bloke wants to ride

[Bruce]

What a great place this is. I hope this isn't a question you get asked all the time if it is sorry.....

I'm a 34 year old bloke and have wanted to ride since I was a kid (but it was something girlies did). Now I am older I don't give a flying *!?*.

I am not interested in competitions etc - show jumping and stuff bores me rigid - but I do want to go eventually own a horse, get up early every morning and make use of all the bridelways near me.

Before anyone says's it I don't have an over romantic view of what riding and owning a horse is like. I know it is expensive, time consuming and often means going out in the wind, rain, mud and cold in fact this is what I like about it ! Well apart from the expence.

Now to the question(s) - I know nothing about riding. I assume that it is something that you continue learning throughout your life. However, how does someone like me go about getting started? Do I have to join a school full of spotty kids or is there some earthy independant teacher somewhere? Do schools teach you about how to look after a horse too? Finally how long does it take to become competent enough to go out riding on your own? Please advise me someone - I've waited 34 years and now I'm getting impatient!!

[Lgd]

Have a look on the riding schools bit of this website for somewhere near you. Go and visit your 'potential' riding school and talk to them about your needs. It is probably best to start off with some private lessons to get you going as you will progress faster this way. Many schools now have adult beginner class lessons that you could join once you feel a bit more confident and in control. Many riding centres will also run short courses that cover stable mangement and general handling alongside the riding and these can be really useful.

On a more 'personal' note. Invest in some suitably padded lycra cycle shorts to wear under your jeans/trousers/tracksuit/jodhs (whichever you start off with) as they are vital protection and support for a blokes more 'delicate bits'

Once you are a bit more confident/competent you could try a course at one of the big centres such as Yorkshire Riding Centre or The Equestrian Centre nr Wrexham which cater for people wanting to go on to owning their own horse.

A word of warning, horses are addictive and a wonderful method of disposing of your disposable income - and I wouldn't be without them!

[Chantal]

Welcome to the board!

Visit riding schools near you. You will often find that they do private lessons, which can be expensive, but you learn so much quicker than in a group, and also will be child-free (especially if you go in the evenings). Most places will be happy to teach you stable management as well as riding. Some do courses as well (BHS Horse Owners Certificate). As for how long it takes you to become competent - that depends totally on the individual, the horses you ride, your attitude and confidence etc. One thing you could do in preparation is keep fit (fit riders are easier to carry) and try yoga or pilates to improve your balance.

[Showjumper]

Hey Bruce, welcome to Newrider! Where abouts in Bristol are you? If you're anywhere near me you should check out Kingsweston stables.

It's owned and run by Richard Slaughter and he's a brilliant instructor, and looking after the horses (grooming, catching, tacking up etc) is highly encouraged.

He used to run courses (don't know if he still does) for adults preparing to own horses, as well as doing DIY and Part livery (for when you do get a horse).

If you'd like anymore details, let me know! :D

[Bruce]

I was hoping someone would say; "you'll be able to trot, canter and gallop after X hours in the saddle"...Oh well, thanks for the advice. However you seem to think I know what to expect from 'a lesson' and I don't.

For instance are lessons held inside or outside? Do they stick you on a sleepy horse first? Do they expect you to know how to fit the leathery bits (saddle etc.)? At what stage do you actually start to move? How often should you have a lesson (every day or week?).

See I told you I knew nothing. Those have got to be the stupidest questions ever posted here right! Oh well.

As for 'stable management' all I want to know is how to look after a horse. How much is there to know? It's not as though I'll be competing or anything so what are the basics?

Don't get me wrong I am willing to work at this. I'm not really lazy or stupid.

D'oh

[Bruce]

I live in Clifton.

Thanks for the recommendation (Slaughter! What a terrible name for someone who works with horses).

I don't suppose there is a web site for Kingsweston (I'm afraid I don't know where Kingsweston is either!).

At the moment I am in Italy but I will look for details when I get back.

