and bread in my diet save for a small brekky - most breakfasts being porridge made with water with a sweetener, being sensible about portions with other things and going out and cycling at least 6 miles each night (took about 1/2 hr). It took will power, but 6 mths later I'd dropped the 3 stone.
 
blueheron said:
I'd try getting in somewhere as a volunteer on the ground, to begin. You might find that being active around a yard helps you lose some more weight. Then you can start riding :D
I know what you mean about gaining muscle. It seems to happen to me too :(

They probably have countless teenage girls who want to help in exchange for lessons/hacks. But if you make it clear you're not expecting anything in return, then that might help you stand out? :)

Keep us updated with how you get on!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have sent an email to all of the ones whcih are accesable to me, a couple of them, although lovely were just a bit too far out sadly.

I'm going to write up an ad later on to put on classifieds as well so hopefully I'll have some luck :)
 
Don't despair about your weight, riding schools have weight limits as their horses do a lot of work so avoiding heavy riders is what they try and do to minimise wear and tear on the horse.

Male riders aren't always skinny supermodels! I'd put WFP down to being about 14 odd stone because of his height he looks skinny.

I'm 14 stone, but a 16.2hh WB or a 15.2hh PRE can carry me no bother, especially when you're only riding once a day.

How about advertising to help someone with their horses, who might even have a veteran / retired horse who can't be ridden, but would LOVE a walk / march out in hand for a change of scenery. You could go out walking for hours with a horse, and lets face it - you won't have to find the energy to make small talk as you get out of breath! But you'll gain an exercise buddy.

Be kind of like taking a dog for a walk... but bigger :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top