Returning to riding

Equus Leather

Equus Leather

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Joined
1 May 2006
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Up North
www.virtualdressage.co.uk
Hello all, I'm a relative newbie on these board, so just wanted to post my current thoughts.

I was heavily involved in horses from the ages of 11 - 18, roe a lot, competed alot etc. I was very lucky in that my best friend had connections. I was from a very poor family, so wouldn't have been able to have had the horsey chances that I did have without my friend.

Went to uni, did Animal Science, worked as an equine vet nurse NVQ assessor then had a fab job as a groom and nanny for a well off family.

I'm now 27 and a science teacher. I haven't ridden properly for 2 years (bar the odd lesson at a riding school) and really miss being around horses.

I can't afford my own horse, though this is a dream of mine and an ambition I am sure I will realise.

I do miss the riding, but I'm scared of it now I've had a break from it. When you're older you don't bounce as much, do you?! I really miss the stable management side of it.

I feel like I will always be looking after other peoples horses, when will it be my turn?!

Sorry for the ranting, just typing out my random thoughts
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Hello and welcome! Sounds like you are on the right track to getting your own horse one day...even if it seems a way off! I had horses as a kid at home up until I was 17 years old and then familiy circumstances dictated I had to give it all up. I started the world of work and forgot about it for a while although always knew I would ride again. Then I met my now husband and we got a house together. by this time I was yearning for another horse and was all I could focus on.
Finally after over 11 years wait, we moved house and I got my horse again at 30 years old! It has been pretty scary learning everything again and have no parents to help you! And no, you don't bounce aswell! I also managed to end up with a tricky horse with a mind of his own and had many behaviour problems to overcome on my own...very scary at times! But I have got there by working hard and long hours to afford my horse and keep him going...the rest has been down to grim determination, stubborness and passion for my horse! Good luck...get on and go for it...even if you just start with lessons at a school.
 
Go for it!!!!
I had a 10year+ break from riding and started again just under two years ago. It is the best thing i have done!!!!
My main problems were 1. the pain! my legs and arse were black and blue for about three weeks. 2. You are not as good as you think. The muscles which once kept your lower leg stable, back straight etc have long gone! I looked like a sack of potatoes for a couple of months. 3. As soon as ride again you will be desperate for your own horse to love! I think it's the smell.... is it addictive?

Good luck
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Why do you live so far away??? I need a you to share my boy!!

Welcome to the formun BTW.

I loved horses ever since I could remember and went to a good all girls school where every second girl rode horses or owned horses and i was forever on the periphery! I had the odd lesson/hack on holidays or for birthday treats but my parents had 4 girls to bring up and although not poor there was not the money for 4 kids to be indulged in ponies!

It wasn't until 2005 that i started proper lesson at 27 and then helped at Javajane's yard to gain experience. Whilst there I got my first ever horse and people must have thougt I was a nutter as compared to most people my age I know Jack about horses and my riding is very basic!
Anyway the point I am trying to make, badly, is that your turn will come and at the ripe old age of 29 I finally no longer feel like my nose is pressed longingly against the window of the horsey world!

Can you find someone to share with down your way? Or move up here and live near me?

x
 
I had a loooong break from riding. when you return your muscles are all gone to pot and it makes it all feel so difficult
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, but with regular riding it all comes back quickly
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Get some regular lessons and then look out for shares, that way you'll be eased into it all slowly.
Did you see H&H this week about riding clubs at BHS schools? That might be a good option for you.
 
Hi Bex, thanks for your lovely reply. You've hit the nail on the head, you describe exactly how I feel/felt! It was always someone else's horse / life etc.

I don't know any horsey people down my way tbh, did think about getting involved in a local riding club, but didn't want to spend my spare time being surrounded by kids, when I have enough of them at work!

Tell me more about your boy!
 
yep there is definately a lot of kids involved! Luckily I don't have any myself so other people's are a novelty! Would need to be medicated to do your job though and the odd thing is that I wanted to go to uni to be one but got distracted on my yr out!

My boy, Bert, is a giant baby and at 13 yrs old you would think he would be less scared of thing and at least recognise his own shadow LOL
He is 15hh3 and a cob x shire roan appaloosa. He has been nothing but trouble since I got him and drains every penny I have but I wouldn't swap him for the world!
Definately not what I was sold, but then who actually gets home and finds the horse is exactly what they were told?

I would start looking in tack shops etc for people wanting to share or a riding school that loans..... It is scary though and I can vouch fo the lack of bounce! It is something I experience on the odd occasion!
 
I know how you feel. I had lessons for years and helped a friend with her horses then i took a long break what with one thing and another.
I started riding again a few months ago (hacking out on ex racers) and am going to start lesons again soon (hopefully it'll all come flooding back,i really miss jumping!!) i hope to get my own horse next year but need to build up my knowledge again.
Im sure our horse owning dreams will come true!! Good luck!x
 
God it is awful trying to fit in, I can honestly say I have never experienced such cliquiness! However I do think that when you are slightly older (late 20's >) it is less of an issue as when you are younger. One of the main reasons I stopped my lessons and went to help at JJ's is because the others in my lessons were 14 yrs old and looked at me like one of the horses had just passed me out of his rear end! (Obviously not all 14yr olds are like that!)

