New rider advice

[ABR_1982]

Hello,

I am 27 and would love to get in to riding.
I did it when I was 15 for a very short period of time (around 3 months) and I really enjoyed it. However, I came off and my mum saw it and wouldn’t let me go back. It took my years and years before I finally feel more than confident to start it again. I also have a little girl who loves animals and once she’s 4 I’d like to get her in to it. I do have a few questions,

- Am I too old? I feel a bit silly/intimidated starting now.

- long do I have to be learning for before I can do trails/hacks?

- How long do I have to be riding for before I can hire a horse?

- What should I expect on my first lesson?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

You are not too old.

I can't really give an estimate of time before you are ready to hack out because it depends on how well you progress. The thing you need to achieve is a level of riding where it is safe for you to hack out.

By hiring do you mean going on a trekking holiday or loaning/sharing a horse?

We have a new rider on the forum who had a first lesson recently and it was on a mechanical horse (they are so much fun). Many riding schools don't have that available though so you would be put on a very safe horse. Either way I would expect the first lesson to be a gentle assessment and reintroduction to being around a horse and on a horse (as you have ridden previously for a short time). It should be about making you feel at ease and seeing where you are. What comes back to you from before.

 

[Katryna2021]

Hi Kaye,
I read on website that its never too late as long you are fit and slim enough, i think some stables have weight restrictions, actually you are very young, im late 30's and I also want to start riding horses, it was always my dream, are you from London? maybe we could join up and go together?

 

[ABR_1982]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

You are not too old.

I can't really give an estimate of time before you are ready to hack out because it depends on how well you progress. The thing you need to achieve is a level of riding where it is safe for you to hack out.

By hiring do you mean going on a trekking holiday or loaning/sharing a horse?

We have a new rider on the forum who had a first lesson recently and it was on a mechanical horse (they are so much fun). Many riding schools don't have that available though so you would be put on a very safe horse. Either way I would expect the first lesson to be a gentle assessment and reintroduction to being around a horse and on a horse (as you have ridden previously for a short time). It should be about making you feel at ease and seeing where you are. What comes back to you from before.

Thank you! This has really reassured me. Regarding trekking on holiday or loaning, preferably both. I’ve looked and none of my local riding school have a mechanical horse unfortunately. I am feeling much better about my lesson (when the time comes). Thank you so much x

 

[ABR_1982]

Hi Kaye,
I read on website that its never too late as long you are fit and slim enough, i think some stables have weight restrictions, actually you are very young, im late 30's and I also want to start riding horses, it was always my dream, are you from London? maybe we could join up and go together?

You have absolutely no idea how much I would love that! But unfortunately I live in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. But I wish you loads of luck on learning and who knows where we will be with it in a years time . X

 

[ycbm]

Too old? Heavens no!

Welcome to the forum.
.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Never too old….a friend started when she was 30 and was competing in one day events within a couple of years. She is a beautiful, gentle effective rider and is still riding in her 60s.

 

[Skib]

I started aged 61. My OH aged 67.
I came off in my first lesson aged about 8 when the pony jumped out of the school and I doubt if the RS told my mum the truth. So my mother didnt let me ride again.
If you want to ride a horse just buy the safety gear (hat and body protector). You need to be properly fitted in a shop. Not mail order. And take any opportunity you can.
You dont need a fancy school or a mechanical horse - any safe horse and safe environment will do.

 

[ABR_1982]

I started aged 61. My OH aged 67.
I came off in my first lesson aged about 8 when the pony jumped out of the school and I doubt if the RS told my mum the truth. So my mother didnt let me ride again.
If you want to ride a horse just buy the safety gear (hat and body protector). You need to be properly fitted in a shop. Not mail order. And take any opportunity you can.
You dont need a fancy school or a mechanical horse - any safe horse and safe environment will do.

Wow thank you so much for saying that! I was going to just order online and so glad I didn’t now! What a relief I’m not too old, I felt so silly. I don’t know anyone well enough so I am trying to find a Riding school that has space at the moment, unfortunately they are all fully booked. Hopefully a space will come up soon.

 

[ABR_1982]

Never too old….a friend started when she was 30 and was competing in one day events within a couple of years. She is a beautiful, gentle effective rider and is still riding in her 60s.

That had made me feel 10X better thank you so much.

 

[ABR_1982]

Too old? Heavens no!

Welcome to the forum.
.

Thank you x

 

[Meoldmucka]

I've just taken up riding at 36 in an attempt to keep up with my pony mad six year old! I'm loving it so far. My husband's family are very horsey but despite being with him for 17 years I never got on one. I used to know an older PE teacher who told me "don't be a spectator, because the time when you can no longer take part will come soon enough" Try everything! Good luck!

 

[numptynovice]

I restarted aged 38 having had a few lessons as a kid. Still going 5 years later and loving it! With regards to how quickly will you progress- it’s how long is a piece a string but just enjoy the journey - better to take it slowly and get the basics firmly established than to rush and potentially lose your confidence (which is what happened to me).

 

[Trinket12]

Not too old, I started at 42 and now at 46 have my own horse ?

 

[vmac66]

My hacking buddy at the yard where I keep my horse, started riding at 60 and got her first horse at 61. Never too old.

 

[Merry neddy man]

The British horse Society has a website, www.bhs.org.uk scroll through to "finding a place to ride" click on that pop your postcode in and you can find a school nearby, experienced instructors safe horses and correct health and safety and insurance cover. You are not to old and there will probably be people of a similar age to pall up with. ENJOY.

 

[Surbie]

I learned to ride as a teenager, never got beyond the beginner/novice phase really though I was very gung-ho then and am much more cautious now. I restarted riding in my mid-40s and now have my own lovely horse to mess about with at a no-stress low level.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

When I worked at a RS back in the late 60's I had one man come for the first time at the age of 60. He had decided to downgrade from whatever sport he was doing in deference to his age. Did quite well as I remember. In those days we didn't have a 'school', all learning was done out hacking on a leading rein.