Long absence from riding

[Borneolass]

I'm back after a long gap (30years) from riding and wondering if there are any other mature riders out there have any good advice for me.

 

[valedecem]

It's only about 8 years for me and I'm finding it hugely stressful! So I can't give advice but I can sympathise. Good luck with it all!

 

[Emmac82]

Hi, I had a 15 year gap and started riding again just over a year ago. I'd say enjoy it and expect to ache after your first few rides. I find having lessons invaluable because there seems to be soo much more to it then I remember.

 

[Minx2014]

I had 15yrs off after losing my pony when I was 17, just got back into it 18month ago. I have a trainer to train my horse and myself, although Im hating the yard I have just moved to so its making me reconsider packing it in again

 

[soulfull]

I'm back after a long gap (30years) from riding and wondering if there are any other mature riders out there have any good advice for me.

yeah, you won't bounce like you used too, everything is twice as heavy as it used to be so its harder to saddle and rug horses.

best answer is to stick to the smaller ones

always remember we do this for fun

 

[onemorehorse]

I've recently started back too, had about a 7 year gap. I joined a Facebook group for my old riding school from when I was a teenager and I remembered how much fun it was. Had ridden on and off since then. Lost a lot of confidence in the last riding school I rode at. Found another small riding school, explained how nervous I was and we took it quite slowly. Was a bit wobbly, but I'm getting there and enjoying it.

 

[Borneolass]

Hahaha, very true, but so far I'm enjoying it, even though my body refuses to do what I ask!!!

 

[Borneolass]

I had 15yrs off after losing my pony when I was 17, just got back into it 18month ago. I have a trainer to train my horse and myself, although Im hating the yard I have just moved to so its making me reconsider packing it in again

Don't give up, I'm finding it very challenging but I'm loving it and I know it will get easier so it will be worth it.

 

[Borneolass]

yeah, you won't bounce like you used too, everything is twice as heavy as it used to be so its harder to saddle and rug horses.

best answer is to stick to the smaller ones

always remember we do this for fun

Re: Long absence from riding
Hahaha, very true, but so far I'm enjoying it, even though my body refuses to do what I ask!!!

 

[Janeymc]

I had a 20 year + gap starting when my kids were born! as I couldn't afford it time or money wise ! Started having lessons in March last year and then bought my own in September! I have accepted that it is all new (teaching wise) and that have so much to learn again, but loving it ! Falling off hurts more, but I have a body protecter which makes me feel safer and a 14 HH fjord so he is nice and close to the ground! Stick with it, and the stress will turn into addiction/love

 

[Myhorseeatsmoney]

I had a 30 year gap from riding as I was too busy being a wife and mum. I now have a serious illness which has made me more determined to live life to the full. The only advice I can give you is try to always ride and be around well schooled and mannered horses as younger people tend to bounce better than we do. I am an intermediate rider who will still likes to pop a small fence and have a gallop occasionally where it is suitable when hacking and I still get an immense thrill from riding ex-racers and arabs. So go for it!

 

[Elsbells]

I had a 25 year gap after moving away and raising a family.

I'm riding my own fabulous SH mare now ,whose taught me loads and I'm driving my lorry all over to venues which is something I would never of dreamt of in my youth!

Go for it, push yourself and learn, learn, learn, fall in love again and you'll never have a reason to say what if? I love every minute!!

 

[Tikimouse]

I started riding again in April 2013 after a 13 year gap. Took me a while to stop riding like a kid and was surprising how much I had forgotten! My problem is that I expected to get back on and bomb around over jumps like I used too, but it took me months to be able to relax properly in canter and only just started jumping again now. I also compare myself to everyone who has been riding years and years. My pony isn't the easiest either and was way too much for me really, but although it wouldn't work for everyone he has actually given me loads of confidence and we've come so far. Jumping is our new challenge. Only problem is I've gone from a lesson every other week, to weekly, to a share and now to having a pony on full loan. I only wish I got back into it sooner! Not sure what I used to do with me time!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I took a 25 year sabbatical after having my own horses until my mid 20's. In my mind my body could do everything I could as a younger me but in reality I was stiff, unfit, had forgotten loads but loved being back round horses.

I took lessons over last summer and before I knew it I was the owner of a new horse, on a new yard and don't regret it for a minute.

 

[Borneolass]

Very interesting and encouraging replies. I am having lessons and just took on a horse share, determined to make the most of it. Rode the last 3 days but could not move today, what my head thinks and what my body does and feels is two very different things..!!!!

 

[WindyStacks]

Warning One:-

BIG PANTS! I returned after a 12 year gap and told the instructor I hadn't ridden for a while and to go easy on me. After an hour or so of cantering and trotting without stirrups I returned home bow-legged and sore. The animals had been fighting and knocked over the telly and a glass vase, when I finally came to sort myself out, I peeled off my jods to find a bloody gusset and completely bald!

Warning Two:-

You may find after a large gap your finances have changed and you find yourself buying a horse (or two).