~"~I'm starting Riding Lessons Soon~"~

[Lala_Rider]

I'm starting Riding lessons soon, can you tell me what to expect and what I'll need. My first few lessons will be one-on-one then I'll be in a group.
:)

[Kimbychelsea]

my cousin had her first leson yesterday and she walked, done around the worlds(turning in the saddle), and steering. She wore trcksuit bottoms and old trainers. Kimby x Welcombe to the riding world :D

[Lala_Rider]

That really sounds like fun. thanks. Luckilly for me I've done trekking before, so I shouldn't find it too difficult. I'm really excited.

[Kimbychelsea]

I started riding about 4/5 weeks ago and have around 5 lessons and one hack, and what can i say i love it!!! Good luck

[Lala_Rider]

Thanks! I'm sure I will, Horses are everything to me. Just being near them makes me feel blissfull.

[Kimbychelsea]

yeah the same with me, please read my post' When can i' thanks kimby x x x

[Lala_Rider]

Where is it.

[Kimbychelsea]

main page..... must get ready to go into town , its called 'when can i....' xxxxx

[Alex]

Hiya, welcome to NR :)

I remember my first lesson - I was so excited! and it was absolutely wonderful! :) :) :)

For your first lesson you should wear long pants (no shorts etc, and try to wear tight pants, rather than baggy ones, as the baggy type tend to catch in your stirrup leathers) and boots or other shoes with a small heel and a smooth sole if you have them. Some riding schools provide helmets until you decide to buy your own.

I suggest you give the riding school a call and ask them if there's anything else that you need - some schools need you to wear boots, jodhpurs and have your own helmet, so you're best to check with the one that you're going to.

Hope this helps! Let us know how your lesson goes :)

Love,
Alex

[julietcw]

Hi, I echo pretty much everything Alex says but would like to reiterate the issue with footwear...please ensure your shoes/boots have a small heel and please DON'T wear trainers. The reason being is that trainers have no heel and your foot may slip through the stirrup...the injuries from that can be awful. I don't want to worry you at all before you've even started but horses can be unpredictable and a sudden movement from the horse may unbalance you and you don't want your balance to be hindered even more by unsafe footwear.

As for trousers, well, yes, jods would be best cos of the comfort factor but lots of people make do with jeans etc but nothing too baggy.

Above all, have fun and enjoy yourself!

[Showjumper]

Congratulations on joining the world of the horse-mad! :D I expect you will just be taught how to sit, hold the reins, steer, go and stop, but it will be fun and exciting :)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

congrats, im sure you will have a blast! tell us all about your first lessons.

[Kezzabelle]

hey, where abouts in scotland are you? I had my first riding lesson 10 years ago on wednesday!! whoa! :D

good luck - you'll love it!

lets us know how u get on!

Kez x

[n4cer2002]

Well, i've still got all this to come as i'm hopefully gonna start riding soon fingers crossed it should be good :)

[friskyfilly14]

Good Luck> Im sure you'll have a great time. Anyway my fist lesson was on the lunge and I did streches standing up and learned the difference beetween WEstern and English( I ride English) So Just Enjoy yourself
hApPy RiDiNgRide that pony

[Silver1]

my first lesson was absolutely wonderful! I was up on a bareback pad and had to do all kinds of funny movements with my arms and legs. Don't feel bad if you feel clumsy or think you look stupid, thats how I felt the first time but it turned out I was fine.

[flapjacks]

At my first lesson, I learned how to groom the horse, and put on the saddle and bridle. Then I learned how to sit correctly, how to walk, stop, and turn. It was a short and simple lesson, but I enjoyed it a lot and short lesson are good at first so that you don't get too sore!

[JaniceH]

I only started my riding lessons 6 weeks ago, I rode about 20 years ago for about 4 years, but believe me, I have started from the beginning again. I would definately ring the school in advance to see what they can lend you. My school, lend out hats and footwear, but after my first two lessons, the first thing I bought myself was jodhpurs as the trousers I wore for my first lesson, just got in the way and the seams rubbed on my legs (same reason don't wear jeans!) I then bought jodhpur boots as the boots I wore did not have a suitable heel, they can be quite cheap and can be used for other outdoor things if you find that riding is not for you. I have just bought myself a hat, but that was a treat for getting an A in an assigment!

I hope you enjoy your lessons as much as I do. I did my first lesson on a lunge rein and then have been doing lots of rising trot. I have yet to canter successfully, but that will come in time!

One last thing! I did not expect my legs to feel like rubber when I got of the horse for the first time - I ended up in a little pile on the floor! Book yourself in for a warm bath sometime after your first lesson - you might need it!
Enjoy yourself!

[makebelieve]

My first time?

My horse wouldn't move, so I stopped the lesson early. Although I did somewhat learn how to brush a pony! It was a 12.0hh pony, very stubborn!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Originally posted by Alex
Hiya, welcome to NR :)

I remember my first lesson - I was so excited! and it was absolutely wonderful! :) :) :)

For your first lesson you should wear long pants (no shorts etc, and try to wear tight pants, rather than baggy ones, as the baggy type tend to catch in your stirrup leathers)
Love,
Alex

I have to EMPHASIZE on what Alex said about the pants....for my first lesson, I wore baggy carpenter pants, and when I dismounted, my pant leg got got in the stirrup (western saddle) and the horse started walking, so I was left to hop along on one foot, until my teacher finally realized what was happening. :rolleyes: :D So yes, it definately is better to have tighter fitting pants. He-he. :D

Enjoy your first lesson, and I recommend keeping a journal!! I kept a journal of my first lessons, and I'm soooo glad I did. Its neat looking back and seeing what I was learning at the time, what my fears were, and how much I've improved.

Have fun!!!
Sarah :)

[flapjacks]

I keep a journal too. It's fun to go back and read, and also fun to write if you write down everything that you are thinking and not just what you do in the lessons!

[Mariss]

I learned how to groom, tack,mount, dismount, and do all the basic riding tecniques.:D :p :cool: :)

:D You'll LOVE it.:D

[Gypsypoop]

OOh i remember my first lesson like it was yesterday...well it was!! Lol not really. I was riding a 16.3hh horse, Twas quite fun really!!:D

[amyluho]

hey i am very happy for u i did they same thing the one on one really helps u to get started um i called ahead to see what i shoud wear the said old jeans and some old rain boots with a heal. good luck!