Ok people.....it's time to put my money where my mouth is!!!

[redmone]

Hi everyone ***waves***

Well after over 2 years of you lot nagging, I have my first "proper" riding lesson this Saturday!

I've done a bit of riding over my 30 off years of life, but never learnt to rise to the trot so I'm expecting a world of leg pain, and a sore bum

I used to "look after" a shetland type (not sure!!!) pony who lived in the field next to my house. It was a sort of "look after it and you can ride it" arrangement for a couple of years, but I was younger than daughter then - probably about 7 or so.

Here's Ginger (bears a worrying resemblance to Dolly, don't you think!)

Well we moved house, and Ginger didn't, so I "lost" Ginger when I was probably about 9 or 10. Needless to say, any riding "skill" was lost at that time too!

Since then, I've ridden at a riding birthday party for Daughter (even did a bit of bouncy bouncy trot ) and ridden out in the desert on holidays a few times.

But no lessons.

So this Saturday I have my first real life lesson with a lovely instructor, on a lovely horse that is completely bomb proof and 100% no chance of it doing anything naughty, because it's a robot

I'm having a few lessons on the simulator horse before getting my bum in a real saddle, to assess how unfit, unbalanced and rubbish I am

Here's my new "gear"!!!!

So I'm officially "all the gear, and no idea" now!!!!

Anyway, I can't wait! I'm REALLY looking forward to it! I've been putting it off for two years now, because I'm fat and out of shape. But OH kindly said that it will help my quest for losing weight, and I'm not too big etc.... and I should just get on with it. So I am doing

I'm really intrigued to see how it goes though. I wouldn't say I know much about riding, but since being on the ground with Daughter and Dolly for 2 years, I know a bit about riding position, correct diagonals, canter leads (ha no chance of needing that!!!) etc... and I'm wondering how it will translate to when I'm riding?

Has anyone ever been in this situation? Any ideas or suggestions for me?

Anyway, wish me luck! Will let you know how it goes!!!

You can all have some fizzy jelly sweets and chocolate rolo biscuits for reading this, but no wine. I'm saving ALL of that for Saturday night!!!

 

[Mrs C]

No suggestions from me buy wanted to say good luck and enjoy!!! X

 

[Boxers]

Well done you. Enjoy your lesson and don't worry if it doesn't all come together the first lesson, it will in time. I know you're at a riding establishment and am presuming you are having your lesson there? In which case you will know the instructor already and know the horse at least by sight.

Hope you enjoy yourself and don't forget to come on here afterwards to tell us all about it.

 

[HazyXmas]

Sounds very exciting

Can we have pictures?

Good luck & enjoy.

 

[TheShark]

Enjoy it. I've never regreatted going back to riding. Maybe you can get a larger version of the lovely Dolly once you're in the swing?

 

[redmone]

No suggestions from me buy wanted to say good luck and enjoy!!! X

Thank you!

Well done you. Enjoy your lesson and don't worry if it doesn't all come together the first lesson, it will in time. I know you're at a riding establishment and am presuming you are having your lesson there? In which case you will know the instructor already and know the horse at least by sight.

Hope you enjoy yourself and don't forget to come on here afterwards to tell us all about it.

Will definately come and report, my fingers will probably be the only things left working! Can't emphasis enough how out of shape I am

Sounds very exciting

Can we have pictures?

Good luck & enjoy.

Thanks. And No pictures!!!!

Enjoy it. I've never regreatted going back to riding. Maybe you can get a larger version of the lovely Dolly once you're in the swing?

Thank you! But I'm not sure I could handle a larger version of Dolly! She already thinks she 17hh!!!

 

[FirstTimeFoaler]

I had a 45-minute lesson after a 20+ year gap in riding and my daughter said she'd never seen my face so red by the end of it.... it was exhausting and thrilling in equal doses. I couldn't move for the next 10 days as my body protested so hard but I walked around with a fixed grin at the same time... LOVED it!

