Starting riding.. Help

[tb_97]

I'm a 16 year old guy and I know that I definitely want to start riding. I've never even sat on a horse before but am really interested and want to give it a go. I know its a long way off yet but I would eventually love to get into hunting and am just asking for help on what I need to do and know, I'm not expecting to go straight into hunting or anything as I obviously need to start with the basics and that will take time to learn. What can I expect as a new rider and would be grateful if I could have some pointers, what I can expect and tips for starting, what I would need to wear, own and have before I start- anything like that really. I live in South Gloucestershire so any info locally would be amazing.

 

[hayleymyles]

to own/wear: (If you're serious, I would start by purchasing these instead of hiring from Riding school.)
- A hat from a store (not online as you will need to fit it!)
- jodphurs/breeches
- jodphur boots - short are easier for beginners.
- comfy top
- waterproof coat
- riding gloves if in winter as these have grip.
- a good attitude.

what to expect:
- FALLS!!
- being knackered and aching EVERYWHERE - you wouldn't believe how good excersize it is!

general advise -

book a lesson at a riding school - let them know its your first, theyll take you through all the steps.
Start off with lessons and when you have mastered the basics, find a loan that (be honest with them even if youre still a novice - let them know!! Most people are more than willing to help) this loan will help you gain experience as it takes time and experience to be any good at riding in my opinion...

For hunting you'll need guts and a good horse.

the best advise is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE - know your ability and confidence and don't push yourself too far! If something scares you - work on it in baby steps as one of the big problems is losing confidence and thus love for the sport. It is ok to fall lots and lots...

Read books on it I would suggest and do fun games for balance..

Just find a good instructor and the rest will come...
Good luck!! It's all worth it

 

[texel]

Don't ride in boxer shorts - you need to ensure you wear the right under garment to keep your undercarriage out of harm's way.

 

[RainbowDash]

In addition to the excellent posts above I would suggest visiting/calling your local riding schools, asking if you can watch a lesson or three (beginners to advanced). Get a feel for the place before you book your first lessons, meet the horses if they allow it and listen to the instructors giving the lessons. Not every riding school will 'feel' right and its worth looking round and maybe travelling a little further to one that will meet your needs/goals.

Defo buy your own hat/short boots to start with - most of the guys at our local school wear wranglers or joggers rather than jods/breeches to start with.

Enjoy your lessons and keep us updated x

 

[showjumper1998]

Agree totally with the first post Riding schools are brilliant with beginners, ensurebyou get a total plod that has been there an got the T-shirt
Watch some of the riders on the telly aswell whist recovering from aches and pains you will find you can learn loads from just watching people ride!
Expect to hit the deck -A LOT even experianced riders are forever falling off.
They say you are never a true rider untill you fall off at least a billion times

Good luck, you will love it

 

[Booboos]

To be honest I disagree with the above advice. I would not buy anything until you had had a couple of lessons and were more certain you like riding. Many people try it and simply do not enjoy it. The RS (riding school) should have hats and shoes for you to borrow for your first few lessons.

The most important thing at this stage is to find a good RS. As a minimum look for RS approved by the BHS (British Horse Society) or the ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) and check out the RS's insurance policy (it should be displayed). Then ask to observe a couple of lessons, do the horses look happy and well looked after? Is the intructor helpful and constructive? Is the environment safe and friendly? If you have any concerns, walk away because riding is a risky sport and you don't want to add to the danger.

Enjoy!

 

[kaiserchief]

Depending on whereabouts you are in South Gloucestershire, I would recommend Kingsweston Stables by Blaise Castle for lessons. The owner is a male and I have lots of male friends who learned to ride there. It's a very friendly yard, with well schooled horses, and I believe the staff will still allow keen students over the age of 16 to help on weekends once they've been riding a while, which is a great way to learn horse care and also get in some extra riding.

Good luck and enjoy it!

 

[Mince Pie]

To be honest I disagree with the above advice. I would not buy anything until you had had a couple of lessons and were more certain you like riding. Many people try it and simply do not enjoy it. The RS (riding school) should have hats and shoes for you to borrow for your first few lessons.

The most important thing at this stage is to find a good RS. As a minimum look for RS approved by the BHS (British Horse Society) or the ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) and check out the RS's insurance policy (it should be displayed). Then ask to observe a couple of lessons, do the horses look happy and well looked after? Is the intructor helpful and constructive? Is the environment safe and friendly? If you have any concerns, walk away because riding is a risky sport and you don't want to add to the danger.



Enjoy!

With all due respect but how is a total, never seen a horse before beginner going to know the answer to those questions?

 

[dunkley]

http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/find-a-place-to-ride

In my opinion, this is one of the most important things.

There are many places that call themselves 'riding schools' and are incapable of teaching anyone to ride as much as a rocking horse

An approved RS will have qualified instructors, more than adequate insurance, and will have been regularly inspected and assessed. 'Council Approved' means nothing, generally because the things they are 'approving' have virtually no relevance whatsoever to the actual intricacies of riding, or horse care.

Good luck, and welcome to a whole new world

 

[Booboos]

With all due respect but how is a total, never seen a horse before beginner going to know the answer to those questions?

Anyone with minimal knowledge of animals can check whether the animals are a decent weight, whether they have food/drink in their stables, shelter in their fields, etc. A very old, sick or depressed horse is rather easy to spot.

As for the environment anyone should be able to tell whether it's friendly, i.e. is the OP approached by a member of staff, do they have information about rates, length of lessons, etc. available, are they willing to chat about options, etc. Safety is not that difficult to suss out given the advice on this thread, e.g. OP should be told riding is a dangerous sport, the instructor should help him find a suitable hat and footwear.

So not that difficult IMO, but now it's also spelt out for the OP!

 

[tb_97]

All the advice is much appreciated, am very grateful for 'heads up' advice and knowing what to expect.. Am planning on booking my first lesson once Christmas is out the way.. Cannot wait!

 

[AmieeT]

Don't expect wonders to happen straight away- I started riding a year ago last month (I'm 23), having never ridden even a donkey lol- first thing my friend come instructor said to me was to remember with any animal it's always 2 steps forward, 1 step back and to remember that horses have a brain too so won't always do as you ask (that said, my first lesson was on my new loan pony who is stubborn and bolshy)
Read as much as possible about it online, and take it all in, but expect people to have differences of opinion.
Above all else enjoy it! Really is the best thing I've ever done. And I live in South Glous too- if you're ever ready to hunt can I join you?? LOL! x

 

[IAmCrazyForHorses]

Find a local riding school and go to see it first maybe watch one of the lessons and talk to the owners and instructors. You'll get put on lots of different horses so just to say - all horses are different. They have different personalities so listen if the instructor tells you about a certain horse. Another thing is don't ride in three quarter length jeans because the saddle rubs your ankle and some jeans cause some uncomfortable rubing for your poor legs.
I've never done hunting so can't really give you avice on that soz.
But have fun

 

[ANP Lincs]

Echo lots of the above comments.... having only started riding myself this year.

Lucky to have a RS locally that is well recognized and has good, patient instructors who are willing to take time to go through things with you.

Definitely expect falls, aches and pains and a few 'oh my god' moments - you will know those when they come....

Worth reading up on exercises to improve your balance (hence balance in the saddle too).

It all takes time, and occasionally you may have to 'go backwards to go forwards' if somethings not working right.

Enjoy it, keep us updated and feel free to throw me a PM if you have any specific questions!