Is 35 too old to take riding lessons?

Question

I'd like to eventually lease a horse. I had a horse about 10 years ago but I wasn't ready to own one and he was way too much of a horse for me (a spirited Arab out of Bask lines, enough said). I boarded him. I stupidly picked him 'cause he was so beautiful when I should've taken a lot more lessons and then got a nice Quarter Horse that was good for novice riders. I've been riding off and on and taking lessons since 9 but I've never really stuck with it 'cause I took English lessons and they were sooo hard! I couldn't get the ryhthmn down. I'm thinking maybe Western is more for me. I used to think hunt seat was so fancy but I just want to have fun! About how many lessons should I take before I look into even leasing a horse? I need to re-learn how to tack a horse for one. I've also been thrown alot (mainly by my nightmare Arabian) so I have to get over my fear. I still love horses so much! I want to try leasing for a while to see if I do want to maybe buy another horse and board it but I really need to see if I'm serious about it. How much should I pay for lessons now? And how do you go about leasing a horse or maybe co-owning one? Also, I'd have to board, I live in an area where livestock isn't allowed. THANKS!

Answer 1

Your never to late to start taking lessons again!!!

I would take at least 6 months of lessons before starting a lease of any sorts... I would probably start slow do a half lease first then go into a full lease. Make sure that you don't get another horse based on its looks!!! Test ride em' FIRST and make sure its a older well trained horse!!

Answer 2

1. No, you're not too old to take riding lessons.

2. You should take a couple of years of lessons before actually owning, but I think leasing after a year is a good idea.

3. The price of lessons in my area is going up because of hay and gas prices. I'm going to end up paying $50/hr group lesson within the next month. Many places, however, will give you a discount if you do barn chores. Where I worked over the summer charged me $35/hr group lesson because I did a lot of mucking and horse care.

4. When you find a place to take lessons, the instructors (if they are credible) should have several contacts of people who sell good horses, and they should also know places to look for leasing. Sometimes, the barn you ride at has horses up for lease.

5. As for boarding, you can almost always (where I live at least) board where you take lessons. You may even have something worked out in a lease that the horse stays where the real owner wants it to stay.

A half-lease may be a good idea to start, where you can do what you want with the horse for half the time and you pay half the board, feed bill, vet/farrier, etc.

Answer 3

No! Your so young, I'm fifty five and I too have some nightmare memories from Arabs. I was told it is because they are smart. They are very smart when it comes to loosing their rider.

I find Quarter Horses, and Saddllebreds  to be the most gentle and well going horses.

With your love for Horses, please go for it!

I promise you will not regret it it, and your bucking off days will be over.

There's nothing like an easy going Horse!

And leasing is cheaper, but now days they are just about giving even registered Horses away!

I find it better when you own your own Horse, or even leasing one to buy. If you find it a good horse, than you can buy that one, rather than being stuck with another that has a bad habit of throwing people.

Also remember to take an experience Rider and Horseman with you.

You love Horses! Live with your Dreams, and make them come true!

Answer 4

of course its not too old if you have a passion for horses!!!

...if you know everything, it shouldnt take many lessons to remember it all...

also, if you have an agreement with the leaser and a riding instructor, you may even be able to lease a horse and re-learn everything on it.. then you will be stronger together.

i would try a coldblood [paints are PRETTY! lol]

lesson prices depend on disapline and area... from a family friend you can get them dirt-cheap, if not english around here goes for $50 an hour at its cheapest... but i get them for $20 from a friend and western for $15 from another friend.. you will want to find the closest NICE barn.. or keep it at the owner's house if they are willing to let you... perhaps whoever you lease from will give you lessons??

Answer 5

I have never been into horses, so I can't answer your specific questions...however, I do know that 35 is not too old to do anything!!!  Heck, at 35 you are the perfect age for almost anything....you are old enough not to have any stupid insecurities and to feel comfortable with who you are and to know what you want, and you are young enough to accomplish everything that you set your mind to.  Good luck and go for it.  Don't waste another minute.

Answer 6

if your horse is really active and looks really strong the answer would be really good.

Answer 7

NOOOO _ NO way is 35 too old to take riding lessons - heck older than that isn't too old.  You're perfect age - you can learn from your mistakes you can learn from what other people tell you - go for it!

I think what you might need to do is focus on the goal - having fun.  If there's more than that, perhaps a good goal would be to successfully understand how horses think, how we fit into their lives and how each action we take around them is perceived by them.  This will add book reading, watching videos, going to expos and clinics to your activities and you'll be amazed at what you learn.

