Who didn't ride when they were younger?

[Trundlecat]

Following on from the childhood pony pics (how gorgeous are they all??) was anyone else desperate to ride but unable to when they were young?

There was never any spare money at our house when I was a child (work was a 4 letter word to my father & my mother didn't think she should have to work being a woman) & I'd do ANYTHING to go riding but didn't manage to get that often. I'd save all year to get an hours beach riding in Cleethorpes during the annual caravan holiday & was so jealous of the kids who had ponies or went for lessons every week.

It does miff me a bit now because I'm way behind with the riding skills but on the other hand I'm so appreciative of my horse & love every minute of it (even the boggy jobs). Living a childhood dream when you're older is brilliant. Nasty but true is also the fact it's a "2's up" at my idle dad cos I can now provide for myself what he never had the slightest intention of doing. A lot of people think benefits culture breeds more benefit culture but in the case of me & my siblings it spurred us on to pull ourselves out of the mire by our finger ends & NEVER be like that or put our own children through that way of life.

By heck, I digressed a bit then didn't I? Can you tell I'm a bit bitter towards my parents lol.

TC

[Rarah]

Riding was something that the "posh kids" at school did. When I was above 7 or 8 I remember a group of the "in girls" walking to school in their black riding boots on a wet day (everyone came in wellies on a wet day back then and had their own clothes peg to fasten them together in the cloak room!!) - they would only let the people in their riding boots join in their games at playtime

I remember on family holidays to Morecame I used to save my pennies that I'd been given for the arcade and use them for a quick horse ride on the beach!!

I didn't start riding properly until I took my daughter for lessons for her 5th birthday (6 years ago). Have not looked back since!

[Heucherella]

I'm another one who didn't ride much as a kid. My big sis and I were both mad on horses - read all the horsey stories, played with plastic ones, and stroked any noses we came across. We did get a holiday ride occasionally when we went to Norfolk, which was nice, but there was no spare money in the kitty for more. As a teenager, two of my friends had ponies, so I did occasionally get a ride on theirs, but they didn't live very close, so it was mainly in the hols. (My secondary school had a huge catchment area!)

My sister finally started riding when she went to uni, and bought a horse as a priority as soon as she got a job, so she was living her dream (and perpetually broke!). Unfortunately she lives in Cardiff, so that was no help to me either! I seemed to get a husband and kids instead, and that took all my time, money, and energy.

So, at the age of 40, with kids mostly grown, a new job, and hubby busy with his own hobbies, I finally took the plunge and booked a lesson. That was 18 months ago, and I am loving it!! I seem to be progressing fairly well, (confident canterer and hacker, and started jumping), but where I feel I have missed out by starting as an adult, is in all the general horsey knowledge. Wibble was kind enough to give me a mentoring session with her lovely horse Liv last week, and that taught me loads! But there is still so much to learn!

Oops - this is a bit long - Sorry folks!!

[orbvalley]

I don't fit the criteria to reply to this thread but hope you don't mind if I tell my story anyway:o:p
I rode from age 14 to 16 with my school as my PE choice (it wasn't a posh school, in fact it was a rough & tumble inner london school, looking back I can only summise that they had a massive sports budget:D That figures as I don't have many academic exams but have done a lot of sports:rolleyes:)
Anyway, I liked it but can honestly say I wasn't passionate about it. It was just something that I did and it was ok:o
Stopped when I left school and eventually did another RS year with my OH as he used to be horsey. Again I liked it but it wasn't a passion.
Since moving to France I'd always looked longingly at the local RS as I drove past but didn't have the courage to join as the 2nd language thing put me off. I finally plucked up the courage last summer (well actually I didn't, we were driving past and my OH pulled into the RS and made me get out!) and I have never loved anything (apart from OH of course;)) as much as I do my weekly lessons. I'm taking some exams, something that I never had the opportunity to do before, and so consequently learning some basic horsecare theory for the 1st time ever. Its just so great & I'm so happy and thankful to have something that brings me just pure selfish pleasure in my life.
Phew this is lonnnng!
The reason why I'm intruding on your thread is just to say that I did have the opportunity to ride as a teenager but I didn't completely fall in love with it. When I got back on last year the previous knowledge I had did me no use whatsoever as I could remember what to do but could no longer do it, if you get me. So I started again as a complete beginner. The only thing that I do benefit from is knowing that I have galloped, jumped, sat bucks and all the other "scary" stuff before & it makes me determined to not be frozen with fear by these things even though I am a bit scared sometimes. The other "mature riders" in my group do have difficulty in getting over their fears more than I do, I think its because learning something new at an older age is more scary.
So there's a long winded way of saying that maybe had you have ridden when you were younger you may not have necessarily liked it as much as you do now.

