My story and book recommendations

[hannah88811]

I thought I would share my short journey so far into horse riding with you all.

Up until 3 weeks ago I would not even go near a horse. I had a "fear", which I think was mainly down to my mum saying she had a fear of horses for as long as I can remember. Both my horse mad daughter's started riding at a local riding school and I would stay as far away from the horses as I could. During one of their lessons 4 weeks ago, I thought to myself, I need to get over this stupid feeling I get when I am around horses (my "fear") so booked in on a group session the following week.

All week I was umming and ahhing and even driving to the lesson on the Sunday afternoon was thinking of ways of getting out of it. I was a little apprehensive when going near the horse to start off with but once I got on her and started riding, it was as if I had been riding forever. It felt so natural, it still does and I have well and truly fallen, hook line and sinker for both horses and riding. My instructor has commented how I have taken to it like a duck to water and how she cannot believe that I have never ridden before, which is obviously boosting my confidence.

Like I said I have only been riding for 3 weeks but my instructor says I have already mastered the rising trot and I also had a go at cantering last week, which was only a short burst but it has given me the thirst for more! I am going to see if I can book a 1 to 1 session every week as I have certainly got the bug.

I am wanting to learn as much as I can about riding and horses so I am looking for recommendations of any books that will help me?

I can't believe I wasted all those years having a "fear" that I now feel wasn't of horses but of the unknown and wish I'd have taken it up years ago (I am 30). How did you all get into horses and riding?

 

[Beth206]

There are lots of great books, the British Horse Society have a 'Complete manual of stable management' and the 'complete manual of equitation' both of which I recommend and are really thick so they will keep you out of trouble for a while. This forum is also a great help if you are struggling with anything!

I am 25, I had my first riding lesson on a pony at my auntys yard on my 2nd birthday. I have ridden ever since and spent a lot of my teenage years riding friends horses and also riding at a BHS approved local riding school. When I was 17 I loaned a green Arab from a friend and helped bring her on before I moved to uni at which point I more of less stopped riding an became a gym freak. I got a great job after uni but left 3 years later and I now work for my familys engineering business - I though as seen as I was doing way less hours and working a lot closer to home I would bite the bullet and buy my own horse. I had a few nasty falls when I was younger so wanted something young but safe and sensible. After lots of searching I bought my newly broken 4yr old mare. She is hard work but very rewarding. I thought I knew it all but since I have become a horse mum I actually realised I totally know nothing even after doing my BHS stage 1 and 2 qualifications!!

Good luck and happy riding!

 

[hannah88811]

Yey! Thank you for replying, I was starting to think nobody cared lol!

I shall definitely look both of those books up and am enjoying going through people's posts on here so far ��

 

[Red-1]

I would read some of Mark Rashid's books. Very easy to read, and a story about how he learned about horsemanship. I love Life Lessons of a Ranch Horse, it will certainly put the individuality of horses to the fore. There is also A good Horse is never a Bad Colour, and many more. It is just a different perspective, and very sound horsemanship.

 

[debbielinder]

I've just finished diary of a wimpy eventer, how to get your leg over, not an educational book but just a real feel good, honest, tug at your heart strings read. Will put a smile on your face and make you cry at the same time. i also love a good autobiography pippa funnells is excellent and william fox pitts. Makes you realise that even the best in the world have bad days to.

 

[Beth206]

I've just finished diary of a wimpy eventer, how to get your leg over, not an educational book but just a real feel good, honest, tug at your heart strings read..

You can also follow wimpy eventer on facebook and Instagram - her posts are great!

P.s we really do care it just takes someone to get the ball rolling. Ive lost count the amount of times i write a reply to a post then just delete it because i think my advice or experience is not good enough lol

 

[hannah88811]

Thanks everyone, I have them all written down so I can search Amazon later on

I nearly didn't post my story thinking nobody actually wants to know but it was Shirl who inspired me