Cheers

[BlueSky]

Well, I'll try and answer some of your questions. :)
Depending on the school you go to, lessons could be either in an indoor or outdoor arena... However, the better riding schools usually have an indoor.
As for 'sleepy horses', they will probably put you on a safe, steady horse who's used to beginners... You might be led around, or put on the lunge first, depending on the school, again. You will probably just walk around for your first few lessons, getting used to the feel of the horse, and learning to ask the horse to turn, move, and, most importantly, stop!
I would advise having a lesson a week to start off with, if you can afford it (private lessons are best, as Chantal said, but they are expensive), and then if you really really get the horse bug, then as often as you can afford it!
And as for putting the 'leathery bits' on, they will probably have the horse tacked up ready for you, if you're a beginner. However, if you want to learn, you can ask the staff, and usually they will show you how to tack/untack the horse.
It depends on the individual, on how long it takes to be able to ride out on your own. I can't really give you an estimate; I'm no instructor. I've been riding for about 1 year regularly though, and I'm not allowed to ride a school horse out on the roads (yet - I'm allowed to ride in the fields, though).
Oh, and by the way - don't assume those are the stupidest questions ever, I'm sure I've posted 'stupider' ones!:p

[Nickie]

Hi Bruce,

Well firstly you need to sort yourself out a riding school. Most will do adult beginners lessons or private lessons. Try speaking to or pm-ing some of the men on the boards or some of the newer members.

On your first lesson (I can't remember what I did on mine it was ages ago) you'll probably do walking and learning to steer your horse. They won't put you on anything 'sleepy' just a horse that is not bothered by 'inexperience' or a nervous rider.

I know alot of people find private lessons better at the start as they are more tailored to your needs and your speed of learning. Once you have got a bit more confident and able to steer your horse you'll probably move on to trotting and then so on and so forth.

If you want to look after a horse, some places do stable management courses, or maybe look in to doing the BHS horse owners certificate. Then maybe progress on to a share.

I wouldn't reccommend riding out alone - not for a while. You won't be able to do this at a riding school either I doubt. You will need to wait until you have been riding a while and then think about taking on a share in a pony / horse - this is also advisable to do before you buy as then you get the full experience of how a horse will fit in to your life on a nearly full time basis, without the problem or selling if you find after all you haven't got the time.

You will also learn loads more about keeping them and generally being around horses. Plus you learn quickly if you could stick it out all through the seasons!

Whatever you decide to do - keep the link to these boards handy. Everyone here will always try and help if they can, there are many experienced people and many complete novices that come back time and again for help from here! How does the saying go 'two heads are better than one'? Well theres about 2000 members on here! How cool is that?

Nicola

[Mehitabel]

info about lessons.
some places have indoor schools, some have outdoor. they won't expect you to know anything (and if they do, they're probably not a great place to be learning). you should be on a quiet horse for quite a while before you move onto more challenging ones, again - if you aren't, then it's the school's fault, not yours. here's what i do on a first lesson. i have the horse ready and waiting, we fit a hat and introduce rider and horse. i take the horse to the mounting block, explain how to mount and get the rider on. i tell them how to hold the reins, then i adjust girth and stirrups. i lead the horse into the school, and explain about how to sit, how to make it go and how to make it stop. then we walk round the outside of the school and practice that. the nwe move onto steering, and do some changes of direction in the school (called changes of rein). if the rider's happy to, we do som trotting with me leading the horse. sitting trot at first, then i explain about rising trot (where you stand up and sit down in the saddle in time with the horse's trot) and we try that. i also normally make the frist few lessons half and half - half an hour in the school and hallf an hour walking out around the lanes with me on foot - good for practising with less pressure and a good way to relax.
good luck with your new hobby-to-be!

[Bruce]

There was me thinking I'd have to wait hours or days for maybe a single reply. Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to trying out this horse thing when I get back to the UK.

Here's another couple of silly questions: Do you have to have strong legs to ride!? I had an accident a few months back - broke a couple of bones in my foot and twisted various ligaments - and have had to lay off strenuous excercise. As a result my legs have withered to feeble proportions (I'm making them sound worse than they are)!

Also am I right in thinking that all I need to buy is a crash helmet?

Oh by the way Showjumper - I am (hopefully) about to complete on the purchase of a house in the Mendips in case you were wondering where the bridelways in Clifton are!!!

[Chantal]

You won't need to buy anything at first - you can normally borrow everythng you need at the stable. But eventually you will need a hat of your own, boots (smooth soled with a small heel) and maybe gloves, jodphurs etc.

As for your legs, I don't know really! Personally I think tone is more important than strength, but this is something you will build up as your lessons progress.

