Absolute beginner

[Diana H]

Hello,
I am here as an absolute beginner in riding. I've actually only had my first lesson yesterday.

My question regards the time intervals between lessons. Especially if it is advisable to keep having lessons at short intervals despite the obvious soreness in the beginning.

I have yesterday, upon my inquiry, been given the advice to have another one straight away today.

As the majority of you will have a lot more experience than I to judge this I would appreciate your advice very much.

Thank you.

Diana

[qwerty]

What injury have you got? If you just mean sore inside legs then that will get better with time when your muscles relax. i have never heard of a lesson straight away but I do know you need to keep active so the muscles don't stiffen up.
If the injury is worse you shouldn't push it too far as you could make it worse. You need to listen to your own body.

[Diana H]

Hello Qwerty,
thanks for your reply.
Yes, it is mainly sore inside legs and what you usually get on saddles, even when cycling - ischial tuberosity pain.

I was just wondering if I should not rather rest for a few days and then proceed rather than having another lesson straight away and push it despite the pain.

But as I said - I have no experience to go by.

Diana

[qwerty]

It is different for everyone and depends on what you want to achieve. You have to options:
A Wait for a week each time and get rid of sore legs after a few lessons
OR
B Go straight away and suffer more with painful legs but it should be gone after a couple of lessons.

Have a read of a thread " painfull legs! " (I know it is spelt wrong! just copy it exactly into search at the top of the page and it should come up!) It may help.

Also, warm up before and warm down after...do not let your legs stiffen up after a lesson.

I personaly would wait becuse I wouldn't want to strain my legs even more. Also, yourriding may not be quite as good because your legs will be sore.

Report back! :p

[intouch]

I think it might be an idea to give your bruised seatbones a day or two to recover! It may have been the saddle, or perhaps you were sitting to heavily, or being told to push with your seatbones? An investment might be one of Heather's seatbonesavers, very portable and discrete, will fit any saddle and any seat! Next time, use the muscles in your buttocks to help lighten your seat a little, and read Heather's notes to help you with your balance. It also helps if you have some other bodywork like yoga, Pilates or Ti Chi to help with muscle control and body awareness. Take your time and be patient with yourself, you won't learn it all at once, but you are supposed to enjoy it!

[floppy]

i would just liek to add though that as you are a total beginner it will be painful because you are using those muscles you have never used before...if, after a long time of riding (give yoruself a few months of regualr lessons) you still suffer soreness THEN consider the seatbone saver!:)

if i have saddle sore (as it is called) i prefer to have another lesson the day after because if i dont exercise those "hidden" muscles i never knew i had then the pain is alot more worse!
believe me i have had many a puase through my riding life..one lasted 2 years..and i have tried both - resting for a few days or getting back in the saddle the day after and i solely recommend getting back int he saddle...my experience is - after days of rest i still cant walk properlya nd stairs are living hell to go up let alone down..hehe
and of course you still have soreness if you get back int he saddle but because youa re working those muscles they are not tightening up as tightly as they would with days of rest!

[Wally]

Never over do anything. Tired muscles or sore muscles never did anyone any good.

Start with short lessons, maybe once a week. Let your sore muscles heel before hammering them again.

Tired, sore muscles cannot be controlled properly so you will be doing yourself no good at all.

Wait until you feel ready to try again without stiffness or pain.

Small amounts of good quality work are better for every one than lots of low quality painful work!!

Work up to longer time in the saddle.

[floppy]

when iw as younger i never had any pain riding either but that was i gues smainly because i was so athletic..you name it i did it! but now as i get older and dont ride at all for about 3 months then getting back in the saddle provides some soreness because i dont do much else itn he sport division at the moment! things hurt more a syou get older!

[msp]

Hi Diana,

First is it just stiffness?

If you riding in jeans, swap to some leggings or something which won't fold over and pinch. If you keep riding I would strongly recommend half chaps - it is possible to find cheap canvas ones for about 13 pounds (ie. less than a lesson), and you will never get "bitten" by the stirup leathers again...

It also very helpful to always do streches before/after riding. In particular make sure you stretch the ham string - If you want I could post details.

When I started (last Oct), I found a one-on-one 3/4 lesson a week plenty enough - don't overdo it and hurt yourself. On the other hand, if you are just fairly stiff another ride may well help. Some riding muscles are very rarely used (except for maybe when skiing).

Have fun

[KarinUS]

I ride on Thursdays and then again on Sundays.
Leaving those two days in between works perfect for me. I can be sore on Friday and Monday and be fit again on Thursday and Sunday. Plus it gives you some time to think things over you've learned.
Let us know how it goes!

[Diana H]

Hello Mark,

thank you for your advice.
Yes, I was rather sore after the first day, but not due to the clothing I wore, thank God. I actually cycle a lot and wore my padded cycling shorts under a pair of leggings. That is also my way of warming up for the ride - as I cycle to the stable.

On my second attempt (I did go the next day again) I was surprised to find that the pain wasn't so acute any more after ten minutes in the saddle - and I actually felt better afterwards, although much of the hour was given over to trotting and my calves got 'bitten' rather badly by the stirrup leathers; but that was my own mistake - I wore a different pair of leggings that day and they were too short.

Our instructor told me that to keep active was the best remedy against sores, rather than waiting with the next lesson until 'all was well' again. But I guess, in the end, it is one's personal feeling that decides that. As of now I intend to have two lessons a week - that should suffice and not do any harm either.

Thanks again.

Kind regards,
Diana

[Diana H]

Hello qwerty,

I did in the end opt for having another lesson the following day and it went rather well (see reply to Mark).

My 'sitting bones' have already recovered from the first shock and the rest, I hope, will follow suit as I get accustomed to the unfamiliar movement and position on a horse's back.
Perhaps it has also got to do with the fact that I am 36 years old already and my body may take longer to adjust and recover than someone who is younger.

Thank you for your advice - it is much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Diana ;)

[Diana H]

Hello Karin and all the others who were kind enough to offer their advice,

your help is appreciated and I very much enjoyed reading your answers.

Happy trails to all of you !!!

Love
Diana


:D

[Joshua]

From what I remember learing to ride. Yes you will get sore at first mainly just the inner thighs a bit. The straighter you sit without tensing up the better it is. You need to do a few stretches before and after riding. Twice a week riding at first is quite enough. Two Half an hour private lessons or two hour group lessons is enough.
Best thing to help with riding I've always found is swimming. It stops you stiffening up after riding. One day riding and one day swimming. It'll get you fit as well and you'll just enjoy it more.

Joshua

A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.:D

[Outrider]

In this old cowboy's opinion, the more you ride, the sooner you won't be sore anymore. Happy Trails!

[Moonlightrider]

Wait a couple days, like everyone said. I almost never ride more then 3 times a week and I'm never sore. On the other hand, when I'm being a consuler (camp) and I ride after everyone leaves every day and occasionally to school horses, I do get a little sore like I did when I first started. Now a days I'm usually sore if I ride most days of the week (including bareback), but nothing much. Just the usual.