 

[redmone]

I had a 45-minute lesson after a 20+ year gap in riding and my daughter said she'd never seen my face so red by the end of it.... it was exhausting and thrilling in equal doses. I couldn't move for the next 10 days as my body protested so hard but I walked around with a fixed grin at the same time... LOVED it!

I'm planning on lots of delayed pauses whilst I ask cleverly thought up questions, which make me look good whist buying me valuable recovery time!

BUT daughter's instructor knows my tactics and is having none of it!!!

I've got 30 mins on the robot horse to start me off!!! It's gonna KILL me!!

And I can't wait

 

[Vodkagirly]

I love the fact that you have proper kit to go on a simulator!
Enjoy and I am sure you won't feel that bad.

I bet you get alot of empathy with your daughter as when an instructor tells you to put your leg back/ hands down/sit straight it isn't always that easy.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Well done! I'm sure you'll have a great time.
I think the simulator is a great way to start, they're very forgiving! I had some simulator lessons as rehab after a broken ankle and found them really helpful in developing the right muscles, without worrying about the horse making any sudden unexpected movements. I had to wear correct footwear but also wore my hat for those lessons, as I told the RI, I want to feel exactly what I will feel when I get back on the real horse.
Enjoy! And let us know how it goes.

 

[rodeo12]

With the simulator - don't be too disheartened if you can't get it moving! Often they require you to have a near perfect position. So just laugh a lot if it doesn't do as you ask and wants to stay in walk all the time.

Good luck though - you'll learn so much from it - my instructor used to write a list of things to work on when we get back on our own horses and we'd work on them. Was really good!

 

[Honey08]

Brilliant news! Enjoy Troy! Can't wait to hear how it goes. Will expect you on the handy pony course and doing family horse next year!xx

 

[Littlelegs]

Good luck & hope you have a great time. I have a friend who's done similar. I taught the daughter, but mum had only done a few pony treks as a child. Daughter was too young to hack alone but getting too fast for mum to keep up on foot. So mum learnt purely so she didn't have to rely on others. She did come on well, went from a size 14/16 to a 12 too. She doesn't have any interest beyond hacking, but certainly could go further if she wanted, & certainly up to fast paced hacks. Have fun, sure you'll love it!

 

[Feathered]

How exciting to have a go on the simulator!
Good luck!!!

 

[BlairandAzria]

Oooh how exciting! Photos are a must I'm afraid !! Good luck im sure you'll live it and soon be as addicted as all of us

 

[dafthoss]

YAY!!! I hope daughter is on hand to take pictures?!

The simulators are very comfy if a little difficult to find the right buttons (really kills my left hip asking for canter, feels like it pops some thing out and I had to stop and wait for it to go back to normal last time ) so dont worry to much if you cant get the buttons or it really hurts to I have never had a problem on a real horse.

 

[jeeve]

have a great time, and while now you may "have no idea" it does not take that long with a bit of committment, and what a great OH you must have.

 

[redmone]

I love the fact that you have proper kit to go on a simulator!
Enjoy and I am sure you won't feel that bad.

I bet you get alot of empathy with your daughter as when an instructor tells you to put your leg back/ hands down/sit straight it isn't always that easy.

I'm not expecting ANY sympathy from daughter at all!! Actually I think she's quite looking forward to the shoe being on the other foot - and will be making the most of shouting "heels down, wrong diagonal, what the bloody hell is going on with those hands" doing her best impression of me!

Got to have the gear, that's half the reason for doing it! Actually, needed the boots, because the simulator has normal stirrups needed the jods cause I live in tight jeans and don't want to end up with my bum hanging out! Not bought a hat yet, but need one because the simulator is high up and I think a hat is required generally. Didn't need the chaps - but come on! Black (pretend) leather and in my size (think short fat legs!) - would have been rude not too!!!!

Well done! I'm sure you'll have a great time.
I think the simulator is a great way to start, they're very forgiving! I had some simulator lessons as rehab after a broken ankle and found them really helpful in developing the right muscles, without worrying about the horse making any sudden unexpected movements. I had to wear correct footwear but also wore my hat for those lessons, as I told the RI, I want to feel exactly what I will feel when I get back on the real horse.
Enjoy! And let us know how it goes.

