keyhole kate Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I think this could well be a how long is a bit of string question but here goes How many riding lessons do you think would be needed before you were safe and competent to ride ? DD bought me a riding lesson as a Christmas gift as she knows it's been my lifelong dream and I was wondering if it's within my finances to carry on learning and perhaps be able to part share were not loaded but not brassic either our mortgage will be paid in 2015 just thinking ahead really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I think it depends on what you want to achieve long term, here in the new forest you can just go for a ride as a group without any experience at all and just enjoy it. They even do day rides with a pub lunch. Used to ride loads in my younger days and loved it, I hope you really enjoy whatever you do. If you are sharing you would also need to learn how to catch the horse if it's in a field and tack up etc but it's all part of the fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 It is a 'how long is a piece of string question' It depends on how well you get on with it, how confident you are, how good your instructor is etc. So many variables! It is an expensive hobby I am afraid, especially if you go into owning/loaning, however it's incredibly addictive and if I could no longer ride it would be like having a limb cut off! Oops, I forgot to say that I agree that if you want to take on a horse of your own (either owning/loaning) you'll need to learn about the stable management side of things as well as how to ride. But all part of the experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Something that will dictate more than ability would be the share horse's owners happiness with your competance and their ability to assist you Some people offer their horse for share to save time. In this case the owner would likely be looking for someone who can be trusted to get on with things, personally in that position I would want someone who can walk, trot, canter AND sit a really good gallop, have decent stable management skills plus has ridden other horses than riding school ones - a riding school horse given lots of exercise and chosen for its bombproof nature is very different than a privately owned horse But you do get owners who have more than one horse and offer their older more reliable horse for share to keep it ticking over while they concentrate on a younger or competition horse, in this case you would likely get a lot more support I would say get a good year of weekly lessons under your belt and choose a riding school that lets you develop as a rider and not just gets you to plod in endless circles If you need stable management help I have two stables needing mucking out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I can't remember how long it took me to learn to ride as a child, but I had a break of 30 years before getting back on one. This time around it hasn't been about learning, but about remembering (actually most of it comes back very quickly, like riding a bike) and then practising. My advice would be to go for some lessons and don't put any pressure on yourself at this stage about thinking about a share or loan. Just see how you get on with the learning to ride bit, its not difficult but you have to learn how to use bits of your body, muscles and balance in a different way to 'normal' life and you have to learn how to communicate properly with the horse. I would definitely advise you, if you are not already quite fit and flexible to do some bending, stretching and building up of core muscles, it will make life much more comfortable and the riding much more enjoyable There's nothing like a canter through the English countryside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 If you are really keen then I would suggest visiting riding stables - see how the instructors react with the pupils. I learnt to ride when I started work. I had one-to-one lessons and you start on a lead reign until the instructor is confident that you can do the basics - it was over Windsor Great Park so not inside. In hindsight that was probably daft (although nice outside) because the horse bolted at one stage. Luckily up a hill and by then I was proficient enough to slow him down and turn him around amazingly I didn't fall off - but could so easily have done had it happened a few sessions back. I never got to the cantering stage though and I really didn't like the girl who had been my tutor - very s"Ooops, word censored!"by and impatient (there were other nice girls but I kept getting this one and I don't think she particularly liked me in any case hence the constant put downs and not necessarily relating to horse riding). So I stopped. I did start again when my daughter was learning to ride. This was in the arena indoors and outside. Again one-to-one until I was able to progress into the school properly and then we went on hacks. All the instructors were great. It is a fabulous feeling to canter and remain in the saddle! Such a rush. However not such a nice thing when you are flat on your back and winded somewhat. After a couple of those I still carried on but gave up before I broke anything - having thought about being a mere mortal and the things I couldn't do if I was incapacitated and the kiddiwinkies wouldn't be able to do their activities. However I did break my ankle the other year when I went to feed the chickens - which is obviously much more dangerous than riding a horse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 owning a horse even part share is expensive! The stable where I ride usually has the option to 'hire' a horse for a set number of hrs riding per month with no mucking out but you have to commit to doing the hrs. It's owners who don't have enough time to fully exercise their horses after all that mucking out and working to pay the bills I've been riding once a week for the last few years and much as I love it I have no desire to own a horse. Have a few lessons and see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Well, I would say go for it! I have been riding for a long time now. I would love to own my own, but can't afford to. Instead, I am VERY lucky....I have ponies I share. I get the ponies in, ride them, help poo picking and clean their tack. I have lessons too so I progress and compete in dressage competitions and love it all to bits! I think when I learnt to ride, it took me about 6 sessions of half hour private lessons to be able to walk, trot and canter safely off a lunge line. But that was when I was 17!! You can take it at your own pace, make sure your instructor is approved by the British Horse Society (see their website). Most most important get a riding hat and have it professionally fitted ie by a qualified hat fitter, there should be someone in the shop who has had appropriate training. Hats do not come cheap, but they can save your brain (I know!) A great sport and a great way to get fit and get out to enjoy the great outdoors. Plus the rapport you get when you ride the same pony several times is just fabulous! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I love it. It took me quite a while to learn, but I started at 26 and wasn't very confident. I would say definitely find somewhere where you can interact with the horses. Grooming, tacking up and mucking out. It's definitely addictive I've had 2 of my own horses , who very sadly are no longer with us. I'm not going to own one anymore, the heartbreak is too much. I usually ride 3 times a week, schooling and hacking. It's not a riding school, they are driving horses who need excercising. It's great because they don't behave like school horses, but are excellent in traffic. If your brave it shouldn't take you too long to get the basics, then you can build it up from there. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Someone once told me that you couldn't ride until you'd fallen off 100 times! Bit of an exaggeration, but I know what they meant. It is not just about the technicalities of the different paces and how to control the horse. It is about understanding how they think and how they will react to a given situation, always anticipating their next move, and being able to react and respond to it. There is no better feeling than a full gallop on the beach, knowing where you are both going and more importantly, knowing when you are both going to stop! The more experience you can get with horses, not just riding, but spending time with them, the better you will understand and enjoy them. They are very big, and very strong (even the little ones!), and when they decide to go against you, you don't have a lot of say in the matter! No matter how many lessons you have, you will only really know that you can ride when you are off on your own and something unexpected happens and you cope with it. They are intelligent and beautiful animals and the more you get to know them, the more rewarding the experience will be for both of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
