Is riding a horse like riding a bike, do you never forget?

Parachute

Parachute

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Hi everyone,
So, I haven't ridden in about 1.5 years now and i'm just wondering if when, one day, I get back on a horse, will it be the same or will I go back to having to learn it all again?

I'm just worried i'll feel uncomfortable and unbalanced and just go back to a beginner again! Maybe i'm just feeling down but it's playing on my mind that I might forget it all.

Has this happened to anybody else?
 
You'll find you know what to do in theory, but your muscles don't quite want to respond. Balance wise you have had very little time out so you should still have an independent seat, just be ready for the aching the day after!

I had eight years out from riding due to going away to uni and student debt. It took me about 4 months to get back to really balanced and independent riding, just riding on lessons twice a week. I then bought my own horse and was probably completely back to how I was in a month but a little longer for the SJ, mainly due to the horse being gassy graded horse who is a bit quirky so it took a little adjustment.
 
I've been out the saddle nearly 2 years until last weekend..

Got on.. Rather nervously.. Took me to find my stirrup!! Then went for a hack with my daughter.. Had a trot well little jog lol and felt good.. Horse was very well behaved. :)

Went out the next day, same horse she was a spooky madam lol but my leg went on just like I'd remembered and I felt secure even though she danced down a main road.. Previously I would have been scared.. This time I laughed!! We had a good few trots, no canter she's not fit enough yet!

So to answer your question no you don't forget :)
 
cyberhorse said:
You'll find you know what to do in theory, but your muscles don't quite want to respond. Balance wise you have had very little time out so you should still have an independent seat, just be ready for the aching the day after!

I had eight years out from riding due to going away to uni and student debt. It took me about 4 months to get back to really balanced and independent riding, just riding on lessons twice a week. I then bought my own horse and was probably completely back to how I was in a month but a little longer for the SJ, mainly due to the horse being gassy graded horse who is a bit quirky so it took a little adjustment.
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Bettyboo1976 said:
I've been out the saddle nearly 2 years until last weekend..

Got on.. Rather nervously.. Took me to find my stirrup!! Then went for a hack with my daughter.. Had a trot well little jog lol and felt good.. Horse was very well behaved. :)

Went out the next day, same horse she was a spooky madam lol but my leg went on just like I'd remembered and I felt secure even though she danced down a main road.. Previously I would have been scared.. This time I laughed!! We had a good few trots, no canter she's not fit enough yet!

So to answer your question no you don't forget :)
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Fantastic! I've been so worried that i'd get on one day and just be nervous and forgetful! Here's hoping i'll be back riding soon :D
Thank you for your responses!
 
Had a break of about 7 years whilst children were little. Was very nervous getting back on, but was like I had never been away. Except for the sore bum the next day though:D
 
I also had 7 years away having my children. First time back in the saddle I went to the riding school where my daughter was learning. They had me jumping without stirrups but it felt like sitting on an old comfortable sofa - I never should have stayed away.
 
MoonRiver said:
Had a break of about 7 years whilst children were little. Was very nervous getting back on, but was like I had never been away. Except for the sore bum the next day though:D
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Double_choc_lab said:
I also had 7 years away having my children. First time back in the saddle I went to the riding school where my daughter was learning. They had me jumping without stirrups but it felt like sitting on an old comfortable sofa - I never should have stayed away.
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Aww :D
I can't wait to get back into it :p
 
I had about a 10 year break before my husband announced he wanted to buy me a horse for my 30th! Went to local riding school to check I knew what to do and I have to say for me it was like riding a bike I was jumping in my 2nd lesson. I did struggle with canter as I was so unfit one circuit of the school and I was very nearly sick! Ached for about a week after aswell.
 
I had ten years away and just about all the info was still there in my head but my muscles weren't too keen on complying with what I was telling them to do :rolleyes:
After a fast trek (why did I let my sister talk me into that?!) I got off in the yard and had to sit down for a bit because I almost did a bridget jones style fall (you know after she went mad on the excercise bike?) ha ha! :D
I was really sore the next day but after a few weeks of riding my muscles were back up to scratch and it didn't hurt anymore.

I always say the best remedy for sore muscles after riding is a hot bath and a glass of wine ;):D
 
I had more than 30 years away (not by choice :() and during that time avoided any contact with horses, reading about them or even watching equestrian sports :(

When I rode again for the first time, there were some things I remembered but many I'd simply completely forgotten. Some things the instructor was telling me rang a very distant bell in my memory so that I knew I'd once known it before...:o
 
I didn't ride for over a year. Went to a yard to share a horse and they presented me with a throughbred that hadn't been ridden for over a month. I felt a better rider than I ever had done :) Horse was a star and he's now mine :D
But yes, I'd say you never forget- although, a year isn't really a long time in perspective!
 
Dumbo said:
I didn't ride for over a year. Went to a yard to share a horse and they presented me with a throughbred that hadn't been ridden for over a month. I felt a better rider than I ever had done :) Horse was a star and he's now mine :D
But yes, I'd say you never forget- although, a year isn't really a long time in perspective!
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Not compared to over 30! :p
 
Double_choc_lab said:
I also had 7 years away having my children. First time back in the saddle I went to the riding school where my daughter was learning. They had me jumping without stirrups but it felt like sitting on an old comfortable sofa - I never should have stayed away.
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I was like that, I had ten years away from horses, then booked a lesson, and ended up jumping! It went great, but the next day I had to sit in the bath for an hours to get my legs moving again! When I went back the following week the instructor said the chief instructor had shouted at her for letting me do so much as she knew I'd be crippled the next day!

Not long after that I had bought another horse and two years later, I seemed to have acquired three more and had spent a fortune on building a yard an re fencing all my parent's fields!

I actually feel as though I ride worse nowadays, after nine years back riding, as joints are getting stiff and clicky, and I feel a bit stiffer than I used to!
 
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