[FeatheryFeet]

I used to hang around for hours by the gate of a field that had horses in it hoping desperately that someone would say "would you like a ride?" No one ever did :( My mother used to say "Our sort of people don't do that". I would wish with every birthday candle blown out and every chicken wish bone pulled that I could have a pony. Never happened.
So at the grand old age of 47 I had my first ever sit on a horse, re-ignited all those childhood dreams. Now I have my own beautiful mare who I ride most days. I have owned her for 3 years and still never tire of knowing she is mine. never tire of all the mucking out and hard work. Can you tell I love it?
It's all I ever dreamed it would be and more :D

[elaine@dow-evan]

I so wanted to ride as a kid - my Mum had a job working on a farm near where we then lived and there were 2 ponies on the farm - a grey NF mare and a Shetland - presume he was a gelding but tbh I didnt know about any of that then that then!!:o It was such a treat to be allowed to sit on their back, and "ride". :D:D Oh how I envied their owners. Up to that point I was a very "girly" girl and would only wear skirts, but Mum bought me a pair of jeans and that was that.
My cousin had a pony - Welsh sec B I think - and we were "allowed" to sit on her when we visited. My cousin sent me a pic of the three of us (me on the horse and she holding the reins!) recently - her hat did not fit me and I shudder to think of the damage it would have caused if I'd come off...(think of an egg in an egg cup upside down lol!!:eek:)
I also had a 1/2 day pony trek in the Lake Disrict when I was a young teenager - that was just walking along on a bored horse who knew his job was to keep up with the others - he trod on my foot, I remember!

A year ago a friend took me to meet his horse and that was that...I've been having lessons when I can afford them, learing as much as possible about horse care and have had 4 days at Murthwaite (which was great but psychologically quite hard for me) and have another 3 days booked to go there in September. I love the look of horses, their grace, the way they smell, the way they feel, the way thay are generally. I'll never be able to have one of my own, but I hugley appreciate being able to spend time with them at the RS and at various yards I know.
I am very nervous as a rider - quite happy around horses on the ground, handling them etc, but very tense in the saddle - not a good combination. I can still only walk and trot. Cantering is as yet a big no-no.

And it took nearly 50 years for my dream to come true.

[WooHoo2]

I used to work at the local RS, where the only "riding" we did was taking the ponies back to the field bareback. :rolleyes: It was £1. a lesson, but being the youngest of four, my family didn't have money to throw away on horses!

I've always loved horses, but it wasn't a "passion". And by the time I was 13, I never went near or sat on a horse for nearly 20 years, when an old RS friend asked if I'd help hack the horses from her yard out, just a walk round the block once or twice a week.

So, I took out a 19yo doddery, miserable git of a horse called William. I'd forgotten how to tack up, Wills bit me as I was doing the girth, and I just dreaded it. But, once on board, it was a glorious day, and I felt so at peace, I knew I'd have to ride again. I rode Wills for a few more months, got to bond with him, and he taught me so much, before buying my own....

8 years down the line, I'm a different person, my families different, we lead a different lifestyle than we'd ever imagined... and all because of Wills :)

[BlackBess]

My mum was a single parent on income support so riding lessons were never going to be an option. My highlight of the year was the village fete where I'd get to go on a pony ride. Otherwise, I used to wander off down to the horses field near where I lived and watch them and the riders go past for hours.

The only reason I wished I'd been able to have lessons as a child is that I might have been a more confident rider than I am now and that I would have been a lot fitter and more bendy. My joints aren't what they used to be and I tend to splat instead of bounce.:)

[beakysian]

I fit into this category totally. My earliest memories are of bolting through the door of my aunt's house to get to the hobby horse! Riding is all I've wanted to do since I was about 3 years old and 20 years later here I am 2 months in! Returners (personal opinion) don't quite grasp the desperation to get in the saddle that you get from waiting so long like FeatheryFeet - while they dive in feet first there isn't that absolute rush from living out your childhood dream.

Same old reasons really, single parent family, low income. I was allowed to take up music instead as at the time it cost about £15 per term in comparison to riding. Sadly, looking back I realise I could have ridden instead if I had given up music as a teenager because by then it was costing about £50 a month!! But by then music was "what I did" and I couldn't just quit.

