Advice for a new rider, how do I start this sport???

Shropshirerosie · 01-23-2013, 08:49 PM

You're going to find it pretty impossible to ride exclusively Western in the UK. I suggest you dump your prejudices about English riding in the bin, and get yourself down to the local riding school. You'll have to wear a riding hat - no school can operate without one, you'll have to wear boots with a heel, and after a couple of lessons in jeans you'll probably choose to buy yourself some Jodphurs

Certainly there are Western riders and coaches in the UK, but not many. You will find it easier starting English and switching to Western.

NorthernMama · 01-23-2013, 09:11 PM

I can't help you find anything near your location, but try a phone book, try a tourist brochure for a riding stable just to get you a foot in to the local horse environment, try the local municipal office for a business directory.

Also, before you head out, a piece of advice: keep your uneducated opinions about both english AND western riding to yourself. People won't appreciate hearing it on either side and you don't want to limit your experience based on, well, based on absolutely nothing.

Skyseternalangel · 01-23-2013, 10:14 PM

Ouch... okay rule number one when starting something new: Do not disrespect aspects of the sport that you don't understand.

You should have an open mind, and not be so quick to make assumptions.

Definitely you need to wear a helmet. Horse riding is dangerous. And it is harder than it seems. You can't just jump on and start cantering into the sunset.

You have to commit yourself, if just for one day a week.

Best of luck. It's an open sport, meaning for girls and guys.

NorthernMama · 01-23-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyseternalangel

Ouch... okay rule number one when starting something new: Do not disrespect aspects of the sport that you don't understand.

You should have an open mind, and not be so quick to make assumptions.

Definitely you need to wear a helmet. Horse riding is dangerous. And it is harder than it seems. You can't just jump on and start cantering into the sunset.

You have to commit yourself, if just for one day a week.

Best of luck. It's an open sport, meaning for girls and guys.

Agree with all this except for "You have to commit yourself, if just for one day a week." That's just not true. Whether its riding, skating, skiing, dog sledding, car racing, or whatever. The amount of commitment is determined by your desires and your goals. When I started with horses, I was lucky to get out once every couple of weeks and that was only over summer break. Now, I still don't always get out once a week.

I used to be an avid skier. Now, there isn't as much time or money. I've only been out once so far this year. Does that mean I enjoy the sport any less? Not by a long shot.

OP - try it slow; keep it fun. Get a taste of what riding REALLY is and what horses REALLY are and see if it suits your fancy. You can get as involved as much or as little as you like.

Skyseternalangel · 01-23-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernMama

Agree with all this except for "You have to commit yourself, if just for one day a week." That's just not true. Whether its riding, skating, skiing, dog sledding, car racing, or whatever. The amount of commitment is determined by your desires and your goals.

No I didn't mean "you have to ride at least once a week" I meant you need to be committed, even if you only get to ride once a week. I can see how that'd be misread.

I like how you phrased it better.

jamesqf · 01-23-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alasdair

P.S.
Is it odd for a 17 year old boy to be interested in starting horse riding? People have said that horse riding is for little girls and Bronies (and I don't like my little pony/ not a Brony and am not a little girl).

Yes, it is odd, but look at it this way: you will be in a position to meet scads of girls, and have something to talk about with them

It's like when I was in high school (many years ago), and took what had up until then been an exclusively female home economics class. (As moral support for a friend, who'd been kicked out of just about every other class.)

I don't know much about riding in England, but I would guess you want to look for riding instructors who will teach you about "hacking" rather than showing. Tell them that's what you're interested in, and if they don't do it, move on.

PS: I could be almost your mirror image: I live in what is pretty much cowboy country, and am not the least interested in "Western" riding, if that means Stetson hats, cowboy boots, and saddles with lots of silver & fancy tooling.

LynnF · 01-23-2013, 10:52 PM

To put it in the words of one of my best guy friends "You may want to think again about riding english because there are an awful lot of good looking girls in those 'silly tights' and sports bras training at the barn" We were reading through this and I got a giggle out of his response and thought I would share.

Alasdair · 01-24-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny

For someone who hates stereotypes, you sure threw out a few assumptions in your original post.

-Dressage is NOT making a horse dance. Far from it, and basic dressage should be the foundation of every discipline.

-You may come to find that you like those "silly tights" as they give you extreme freedom in the saddle. They are certainly not mandatory, though, and don't wear them if you don't want to. As far as jackets and hats (I suppose you mean top hats?), those are only used in showing.

Now that I am off my little box of soap.....

The only thing I am going to suggest to you is to take lessons. There is nothing like hands-on experience, which is what you need as a green rider.

ETA: You may also be dissapointed to find that when you first start riding, even if it is in a Western saddle, it is not going to be like those movies or reenactments. Just a warning. Best of luck to you and I hope you learn to love the wonderful world of horses.

Ok I don't know allot about horse riding so yes, my Knowledge is based on assumptions and popular opinion. I'll have a go soon and see what I think.

Alasdair · 01-24-2013, 11:57 AM

Those jodhpurs might be practical but I don't think I'll ever wear them. The helmet I can understand now I think about it. I agree that I shouldn't have so many misconceptions about something that I know nothing about, so sorry if I offended anyone, I can be a bit of a fool sometimes. Also, as a few people said, there is probably an advantage to there being so many girls in one place :).

Seems like I have allot to learn, thanks for the help.

kitten_Val · 01-24-2013, 12:42 PM

I know several guys in barns I go to (dressage and eventing), and they all wear breeches, and look really good (professional). Now in western and trail riding barns I do see jeans most of the time, in english barns most people I know of wear breeches (although there are exceptions of course). I don't think people would even pay an attention if you were wearing jodhpur.

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