New member returning to riding after 20 years

[jkitten]

Hi all,

I'm 34 and on Friday I have my first riding lesson since I was 14. I took lessons from about the age of 7 and by 11 was a committed weekend stable girl, but then there was some nastiness in the yard management which resulted in a dreadful atmosphere and my instructor leaving almost overnight. After that I tried to find a new horsy 'home' through to till the end of my teens, but nothing ever really clicked. In my twenties I moved around too much to even think of it, but even then I still kept having riding dreams, and so now that I'm a little more settled, I'm diving back in! It's early days yet (I haven't even gone shopping for gear yet), but I must admit I have already picked out my new boy on Horsemart*!

*Not really don't worry! (Unless he is still for sale in a year or two, maybe...)

 

[ycbm]

Welcome back to horses!
.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ooh yay how exciting! I returned to riding earlier this year, after several years off, and my only regret is not having done it sooner! Hope your lesson goes well

 

[Coblover63]

Welcome back! I stopped at 21 and didn't come back until I was 42! I owned one after 4 months.

 

[Equi]

Oooooh shopping thread?

New hat
New hat cover
New jods
New boots
New polo top
New coat
New gloves
New whip (even though you don't need it, but they have sparkles)
New bra
New socks, cause short ones just dont cut it
New deck shoes for completing the long sock look

Very exciting!

 

[jkitten]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

@Coblover63 - Haha I won't pretend I might not be tempted, but I need a new bathroom first, so I can have a good long post-ride soak! Maybe after Christmas...

@equi - I'm going shopping tomorrow and going to try to stick with boots, jodhs, gloves and had, but something tells me it might prove difficult!

 

[Equi]

...but you NEED the other things ??

 

[mini_b]

Welcome back!!
I rode from a v young child then had a break in my 20s, regrettably. My life would have been far nicer had I not met THAT MAN and stuck to ponies. Sure my family would agree.

Anyway, bar the odd hack/lesson/riding a friends horse, there was always something missing, almost like I was grieving. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I got another.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Ignore everyone unless you actually care about their opinion, get a good trainer, most importantly remember to have fun!

 

[jkitten]

Just came back from my first lesson and it was BRILLIANT! Seriously so satisfying, the horse was lovely and just enough of a challenge to keep it, the instructor was excellent and everyone at the yard seemed really friendly. I was pleased to find that the instructor thought I seemed strong for so long out of the saddle. The faults he pointed out were due to lack of strength following years of bad posture which it would be to my wider benefit to correct, so I am going to start doing some daily stretches and strengthening exercises in those areas. Anyway, can't wait for next week!

Which brings me to my question! You were wrong @equi, I did need a whip! ? The instructor lent me one from the riding school bin, but I never got on well with those and what I want is something similar to what I had as a child. This one looks perfect, but I see it's marked as 'show whip'. So my question is, is it naff to be the newbie turning up with a 'show whip', even a cheap one like that? I just want a loop and a good broad smacky bit (technical term that...): https://shiresequestrian.com/leather-show-whip

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Glad your lesson went well! It's great when things seem to 'click' like that (i.e. instructor, horse, general yard vibe).

Whip looks just like one I have, never thought it looked particularly different in any way tbh.

ETA maybe the 'show' bit means because it's plain rather than bright colours so suitable for showing but doesn't mean you can't use generally as well? I don't know, a guess!

 

[jkitten]

Thank you! I think I will go ahead and get it, I can always scuff up the silver knob if it looks too ostentatious!

 

[Equi]

Glad it went well! I love that whip go for it.

 

[situpsitback]

I came back to horses after just over 20 years out, in January. I had private lessons at a riding school for six months and now I have a beautiful share horse. I won’t lie, it’s been frustrating at times to not be able to ride like I used to, but the muscle strength is coming back now and I’m making progress and loving it - I wish I’d done it years ago. I’m sure it’ll be as good for you, too!