I used to do chores to save up for a riding holiday but as a child never quite worked out that £2 or so a week was never going to become £250...

[Kittycat]

It's made me smile, reading of so many people living their childhood dream.:) I was pony mad as a kid, the house next door had a large garden and I used to dream that my parents would buy me a pony to live in it (ok, I hadn't quite grasped the concept of how much space they needed!):o We couldn't afford riding lessons but my parents did indulge me on every holiday by letting me go on a hack. When I was about 6 or 7 I dragged the lot of them out with me, that's when we discovered my brother was allergic to horses and my mum would never make a rider!:p I was on the lead rein!

We had a caravan and they used to take me to watch the showjumping whenever there was a caravan rally at an equestrian centre in Essex (can't remember the name but it began with H). They even took me in February and sat in the caravan in the snow, so I could watch the horses and hang around the warm up area. One lovely (and so kind) showjumper let me sit on her horse as she led him round to cool down, it is a memory I cherish nearly 30 years on.

Once I was married and had a house I still didn't have any money and, more importantly, couldn't drive. I couldn't justify spending money on riding which should have been spent on lessons. So, shortly after I passed my test, I booked a lesson. At the end the RI asked if I had any questions. I asked when I could come back! 2 years on I now share a lovely, old, shaggy pony there and I haven't been happier. Just spending time with him makes me smile.

It's been a stiff learning curve, I've still not got full use of my shoulder after I broke my collarbone when I fell off in September and I've cried many times, but I won't give it up. Yes, learning as a child may have helped me with confidence etc but I believe we should all get a big pat on the back for being brave enough to tackle something as challenging as this as adults.

Blimey, I've rattled on a bit haven't I?:o:D

[Laynah]

I would have loved to have ridden as a kid. but it wasn't to be, for lots of reasons, finances being one of them. I didn't know many horsey people either, and those I did know were from relatively well-to-do (or they used to steal bareback rides from travellers' horses...never fancied that myself!). I first got to ride on at the age of about 13 on an outdoorsy residential with school, and just a few times after that but it was pretty shortlived. At the grand age of 41 (5 months ago) I decided to treat myself. I've been hooked ever since and I just got my first share. I'm learning every day! It's wonderful!!!

[simons-mum]

I had my first sit on a horse less than a year ago after dreaming about it my whole life. I didn't have the opportunity as a child due to living in the middle of nowhere, being the oldest of 6 kids and having a workaholic father who was never available to drive us anywhere. Thanks for starting this thread, I was beginning to think I was the only person in this boat! :D

[fishiz3434]

I used to hang around for hours by the gate of a field that had horses in it hoping desperately that someone would say "would you like a ride?" No one ever did :( My mother used to say "Our sort of people don't do that". I would wish with every birthday candle blown out and every chicken wish bone pulled that I could have a pony. Never happened.


This is why when ever i see a kid watching me ride and they have that look of 'please ask me' i always give them a ride, i was one of those kids and no one offered EVA!! I cant count the number of little kids that have had their first walk trot and canter behind me on Jessie and i've only had her since Jan. Would be nice it "Our sort of People" did offer kids rides, my horse is no angel but she lets kids ride behind me or even without me on and them just in the saddle for a walk.

[Trundlecat]

This is why when ever i see a kid watching me ride and they have that look of 'please ask me' i always give them a ride, i was one of those kids and no one offered EVA!! I cant count the number of little kids that have had their first walk trot and canter behind me on Jessie and i've only had her since Jan. Would be nice it "Our sort of People" did offer kids rides, my horse is no angel but she lets kids ride behind me or even without me on and them just in the saddle for a walk.

That's really lovely fishiz3434 :) I wouldn't dare let kids sit on mine (he'd be off lol) but always stop to let them have a stroke & answer questions. We are very privelidged (sp??) & I like to keep that in mund. Worries me sometimes that my own kids take things a bit too much for granted, I'd hate them to turn out like those kids in their riding boots at school Rarah mentioned. It's a fine line between providing for your children & ruining them. That's the biggest problem I've encountered with this whole having kids lark so far.

[Calder]

I didn't ride until I went to university. My mother was discouraging when I expressed an interest in learning in my teens, but not for financial reasons. The money could have been forthcoming, and when I was younger I did have a couple of friends who rode. I think it wasn't so much about class, more a matter of culture and gender (I'm a guy). Our family didn't see itself as horsey, and maybe saw it as being suitable only for those who were almost born-and-bred into it, or as being more 'country' than ourselves. I was told I was 'too old', at sixteen or so! It's all a bit stereotypical, and I don't quite understand the reasoning behind it, but anyway the parents weren't keen - fears about safety might have been a part of it.

