New member with question

[suseh97]

:confused:Hi I have just found this site and found it very interesting and helpful. I am 39 drawing close to the big 4-0 and I live in the west of Scotland. I rode a little as a child but my family could never afford a pony. The older I get the more I find myself going back to the things that interested me when I was younger.
So I have decided that I want to begin riding again. Just I would like to find a riding school that is mmmmm sympathetic to the older rider. I live in Renfrewshire, Scotland but I have a car and could travel to Glasgow, Dumbartonshire or Ayrshire. No use telling me to take lessons when the schools are in as I am about to begin a postgrad teaching course in the Autumn. Have had a look at all the BHS and ABRS schools nearby but there are tons of approved ones. So would like to narrow it by most geared to old crocks like myself :D

[Camyds]

Hi

I was driving down the 737 the other day in the Ayrshire direction, and noticed a sign just past the Linwood cut off advetising a riding school. I notice that they have a few coloured hossys in the field and I have never seen the sign before so they may just have started up.

I dont know for sure, but i dont think that any school mind's what age you are, also, you can book lessons in most places in a group or 1 - 1.

Good luk!!

[beakysian]

Hi suseh97, welcome to NR.

I've been riding a couple of months and have been round a few riding schools now, just looking and trying out as I'm not quite settled. I recommend you check the RS directory on the NR homepage for some starting points and ring round, explain your needs and see what they say. I can't imagine anywhere will turn you away! I have to ride weekends as I work full time and it's not a problem.

Ask if you can go along and watch a lesson or, as I did, just show up so they're not aware you are watching (bit mean, but one place was instructing a group of 10 young children on naughty ponies to kick them as hard as they could - not sure I would have been invited to view that lesson had I phoned ahead). If you like what you see, who you meet and the horses on the yard then book yourself in, you're not committed to returning if you don't enjoy your lesson. I found it quite daunting not knowing where to start but badgering people with questions has brought me so far and I intend to continue.

Good luck :D

[suseh97]

Hi thanks for your replies. I think I am stalling because I remember my RS in the 70s with all the teenage girls hanging around (even taking the lessons). I would find that intimidating now Lol! After reading the 80s thread I realise that they are far more professional than that now. I am going to go and view one in Lochwinnoch area later this week and maybe take it from there?????

[Hippyhorse]

Hi and welcome Ican't recommend any Rs'sin your area but like others have said go and have a look around a few and get a feel for them,I'm sure you'll soon find one that suits you. Good luck!

[FeeStuart]

Congratulations on getting back 'into' horses. My Mum's friends was in the same position as you, had ridden and been involved with horses when she was young, but unfortunately her family were never able to buy her one Once she was married etc she never had the time to follow her love for horses again...... until now. Fifty Eight and she now has her own pony, and is loving every second of it.

Sorry, can't help you in choosing a riding school, but I would probably also suggest going round and having a look at them, and getting a feel for them. You may find that you can cross as few off your list this way!

Good Luck and well done

:)

[capalldubh]

I was driving down the 737 the other day in the Ayrshire direction, and noticed a sign just past the Linwood cut off advetising a riding school. I notice that they have a few coloured hossys in the field and I have never seen the sign before so they may just have started up.

Think they are Lucyad's neighbour's horses :) The sign is for the RS/livery yard in the village (called Wardhouse). Other ones in the area are Boydstone (between Lochwinnoch and Beith) and Mid Gavin? (not sure if it still does lessons). I guess Boydstone is the one you're visiting - it does seem nice, I considered it as livery when I was horse shopping, but they had no places when I got the horse.

[suseh97]

Yes Boydstone is the one I am going to visit :)
I would have went today but the exhaust on car went. So it is in tomorrow to be fixed and I will go out Friday. Could have went today but the noise coming off the car would frighten any animal for miles around!!!
I am getting so excited about riding again. I only got interested as my toddler seems to have inherited the horse obsession. Fingers crossed she keeps it. By the time she is old enough for lessons I may even be half competent????

[Dak's Mum]

Hi Suseh97, sorry cant be any help at all as i live on the east coast but good luck finding somewhere and let us know how it goes.

[immi]

Hi, I used to live in Lochwinnoch about 8 yrs ago and went to a riding stables towards Beith - must be the same one - boydstone. Certainly, when I went there they were very supportive and helpfull and I had some fab lessons there - I was a returner to riding after a long time off and found them very good. Beware of being bitten badly by the bug though - I was and I'm sure that's why I now have two horses of my own! Oh, and I still get ribbed by my OH who when picking me up from my first lesson was speachless as I got into the car and broke down in tears 'cause I smelt of horses and it was the best thing ever:o What a sap!!

