Post by kellsbelles on Aug 28, 2015 7:23:36 GMT -5
Has anyone started riding lessons as an adult? What did you think of them? I rode for about a month as a kid and I've always wanted to get back into it. I was thinking of taking English lessons once a week.
I mention this to my overprotective paranoid mother and of course she responds with don't do it you're going to fall off and get seriously injured. Which I know is a real possibility but I just want to ride for fun and not get all fancy with the jumping.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Aug 28, 2015 7:34:18 GMT -5
My stepsister has a farm and teaches horseback riding lessons. She also takes them for things like more complicated dressage. And she also boards horses.
She's an engineer by day, but horses are a huge part of her life. She loooooooves both taking lessons and giving them.
If it's something you're interested in, I think you should pursue it.
I did briefly in college, but it was too expensive to maintain.
I had to buy special boots (that fit into the stirrups), special leggings (the foot strap goes over the boots), and a special helmet. It was maybe $300 for all of this stuff, so I asked for it for Christmas.
I don't remember how much the lessons cost, but since that's an ongoing fee that's ultimately what stopped me from continuing.
I did however, LOVE doing it. The instructor told me a lot about horses in general, and had me help put the saddle on, feed the horse, and take the saddle off and groom her when I was done. The horse I was assigned to was beautiful and gentle, and I immediately fell in love with her.
I was surprised how much work it was, since as a rider you're actively doing something and not just sitting there. There's a technique to how you sit, maintain posture, and not bounce when the horse trots. Your legs get a workout very similar to wall squats.
I never felt like I was in any danger, but of course, the threat is there. Honestly, I wore a helmet and was never at high speeds so it felt safe. I think you should look into it if you're interested. I want to go back someday, but I don't have the money for it now.
You should do it! I have had horses my whole life so I don't know what it would be like to start riding as an adult but as long as you have a competent instructor it should be a good experience.
Of course there is risk involved and you can get seriously injured on the ground as well as when riding. Definitely invest in a helmet that you find comfortable so that you want to wear it. You will need boots and such as well, though you might want to pick a barn and ask about what they want their students to wear before spending too much money as some places have more strict dress codes.
Be aware though, horses are pretty much a money sucking hole and a lesson once a week it just the start .
I'm in the reverse situation as you. I've been riding for a good chunk of my life and it is my mother that recently started riding. I'm always at the barn watching her like a hawk because she has a tendency to push her limits which has resulted in a few horse-related injuries.
A reasonable riding instructor won't put you on a horse or in a situation that you aren't prepared for. Most of the beginner horses that I've seen tend to be pretty easy-going (i.e. lazy) anyway . Many barns have a stash of helmets that they let you use BUT I recommend buying your own if you think this is something you will commit to because who knows how often they get replaced.
I was the rider in the family growing up. He supported me and always loved being around the barn with me.
Fast forward to when I was in college. I am from Northern VA (inside the beltway) where big lots for horses are scarce. My dad moved about 35 miles west and bought a house with 20 acres and a barn. He has become a wonderful rider - mostly trail and fox hunting. His very long term girlfriend (15+ years) is a polo player. His life revolves around horses.
He was 49 when I left for college and at that time was a pretty awkward rider. Lol. Now he's great. He has been injured, but he's taken up some fairly risky hobbies (adopting race horses that were bound to be euthanized and teaching them to ride trails). Most early lessons you will ride very green horses.
I've ridden almost my whole life, but I know that any barn I was in that offered lessons had classes for adult riders. You'll easily be able to find one.
Taking group lessons usually cuts down on the expense. The trade off is less individual attention (obviously) but to get started it's a good option. I did a few group clinics when I was younger and honestly the camaraderie of having other people dealing with learning at the same time as you can make it more fun.
Talk to the instructor or barn manager when you find somewhere you're comfortable. They're not going to tell you to go out and buy boots and a helmet right out the gate. When I started riding at 7 I wore hiking boots and a bike helmet because hell no were my parents paying for that if I didn't stick with it.
ETA: A lot of barns have loaners for helmets, I'm not actually suggesting the bike helmet route. They're not the best but they're better than nothing.
And yes, you will fall. It sucks and it hurts but you get back up. If you're on a horse that is appropriate for your skill level it's not like you're going to be hitting the ground every lesson.
Post by kwpnjumper55 on Aug 28, 2015 8:57:10 GMT -5
I have owned and ridden horses since I was little. I would suggest at least investing in a helmet and a pair of heeled boots. Google Dover saddlery or stateline tack, they usually have some good deals.
Horseback riding is an expensive sport, but if you love it as I do, it doesn't matter. You will fall, I can't tell you the amount of times I have crashed, but most of the time you'll just end up with a bruised ego.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, I can answer pretty much anything horse related you can throw at me.
(I "don't go here," but I'm going to answer anyway.) I had a horse as a child/teen, but never took lessons. When my older daughter was 6, she started taking lessons, and I started with her. I HIGHLY recommend it. Will you fall off? Maybe. I certainly did (off a 17 hand retired racing thoroughbred, warming up for an open hunter class at a show). Broke my tailbone, but I still competed that day. Once I switched to strictly flat work, I never fell again.
Post by cabbagecabbage on Aug 28, 2015 21:17:35 GMT -5
If you ever want to do/try something, do it! I have photos of my awesome aunt tap dancing with toddlers while she was in grad school. And she looks cool. Because she wasn't ironic. She just had fun and did it because she always wanted to.