I have a friend who started riding when she was 60.  She got into reining and now owns 5 reiners, including one Hollywood Dun It brood mare who's in foal for the 3rd time.  Of course, she's pretty broke most of the time...

I got back into riding as an adult after a 25 year hiatus. I used to be able to post a trot. I can't now. I sit my trots. Don't have the leg power to post. I also dont have the leg strength to drop stirrups, and then get them back in. That's pretty messed up, if you ask me!

I have a really good seat. I had previously learned how to ride Western, and Hunt Seat in college. I think that is why it is easier to sit trots.  I've been a Dressage rider now since 2003 in a therapeutic riding program. I can do limited trotting.  The build up to trotting was slow, and easy.

When I was a teenager I liked to trot my horse as fast as possible. I don't think I could stand that now. LOL Every thing changes in middle ages.

What I used to be able to do, in my younger days, I can't do now. Heck, I used to ride bareback, and post.

I think that goal is VERY realistic! :) It won't be long before we hear about you going to your first dressage show ;)

Yup, I ride english. Will use a western saddle for trail riding, but I'm DEFINATELY and english gal ;) My goal is to do low level eventing... of which dressage is 1/3 of it :) Currently showing (for fun) in hunter/jumper shows with my haflinger cross. Haven't had a ridden dressage lesson in years, hopefully that will be remedied soon :)

I also compete in combined driving, which is driving's version of eventing. So I do driven dressage :) My mini Chili Pepper and I compete at preliminary level for that. It's a lot of fun ;)

Jessi

Hi there,

I teach lots of adult beginners (and kids too) and the rising trot is just one of those things that takes its own time to come. I've taught people who found it immediately with no problems and I've taught people who've taken months to get it. Funnily enough this doesn't seem to make any noticable difference to their 'overall' riding ability - it seems to depend on balance, co-ordination and fitness more than instinctive feel for the horse.

I would only post in the walk to get a feel for going up and down and what muscles to use... in the trot, try holding onto a neck strap round the ponies neck and then COUNT the bounces "one, two, one, two". If you keep counting out loud, your body will start to fit in with the rhythm of the horse. As an instructor I usually count "down and up, down and up', emphasising the DOWN over the up as this is where riders need to make more effort.

the idea of rising trot is to allow the natural bounce of the movement to throw you up, then you use your stomach and thigh muscles to control your body back down into the saddle. Think about it as more of a swing forward from your hips, up and towards the pommel, rather than trying to stand up in your stirrups. Keep your knees as soft as you can - this will help to prevent you using them for balance.

I sing all the time when i ride youngsters to help keep them in a rhythm. It might help you to stay in a rhythm as well so try humming a happy tune as you trot round!

Hope some of these tips are useful, good luck and welcome to the wonderful, addictive and expensive world of horses. Your husband will miss you

Hey Jenni!

Thanks for the tips! I rode again today and felt like I had a little "a-ha" moment. I tried very hard to feel my horse's rhythmn. I'm still working on the longe line,but I feel like I'm getting a little more control over my muscles. I'm very glad you mentioned that not getting the trot immediately is NOT an indicator of riding ability.That was something that's been worrying me( yes, I know I've only been riding 4 to 5 weeks,but I was worried that if I wasn't instantly adaptable,it would translate into I had no ability). Thank you so much for that!!! Another person told me to remember the line: Rise and fall with the leg on the wall. I thought about that today and it did help. However, if I would've seen your note before the ride,I would've relaxed even more!!! I"ll keep you updated......thanks again!

Very very cool! Send some pics along when you compete again!  i had a really good day at the barn today......i think I may have had a posting breakthrough!!!  I wish I had my own horsie.....for now I'll just have to collect stuffed ones....i will probably lease the Lippizaner I told you about( Ramana- at least I think I mentioned her-she's beautiful!) but that's a few months away yet......Well, I guess I could just go and get some dressage clothes and walk around the house....ha ha

Very glad to hear you felt better posting! See, you're getting there ;)

Jessi

Suzanne,

Even if you never learn to post, which doesn't seem to be the case now, or can't, like Percheron Rider, you could always get a gaited horse, and not worry about trotting at all!!! LOL!!! Be warned!!! This board and horses are like the Borg Collective. Ressistance is futile!!! You will be assimilated!!! LOL!! Welcome to the boards.

Frank

Hi Frank!

I appreciate your encouragement! The posting is just a matter of time( I've only been riding for 5 weeks now)-I'll get it.I'll bet riding a gaited horse is wonderful, though....My heart is set on learning Dressage,so I'd better get with it and learn to post. My goal is to compete in the lower level Dressage tests. Wish me luck! I've got a long road ahead of me!

Thanks again,

Suzanne

Suzanne,

Actually, Gaited horses are also doing a type of Dressage that's suited for them. The difference being that they don't trot. However, they still have to be collected to do their gaits properly as well, if not more so. There's a TWH trainer I know, who teaches her horses dressage.