Good luck

Immi

[duckdaze]

Hi, I'd love to know how you get on as I am in a very similar position. I have just moved to the Neilston area and would love to get back into riding after a break of five years having kids. Used to help out at a riding school and prefer ponies to horses and not really a confident rider anymore. I would love to find somewhere where I can have a lesson or two to boost my confidence and ease my muscles back into the saddle.

Also found a new one advertised in my local shop www.greenacres-riding-centre.co.uk near Irvine.

[suseh97]

I realised I was probably just faffing around and putting it off. So I went ahead and booked an introductory lesson. I can then take it from there if I want to go back and continue or try somewhere else.
The woman sounded really nice and she chatted away with me. I decided on just a half hour as my muscles will not stand to anything more. Bit worried about the physical side as I have some issues now with being double-jointed. Physio had recommended I start pilates which should also help with riding. It is very centered on core muscles in stomach and back. I 'forgot' to tell physio about riding but hey the only thing she told me not to do was run on pavements. She even thinks with a bit of work I may even get back to running one day
Suse

[suseh97]

Immi - i think i may already be hooked and I am not even in the saddle yet. I am about to start my postgrad teaching course. I was checking out the payscales of teachers and working out how many years before I could maybe afford a horse of my own. I have moved back to Renfrewshire from the west end of Glasgow. I do have so much more cash now I don't live the Byres Rd lifestyle. Ah back to my dreams of a horse one day.

[coverblown]

hI

is Boydstone the one on the road just before you get to the T junction turn off for Largs?

I used to drive that way regularly going up to see my old mum. (in Largs) Makes me feel a little sad thinking about it.

I always thought that RS looked nice. Anyone know anything about Inverkip?

A.

[suseh97]

I think there is one out that way. Is it ardgowan? Think there is another Gourock/Weymmes Bay direction. I have ardgowan on my potential list but lochwinnoch would be easier for me to get to.

[molvik@lochmabe]

Hi Suseh97!

I know I'm replying on another thread here but still getting to grips with the format!

School was mega scary. Mixed ability-bigtime. No health and safety. " of us came off within 5 mins. RI grabbed my horse to maker it canter-I was a complete beginner-down I went.

YIkes!

Linda

[vikkig]

I do have so much more cash now I don't live the Byres Rd lifestyle. .

o how i miss aston lane on a sunday :) anyhow back to the point, i know the RDA centre in summerston was looking to do private riding lesson but dont know if it is only out of term time when they are not doing Disabled lessons, the horses and the instructors there are really nice, i used to work there ;) also if you are wanting to get your confidence around horses or learn stable management there never say no to help

[suseh97]

Hi Suseh97!

I know I'm replying on another thread here but still getting to grips with the format!

School was mega scary. Mixed ability-bigtime. No health and safety. " of us came off within 5 mins. RI grabbed my horse to maker it canter-I was a complete beginner-down I went.

YIkes!

Linda

Yes. Mine was back in the late 70s. There was hardly ever a real RI who took the lessons. Just some girls who helped out at the weekend. They were probably not much older than me. I had been going for lessons for a couple of years but not really progressing much. I remember a really bad winter. The ground was very icy and for weeks they kept taking me out for hacks on the roads in the park. I was losing all my confidence. Final straw was one of the girls thought it would be funny to feed a horse Space Dust (popping candy). I changed riding schools after that. Think my mum wrote a letter of complaint about the Space Dust.

[suseh97]

o how i miss aston lane on a sunday :) anyhow back to the point, i know the RDA centre in summerston was looking to do private riding lesson but dont know if it is only out of term time when they are not doing Disabled lessons, the horses and the instructors there are really nice, i used to work there ;) also if you are wanting to get your confidence around horses or learn stable management there never say no to help

Hi I replied to your post on another thread. You have inspired me to offer up my help. Not just for the horsey experience but also working with children. I am about to start a postgrad primary teaching course. I may not have the horsey knowledge but I already have things like enhanced disclosure. I know you have to get a new one everytime you take a new job or volunteer with children but already having one makes the process soooo much quicker. Thanks for the tip :)

[tina1958]

Have read your original message. You are not old at all at 39, just get out there and enjoy yourself. Any BHS ABRS will be more than welcome to accomadate you. Let us know how your lessons go.:)

[cvb]

Hi Suseh97!

I know I'm replying on another thread here but still getting to grips with the format!

School was mega scary. Mixed ability-bigtime. No health and safety. " of us came off within 5 mins. RI grabbed my horse to maker it canter-I was a complete beginner-down I went.

YIkes!

Linda

so any other comments on Dumbreck ? Just curious as I was at a 40th the other night and drove past it to get there.

It put me in mind to try and organise something for work - along the lines of the jeep riding festival thing to get people to try riding ?

[Troi]

Hi, I was in a similar position to you, wanted to go back riding with a sympathetic RI. I went to a few riding schools and tried them out. Then pick the one you like best. Good Luck, you'll find one.