[saddlesore]

you'll need a riding helmut (try not to crash in it though) and as was stated before, wear a pair of bike shorts under your riding pants (this will save you a lot of pain and dicomfort:( ). as far as strength in the legs go, not much needed, as riding is a balancing act in the saddle not squeezing (which will make the horse go, actually) and holding onto the sides of the horse with your legs(which will make you bounce around in the saddle, ouch!!!, hence the bike shorts) but you will learn all about this at your lessons. and lastly, as far as the spotty little kids go, they're not that spotty, they're trying to learn the same thing you are and what's most amazing is you might even learn something from them. welcome to NEWRIDER, good luck with riding and cut the kids some slack:D :D :D (did i mention i'm a fellow "older" male rider)

[Hels]

Hi Bruce,

I felt exactly like you about the kids and a bit out of my depth at first. But a year and a bit later I have a Cob pony on loan, the kids are helpful (I don't really know what I am doing yet, pony management wise) and the parents even more so! I find it quite refreshing to mix with a few different generations! I had ridden a bit when I was young but it did feel like I was starting off because I had only had a few lessons as a teenager.

I think I trotted in my first lesson, but I definitely didn't canter for a good few lessons until my "postition" was better. I didn't buy any of the gear such as a riding hat for at least six months. You can borrow them and you need to be sure you are going to carry on!

Good luck!

Helen

[Bruce]

I don't know where this thing about me not likeing children comes from. OK maybe I shouldn't have said 'spotty'. Listen I like children but I couldn't eat a whole one. I am sure the kids could teach me a thing or two. As I know zilch that wouldn't be too difficult. I used to be a child too and I actually remember what it was like! We found life generally very amusing. What I was trying to say was I will find it difficult to concentrate on my lesson with children laughing at me bouncing around like sack of potatoes. And whilst we're on the subject of sacks what is this business with cycling shorts and riding pants? I notice that you are from across the pond. Perhaps you practice a different style of riding? I really want to get into this horse thing but I don't want to risk the family jewels - I might want children one day!

Seriously, I have already learnt a lot this afternoon. Thanks one and all and keep the advice coming if you have any. Do think they'll let me try jumping in my first lesson. That looks like a right laugh.

[Showjumper]

Hey Bruce - you're not too far away from Kingsweston, and yes, Slaughter is a mildly terrifying name, but he's a really nice guy with lots of experience.

Do you know Blaise Castle? If you come up from Clifton via Westbury Village, it's pretty much straight ahead! :D

You definitely won't jump in your first lesson! At Kingsweston, you start off on the lead rein. Your first lesson would focus on introducing you to the horse, learning to mount and dismount, and getting used to holding the reins properly, using the correct aids, and walking around the (outdoor) school on the lead rein.

Kingsweston do kind of have a website - the head instructor Hilary built one, but it doesn't work...:rolleyes: But I highly reccommend the place. They have about 20 horses ranging in height from 11hh to 16hh and some weight carriers.

As for looking after the horse, if you were to own one, you would have to be competant (and confident!!!) enough to catch it, feed it, groom it, muck it out, and find time to ride as well! Although if you start off on Part livery, the stables do a lot of the manual work for you, such as catching and feeding.

Most people have a lesson once a week although some have more. I used to ride at Kingsweston twice a week (Sundays on a hack and a lesson on Tuesdays) but haven't been up there in a while now due to finances :eek: lol.

[Razzer]

A bloke - riding a horse, what are you some kind of a wuss :p

(just kidding) ;)

I'm also a bloke, similar age, I started riding about a year ago. Initially just as something to do, but it's very addictive. If I lived in the country - with some land available nearby - I'd get one tomorrow.

I'd be happy to go out alone on my own horse now, but would probably get a fairly calm one initially - unless you have alot of time, a share is also a good idea. Remember that if you have a very fit thoroughbred and only ride it once or twice a week, you'll have lots of problems (and it'll soon get unfit).

I was lucky - I had a good friend with a very nice horse to start on, so by the time I went for my first real lesson, I could already do a rough trot and canter (as well as grooming, tacking up and a little about the care of the horse) - so I didn't have to spend too long walking round on a really slow cob.

Horse riding itself should condition your legs and back, so that if you keep it up steadily, by the time you are going a little quicker (and putting alot of strain on yourself) they should be fine.

