You'll love it. I gave up for about 16 years or so and unfortunately (for me) it was not like riding a bike
Interestingly I'm much more confident as an adult rider than I was as a child.
How exciting, hope all goes well, there is nothing like getting back in the saddle after a long break. Enjoy
I shall look forward to my next session.
I had difficulty dismounting too. My foot didn't get stuck but I did manage to kick the horse while swinging my leg over :eek3:. Horse just looked at me and sighed!
. Thanks so much. Yes, I enjoyed it! You know, I spent quite a while before I went to sleep trying to simulate the best way to get off! Who would've thought that the hardest part of the lesson was trying to dismount! I felt such an idiot. But I shan't give up. Have a good day. When are you riding next?So pleased you enjoyed your lesson and are revved up to go back for more! Won't take long before you are swinging that right leg over like a gymnast, oh how I've learned that every time I do something embarrassing there are always spectators around to enjoy the free entertainment
I hope at some point you make a special bond with one horse, it's such a great feeling, and perhaps you too will be able to share some quiet time just the two of you together. It's priceless.
Please keep up the posts, it's a real pleasure to read them.
Ooh! I shall get on to that. I've never heard of franklin balls. Well, it just goes to show that our ages are just numbers and that if we want something badly enough it can be achieved. Thanks for your help.
. Will love to hear how you get on.
Hope to have a lesson next week, always have private 1 to 1 for full-on focus. Will you have private or group? Last week was so hot my brain fried and I rode like a total idiot, cue comment from instructor: "You are a passenger in canter". Ouch! That hit home! She was right of course as testified by the videos on my phone..... I've learned to cope with the many humiliations along with the far rarer praise
When are you riding next?I couldn't have put it better myself!! I'm exactly the same! The mind is willing but the flesh is weak!Good for you!
I'm now 60 (how did that happen :eek3:?) and find dismounting to be the trickest part of riding! Mounting is ok as long as I have a decent mounting block, but to dismount I ride back to the arena to slither off even after a hack. My knees prefer the more forgiving sand and rubber surface. It's not pretty, and is always worse if I've had a break from riding for any reason. The actual riding is the easy part...
Keep posting, OP, it's great that you're getting back into horses
As for age....I feel robbed! I honestly don't know where the last ten years went. I remember being 56 but the rest is just a blur! Of course I'm only about 18 in my head but my body's calling me a liar! I get lots of walking in but of course my leg muscles aren't tested as much! I'll be blowed if it gets the better of me though. Nice to hear from you. p.s. where is everyone getting all the smiley faces from? When I reply to posts there's no tool bar Yes, I guess I'll be a bit soreYou'll be so sore tomorrow! The second day is always the worst. My legs are killing me now after a farm ride on Monday that I'm not used to
Dismounting tip for oldies. Lean forward and press down on the pommel or wither to lift your weight a bit as you lift your leg over.
There also used to be a dismount when I was a child where you kept you foot in the near side stirrup until your leg was over, then lean your weight on the saddle, release the foot, and slide to the floor. I've not seen anyone do it for years.
never mind I'll get used to it. When I got back in the car to drive home my lower legs were like jelly! I couldn't keep continuous pressure on the clutch and I jerked all the way home like a kangaroo!! I actually pondered on the 'keep one foot in the stirrup' dismount, but I expect I'll be told off if I try it....I shall have a sneaky go! It's so nice having people to moan to who were born in the same era so to speak. Thanks for your good tips.You sound very good to me! It was hot yesterday too and with a body protector on too I was boiling. I know they're necessary - for me at least - but I find them cumbersome and bulky, but if I don't wear one knowing my luck I'll end up n A&E!Hope to have a lesson next week, always have private 1 to 1 for full-on focus. Will you have private or group? Last week was so hot my brain fried and I rode like a total idiot, cue comment from instructor: "You are a passenger in canter". Ouch! That hit home! She was right of course as testified by the videos on my phone..... I've learned to cope with the many humiliations along with the far rarer praise
I hope to have a 1-1 next week. I'm just about to phone her/them to see. I think they need to update their website. The prices on the site aren't the same as she charged me...I'll have to mention it. Speak soon.
