Casual Riding

[Jesse]

Hello,

Although still very much a novice I do enjoy riding, although I only get the chance to go trekking when on Holiday. I have had a couple of lessons and feel that I know the basics and feel confident to trot.

I would like to go out riding more, would you think it is better to go for more lessons or as I'm only a casual rider and don't intend to buy a horse of my own, to just keep to the trekking?

[cvb]

Hi Jesse

Really depends where you want to end up. Even if you are just trekking, knowing more and being a better rider often means you get better horses, can do more, go faster (if you want to), have more control, be safer and so on.

But if none of this is an issue for you, why spend money ? Also lessons will help keep you fit and ready between treks.

And if ultimately you want to do a little more - then lessons are definitely on the agenda.

[Showjumper]

If you go for lessons, make sure you like the horses and the instructor - there's nothing to put you off like a horrible instructor and miserable horses. Find the right place though and you'll be hooked for life! :D Enjoy! :D

[amylou_84]

hi, i no *** u mean! i have no visions of owning a horse in the near future (unfortunatly) but i luv riding. i wanna take lessons to become a more competent rider so i can enjoy it more!
however during the summer i went on more treks than lessons! it was v enjoyable cus the weather was nice and i felt reasonabley confident at a trot!

do *** u feel is right for u!

amy x

[Razzer]

When I started, I was more or less just doing hacks.

Now I'm doing more lessons than hacks. This has vastly improved my riding, allowing me to ride more challenging horses (thus having more fun) and to get more out of any horse I ride.

Altho' I started out thinking as you do, I have found doing lessons very rewarding (I do both group and private lessons).

[Rayj]

Hi, Jesse
I have only just started to learn to ride and have found I enjoy going on a hack and having tuition while out. I have found two places local to me very good and different. They would not be too far for you to go as I live in Devon just over the border to you. One is at Exmoor and one in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset . Email me if you would like phone numbers, details etc.

[Jesse]

Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to reply, I have had a couple of half hour lessons plus a few goes trekking. I enjoyed both. The lessons gave me the confidence to enjoy the trekking more.

How many lessons does it take before to become an assured rider?


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[kedwards]

That depends, in part, on what you mean by assured rider. By some definitions, that could take years. So, if you only plan to take a short lesson program, dicuss your objectives with your instructor and modify them according to the feedback she gives you. Be clear and honest up front, and find an instructor who's willing to work around your needs.

[virtuallyhorses]

I started lessons thinking that there was no way I was ever going to own my own horse ......;) hmmnn don't know quite what happenned but there's something very contagious (or perhaps I mean obsessive) about horses.

Not so very long ago, I heard a voice coming from my mouth discussing the possibility of getting a second horse :rolleyes:

I guess the thing to do might be to try a couple of lessons - I don't think there's ever any waste in learning something new, so even if you just stick to occasional hacks, you'll have picked up a few tips along the way :)

[Jesse]

I've tried to book up some riding for this weekend, but all the local trekking centres are fully booked! had no such problems thankfully when on holiday.

Will have to wait a few more weeks before I go riding again.



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