The biggest issue for me is the poncy clothes you are supposed to wear. I have developed my own version of riding gear - which works fine and has the added advantage, that if any judges from the BHS saw it, they'd probably have a heart attack :D

[Bruce]

Thanks. Very convenient. I will check them out when back in the UK.

As for all the work (catching, mucking out, grooming) perhaps I could pay you to do it - as you need some cash to go riding there? Only kidding.

Talking of horses I know they come in different shapes sizes and colours. A bit like cars. I suppose I am looking for a the equivalent of Peugeot Diesel Estate. Not massively fast or big but powerful enough to carry me? Do I need to ask for a particular model?

Perhaps the jumping in the first lesson will happen inadvertently. I do hope so!!!!

[Bruce]

Wanna fight? Outside!

I like my Paul Smith and Moschino but they're probably not right for riding? I dress up for work and at the weekends look like a mess, generally, except in the evening when there are laydees to try and impress. I really don't care what I wear within reason. I know what you mean that riding clothes can look a bit poncey on a bloke. I never quite understood why they are necessary? Now people are telling me to wear cycling shorts! I think there's a conspiracy going on. Anyway, I'll go with the flow but perhaps you can tell me what your customised outfit consists of otherwise I'll just turn up wearing my baggy saggy old Levis. They're only dangling round a horse for heaven's sake! What's the worse that can happen.

[Showjumper]

Hehe - I'd definitely do the work if I was being paid! LOL!

You would probably be on Flynn or one of the other cobs for your first few lessons. They're about 15hh (just a bit bigger than a pony) and pretty tough, but nice and reliable.

Or you might even end up on a biggish pony. It all depends on your height and weight really, as all of Kingsweston's ponies are reliable enuogh for beginners (although you might not think this when you go to catch them in from the field!!!)

[Bruce]

I'm six feet and 15 stone but not really a bloater. Don't tell me I'm too big for a horse now!? Some of those huntsman I've seen on telly are right old fatties after all.

[Showjumper]

Hehe the Kingsweston horses will take that weight no problem.

[Bruce]

I have to repeat, what a great site this is. I've had a look around and already learnt a lot from the site and from your suggestions . Now I'm looking forward to straddling around one of those big - now what they called - those hairy four-legged things?!

[Nickie]

I've laughed so much reading this thread that my sides hurt! :D

Bruce the padded cycle shorts were suggested as an extra undergarment - meant to make it extra confortable. If you have looked at a saddle there is a raised piece on the front (the pommel) and should you mount wrongly, or fall forward it can obviously be the source of some considerable discomfort for your family jewels! :rolleyes: :eek:

It was in no way suggested to make you look ponsy.

Personally I find jeans ok to ride in, but most people generally disagree with me - maybe try tracksuit bottoms instead? Reason: The seam on jeans tends to rub - (another reason to consider cycle shorts!) :D

You may want to think about this: when you get on a horse for the first time you will be placing weight on a part of your body that is not normally used to support weight in this way. After your first ride - your legs and thighs will probably ache and you may end up walking like John Wayne for a day or so. There is no way you'll do jumping in a first lesson - even inadvertantly!! Sorry about that.

Riding is great fun, but like all things you must learn to walk before you can run, run before you can jump etc etc.

After your first lesson just be happy that you could get on and walk round - its more than you've done before.

Nicola

[Showjumper]

The parts of this thread regarding cycle shorts are like deja-vu! Who remembers Rick D's post?!?!?! ;) :D ;) :p :eek: :rolleyes:

[Bruce]

Ok. Sometimes it takes an outsiders eye to spot the obvious - if the pommel is a potential problem then just get rid of it! There.

If it is really advisable to buy cycling shorts then I will. I'll do anything you lot tell me to do 'cos your more clever about horses and stuff innit!

[Nickie]

Bruce

you couldn't get rid of a pommel Bruce - it kinda fits the shape of the horse! :D

N

[Showjumper]

Hehe - the pommel is very painful to fall on (yes, even for girls), but it's very useful for beginners to grab hold of for balance.

[Bruce]

Then change the shape of the horse..oh no that won't work. Then build the pommel out of soft squidgy sponge or something. Maybe I should patent that idea?

[Showjumper]

Hehe - the best method is to try not to land on it - once you've done it once, you're usually much more careful not to do it again.