It took me a long time to get myself in the saddle, and I reckon some of my family still think it's a bit unusual, but the advantage of being an adult new rider is that it is definitely something you have chosen to do for yourself. It's my own thing, and I absolutely love it.

[highamreb]

i definitely ft in this thread, i didnt even have the urge to ride when i was younger, strange i know!!! my sister rode when younger but i didnt, then she started again as an adult and thats when the bug hit me, i had lessons for about 3 months then bought myself a veteran riding school horse and i couldnt love him more, then my daughter caught the bug and she has highland pony, so now completely skint but def worth it!!!

[jacs205]

This is why when ever i see a kid watching me ride and they have that look of 'please ask me' i always give them a ride, i was one of those kids and no one offered EVA!! I cant count the number of little kids that have had their first walk trot and canter behind me on Jessie and i've only had her since Jan. Would be nice it "Our sort of People" did offer kids rides, my horse is no angel but she lets kids ride behind me or even without me on and them just in the saddle for a walk.

that is so lovely of you, I remember watching people ride too and wishing I could have a go, I promise if I ever get my own horse I won't forget this thread

[nicolaj]

It has been nice reading these threads, again as others have said, you do think you are the only one not to have had a pony as a kid!

I always loved horses and everytime I heard hooves clopping along the road I would dive to the front window just to watch them ride by and crane my neck as they disappeared round the corner. As others did, played 'horse' in the back garden making my own jumps and neighing etc:o (yes I was only little!!!!) Had a Anna and Happytime horse doll which was great, the best present I ever had off my Dad as a kid! Read all the horsey books and loved the Blackbirds one and dreamt that when my Dad was looking for a new house he would buy one with a paddock and a resident pony just like the booklol:rolleyes:!!

Had 'lessons' (I use that term in a very loose sense) at a local place, £1.75 per hour, and the lady up the road sold me her old riding hat, which was too big and I just padded it out with padding to fit:eek:. It was just fantastic I remember the name of that first pony I rode Panama, and dark bay gelding!

Then the lessons stopped and I just begged rides where I could. Yes, I was one of those kids hanging around the field at the bottom of our rode watching fussing the ponies. I always used to enter the WHSmiths Win a Pony competition, much to my Dad's dismay in case I won!!

Like others, youngest of three, single parent family with not that much money to go round. I was dead jealous of my older sister whose best friend had a horse and she used to go up with her and ride etc. The worst of it was, she wasn't really that bothered by horses!!

At the grand old age of 33 I got my first horse, who I sold on after three years as we weren't quite suited, but he taught me so much! I now have a lovely Haflinger pony.

As others have said, I missed out of the confidence that riding as a kid gives you, but then I also feel that coming into horses later in life leaves you more open to new ideas and not been stuck in the 'old ways' that some people are.

I do love having my pony, and maybe the journey has been longer confidence wise, but I do think that I appreciate it so much more now than I may have done if I'd had a pony as a kid!

Sorry went on a bit!:rolleyes:

[Anna-Marie :)]

I rode when i was about 4 or 5 but wasnt learning much because i couldnt really take it in and just enjoyed being lead around so my parents stopped lessons
I'd go for odd pony rides on holiday and have rides on my friends horse.
After many years of begging and being sent to piano lessons instead of riding lesson:rolleyes: i finally started learning to ride when i was 13 (nearly 4 and a half years ago)

I wish id learnt from when i was younger because maybe i would have had my own horse and be doing things like eventing and i might have had the nerve to jump really high because id love to but im a wimp! :o

[Crazy Mare]

I wasn't able to ride when I was a child and I sooo wanted to.

I used to save up all my pocket money/lunch money so that I could one day buy my own horse and then my parents would have to let me ride :o:p

I finally had my first lesson in my late 20's and know have my own pony.

When I'm with her, riding or not, I feel as happy and carefree as a child :D:D

[spamchops]

I was utterley horse mad as a kid but we were poor and I only got to ride a pony at fetes or donkeys at the beach! I had stacks of books and I drew horses constantly. When I was thirteen I got a job walking a dog and was finally able to pay for lessons - £3 for half an hour, I still remember that pony, she was 13.2 and grey and called Ria. I cantered in my third lesson and went on my first hack on my fourth time and Galloped!!! I remember holding the saddle and doing the entire length of the field with my eyes shut! And I never looked back!

