Whether you rode ponies for fun as a child or gave up your horse to move to the city, our Equine Marketing Team has some great tips to get you back into riding after a break.
Small Steps
If your dream is to hack out around the countryside, don’t be surprised if you have to be assessed by a riding centre or riding school before being allowed to ride out. Even if you are an experienced rider, the riding establishment will need to evaluate your ability and match you with a suitable horse. And don’t forget that whilst you might be an accomplished rider, extended time away from riding and horses can affect your confidence, ability, and core strength, so a few lessons on a reliable steed in the arena will be time well spent.
Get Fit After A Riding Break
To get the best out of your time in the saddle, you will need to have a decent level of fitness and suppleness. Pilates, yoga and cardio work are excellent preparations for returning to riding after a break. Focusing on rider exercises that improve your core muscles and strengthen the muscles you need to be supple and flexible is excellent preparation.
Knowledge Is Power
If you’ve been away from horses for an extended period. A lot can change in just a year, and the equestrian world has witnessed considerable developments in technology and trends. Subscribe to equestrian magazines such as Horse & Rider, Horse & Hound and Your Horse to bring you up to speed with the horsey world.
Book A Riding Holiday
Nothing can improve your riding more than riding regularly. A riding holiday will allow you to build up some mileage in the saddle. Choosing a riding vacation, whether at home or abroad, will give you the chance to improve your ability with lessons and activities and the experience the freedom that horse riding bring with a safari or trekking holiday.
Discover a new country or county on horseback or return home with a new passion for show jumping or dressage. With so many fabulous riding holidays on offer, you’ll have plenty of choices!
Sharing Is Caring
Caring for your own horse can be time-consuming and expensive. So if you are looking for the next best thing, looking to share a horse is ideal. Sharing a horse means that you will share some of the cost, stable duties and responsibility with the owner, and in return, you get a set number of days you can enjoy with the horse.
Costs will vary as factors such as the facilities at the yard, the livery package the horse is on, and the quality of the horse offered. Horse owners will dictate what you can do with your horse share. However, it gives you more freedom than you would find in the remits of a lesson. You can also polish up your stable management, tack cleaning and grooming skills!
Sharing a horse is the perfect stepping stone to loaning or buying your own horse!