[Bruce]

OK. Gottit - avoidance of the pommel is the best policy. Now about this balance thing. I kind of assumed that as you are sitting on a big animal with a nice leather seat fitted and somewhere to rest your feet that it was kind of secure (unless the beast in question goes ape s**t rodeo stylee). Now given that balance is an issue is there any excercises one can practice without a horse present? I want to do everything I can to be ready for that bl*@!y pommel thingy.

[Showjumper]

Hate to say this but balance comes pretty naturally. It's all a matter of getting used to how the horse moves. They don't only go forwards when in motion, they also rock slightly from side to side, so you just have to stay relaxed through the back and hips. Well, be relaxed all over, but don't slouch. :D

[Bruce]

I thought maybe I had to go to the beach and stand on one leg on a pillar with my hand raised in 'stork' position like the star of 'Karate Kid' the movie.

[Showjumper]

If you decide to do that can you please post photograhic evidence? ;)

[Bruce]

Sure thing. I've loosened the screws on my office chair so that it rocks in the manner you described. Now all I have to do is get someone to wheel me around the corridors whilst I sit astride it. I hope I don't get sacked.

[Showjumper]

LOL I think your best bet to learn to ride a horse is actually ON a horse...somehow, although the mental images are more amusing, I don't think a chair will respond and move in quite the same manner as a horse...:D

[Razzer]

I don't wear cycling shorts, But you might find a couple of pairs of tight fitting stretchy boxer shorts useful :) .

Personally, I think the cycling shorts thing appeals more to the women here ;).

Soft trousers, with minimal inside seam, and half chaps (a kind of gaitor arrangement). Jeans and full chaps (cowboy stylee) is another alternative, though chaps always have association with the Gay Biker scene in my mind. :rolleyes:

I think men are actually at an advantage as they have alot more incentive to get their "seat" right, otherwise it hurts. Women on the other hand, if they get it wrong they might actually......OK I won't say it. :)

[Lgd]

Don't believe it guys - it hurts just as much if us poor females land on the bl****y pommel, just less effect on breeding potential. I once (ill-advisedly) jumped a cross pole in a deep seated dressage saddle - Peri has a warped sense of humour so the revolting tart jumped the high bit (about 3' high) and my voice went up an octave (pretty good when I start in the soprano range anyway).

[Bruce]

Um, as I plan to sit on a horse for the first time soon aren't you lot meant to be instilling me with confidence? Instead all I have is what sounds like a 'guarantee' that I am going to, at some point, suffer severe pain in the nethers. Thanks!

I think showjumper confirmed earlier that that pommel thing can be a source of pain for anyone and everyone of either sex.

Actually, I am not suffering from a lack of confidence. No matter how you try to scare me. I am going to try this riding lark, succeed and then take over the world. ha ha ha gurgle splutter.

As a precaution though I am going to wear tight pants, a cricket box, cycling shorts, jodhpurs, jeans, chaps and anything else I can think of. I am going to tape a large layer of sponge around the pommel and the horses neck and head. I am going to fill the school I end up going to with polystyrene balls to a metre depth.

It suddenly occurred to me that if it is that bad having a riding lesson in a school in England what the hell do those guys who do rodeos do with their bits and pieces.

[Showjumper]

Its really not halfway as bad as it's been made out. It's just a matter of getting the balance and the beat and staying in rhythm. And as for the rodeo thing - hehe who knows! I think they spend more time on the floor, or lying on their backs than they do on the horse anyway...

[Tina J]

G'day Bruce (bet you've heard the mock Aussie accent a few times with your name). What a shame you're in Bristol, and I'm spoken for, and miles away, (and probably a bit old for you)because with your sense of humour I'd be happy to get you started if you were local!

The cycling shorts business is because a lot of men seem under the illusion that wearing loose baggy clothing is a good idea for riding - its not! The family assets need keeping tightly up and forward, out of the way if you lurch and wobble a bit, so you don't land with a crunch in the saddle! And the extra padding on cycle shorts is useful while your seatbones get used to the idea of being fully weight bearing. All the advice is because everone wants you to enjoy the experience, so that you keep going back for more.

Do keep us all posted as to how you get on.

[Bruce]

Up forward and out-of-the-way they are then! Glad we got that one cleared up.

As for my name, Bruce is my second name because my first was already taken when I first registered.