[kackabella]

I was desperate to ride as a kid, but despite many years of whining, my parents never gave in. I can remember my sister and I coming up with stories about how useful it would be in later life if we were able to ride. Don't know what circles I thought I'd be moving in, probably had aspirations to marry into the aristocracy!! Anyway, needless to say I didn't marry a lord and I have never actually been in any situation where I felt that not being able to ride was a disadvantage. However, I have always dreamed of being to ride properly and look after horses.

I eventually started to learn to ride last September at the age of 32. After having 3 children, I thought it was time to fulfill my childhood dream. Unfortunately the dream only lasted 6 months as I got pregnant again so am now going to have to wait until next summer until I start all over again!! Hopefully I'll appreciate it even more 2nd time round... :)

[coverblown]

So many of these threads are about "returning to riding...." that this one's just great. And really strikes a chord

My father hated his job too, but stuck at it, and why should have his pittance provided riding lessons for me when there were family clothes and food to spend it on. I'll never stick two fingers up at him, he worked till he dropped. At 48 poor man. And then Mum went back to work to fend for the 4 of us.

Our family holidays consisted of me and bro and sis helping out at the stables when the ponies went down to the beach near where we lived. So's Mum could look after the baby. Most of the time we just walked down with the real helpers (thos who could ride...) but sometimes we got allowed to lead, and occasionally (once a year I think, one of us would get hoisted up on top).

Sis and I are keen riders now (tho still not owners) and have brought both our daughters up to love this sport. Maybe their children will get a pony (probably to share).

[curlycal]

I was a horse mad child, but we were too poor to afford anything other then the odd donkey ride at the beach.
I used to devour horse books, draw horses all the time.
pretending to be riding a horse over a showjump consisting of a broomstick across 2 chairbacks lead to me breaking a front tooth.
Boys, marriage and then raising a family put my horse passion on the back burner until 2 years ago at the age of 45 I had my first ever riding lesson, and was of course completely hooked :)

[JessieB]

So good to read everyone's experiences. My dad put me on a pony at a country fair when I was 3 yrs old and I fell in love with horses. Begged my parents constantly for lessons of which I had about 5 when I was 13 but as my mum had aspirations for me to be a ballet dancer my lessons stopped as she was concerned i would fall off!

Just like nicolaj I used to enter the WHSmith win a pony competition each year although gawd knows where I thought I would put it if I'd won!

I used to save up my pocket money and buy pony mags and a wide variety of horse books including titles such as 'breeding racehorses' and 'running a stables as a business'. I read them all. Wanted to breed the ultimate grand national winner but obviously didn't realise at the time just how much money is required for this ambition! (Childhood was rose-coloured by films like 'National Velvet'!).

Like all of you the years go by and other things come along like marriage and lifes challenges in general and your dreams are put to one side - never forgotten, just shelved for a while.

A few months ago at the age of 36 I talked to my lovely supportive husband about my dream and he encouraged me to book a lesson. I was scared that I wouldn't feel the same. I absolutely loved it - my passion had not died, in fact it was stronger than ever!

We did some budgets and made loads of enquiries about types of livery, feed costs, farriers, vets etc and found that I could actually afford a horse - music to my ears! So now I have a year and a half plan at which point I will buy my first horse and realise my dream!! I enroled on a BTEC course and have attended a residential course on horse management to learn all I can before I take on this huge responsibility. I'm soo excited - I think the most I have ever been in my life.

33 years later I'm like that little kid again!:D

[Friendly Filly]

I have been horse-mad for as long as I can remember, but didn't get the chance to spend any time with horses - other than visits to local park for pony rides once a year - until I was almost 16 when I helped in the Secretary's tent at a local show and learned there was a stud close by. Even then, it was a show pony breeding stud and they had nothing large enough that was old enough to ride - I was not a small person even then. I got to do loads of things on the ground with the ponies though, and it was a wonderful couple of years - I learned how to look after the ponies and foals, from mucking out and grooming, to lungeing and breaking in. The owner used to take me and my sister to lots of shows, where we helped by holding onto various animals, and grooming for showing classes. It was all very valuable experience. I finally was able to start proper riding lessons at a local riding school 3o years later (3 years ago), but broke my arm badly last year, and have only just started them up again. I love my lessons, but can only afford 1hr per week, and definitely cannot afford a horse of my own - or not yet anyway. You must be so happy having finally realised your dream. And I'm sure you make a very good owner because you are so grateful to have your own horse after waiting so long - lucky horse. Have lots of fun together.

