New Rider and First Loan Horse

[FitnForty]

Hi Everyone,

I just want to share with all of you, the most fantastic feeling I have ever had!
I'm forty years old and had never even sat on a horse until April of this year. I started riding lessons after being inspired by watching the people at my local yard hacking out and riding in the manage.
I used to watch them as I walked my dog, and always wished I could be one of 'those people', so I wanted to try and learn to ride.
In May my instructer thought I was ready to learn to canter but on my first attempt I had two falls both on the same evening and caught a clip of a hoof on the way down as result I did a bit of damage to my back, spained muscle and trapped nerve sort of thing. This made me fairly nervous the next few times I tried to canter and could really let myself go with it.

Anyway after blabbing on for so long I just want to say I now have a loan horse - a stallion called George and for the first time in my life today I was happily trotting over the fields on my own and it was the most perfect feeling.

All the best to all of you. :p :p :p

[Caro]

Hey - that sounds fab. Certainly a dream come true for you. You've come on incredibly fast - how many lessons were you having? If you were cantering by May, having started in April, it sounds as if you must be a natural. I still can't sort out my canter, and I've ridden on and off (with large breaks for children and other reasons) for years. (Though my riding was very much a product of the 'get on and cling with your knees' school, which I'm now paying for).

But I always thought stallions were, how to put this, a little strong?

How great to hear you're so happy with it all. Have fun.

[kedwards]

Congratulations on the loan and on your newfound freedom!

[Scarlett 001]

Way to go!!! Great!!! :)

[Snowflake]

Hmm FF

How sickening that you - after just a few months of lessons - are trotting round fields on George the stallion. Incredible!!

Many of us here (including moi) have had hang ups about cantering forever despite lessons and therapy sessions etc etc
;)

You must be a natural!

Are you a male or female might I politely ask?)

Snowflake
:eek:

[Kady A]

Greetings from another 40 yr old! Good for you - another example of life beginning at 40.

Enjoy NR and post some piccies of George please!

[Alle]

yes...there should be pics!

[FitnForty]

Hi Everyone,

I just spent ages posting a reply to with a picture of George, thought it had gone ok but the image was too large - Will try again. I apologise if my first post made me appear to be showing off, but really I wasn't. Let me explain, George is a 12 year old stallion with one eye - he has a right eye!

There are kids of 13 and 14 down the yard who have ridden George. He is the kindest, sweetest horse with the best ever temperament.

I am no "natural" at riding I just enjoy it so much, it gives me the best feeling and makes me feel so alive. My canter is crap and my trot is just about acceptable, but when I'm riding I'm in another world entirely.

Hi Snowflake, I am female and my name is Debbie. Please can you tell me what "FF" means?

All the best.

[Yann]

FF is short for your username at a guess:D

I know exactly what you mean about riding, I have lessons and do a bit of schooling, but there's no better feeling than being out and about in the countryside by yourself with your horse. Like you I arrived (or returned) late to riding and horses, there's nothing quite like it.

Welcome to NR:)

[cazrider]

Hi Debbie

George sounds just great, and that feeling you describe is the best in the world. As a late returner myself I am with you all the way. I recently won a very small Handy Horse competition for people on our yard on Sennie, and you could see my smile a mile away!

Welcome to NR.

To echo the others, some pics of George would be great.

If FF is short for FitnForty, I think I would be UF if you get my drift! :( :)

[FitnForty]

Hi Cazrider,

In my case the "F" part is more hope than fact !!! :p

Cheers