Just take advise and knowledge from those that can help you and ignor the comments and "help" from those that can't.
Also come on here loads as there are some great guys on here and a whole wealth of knowledge to be gleaned. Once again though take what you want to and enjoy. You do not need your on horse to post on here
x
 
I'm just returning after a couple of years out. I'm slightly aprehensive, I'm used to jumping on and flying round 3'6 courses without batting an eyelid but I'm sure I'll be rubbish and have lost a lot of my bottle.

I know exactly how you feel, I gave up my ponies (so not exactly same circs) for boys, and a social life away from my yard.. it turned out, I prefered showjumping anyway..

I took a youngster on loan for a bit, but we never clicked. He wasnt 'mine' or my old pony and when his owners put the pressure on and hinted they wanted to sell, I handed him back.

Now I'm a student, who can't afford to buy, and mum and dad are admant they're not going to give up thier new-found lives for me to have another.. I don't blame them!

I've managed to talk them into subsidising riding lessons and my 1st one in god knows how long, my 1st time on riding school ponies since I was 11 is on Wednesday. I'm nervous as hell!!

One day I'm sure you'll hit the spot and end up owning your own, and look forward to many happy years of ownership. LOcal riding club committees might be a good place to start making 'horsey' friends and getting involved? You could offer to steward or something at summer shows?

It definatly is a case of biting the bullet, I've been putting off schools for months feeling like I won't fit in/they won't be any good/I won't be any good/I'll do myself some damage/Its something I should have left behind a long time ago... nd a whole host of excuses! Good luck!

H xx
 
Hi Hayley,

I know what you mean about the whole 'I should have left horseyness behind' feeling. It seems like it should be just for youngsters.

Well done you for having a lesson booked. I'd love to hear how it goes!

Been looking into local riding schools, but nothing seems to jump out at me :-)
 
I returned to riding four years ago after a break of 25 years. I've done much more now than I ever did before due to a lack of transport. I don't jump as high - when I was a child my pony would jump nearly five feet - but I do showjump 3'6" and XC at 3' which is respectable for an old lady like me I think, given my weight and the fact that the larger of my two is a smallish 15.1.

But you're right, you don't bounce as well - so better get going whilst you're still young and not wait till your forties like me - lordy how I wish I landed as easily as I would have done in my twenties!

As for it always being other people's horses - it does give you the chance to ride the sort of animal that you can maybe only dream of owning - when I first started back I was riding a horse that was just starting out on his career and is now a SERIOUS competitor - no way could I ever afford something like him but at least I can say I have ridden something of that quality. Whe I was riding him I never thought I'd be able to get my own so keep your eyes open for the opportunities - I've now got four - but they're not like that first horse I have to say!
 
There's Alborne equestrian centre about 15mins west of Hickstead & Ditchling Stud/RS in Burgess Hill - those are the ones I can think of. Don't know of any really to the north.

There's a very good but expensive one just outside Chichester but that's probably too far.

Have you had a look on the BHS website? Not saying all BHS approved are good, but might be worth seeing what's available
 
One of those you mentioned is one I went to. The other I have looked up info but can't seem to find a website. Might mean a trip out in the car to have a look.

Thanks teapot. There doesn't seem to be anything up my way, I guess because of Gatwick!
 
Albourne & Ditchling both have websites

Have only heard about Alborne, where as I know people who have been to Ditchling (was recommend as a place, especially if I was taking bhs exams)
 
I'm a 25 yo teacher and I bought my first horse in March after a break of several years from riding.

While it isn't cheap owning a horse actually costs only a little more than I used to pay for riding lessons at the same equestrian centre where my mare is now on DIY livery. I would say look into it and you might be surprised.

Riding is amazing therapy after a day in the classroom and well worth the money
 
Hi there

I am a newbie myself on here, and like you have recently returned to riding, I say recently it has been within the last four years, but this was after a break of 20 something years!!!

I am a very nervous rider now and always will be as i think as you get older you tend to see the dangers more, i just wish i knew how to get over my nerves sometimes, like mind over matter.

Your doing the right thing and good luck, keep us up to date with your progress and if you can find anything for nerves let me know.
 
Hello

I'm much like some of the others here - I rode a little as a small child, then had a break of 20 years or so when out of nowhere I had a yearning to ride again, booked a lesson (private as had a horror of being the only adult in a group lesson!) and half an hour later I was completely hooked! Nearly ten years on and OH and I have 3 horses and very little non-horsey life.

Don't worry - you'll still have a lot of bounce in your 20's ! Though I have found that over the last few years my confidence has been gradually disappearing - so do it while you can!

(And you may be able to convert your OH - mine was un-horsey to begin with but now is addicted!)
 
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