Trying to get back into riding...?

Question

I'm trying to start riding again. I currently own two horses, both young. I don't feel confident enough yet to ride a green broke horse. I haven't ridden in approx 2 years. Before that I rode very regularly and competed in hunter/jumpers up to 3'6". My parents barn [where my horses are kept] is a dressage barn. There aren't any horses there available for me to ride.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to start back up with my riding? Buying another horse is not an option, and neither is selling my young horses - I'm much to attached : )

Also, does anyone know of any barns in the Parker, CO area that offer inexpensive riding lessons? I'm hoping to find a place where I can get back into condition and gain my confidence back so I can ride my young horses.

Answer 1

your best bet is to find a riding school where you can have lessons on their horses and then as your confidence returns you can start taking your own horse along and having lessons on them and work with your instructor on the schooling of your youngsters.

For riding youngsters as long as they are sensible and you are in safe environment then don't be too scared - if they have been backed quietly and sympathetically then they shouldn't go mental on you. If they haven't been backed or haven't been ridden in a while you could ask someone at your barn whom you like and who is experienced enough to do a little schooling with the youngsters while you have seperate lessons and then you can come and start working together.

Answer 2

Just go for it, once you have found a yard somewhere for you to have lessons you will hopefully get right back into it, it wont take long to say you were so experienced before

Answer 3

I'm in the same situation. We've only got the older ones at home now, can't afford a new horse so I found someone I know who has too many horses to keep up with so she lets me come out to the barn whenever I like and ride her horses. Can you go to another barn in the area or have any friends that have horses you can ride? Horses are going for cheap right now because of the economy, I'm sure if you go to some of the area barns they would be happy to let you exercise some of their horses, as you know it's a lot of up keep so they would probably be thrilled to have someone else ride them once in awhile to keep the horses going. Just ask around and go visit the barns

Answer 4

Try lunging your young horses. It will be good for your confidence and they will trust you more when you ride them. Start very slowly, and set yourself up for a win. Here's a program that will help you get back into riding safely.

Week 1- lunge you horses. Get creative so that you both have fun.

Week 2- Ride you horses in a area that you both feel comfortable at a walk. Practice dressage at the walk. Repeat above.

Week 3- Ride your horse some where that you aren't as comfortable at the walk. Repeat above.

Week 4- Begin trotting in the comfortable area, and repeat above.

Week 5- Trot in areas that you aren't as comfortable in, but repeat above also.

Week 6- Canter in comfortable area and repeat above.

Week 7- Canter in uncomfortable areas and repeat above.

Do creative things that are challenge you without pushing your horse to prevent boredom. Be patient and remember that this a really difficult for your horses.

** IF YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY DO NOT STRAY FROM THIS PROGRAM!!! THIS ONLY SETS YOU AND YOUR HORSE UP FOR FAILURE!!! IT'S OK TO TAKE IT SLOWER, BUT DON'T GO MORE QUICKLY!!! I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!

Answer 5

A Worthy Ranch & Stables

303-841-9405

4241 W Parker Rd Ste A

Parker, CO

80134



Cockriel Boarding-Training Stables

303-841-3414

8752 N Highway 83

Parker, CO

80134



Foxfire Farm

303-805-8566

7522 S Pinery Pkwy

Parker, CO

80134



Helicon Show Stables

303-814-3536

9736 E Bayou Gulch Rd

Parker, CO

80134



Parker Valley Farm

303-841-9884

39850 Swift Creek Cir

Parker, CO

80134



Parker Valley Farm

303-841-9884

7687 E Ponderosa Ln

Parker, CO 80138

Studio Farms

303-841-7271

Parker, CO 80134

Answer 6

I am not sure of any stables around but if you want to start riding again, you will have to just do it. Dont act scared because horses can tell when you are scared and they wont do what you tell them to. You might fall off a couple times but you just have to trust your horses because if you have faith in them, they will do their best to do what you tell them to do.