[Friendly Filly]

My mum was a single parent on income support so riding lessons were never going to be an option. My highlight of the year was the village fete where I'd get to go on a pony ride. Otherwise, I used to wander off down to the horses field near where I lived and watch them and the riders go past for hours.

The only reason I wished I'd been able to have lessons as a child is that I might have been a more confident rider than I am now and that I would have been a lot fitter and more bendy. My joints aren't what they used to be and I tend to splat instead of bounce.:)
I agree with that - I am trying to improve, but it's hard when you're nearly 50!

[gallop_on]

I was a horse mad little girl but never got to ride as a child as I came from an unsettled family and spent time in care. I had a few horsey books and would memorise every word and spend hours looking at the pictures.

I kind of forgot about it for while but whenever I would see someone out on their horse I would stand and stare (they must have thought I was a right wierdo:eek:). It wasnt until I hit 31 and I thought Im going to do something that I have always wanted to and booked a riding lesson. I took to it like a duck to water and that was 4 years ago.

I have had part loans and lots of experiences of unsuitable horses - I had one do a full rear! but it has not put me off in the slightest. My only regret is that I didnt do it earlier.

I cant afford my own neddy just yet but Im working on that:D

[Imzadi83]

Oh I've probably wanted to ride a horse since the first time I saw one galloping on television. To do it I would have had to quite my other after school activity which I didn't want to do.

I'm twenty five now and disabled due to a chronic migraine. I have pretty much no life but wanted to try and do something that was only like an hour a week to see how much time I would lose because of the pain now, & it had to be something fun because I didn't need the added stress of being dirty looks for not always being able to show up. I of course looked into riding lessons :) I'm in seventh heaven.

[cwb]

I never rode, or wanted to, as a child. I was 38 when I first got on a horse and liked it, so I used to ride whenever I could, which was not very often - perhaps 5 or 6 times a year for 3 or 4 years. Then I didn't ride again until I visited a friend in Denmark who owned horses about 5 years ago.

My passion started when I took my grandaughter riding last year - 10 months ago, I learnt to ride again and I now have had my own lovely Scully for 3 months!

[sancho]

I too wanted a pony but it was never going to appear! One of four girls, my mum couldnt afford lessons after my dad died so none of us got them ever!

I too dreamt of winning the WHS competition every year!

At about 9yrs old I asked if I could look after one of the local livery stable owners' horses. I used to ride there on my bike at 7.30am on a sat & sun with my soup and sandwiches and get home at about 5pm!

NEVER got a ride, the stingy bar steward, but I loved all the jobs associated with owning a horse.

Spent my childhood very rarely riding unless there was a village fete etc but as others have said read so many 'how to' books and drew horses all the time!

Also had a 'Anna and her pony' doll & horse you could pose on a stand in all the gaits- anyone else have her?? My god we 'hacked' for miles in my bedroom!!

My daughter started riding at about 10 years old and I had lessons too!

We moved to the country when she was 11 and loaned her a pony for 18 months but now own two horses of our very own!

Learning to ride properly as an adult has been a slow process as the fear factor is greater but I will never forget how lucky I am now to own my own and my daughter has never been the type to not appreciate her childhood either.

I can spot a kid yearning to sit on a pony a mile off and am always offering a ride - even in this god awful 'sue em' culture!

[Skib]

Me. My brother did. I was so jealous. I used to bike up to a field and feed grass to a grey horse called Phlox.

[nicolaj]

Also had a 'Anna and her pony' doll & horse you could pose on a stand in all the gaits- anyone else have her?? My god we 'hacked' for miles in my bedroom!!

Yep I had one of those dolls as well and like you would hack for miles in my bedroom, win HOYS and all manner of competitions!! lol!

[sophie33]

I didn't have one of those dolls but I had a riding school! It was on a plastic base and came with little horses with spikes on their backs so you could attach the different riders - it was fantastic!!
I've really enjoyed reading this - like others i thought I was alone in not getting to ride as a child. We just didn't have the cash. But once, when I was 9 or 10 my aunt, who lived in the countryside and had worked in a stables at some point, somehow borrowed a fat litle white pony and kept it in the garden for a day when we visited. :D He/she was wonderful! My little sis was scared of the ponio so I got to be led up and down - I was hooked! Didn't ride again for years but still remember that lovely little ponio.