You'll be so sore tomorrow! The second day is always the worst. My legs are killing me now after a farm ride on Monday that I'm not used to
Dismounting tip for oldies. Lean forward and press down on the pommel or wither to lift your weight a bit as you lift your leg over.
There also used to be a dismount when I was a child where you kept you foot in the near side stirrup until your leg was over, then lean your weight on the saddle, release the foot, and slide to the floor. I've not seen anyone do it for years.
Would you mind coming with me next week and doing the same routine? With any luck I'll look like a pro! I can't thank people enough for their honesty and input. TBH, when I came home I was on the verge of tears. I thought I was the only person in the UK to have this problem. Now I'm equipped with everyone's knowledge and tips I'm feeling really positive! As for riding side saddle. I can't even imagine what it must be like! What a gutsy lady you are. I thought it was only Demelza Poldark that rode side saddle!
I think it's the best plan of action. I wonder if I'll get away with it though? It's worth a try. Anything's better than the other day! How the poor horse stood there stock still while I committed GBH is a miracle! To quote my daughter's riding instructor when she was having a blub over her pony's refusal to behave..WINNERS DON'T QUIT AND QUITTERS DON'T WIN! I've never forgotten that. That shall be my mantra.....until I fall off!
I might ask her about that next time. I want as much help as I can cram in to my brain cell. I was taught to ride in Ireland. Born and brought up just outside Dublin!
Would you mind coming with me next week and doing the same routine? With any luck I'll look like a pro! I can't thank people enough for their honesty and input. TBH, when I came home I was on the verge of tears. I thought I was the only person in the UK to have this problem. Now I'm equipped with everyone's knowledge and tips I'm feeling really positive! As for riding side saddle. I can't even imagine what it must be like! What a gutsy lady you are. I thought it was only Demelza Poldark that rode side saddle!
I think it's the best plan of action. I wonder if I'll get away with it though? It's worth a try. Anything's better than the other day! How the poor horse stood there stock still while I committed GBH is a miracle! To quote my daughter's riding instructor when she was having a blub over her pony's refusal to behave..WINNERS DON'T QUIT AND QUITTERS DON'T WIN! I've never forgotten that. That shall be my mantra.....until I fall off!
I might ask her about that next time. I want as much help as I can cram in to my brain cell. I was taught to ride in Ireland. Born and brought up just outside Dublin!
(despite the ouch moments). I never thought I'd end up doing what I am now (dressage and hunting and the odd xc) and finally having my own horse. I got frustrated at how much I had forgotten to start with and how wibbly I was but it does comes back I think if I was left to my own devices there's no telling how many bad habits I'd get into!
I think in my case I'm going to have to get things right to begin with...getting off properly might be a start!Yes, I was taught and I was fearless as we are when we're young..some of the little things I learnt as a child seem to be obsolete now....but you're right, when things go well it's so worth it isn't it?
Well you've certainly come a long way from being 'wibbly'! How long have you had your horse?Yay so pleased you went for it despite the aches, I gave up for about 16 years and got back into 10 years ago and have never looked back
Have fun and post lots of updates!
I think if I was left to my own devices there's no telling how many bad habits I'd get into!
I think in my case I'm going to have to get things right to begin with...getting off properly might be a start!Yes, I was taught and I was fearless as we are when we're young..some of the little things I learnt as a child seem to be obsolete now....but you're right, when things go well it's so worth it isn't it?
Well you've certainly come a long way from being 'wibbly'! How long have you had your horse?Yay so pleased you went for it despite the aches, I gave up for about 16 years and got back into 10 years ago and have never looked back
Have fun and post lots of updates!
....hopefully all the swinging I've done in the past few days will stand me in good stead. If not, I'll just have to sneak in a 'keep left foot in stirrup' then release dismount...but I'll try all the tips. I'm wondering what will happen if it rains. There is no indoor arena. I'm not worried about getting wet but I don't know what their feelings are regarding the rain. When I was a kid we spent the lesson time cleaning tack. Should it rain it'll be interesting to find out.