Nervous Rider - Bad experience (Leicestershire)

[emriley34]

Hey all,

For a while now I have thought about taking up riding again. I used to ride when I was about 8 and loved it. However what I didn't love was the instructor, I was really put down and my confidence hit the floor, I used to get so nervous before each lesson that I eventually stopped going.

However my love of horses remains! I'm now 21 and would love to begin riding again. I am still nervous though and would love some ideas about the best riding schools to attend in Leicestershire which will treat me like a human!!

Also I'm not the slimmest of people, and wondered about weight limits. I'm not going to tell you my weight! But an idea of upper limits would be good!

Thank you!

Em X

[Mistertron]

Hi Em - welcome to NR!

I'm in Derbyshire so can't really comment on the local RS for you but wanted to post to say that i was also worried about upper weight limits! i'm not huge (i won't tell you my weight eithier! lol) but also i'm not size 6!. I have seen some RS websites where they say 12 1/2 stone is the upper limit but i think it depends on the horses they have. My RS just asked for my height and weight before i went for my first lesson and said that was fine. Obvioulsy i won't be riding any of the little ponies but i have ridden several of the horses.

Good luck with getting back into your riding and i hope you get your confidence back with a nice RI :)

[magicalmac]

First of all Hello and welcome to NR. Although Im sort of close to you [Northamptonshire] I dont know your area well enough to advise you on specific RS but ring round a few or maybe visit in person and get a feel for the place. Most RS will cater for all sizes so Im sure youll find one to suit. Be honest with them about your confidence and dont let your previous bad experience stop you from doing what you want to do. Another thought how about asking at your local tack shop for any RS recommendations?
Good luck with your search.

[Est]

Hi and welcome :)
I've sent you a PM, so check your inbox!

[*toHorse&Away*]

Just wanted to say welcome.
Don't know Leicester so can't help you there, but I am sure there must be someone who does and can!
Thee have been lots of threads on NR around "heavier" riders (wherever heavier starts - these days it probably is anything more that size 6 ;)) but there have been some very inspring replies and support :)

[VickieB]

Depends what part of Leics you are in, and to be honest there are only three I would reccomend anyway:

North East Leics/Melton way: Vale View Equestrian Center. Excellent teaching and facilities, but you do pay for the privilige

http://www.valeviewequestrian.co.uk/index.html

North West Leics/Coalville way: Ivenhoe Equestrian. I havn't been there personally but I have heard good things by word of mouth, and EML's posts ceratinly represnet the essential values that are lacking in so many schools these days! http://www.ivanhoeequestrian.co.uk/index.htm

South Leics: The only school I reccomend in this neck of the woods is Witham Villa. Top class facilities, horses and instruction, but be warned, it does have a reptation for being cliquey and not the friendliest of yards (thats certainly the feel I have got every time I have been there). That said, if you are only turning up for lessons, this isn't really an issue! http://www.withamvilla.co.uk/

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[mayoguinness]

Hiya, well don't know any riding schools to suggest but I know someone who might teach Natural Horsemanship though I'm not sure on the riding front if she has any suitable horses. Its mostly ground work with her I think;) Still if your interested feel free to pm me, shes a very nice person aswell:)

[ali..x]

hi.
im a very nervous rider due to several falls and that is why im having lessons.

i dont know of any schools near you.

i have found that depedning on the school the better your confidence gets mine is getting better slowly but surely

hope this helps

[Afellpony]

You could also look in the Yellow Pages - they usually have a section for riding schools etc. When you find one, go along and have a look at it. Explain that you're a slightly nervous rider and they should tell you whether they have any horses suitable for you or not. Dont put up with any of their inane ramblings though just because they want to take your money!!!!

[LauraHats]

Hi! I ride in Leicester and have the best instructor ever! Will PM you with details.:)

[noodle]

I have not long taken up riding again, and as a VERY heavy size 14, i was worried I wouldnt be able to ride.
The weight limit at the RS i use is 14 stone{they have a couple of ex police horses} so I am ok.
I found with mt daughter I had to change her RI a few times until I found one that worked well with her and helped her to learn.
Emma x

[horses4eva888]

Hi! I ride in Leicester and have the best instructor ever! Will PM you with details.:)

ooo who do you ride with now? I've not seen you on saturdays any more

[emriley34]

Hi all

Just wanted to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of your kind, kind messages. I never expected to get such a lovely responce and many of you have even PM'd me!

I have decided that I do need to loose some weight before I can get back in the saddle, but I am completly determined to do it!

So thank you once again, I really mean it!

Emily X

[Jenny2502]

South Leics: The only school I reccomend in this neck of the woods is Witham Villa. Top class facilities, horses and instruction, but be warned, it does have a reptation for being cliquey and not the friendliest of yards (thats certainly the feel I have got every time I have been there). That said, if you are only turning up for lessons, this isn't really an issue!

I dont think its Cliquey, and it is a friendly yard most of the time. The lessons are great, brill facilities, horses and instruction is 2nd to none not to mention their clinics.

[Tanyajayne]

I can definately recommend ivanhoe equestrian, eml is great at teaching especially nervous riders. Both me and my daughter ride there.

[BlackBess]

Hi Emily
Welcome to the forum - the people on this forum are truly wonderful and have given me some great advice and support.

I don't know about RS in Leicester but I can fully sympathise with you about being a nervous rider. I was in a very similar position to you, I went to a RS and the instructor was very condescending and put me down in front of the others at every opportunity because I wanted to get a good foundation in the basics. The others in the group wanted to jump and when I said I didn't want to, I was told that if I didn't, I would be ruining it for the others in the group. Needless to say, I wasn't ready and as a result took a couple of nasty falls which really shook my confidence and left me a really nervous rider. In the end, I left the RS and when they asked why, I told them and the instructor exactly what I thought of them. When I went back to riding (at another RS), I told them I was extremely nervous and wanted to take things slowly - and this time I am sticking to my guns. I'm much slower to progress than the others but I really want to concentrate on getting a really good solid, stable position. I did my first jump in about 3 years the other day, poles were just slightly off the ground and I was terrified but I did it, even though I don't want to take the jumping thing any further. A lot of riding schools now say that they specialise with nervous riders, but I would really recommend having some private lessons at first and telling the RI from the start that you are a nervous rider. I'm a heavy rider (although desperately trying to lose weight for my riding holiday) but the RS I ride at have assured me that all their horses are more than capable of carrying me. Good luck with finding a sympathetic RS and all the best when you return to riding - there is nothing that can beat the feeling of galloping in the open and being around horses - enjoy:)

[S_F_S]

Can I just edit that is old website: we are on www.ivanhoeequestrian.co.uk - but thanks very much for the link Vickie! :)

(will go and see if I can get rid of that !)

[allcluedup]

where abouts in leicester are you as there is Bunny hill (school of national equitition) near costock and also vale view ec at old dalby (fantastic place)