Just listen to everyone one - if you think they're s****. or stuck up or controlling or mean as I hear many people here think horse people are don't let it bother ya - think about what information you can learn from them, then feel sorry for them and treat them nice.  take it all in, organize it in your mind and learn from it all

Have fun and good luck!

Lessons in Michigan are anywhere from $25 to $55 an hour depending on location, lesson type and facility type.

Leasing agreements are not a "package" - every one is different - just ensure you enter into a relationship to lease or co-own a horse with a written contract that spells out each party's responsibilities and what will happen if there is a disagreement - don't expect you know how the other person will react in any situation - they don't even know.  A well written contract will spell out the expectations clearly and avoid communication difficulties which are what make those arrangements go sour.  They are viewed as difficult, but really do help you both know what's expected of the other.

Answer 8

Try Western riding.  Most people reccomend you ride English first because it teaches you better balance (Western saddles let you get kinda lazy).  You're never too old to take riding lessons.  I would take lessons weekly for several months before I considered leasing a horse if I were you...that lets you get back into the groove of things and work on your fear issue.  To lease a horse, just ask around or search equinehits.com or a similar site to find horses available for lease.  Good luck. :-)

And sorry about your Arab.  Mine is pretty high strung so it took me a long time to be comfortable on her and now I don't even ride her because she's retired (she's 29).

Answer 9

no way!

you are never too old.

take lots of lessons before leasing. then find a nice confidence builder for a horse.  

Answer 10

well to answer your main question, you are not anywhere near to old to take lessons!

and dont let one spirited arab make you against all arabs. i understand the bask lines.. but i know plenty of arabs with bask in their pedigree and they are lesson horses... so just b/c its an arab means nothing. its just the one you pick. you gotta pick a good one that is trained well and thats just as good as a qh.  you asked so many questions idk where to begin

id take lessons for a year before you lease, but if you've ridden before and you pick up on it again.. id saay maybe 6 mo.

you find a horse for lease, or ask ur trainer if she/he'd be willing to lease out one of his/hers

Answer 11

I am 47 and started taking dressage lessons about 2 years ago after spending years trail riding, it has been a challenge but I love it.

In fact I think getting lessons is the best thing you could do.  find an instructor that you are very comfortable with.  I have a gem of an instructor who is positive and encouraging.  She has to work for her money though!! I have a lesson every 2nd week and really look forward to them, they give me so much more confidence.

I can relate to your buying an arabian cause it was beautiful.  I did the same thing and had a nightmare experience as well...go thrown off quite a few times.  Was ready to give up when I came across my beloved old boy.  He kept me safe for many years, I have now graduated to do dressage on a younger horse but without the lessons wouldn't have the confidence.

I pay $60 for a 1 hour lesson (in Australia) and this is one on one but group lessons may be a consideration if finances are not fabulous.  I am lucky I can afford my lessons.  As to how many lessons that is difficult to answer depends on what you want to learn but I would say at least one per month for a year or two.

As others said you are never too old.  Met a couple recently she brought her first horse at age 65 and her husband got sick of being left out so took up riding at age 74!! They now trot off on trail rides together. Just beautiful to see.

Answer 12

I'm 55 and still taking lessons.

Answer 13

I am a lesson assistant at my barn and i've taught ages from 7 to like sixty! No joke I get a lot a lot of adults learning and i actually think it's more fun sometimes to teach them than the younger kids because they comprehend more!

How many lessons depends on how fast you progress in lessons and what type of horse you lease (Your instructor can really help you more specifically to meet your needs). Often when you lease you still take lessons. Plus don't be too worried about how much info you know for leasing. You should now enough, but a huge part of leasing is to learn skills and develope as you go (which is why lessons are good to stick with in that).

The barn or instructer you ride with will adress you about pricing for lessons. Look around a lot first, because you want to find a place that will be well-priced and of high quality for taking lessons. Also try to factor in distance from your home and work and such so that you dont have to spend a fortune on gas!

Talk to instucters, trainers, and borders about leasing. They will point you in the right direction. Then once you find an ideal owner you will work out a contract that will suite both of your needs.

Leasing prices depend on what type of lease you do. The most common is the half-lease. With a half-lease you will get the horse three or four days a week, and you in turn you will pay half the board and vet/farrier bills.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 14

35 is in NO WAY too old to take lessons!

