Starting out as an adult

[newriderquery]

Hello,

I’ve recently started lessons at the age of 30. I’ve always loved horses, but never had the opportunity to ride when I was younger, apart from the odd lesson here and there. I’m currently having one lesson a week, and I’m also going to be helping out in the yard I’m learning at (hopefully) soon.

I’m just looking for some stories from those who started riding as an adult, to see how far you’ve progressed. I’m a bit worried I’ll take ages to pick things up as I didn’t learn as a child! If it helps to provide some more context, I’m just riding for enjoyment, so don’t have particular goals in mind in terms of competing etc.

Thanks!

 

[mini_b]

I started as a child at 5 on family farm ponies and I’m still crap. I’ve had hand me down horses who had no end of problems but if I could stay stuck then that was good enough. I didn’t have the support nor skill set to improve myself or them properly until I could afford professional help.

My friend who is 50 and rode from a child and is a pro dressage rider, her mum joined in and started at 40, she’s 70odd now and competes at novice from riding every blue moon. She’s way more skilled than me but in a different way

As a child all I had was competence, flexibility, stickability but not much else... if you are riding for enjoyment do NOT worry about what others are doing because that just sucks all the fun out of it.

just enjoy its meant to be fun xx
(Edited for typos)

 

[Equi]

I think adults can sometimes pick it up faster as they already have a natural control of their body and are able to force themselves to do things physically a little easier than a child can. They also have the advantage of size and can wrap legs around a horse/pony easier. Think of it this way, many many people who join the police/army ridden have not ridden before in their lives and after a crash course are part of the cav.

 

[RhossT]

OH had never sat on a horse until he was 30. Has owned and enjoyed 4 horses of his own, currently riding another livery's cheeky Highland and backsteps for me on carriage. Go for it.

Try and find a riding school that caters for adults rather than just kids. Makes a big difference

 

[Jolou]

Hi! I was the same started as a child and got back to it in my 40s!!! I’m a bit more fearful maybe thats an age thing. Also fell off and hurt myself but I got back on eventually! I ride at a school once a week and learning to canter which I find scary. Any tips to let i of the neck strap and balance? As I feel out of control! So glad I’ve found other adults who have started to ride

 

[Starzaan]

Something I tell all my adult clients who are new to riding, is that one of the best ways to progress is to watch other riders having lessons.

The oldest person I have taught from scratch was 78! She had never sat on a horse before and did an awesome job. She went hunting on her 80th birthday!

 

[Surbie]

I had a 30 year gap from being a rubbish teen rider with sporadic lessons. I have a loan horse now, ride 6 times a week and cannot believe my luck to have this chance.

I've had to restart completely - but this has been a good thing. I'm older and less bendy but more body aware and I have a fantastic instructor who specialises in body mechanics. I'll have had my horse for 2 years on Wednesday. Lockdown interfered with our plans, but I am starting out with dressage competitions, I've done fun rides, I happily hack out for hours with other riders - some who want me as a 'nanny' and though I will never be world-beating I am beginning to feel I might eventually be competent.

I would definitely agree you need somewhere that is used to teaching adults, not just kids. And it doesn't matter how long it takes you really - the fun & the challenge is in getting there.

 

[Jolou]

Something I tell all my adult clients who are new to riding, is that one of the best ways to progress is to watch other riders having lessons.

The oldest person I have taught from scratch was 78! She had never sat on a horse before and did an awesome job. She went hunting on her 80th birthday!

Wow now that’s impressive!!

 

[Jolou]

I had a 30 year gap from being a rubbish teen rider with sporadic lessons. I have a loan horse now, ride 6 times a week and cannot believe my luck to have this chance.

I've had to restart completely - but this has been a good thing. I'm older and less bendy but more body aware and I have a fantastic instructor who specialises in body mechanics. I'll have had my horse for 2 years on Wednesday. Lockdown interfered with our plans, but I am starting out with dressage competitions, I've done fun rides, I happily hack out for hours with other riders - some who want me as a 'nanny' and though I will never be world-beating I am beginning to feel I might eventually be competent.

I would definitely agree you need somewhere that is used to teaching adults, not just kids. And it doesn't matter how long it takes you really - the fun & the challenge is in getting there.

How lucky. It’s probably better to be riding that many times to gain confidence also!

 

[Keith_Beef]

I think adults ... are able to force themselves to do things physically a little easier than a child can.

Definitely. The teenaged girls in my lessons are almost literally snowflakes who think they are melting or will die of dehydration if the temperature in the arena is over 28°C. And ask them to do circles for more than five minutes at a time and they start complaining that their muscles ache.

It's also easier to explain the theory of how aids work on a horse to somebody who has a bit more knowledge about the physics and mechanics of the world. And who can remember, reliably, which is left and which is right.

I started with regular weekly lessons in my mid 40s, after doing nothing much more than an occasional beach ride or pony trek through the woods once or twice a year on holiday between the ages of about 11 to 14, then a little bit with some horsey girls I knew in my late teens (then twice on very sedate Western horses in the US). I suppose if I could remember every time I had ever ridden a pony or a horse, I wouldn't have ridden more than 15 times by the time I was 35.

 

[Tjhart]

I am 35 and really want to start riding but am having difficulty. I am 6ft1 and struggling to find a local(ish) school with horses tall enough. I am only looking to do a bit of schooling but mainly hacks, enjoying the countryside, pleasure rides. Most of the yards near me only offer lessons on your own horse and whilst that would be the dream one day I do not have the knowledge or experience to get my own horse just yet.

 

[HeyMich]

I am 35 and really want to start riding but am having difficulty. I am 6ft1 and struggling to find a local(ish) school with horses tall enough. I am only looking to do a bit of schooling but mainly hacks, enjoying the countryside, pleasure rides. Most of the yards near me only offer lessons on your own horse and whilst that would be the dream one day I do not have the knowledge or experience to get my own horse just yet.

What part of the country are you in? I'm sure someone on here will be able to point you in the right direction of a riding school with suitable horses for lessons.

 

[Tjhart]

What part of the country are you in? I'm sure someone on here will be able to point you in the right direction of a riding school with suitable horses for lessons.

Thank you ? I am in Cambridgeshire, between Ely and Peterborough