rode when i was little ... now want to get back into it !

I couldn't say enough positive things about the joys of returning to riding and horse ownership from my own experience. I always loved horses, took lessons as a teen then owned my own horse thereafter, sadly sold my horse in my twenties and never let myself look back till over 20 years later. I bought my first horse 5 years ago and it has changed my life for the best. I do more varied activities with my horses than I ever did when I was younger-trail, jumping small jumps, western games, lessons driving, sleigh riding and team penning. I would recommend lessons for sure to review the basics and then you're on your way to go in any direction you choose.

Had my first lesson!!!

It was going ok, walked trotted and changing diagonal , but the horse always felt like she wanted to go, it was all fine until she decided to do little rear and bucks until I fell of :/ not q good end to a lesson. Just feel like a total lock of confidence before I have even started.
Does anyone think its totally different riding some one elses horse that you don't know? When I had a horse I would fall off but I would just get bacbj on no problem. I dis get back on but didn't feel happy again as it happened 2 mins before the end of the lesson :/
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Let me get this straight. The instructor put an adult who was just getting back into riding on a horse who is forward and bucks??? NEXT! Find a different place to take lessons. This place will only get you hurt and suck the confidence out of you.

Turns out the horse women put me on if well known for bucking. But as I live on an island that is the only riding place here ! So know don't know what to do :( there isn't much options. I have a friend with a horse and she said I can ride hers but she never actually invites me if that makes sence ? So don't want to pester her. But think it might be my only option.
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Hi;

Is there anyone you can feed lease a horse from? When you are paying for something you don't have to feel you are pestering anyone. There might be a more gentle older horse that would love to hang out with you etc, and there may be a financially stressed horse owner that would love to share the cost. You never know. Just be carefull!!!

That is an awful way to get started back. Shame on that instructor. Every instructor should have a "Steady Eddie" for students to start on so students can get the basics down and build confidence at the same time. Sounds like she needs to put some time into her own horses and honestly if they behave like that she has no business taking people's money for lessons, she should be spending money to take some herself.

I can imagine that being on an island definitely could present a challenge. Though when I hear the word island I think of the beautiful riding scenery and opportunities that could present, living in a landlocked state makes me forever jealous of those who have the ocean and beach for a backdrop.

Your friend that has the horse, if her horse is quiet & beginner friendly perhaps you could ask her to help you with the basics? Or possibly pay her to do a partial lease to get in some riding time?

That is so awful! I'm from England, I don't know where your from but from what i'v seen of 'English riding' in the USA (which im guessing you are from as most people on here are) is rarely 'safe' for beginners. I say 'safe' because ofc it never really is but every riding school I know in the UK has horses for a range of abilities and will do anything to avoid knocking your confidence. The horse I ride the most is even used for people with severe learning disabilities.

I'v been riding my whole life on and off and feel confident on most horses but my instuctor at uni will only let me jump on the most bomb proof horses until i'v been jumping a few months. It's a shame about your lesson, you could ask if they have a calmer horse you could ride? Or ask your friend if she could give you a lesson though people's own horses are more likely to be broken to the way they ride them so her horse may be very forward too which may be why she hasn't offered you to ride.

You sound exactly like me! I barrel raced and trail rode from 9-13, then moved. I started riding again when I was 18 on a horse trader ranch (I quit, the owner viewed the horses as money and not as living things), then I found random people to ride for off of craigslist.

Now, in 4 months when I get home from deployment, I will be getting my first horse at the age of 22. I'm not going to take lessons tho, I am self taught and pretty confident in my riding.

No, it is NEVER to late to get back into horses. The worst mistake someone could make in my opinion is NOT riding again! Because there is nothing like the bond between a human and their horses.

I support you 100%! There's not judgment in the horse world because of your age! Shoot, there are 8 year olds who ride better then me, but I swear they were born in the saddle lol! You'll do great!