My boyfriend wants to learn to ride !

[BYR]

Not sure where to put this but thought i`d pop it in here and see what happens!

Basically my boyfriend has expressed an interest in learning to ride ... (!) so I thought id grab this bit of interest and get him doing it.

I don’t really know where to start though , what would your advice be? None of mine are suitable for beginners and he doesn’t really fancy a private lesson with a pro for fear of being laughed at (bless).

So I had thought of maybe going on a pony trekking day where he can get used to the feel of being on a horse and see what he thinks and then maybe go for lessons when he`s decided that he defiantly wants to learn. I`ve no problem with teaching him I just haven’t got anything to teach him on!

Any ideas?

 

[BennyBoy1992]

My advice don't do it. Taught my boyfriend to ride, after a while got him a horse which he kept on the same livery yard as mine. Four years later we split up and although we are still on good terms he still keeps his horse on same livery yard. Just sometimes I would love to go spend time with my horses without my Ex being there.

 

[ginadrummond]

I agree its way better to have separate hobbies. My husband learned to ride with lessons and has now lost interest but I'm still looking after the cob I brought him.

 

[BYR]

Good point , but hes not thinking of getting his own! I wouldnt allow it

We had discussed going on a riding holiday in America for my 21st and I think he just wanted to get a bit of experience incase we decided to do it.

 

[Honey08]

Do it! My then boyfriend started riding again when we met. Even though I'm an instructor I insisted that he went and learnt at a good riding school (he did sit on my mare, who I'd thought to be very easy, but she didn't tolerate a novice at all!). Two years later, when he bought me an engagement ring, I bought him a horse. His son rides too now, so we have another! He doens't compete, but supports me, so I now compete both. We have great times riding out together. I couldn't contemplate being with a non-horsey guy. We had a couple of liveries that had non-horsey OHs, and they were always feeling guilty for spending so much time with their horses, and hidhig things they'd bought. I wouldn't swap my man for theirs...

A day trekking may be fun as well as giving him a taster, but he really should get private lessons at some point..

 

[doris2008]

I'm loving the idea that my OH fancies riding.
The thought of my ex doing it is unbearable - I loved the time away from it!
But with this guy its just fine with me. He even said the other day when seeing a couple of girls trotting up cut crop fields 'wouldn't it be nice if we could do that together'!!
I have plonked him on my occasionally silly tb to test how serious he is!!! He liked it. On only his third time of really sitting on a horse and moving he rode my friends icelandic pony and hacked her out in front and jollyed off round a field! I think he's a natural!
Personally though I dont want to take on the responsibility of teaching him. If he's serious he will need lessons - I am happy to give him pointers to keep him safe but the finer details need to be done properly.
I am definatley planning on taking him to a trekking centre at the beginning of next season (or oct if get chance) in wales where i have been many times. I absolutley think he'll learn alot about balance when he has to deal with the terrain there!

 

[JenHunt]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

I taught mine to ride and he's now totally hooked on hunting and XC! he does want to get his own horse one day, but for now is content to share mine when he has chance to!

I borrowed a friends cob for a week or so one summer (when she also needed help to get him fit!). But any decent Pro will not laugh at him though!