Most barns have special adult lessons, so you can be with lesson takers your own age! My mom is over 50 years of age, and she still takes lessons at my barn, where I ride and show my horse.

Take lessons with a coach, and make sure they know where you want to go with your riding. Tell them that you just want to ride for pleasure, and you would eventually like to lease a horse. They can help you work towards this goal and find the right horse for you!

Lessons in the country can be from 30-40 dollars a lesson. Before i began showing in the hunter/jumpers, i took lessons at a stable in the city (Toronto, where the Royal Winter Fair is held) and the prices were 60 dollars per lesson.

There are lot's of horses for lease on websites like www.horsetopia.com. Just browse around, and ask a coach to come with you to try out the horses. Always have someone who is experienced come with you when looking to buy or lease, so you don't get another incident like with the arabian !

Answer 15

its never too late

Answer 16

Nah, it's never too late to take lessons! Your body just may not be as forgiving as it was when you were younger. =) How many lessons should you take before leasing? Well, depends on how well you progress in your lessons, and how comfortable you are.  When you get an instructor they will be a good judge of when you are ready ( or at least a honest one will be).  The cost of lessons will really depend on the facility and if they are private or semi-private (group) and hour or half hour lessons.  I have not had an actual lesson in years so like ten years ago a half hour semi-private I think was 30$ and an hour was 45 or 50$ I think.  Call around to different facility's to check prices. To find a horse to lease, if you are lucky, the barn where you take lessons from will offer up horses for lease, if not, your instructor can help you find one through classified ads.  Good luck and have fun!

Answer 17

So, your never too old to learn. 35 isnt even that old!

You should find someplace that you like, focusing on western is good, maybe go for a place that has some nice trails in the area and you can learn there. Alot of places have lessons along with their lease prices, like so many rides a week and so many lessons a month.

Try online resources to try to find what fits for you, let the owner know about what your needs are. I suggest craigslist for places local, thats were I found my lease. Equine.com, and look up your states horse directory.  

Answer 18

You're never too old.  One lady in my area could be seen nearly every morning at 7 a.m. riding her Arabian down the side of the road.  She was conditioning him for competitive trail riding!  She was in her 70's!  Go for it.

Answer 19

english riding isn't that hard!! but if you prefer western then go for it!!!!!!

there is a woman on my yard who is 69 and still has lessons-she is a legend!!

anyway if you love it then do it!!

x*x

Answer 20

My wife and I started lessons in our late forties. We are both Western style riders, and my instruction is focused toward the reining discipline, which I hope to compete in next year.

Horse ownership is to some extent wasted on the teenager. Understanding the richness of the human-horse relationship, the ability to plan and enjoy the whole experience is something that is much easier with maturity.

Start with lessons and have fun. Ride a lot of different horses in lessons before even thinking about leasing or buying. I rode seven horses in a year, some that were schoolmasters and some that weren't entirely finished. It was a huge help in picking the horse I wanted and it will help you decide what you want in a horse.

We spent half a year taking lessons and decided we loved it. We were lessoning two days a week and rode one additional day a week for practice - but that wasn't enough for us. So we vowed we'd prepare to own horses after a year.

We spent the next six months saving into an account the same amount of money we'd be spending, which helped us make sure we could afford to own and maintain horses, and this gave us a good nest egg for our search and purchase.

Getting over your fear will come with access to a good-minded, soft, well-trained and controllable horse. Your instructor should make sure you are always working with your horse on the ground - grooming, providing hoof care, tacking up and down, even bathing the horse.

If you find the right instructor with the right horses, you will develop a good seat, regardless of what style you choose. But I really love Western and it gives you a lot of options ranging from trail to reining to Western Pleasure, and even working cows. They're all fun, and Western riders are a great, open and informal bunch.

Have a look at my article at http://www.temporaldoorway.com/stable/ar... for more info about knowing when you're ready and performing your search when that time comes.

Answer 21

It's not too late, go for it!

I think you should take lessons until you are comfortable riding at all gaits, and starting to think you're not getting enough riding time.  That's when it might be time to lease a horse.

Answer 22

your never to old :]

Answer 23

i give lessons to a 50 year old.

Answer 24

Derfinatley not.

Anyone can ride at ANY age.

Answer 25

I know of people who are 60 and take lessons!!

It's not to old to try something again!

Answer 26

Hey! Your never to old for riding lessons, I've seen a 60yo ride. Ride nonstop for about 1 year. Leasing is better than owning as if you find you can't handle it or you want to quit you can give the horse back.

Charlotte x