I'm looking forward to the experience of my first lesson and want to get started as soon as possible. If a horse pulled up outside my office window now I would hop on. Actually I did see some mounted police the other day. Maybe I should head down-town, drag one of them off, and canter around the city centre. On second thoughts they carry guns round here. Maybe I'll wait till I'm back in Blighty.

As for older women, well I am sure I can still be taught a thing or two!

[Nickie]

Posted by Bruce:

As a precaution though I am going to wear tight pants, a cricket box, cycling shorts, jodhpurs, jeans, chaps and anything else I can think of. I am going to tape a large layer of sponge around the pommel and the horses neck and head. I am going to fill the school I end up going to with polystyrene balls to a metre depth.

Don't forget the paracute!! :D :p

[Tina J]

Caro Bruce,

OK, one of the things an old lady can teach you is exercises to help the body get used to the idea of riding.

1. Stand up straight and tall, feet a bit wider than hip distance apart. Staying as upright as you can, slowly bend at the knees until you have squatted down by about a foot (30cm in Italy). No going up on your tip toes, feet flat and facing forwards. Hold the upright squat for a few seconds, then slowly come up straight again. And repeat. Do two or three times a day, and build up to holding the squat for a minute at a time and 10 reps. (start slowly though, it feels easy for the first couple then things start to ache). This prepares you for the feeling you should have in the saddle, and stretches muscles that will be stretched in your first lessons. The idea is that when you are riding, if the horse suddenly disappeared from under you, you would land in balance with heels, hips, elbows and shoulders all nicely above each other in a line.

2. This one for the privacy of your own home! Find a box, stool, low seat, whatever as long as it is stable and about 18 inches high (or 45 cm while you are over there) and a bit wider than your hips. Lay on your back with your feet flat but up on your box, stool etc. and slightly wider than hip distance apart. Now raise your pelvis to get a straight line from your knees to your hips, hold for a second, and gently lower. Build up reps. and time as above. This one strengthens your thigh and pelvic muscles so that you will have the control you need to ride with your seat as you get more advanced. Warning - if you have carpets, wear long sleeves doing this, or your colleagues will want to know why you are appearing with carpet burn on your elbows!

3. Take pictures of you doing above and post them for us!

[Razzer]

Didn't mean to discourage you m8 :).

To be honest - the whole testicular thing is a bit of non-issue, so long as you wear snug fitting undergarments. As for the breeding potential thing - don't you beleive it. My misses got pregnant 6 months after I took up riding - this was after trying for ages.

I think the regulars just miss the 85 page thread that there used to be on this subject, which was highly amusing, but has been removed to make space on the database.

The 98 page support bra's thread was even funnier :D .

[Bruce]

Blimey! Do all that and supply photos as well! Doing the first one I felt like Dixon of Dock Green (you must remember him!). Um maybe I was doing it wrong. I'll check. As for the second one - I won't tell you what I felt like. well OK then.......knackered. Are you telling me that riding a horse is this strenuous? I just thought they'd be useful for transporting me to the pub and back.

Oh well no pain no gain - as they say.

[Tina J]

If you're doing a Dixon of Dock green (I vaguely remember it, but I wasn't allowed to stay up late when it was on - I'm not quite THAT old, and if you're only 34 how come you remember it?), where was I? Oh yes, if you're doing a Dixon of Dock Green then you're probably sticking your bum out a bit. Which might look quite nice for the pictures, but isn't the idea of the exercise! Bum should go down vertically, back stays straight and vertical, knees go forward, and you feel the stretch in your ankles and thighs. Both the exercises are really as much about suppling your muscles as strengthening them.

As for riding being energetic. Well, it depends how good you aspire to be. The more energetic the horse, the more energy it takes from the rider staying in control. And fine movements from muscles that are already stretched to go around the horse does take a bit of doing.

Go on, persevere with the exercises - you'll thank me in the long run!

[saddlesore]

As a precaution though I am going to wear tight pants, a cricket box, cycling shorts, jodhpurs, jeans, chaps and anything else I can think of. I am going to tape a large layer of sponge around the pommel and the horses neck and head. I am going to fill the school I end up going to with polystyrene balls to a metre depth.
[/B][/QUOTE]

at this point i'm thinking you should just go out and invest in full body armor :D (and we do ride a little different over here, we sit on the left side of the saddle and over there you sit on the right side, other than that its all the same:D :D :D )

[Peace]

Posted by Bruce:

It suddenly occurred to me that if it is that bad having a riding lesson in a school in England what the hell do those guys who do rodeos do with their bits and pieces.

