Getting back to riding northern ireland...

[skoll6]

Hi,
New here, just signed up and honestly not sure if this is the right place or if I'm allowed to post yet. Hope it's okay.
Is anyone from NI or has any info on riding schools or getting back into riding (Belfast area)?

Have previously owned horses but had to rehome my gelding due to personal circumstances which was very tough (though he's in a great place now) and haven't ridden in about a year. And only very occasionally for a year before that. Have now moved to this area... I know it's not a massive break compared to some but I'm missing it and anxious about not knowing anyone here or having any connections.
Plus since I'm not really settled enough to think about buying I'm probably looking at lessons just to get to ride, and a bit nervous being an adult who was so used to having their own. I went to lots of lessons as a child and made a lot of friends but not sure I'd want to be back in groups of all children/teens now and be the oldest one there and stick out! A bit like going back to school, lol.

So, any experiences good or bad with riding schools and yards in the area so I know where to look/avoid? Including any good for us older learners? I found some on google but not a lot of info or first hand experiences. Also any alternative ways to ride, if there is a place to look for shares/loans (though tbh I could do with some good instruction either way)
Thank you!

 

[Skib]

I dont know your local schools but I learned to ride in my 60s in riding schools. Most adults prefer to ride in group lessons because it is cheaper but on account of my age, I always had private lessons 1 on 1. To learn from riding you need a suitable horse and a good and suitable teacher. It is easy to find one or the other, but not always easy to find both at the same yard. Bear in mind too that as you progress you may need a different horse and a more advanced teacher. The specialist is likely to cost more.
As soon as I could canter safely I used to have one lesson and one hack each week. Eventually my lessons were dressage lessons because that was what I wanted to do. And instead of hacking from an RS, I found shares to hack solo.
When presenting oneself at an RS, one is always advised to under state ones capabilities. This is not always useful. Concerns about falls and health and safety may mean an RI is reluctant to see a new students canter. Some RIs seem frightened to have a student canter at all and in any way. I eventually found that the solution was to be completely open and honest. And also to think it out and be precise about what you would like to learn., With me it was always that I wanted to learn to canter in a small indoor school - for I was a hacker whose canter had previously been out in wide open spaces. At another school I told the RI I was frightened trotting over poles and immediately poles were got out and the problem solved then and there in my first lesson.

 

[PePo]

If you've owned your own horse before, I presume you were reasonably competent but rusty instead of learning to ride as a complete beginner.

I'd recommend booking some lessons at an approved riding school and going from there. There are plenty of riding schools that do adult only lessons which can be incredibly sociable A friend of mine rides twice a week, one lesson and one hack and they are lovely groups that often go to the pub after a lesson or ride out!

They might require you to do an assessment session but then it can be up to you whether you choose to remain in private lessons, group lessons or hack or a mix!

If you want more than lessons then would recommend having a look on FB for horses to share or part loan. Also, volunteering with your local riding club could be a great way of making some horsey connections in the area too.

Enjoy getting back into horses aka the best hobby in the world!

 

[Bodshi]

I'm not in N Ireland either but just wanted to say I returned to riding as an adult and soon got over my embarrassment at being an adult in a group of teens during lessons at the RS. I had great fun and the kids didn't seem to mind me being there either I went on to loan one of their horses and then got my own, who I have had for 13 years now. Where does time go?!

Welcome to the forum

 

[Jessey]

I’m not from NI either, but I think if I found myself horseless after ownership, in a new area, I might look for the type of place that does holiday hacks, get some miles on the clock to build strength and get friendly with the ride leads and ask them for some recommendations. Kills 3 birds with 1 stone and pretty low key while I find my feet.

 

[carthorse]

And guess what, another who's not from NI! If you want local recommendations it may be worth asking on local fb pages - which might make some friends too - and going into any local tack shops to ask too, In a couple of years it will be your muscles that are rustier than your skills so if there's a local trekking centre maybe that would be an easy way back into the saddle.

I got a few lessons after I lost my Welsh cob, I wanted to get back in the habit of getting on unknown horses and making a quick assessment. I old schools what I'd done, the type of horse I wanted to ride, and what I was looking to get from the lesson. I did private lessons because wat I wanted wouldn't be achieved in a group. I didn't find a single place where they weren't happy for me to canter in the first session, though I wasn't too keen on the RI who took away my stirrups, it had been a while since I'd done that . If a school isn't right don't feel you have to go back, better to travel a bit further to the right place than stay somewhere you don't like or that treats you like a beginner.

For contacts and if you have the time you could try helping at a local riding club. The more people you meet and mix with the more likely it is a suitable share may pop up if that's an arrangement that would suit you.

Good luck!

 

[newforest]

Hi and welcome.
I agree with another poster, you will be rusty and returning. I suspect it's a case of building up some muscle memory, some confidence and you will be back enjoying horses again.

Around here they offer treks or lessons so you may find something similar that will let you get some saddle time while exploring the countryside, then you can have lessons if you want to focus on something.

Quick Google found this place.
I chose it as 45 years in business, two outdoor schools, one indoor, show jumps and xc. Solo assessment initially.
I like jumping so would go for that.

Birr House Riding Stables | Lessons | Livery | Belfast

If you are looking for local horse riding lessons or excellent livery facilities close to Belfast then find out more about Birr House Riding Stables.

www.birrhouseridingcentre.com