Sharing a horse vs Lessons (in regards to my earlier thread)

PinkFairy

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Sorry for going on again! I've been thinking about my situation, and talking to my OH a lot about going back to riding, do you think it would be best for me to have lessons (I'm honestly not that keen due to reason mentioned in earlier thread) or sharing a horse 1 or 2 times a week? My OH has said he would be able to drive me as I am currently doing driving lessons, and will be taking my theory in around 5 weeks, and we may also do some stable chores as well as (or ) pay a small contribution. I used to do the second option when I was 11years old til I was 16, I would groom and muck out and ride the horse once a week. Any ideas? Sorry to sound a pest but I'm pining to start riding again and I'm getting rather wobbly on my belly so it would be a great way to get fit again! Lol.
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I got back into riding through sharing and I think it can be more rewarding than having lessons at a riding school because you have more of an opportunity to be around the horse/horses. I got very lucky with my share as I can cycle to the yard and don't have to contribute very much financially as I do a lot of stable chores for an owner who wouldn't be able to cope otherwise as she works long, irregular hours.

Have a look around local tack/feed shops and papers for ads. I ended up getting mine through word of mouth but many owners advertise in small, local ads and not in magazines or online.

Good luck!
 
I think you need to investigate both. Go to the RS, meet the instructors, explain your hearing problem, see what they can offer you and see the horses perhaps see the horses being ridden too. (this might be easiest on a weekday daytime as they'll be less busy with kids lessons if you can get in there today/Monday/Tuesday - quickly before term ends)

I'd also go to see your friends who has offered you a ride, see what the horse is like, and may be try out both this one and the RS.

I've effectively done this as I've ridden at one RS (calm steady ploddy cob) and also had a lessons on a friend's horse (bouncy TB), found the latter a bit much to get used to hence going to the RS a bit more first, my excuse being it was 25 years ago and I was never particularly good!

What I don't think you want to be doing is commiting to riding a loan/share or commiting to chores you might not be able to manage just yet because of your back.
 
Dubsie, I would have a lesson first, to see how my back is, and if it's okay, would look into shares at the same yard as it is close to my home (ish!) and I've also been there before. We've been invited up there on Saturday to meet with the YM.
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