Especially since, as any of them will tell you, cowboys have larger, ahem, pommels to deal with :D Maybe Outrider could shed some light? :)

I can't wait for you to have your first lesson, either, Bruce! Hurry home - or better yet, come visit us colonials - and saddle up!

Welcome to the board!
Sally

[Bruce]

Well there's not long to go now. Today I phoned up to enquire about lessons. The women who answered the phone sounded vaguely surprised to have a male voice (suffering from octave drop syndrome due to too much um, everything, the night before) on the end of the line. But anyway she was very nice and even called me 'dear'. No-one has called me dear since, I can't remember when! In fact I didn't know anyone called anyone else 'dear'.

Anyway, the time is getting close. I can smell that horse already. I can feel its breath and, I reckon, by next week I am going to be sitting on it! How cool is that? Totally wicked.

[Showjumper]

Here in Bristol most people are called Dear, Darling, and Sweety. LOL! No kidding. Did you ring Kingsweston adn if so who did you talk to? :D

[Bruce]

I did but I forgot to ask who I was speaking to! I haven't actually booked anything but will call them again when I am back in the UK.

Anyway I live in Bristol and it's more 'alreet me love' rather than 'dear' or 'darling' isn't it?

[Showjumper]

Depends where you are. Most people at bus stops will come out with Love and Dear, but in a supermarket you're more likely to be called Darling and Sweety. :rolleyes:

[Cathy Reynolds]

Bruce, I've been off the board for a few daays and this is the best chuckle I've had in ages. Seriously, at 6ft and fifteen stone, your options are constrained two ways. 1 How long are your legs? If they're as long as mine (34" inside leg) then you'll look what we ladies describe winningly as "underhorsed" on anything under about 16.1hh (that's 5'5" at the bottom of the mane), and, 2 at fifteen stone you need a weight carrier - ie it needs some SIZE about it. Pity you're in Bristol or you could come and sit on my Henry (backside like a brick s***house) and sitting on him is like an astride armchair.

To answer your question about legs, the muscle will
come (you should see mine, mate, I'm back in the saddle a year and from pelvis to knee it's all muscle - and no you cannot have Mike's e-mail to find out what that's done for my lovelife - tsk!)

Another exercise...find a stool with no back, sit on it then raise your feet and lower legs off the ground so the thigh to knee is as horizontal as possible. It hurts. yes it does or you're cheating. Hold 10 secs, repeat. Do more as you can. This one does help.

Good liuck, here's looking forward to the new Pedro on the board!

[Bruce]

Seriously? Am I going to end up on a bleedin' cart horse? You've sent me into fluster. I had to double check my weight and I am in fact 91kg which I think translates as 200lbs which I think is just under 14.5st. Can I avoid the cart horse now. I don't think my legs would fit around one of them.

As regards Pedro I did some checking up on him (that's my job) and apparently the b*****d has bought a horse already and it's rather beautiful. How can I compete with that plodding around on some huge behemoth.

I could lop of my head - apparently that weighs about 10l

[Bruce]

Another thought - I've just weighed my clothes and shoes and they weigh about 4lbs. Would it help if I did a Lord Godiva?

[Tina J]

Only if you aren't going to ride at more than a halt, and if you're prepared to post the photos after!:D

[HorseySmells]

I'm glad I read this thread, I really needed a good laugh (especially after just taking my final exams-aaahhh!) About your riding gear, I'd just wear a pair of jeans, and you'll be fine. Now if you were riding western, then you might need something extra, but unless you're bouncing all over the saddle you won't need to wear a cup-lol. Not that accidents won't happen, because I'm sure that you're gonna take a few hits to family jewels before you get to be a "good rider" (not that I am-lol).
Oh, and just to boost your confidenlce, how bout' a riding-horror story? Well, it was my first trail ride, and I was riding western, and my horse decided to jump a stream, though I was hoping he'd walk across like everyone else. First I landed on the horn, then somehow I ended up in front of the saddle, on his neck (don't ask me how)! I had lost the stirrups, so I quickly jumped back in the saddle, found my stirrups, got him under control (after a little bucking and some discomfort) and rode him home. I've got to tell you, even though I'm a girl that still REALLY hurts! Well, good luck, and no matter what happens, remember that you just gotta get back up and try again!