Frank

I just had to throw my two cents in, I'm now 45 and started taking riding lessons about three years ago.  I was bitten by the horse bug when I was about 2 years old, but we could never afford a horse and opportunities to spend time around them just didn't happen.  My riding experience was trail riding on horses that were bored and didn't care!  However, if it was being around a horse, I was happy.  A few years ago I found a nearby stable that offered Western riding lessons.  After a few months (just as povertybyhorse said) I decided to lease so that I could work on my riding more.  I ended up changing stables and started riding English and even Dressage...or trying anyway!!  I quit leasing when I left the old stable but moved to two lessons a week.  After about a year of that, I bought my beautiful Morgan gelding.  Of course with the help of a knowledgeble person!  I've just now had him a year and it's been wonderful.  There has been lots of good information from people on this forum, the ball is a wonderful way to practice your seat, in the saddle as much as possible is good and I read everything I can get my hands on that relates to having an independent seat.  I discuss what I read with my instructor to make sure I understand it and she helps me put it into practice.  Also, watch other people that are good riders to see if you can identify what they are doing that you can put into your own practice.  Believe it or not, one day you'll be able to complete a circle without worrying where are your legs, are your hands in the right place, is your weight in the right place, are you cueing correctly and most importantly...are you breathing?!?!?!  I always think it is so funny when someone asks me, "How hard can it be to ride a horse?"  They think you jump on, kick the horse and steer and stop by just dragging on the reins.  It is a skill that takes work, but can be learned.  I'm still not at Dressage Competition level but I've seen lots of improvement and enjoy EVERY minute I get to be with my buddy.  Keep up the good work and I'd love to hear about your progress.

Well first off welcome to the forum!!

secondly I first started riding when i was 10. I took lessons 2 time sa week for as long as i could remeber and then i leased a horse on a third day and was asked to ride another horse on a 4th day. So for a little wile there i was riding a lot. Then I had some strange lady come up to me asking me about the horse i was riding. She happen to have a skin problem and had a bald spot on her back. She asked me tons of questions letter to find out that she was a friend of the owner and didn't like me so told the owner some lies about me. So he told me i couldn't ride her anymore. That broke my heart and frankly was the start of my problems. From there i kind of lost interest in riding i was only going to maybe 1 lesson a month and the last lesson i took i was jumping and fell off. I lost all comfidents in riding. So now I'm working on getting my confidence back and i have just bought my first horse. So in a way i'm starting over. But in away not. I found the problem is i know what i want to do but my body isn't strong enough to do it.

Hi!

I am also a 41 year old beginner rider.  It started with my 11 year old daughter; but I think I am more obsessed with it then she is!   I just got my horse, a 7 year old AQHA, a chestnut mare with a white star named DOCS STORMY REY, "STORMY".  I love her!!  I did get hurt with a little spook/buck in August and broke my shoulder--but I'm not ready quit--just a little more cautious but all the more DETERMINED!  I think I may do Western.  I wish I could train her for Western Pleasure, but she has lots of "cutting horse" lineage and carries ger head alittle high so I don't know if it will be possible.

My daughter just began lessons mid-November with her horse which is going well.  The instructor is trying to help me with STORMY with groundwork to see if she can be trained to carry herself differently.  Really I guess I just really want a horse I know is safe to ride and to know how to ride myself!!  I did have a small lesson today--first time I have really been on since accident.  I have trail ridden with her quite a bit before accident but no formal lessons.  I have never cantered just a bumpy trot!!  So tell me more about yourself!!  I feel as you do--I love to have someone else who is new to blab on and on with about our experiences!  Take care!

MARY

 Welcome Mary!

I'd love to blab on and on about horses!  They are awesome creatures and I'm finding that working with one and learning about them and how to ride better all at the same time is challenging but really rewarding!  I've had my first horse about one year now and we have been doing Parelli Training.  We passed Level One recently and have started working on Level 2.  I ride English (dressage) and am trying to teach my Morgan gelding to become more balanced and to be more supple & flexible.  I don't think his previous owners asked much from him in any discipline (western or english).  It's been a blast.  I'm glad to hear that the accident didn't ruin the horse experience for you and hope you enjoy learning everything with/on Stormy!

 Donna

HELLO EVERYONE!!

After reading secretly reading this web site for a few weeks, I decided to step forward.  At first I was a little nervous not being as educated as I think I should be about horses.  And possibly being the "stupid question" person made me cautious.  I found out this sight is great..so here I go.  I am a brand new horse owner.  Years ago I took English riding lessons and did the old $15/hour horse riding stables.  (which by the way is now $30/hour) I have always loved horses..but just couldnt afford and didnt know how to go about it.  As Suzlaub said..this year I got the horse bug and got started.  I educated myself as well as I could, read every book out (including Horses For Dummies) even bought my Parelli discs..went to a stable that was renting stalls, and picked everyones brain there.  I knew what I needed,,a well broke, 7-8 year old horse..Well..to make a very long story short,,,I know own a 3 1/2 year old Clydesdale/Shire.  I broke all the rules I set up for myself.  This has always been my dream horse.. and I knew that once I purchased a horse it would be a life long buddy( I'm not one to buy and sell) He is a total gentleman..Western broke,,started on English and has been on the trail quite a bit.  But guess who hasnt?? ME!!  It will be a long rode..I watched "experienced" people with him..and he does everything he was promised he would do when sold to me.  He is good for me, he just knows, as a All horses do..that sometimes I am a little intimidated by his size and me being so green..he plays on it.  Soooooo,,,to try to end my forever storey...I will start with my first, of I'm sure many, questions..I am looking into buying a saddle for him(just got him 2 weeks ago) He is 16.1 H now..and I know has a little more to grow.  Any reccomendation on a saddle that could temporarily accomodate him? As I am not sure if it will be his "forever saddle"  because he is still growing,,yet comfort is very important for my horse...as we all know..ifthe saddle is no good..the ride will be no good,,Also..has anyone heard of a "flex saddle" and if so, do you find them to work for a still growing horse?