Thank you! ^^^^ see my spending is justified!!!!!

 

[redmone]

With the simulator - don't be too disheartened if you can't get it moving! Often they require you to have a near perfect position. So just laugh a lot if it doesn't do as you ask and wants to stay in walk all the time.

Good luck though - you'll learn so much from it - my instructor used to write a list of things to work on when we get back on our own horses and we'd work on them. Was really good!

Thanks! I'm dying to get on a real one!

Brilliant news! Enjoy Troy! Can't wait to hear how it goes. Will expect you on the handy pony course and doing family horse next year!xx

Woooooo!!! Go TROY!!!!! I'm well aware it's going to hurt me though. No pain no gain I suppose!!! You're NOT getting me on your handy pony course, no way pedro!!!! Daughter wanted me to do family horse THIS year, on DOLLY! I mean really? With my arse??? lol!!!! She did say that you should have had a mum's in hand, and children ridden class! That I would have had a go at!! I can usually get Dolly trotting pretty fast in hand - I think it's because I used to chase her when she wouldn't go for Daughter!!

Good luck & hope you have a great time. I have a friend who's done similar. I taught the daughter, but mum had only done a few pony treks as a child. Daughter was too young to hack alone but getting too fast for mum to keep up on foot. So mum learnt purely so she didn't have to rely on others. She did come on well, went from a size 14/16 to a 12 too. She doesn't have any interest beyond hacking, but certainly could go further if she wanted, & certainly up to fast paced hacks. Have fun, sure you'll love it!

I keep saying, I'll stay in walk forever. Then well, I'll have a little go at trotting but I'll never canter. Well I might fancy a canter one day but never a jump..... yeah it doesn't go any further than that!!! Let me just see how the robot pony goes first Thanks! I can't wait!!!

How exciting to have a go on the simulator!
Good luck!!!

I think I'm more scared of what the simulator will think of me At least on a real one, I can blame the pony!!! We all know it'll be me though

Oooh how exciting! Photos are a must I'm afraid !! Good luck im sure you'll live it and soon be as addicted as all of us

NO pictures!!! I'm already completely addicted, so it's going to be hopeless. One of daughter's instructors pointed out that there is room for 2 in our horsebox......Nooooooooo!!!!!!!

YAY!!! I hope daughter is on hand to take pictures?!

The simulators are very comfy if a little difficult to find the right buttons (really kills my left hip asking for canter, feels like it pops some thing out and I had to stop and wait for it to go back to normal last time ) so dont worry to much if you cant get the buttons or it really hurts to I have never had a problem on a real horse.

LOOK. This photo lark is NOT going to happen!!!! No one needs to see it! It'd only put you off your lunch!!!!! I'm getting a bit scared now, I didn't know about all these buttons. I want it to just go on it's own, that's what real horses do ISNT IT!!!????

have a great time, and while now you may "have no idea" it does not take that long with a bit of committment, and what a great OH you must have.

Thanks!!! Yeah, he is very cool and supportive!!! I am lucky with daughter and OH, they're a good pair!

 

[dafthoss]

LOOK. This photo lark is NOT going to happen!!!! No one needs to see it! It'd only put you off your lunch!!!!! I'm getting a bit scared now, I didn't know about all these buttons. I want it to just go on it's own, that's what real horses do ISNT IT!!!????

I'll get on to miniRM about it, I'm sure she can arrange some photos

Dont be scared it has 3 buttons along the side where your legs are that you will be able to feel. They might be nice and make it go for you or they might be mean and make you do the buttons . Oh and it doesnt steer like a normal horse does as we found out when we were all trying to turn the blimmin thing with our legs and all then crashed in to the fence .

 

[LollyDolly]

Enjoy your lesson!

Might I ask about a horse simulator? What can you do on it, just walk/trot/canter?
Also, where an earth do you even go to find/ride one?

I've never heard of them before!

 

[Honey08]

Yes - they walk trot and canter (extended, collected the lot) and there was one at Burghley this year that jumped. I think that they evolved from the racing world.. Some riding centres have them and a tack shop local to me has one.

