help! haven't ridden in ages.

[theprancingpony]

okay, so i have two horses but it's been a while since i've seriously ridden, and i just moved one of them to a new barn and will start riding again regularly... my horse hasn't been ridden in a long time either.

how do you recommend i get back into the swing of things?

[HappyHorse13]

I haven't ridden in a long time, either.

Get a trainer, or take lessons with your horse, if you don't already. That's what I would, probably am going to do, if I ever get a horse.

[Manda]

Take things slowly. Maybe start your horse off in the round pen with some lunging? Also, taking lessons could help. Good luck and let us know how it all goes.

[theprancingpony]

thanks, i should be able to go out to the barn today if the weather stays nice.

[aub TVF]

Dear getting back in the saddle,

Yeah... I think that it is wonderful that you are pursing the horses again. Though having said that if I were you I would have a professional sit on your horse for a couple of weeks before you get on him just so that your chance for success is as great as it can be. So often than not I have found that it is not a great idea to have a green horse/rider combination and or "rusty" horse/rider combo in regaurds to being fun and bennificial for the both. Take your time in finding the right trainer match. Feel free to ask around and observe teaching and training this I feel is very bennificail in finding someone who shares the same training and riding ideas as yourself. Good Luck. And remember that paticience is a vertue in instances such as these... : )

[HappyHorse13]

OH, yes, aub TVF is right with the paticience virtue! When I was learning Parelli with Dusty, my friend's mom's horse, he would get soooooo stubborn sometimes! :rolleyes: I would have to be like, "TROT, DUSTY!" really loud and smack the Carott Stick on the ground (like you're supposed to) during the Circle Game to get him to go. For those who don't know what the circle game is, it's:

Point to the direction you want the horse to go.

Crack the Carott Stick on the ground

The horse goes

It's like lunging (sp?), but you stay in one spot.

Dusty and I had to do it, I don't know how many times, until he trotted in a nice arc around me. Boy, does he have a gorgeous trot, he moves so nicely!

Dusty's is also good at the Yo-Yo and Driving Game.

Oh, I'm sorry, was I going on about Dusty again? :p

I could go on about that beauty for hours!!!! I love the Dustman!!! :p

[aub TVF]

Glad to hear that I am getting some support and aggreance... We only want success and progression in terms of the future... This is why I feel so stongly about these forums... I think is is very positive to bounce ideas off each other... Continue with the questions if you have any...: ) The horse community is so supportive I have found...

Good Luck,

Aub TVF

[theprancingpony]

well i rode today, and she wasn't bad at all. i free lunged her before hand (not unlike the circle game...) and then tacked up and got on. the arena was new to her so she had some issues with the equipment that was stored in there. after she got over that we walked around a lot and did some trotting, working on direction and steadying her rhythm and what not. cantered very shortly, definitely something to work on once we both are in shape again. my legs hurt so bad! but i took her saddle off and cooled her off bareback, and all in all i think everything went very well.

if all goes well, the B/O is going to give me a lesson this saturday, and my mom's friend might give me a lesson even before that. i think that'll help.

thanks for your support, all! i'll keep you posted on the progress.

[DixieGirl]

okay, so i have two horses but it's been a while since i've seriously ridden, and i just moved one of them to a new barn and will start riding again regularly... my horse hasn't been ridden in a long time either.

how do you recommend i get back into the swing of things?

You should!!

[Skip_n_Hide]

well i rode today, and she wasn't bad at all. i free lunged her before hand (not unlike the circle game...) and then tacked up and got on. the arena was new to her so she had some issues with the equipment that was stored in there. after she got over that we walked around a lot and did some trotting, working on direction and steadying her rhythm and what not. cantered very shortly, definitely something to work on once we both are in shape again. my legs hurt so bad! but i took her saddle off and cooled her off bareback, and all in all i think everything went very well.

if all goes well, the B/O is going to give me a lesson this saturday, and my mom's friend might give me a lesson even before that. i think that'll help.

thanks for your support, all! i'll keep you posted on the progress.

Good luck with it all.. bit like riding a bike really... you never forget! :p