Digsy Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 My girlfriend used to ride when she was young. I got her a refresher lesson as a valentine's present and one month on, guess what? I've been roped in too. Having my first lesson tomorrow. Should be interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 My girlfriend used to ride when she was young. I got her a refresher lesson as a valentine's present and one month on, guess what? I've been roped in too. Having my first lesson tomorrow. Should be interesting... Wicked!! You'll be fine. I think the biggest issues are when people are nervous around horses in general and you got on with Com OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ady Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Aint been riding in a while come to think of it. This was moi last time I went out: Looking forwad to the nice weather again so I can do some more riding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 He has pretty ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 You'd be suprised how much exercise it provides. Believe it or not you will break a sweat and get out of breath. Arms, legs, stomach muscles, back... in fact everything! I think my main objection to it, is that its outside. I dont really like the country, and all the fresh air and mud thing. Just the idea of riding I like. Now I think ill give it a miss, stick to the gym and tennis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 I think my main objection to it, is that its outside. I dont really like the country, and all the fresh air and mud thing. Just the idea of riding I like. Now I think ill give it a miss, stick to the gym and tennis. There will be women in tight trousers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 So five months on, did anyone else get back in the saddle? I'm still learning, having one or two lessons per week. TBH I'm pretty annoyed with my rate of progress - I can barely strike and maintain a canter. Walking and trotting I can do, provided the horse meets me halfway In hindsight I think I didn't pick the best place to start learning. We go to a place that has 30 or so horses in livery. Sarah takes an hour's hack out while I have a half hour lesson in the menage (see, lingo, eh? eh?) Problem is that there are up to about 6 riders in there at a time and the horses definitely tend to be either leaders or followers. Once the poor things get past the fence they know exactly where they are going and just tend to plod around. They do respond pretty well to turns and changes in pace, but the whole thing tends to be a lot easier if there is a "leader" horse in front. The training isn't exactly structured, either. I feel like I've been doing the same thing for months - sometimes with very little attention being paid if the group is large. I've also been very tied to the abilities of the other riders in the group and the weather conditions (the menage is outdoors). I had a month of lessons on Saturdays and Sundays running up to a holiday which included a 2.5 hour trek in Wales, with the specific intention to master cantering, and I hardly got a look in. Wrong ability group, ground too wet, weather to hot, etc. Very frustrating - especially as there seems to be a "glass ceiling" with regards to who is allowed to go out on the hacks and who has to stay in the ring. Those in the ring don’t't get the schooling they need to progress, but aren't allowed out until they have improved. Catch 22. Anyway, I've recently started going to another place for one-on-one lessons, and alternating these with a plod around each week. I reckon I've learned more in the last fortnight than I had in total since I started. Basically I plonk myself on top of this 17hh shire/brontosaurus cross and then shouted at for an hour by a show jumper called Tamsin, after which I can barely walk. I'm sure some people pay a lot more than £30 for an hour of this kind of treatment Anyway, its made me realise just how brain dead the poor horses at the other place are. Basically if I'm not constantly stering and squeezing on, this horse will start to do her own thing, so it’s a real physical effort to keep her going. I can really see now how riding properly is a good workout. The nice thing is that I'm being allowed to belt around and learn how to keep the horse doing what I want without constantly being pulled up on whether my heels are up or not or whatever. Provided I don't lose my balance totallty and once I don't have to worry about the horse stopping or veering off of her own accord, I can then concentrate on tidying myself up, style-wise. Anyway, I'm amazed at how much I've been bitten by the horse bug. Once my legs have stopped shaking, I just want to get back on again and do some more. I havn't fallen off yet, mind you. Sarah and I have an embryo plan to go on a week's riding/wine tasting holiday in France next year, so that's a goal to aim for right there. ...oh, and the stables have a lovely chestnut ex-race horse called Mickey for sale. Only £6500 plus £150 a week livery. Now, if I move to a rented flat within walking distance of work, sell the Supra and never go out again I reckon I could just about afford him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I like horses... but I'm not bothered about learning to ride. I did however buy Angela a block of riding lessons as a Birthday present last month. She'd not ridden for years, think she's had 5 lessons now though and is getting back into it. I know she's been looking on http://www.newrider.com/ for tips and info etc. may be of use. If we win the double roll-over this weekend I'll buy her a horse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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