 

[Lolo]

Eeek! Good luck, you'll have a blast Love the chaps too, where did you get them?

For me, I find it incredibly frustrating riding. I know a fair amount theoretically, from years of watching Al have lessons. I hear stuff and tend to know it after that, so I'm a mine of useless information. So when I'm on a horse I know what's wrong and how I should rectify it (to a point, my 'feel' is crap) but I can't actually do it, lol.

 

[YorksG]

It was only a matter of time By this time next year the pictures will be of the additional 'Dolly' and you will be riding at an HHO meet up

 

[redmone]

I'll get on to miniRM about it, I'm sure she can arrange some photos

Dont be scared it has 3 buttons along the side where your legs are that you will be able to feel. They might be nice and make it go for you or they might be mean and make you do the buttons . Oh and it doesnt steer like a normal horse does as we found out when we were all trying to turn the blimmin thing with our legs and all then crashed in to the fence .

PANTS!!! She'd send em you an all, you two being best buds and all that

Enjoy your lesson!

Might I ask about a horse simulator? What can you do on it, just walk/trot/canter?
Also, where an earth do you even go to find/ride one?

I've never heard of them before!

As Honey08 said below, it's an awesome machine and really really useful (I imagine) to assess someone's balance and at what point they're at with their riding before chucking them on a pony! It was amazing for my daughter (who's ridden our "Troy" quite a lot!) after her smashed her arm up (riding fall aged 8) she was fine riding again but didn't want to canter. Troy fixed that!!!

Yes - they walk trot and canter (extended, collected the lot) and there was one at Burghley this year that jumped. I think that they evolved from the racing world.. Some riding centres have them and a tack shop local to me has one.

JUMP? GULP!!!!

Eeek! Good luck, you'll have a blast Love the chaps too, where did you get them?

For me, I find it incredibly frustrating riding. I know a fair amount theoretically, from years of watching Al have lessons. I hear stuff and tend to know it after that, so I'm a mine of useless information. So when I'm on a horse I know what's wrong and how I should rectify it (to a point, my 'feel' is crap) but I can't actually do it, lol.

Thanks!!! Chaps came from a little tack shop near up, after HOURS of trawling round larger shops (Decathlon etc..) and finding that the adult ones fitted my chunky calfs in the leg but were too long, and the large child ones fitted in length but not.....girth!!! lol!!!! They're great and I love them!!! Great for chunky short arses like me!!!

It was only a matter of time By this time next year the pictures will be of the additional 'Dolly' and you will be riding at an HHO meet up

You know what. I'd love every bit of that. BUT I think Daughter might "need" another pony before I would get dibs on having one!!! Don't worry, Dolly won't be going anywhere, but Daughter is very stubbonly not stopping growing!!!

 

[YorksG]

The next equine can be a mother daughter share Perfect

 

[redmone]

The next equine can be a mother daughter share Perfect

Daughter is 4 foot 10 inches (ish) less than 5 stone, VERY petite!!!

Mum, is not.

Daughter (in mum's obviously biased opinion) is a very good little rider who loves competing and will probably want an eventing type pony.

Mum will want a plod! Preferably with feathers and feet so heavy that they can never leave the ground!!!

I'm not feeling this mother, daughter, share pony idea!!!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Will definately come and report, my fingers will probably be the only things left working! Can't emphasis enough how out of shape I am

Hate to tell you this redmone, but since I started with my new instructor, my fingers take the brunt of the hard work!! I've been blistered every week!! She doesn't half make me work!!
Still as long as you can drink your wine, it'll all be fine!!!

I am so pleased you're having a lesson bet mini RM is too!
Let me know how it goes!
K xxx

 

[kafue]

Have an utterly FABULOUS time!! Another vote for photos!! (sorry) hehe. I would love a go on the simulator...where do I find such a thing?
Good Luck, if in doubt just smile!
xxx

 

[dafthoss]

*whistles* off to bribe miniRM to send me the pictures.......