How to become an Adult Re-Rider? (in the Montreal Area - Boucherville-ish)

[EADoug]

Life has finally fallen into place and we are making the move out of the city and into the (relative) country!

I’ve decided that after a 15 year horse hiatus that has included a move for school, three surgeries on the same ankle, a kid, and you know, life… It’s finally time.

I’ve always been a ‘project’ horse person - catch riding / free leases etc - and never in a serious show barn. I grew up H/J / PonyClub / local unrated shows to 1m etc.

Before I moved to Montreal I was in NC for 5yrs and was at a lovely little private barn where I had a ride on the best boy who taught me to do BN eventing and let me hack him around 4-5 days a week. (I fell into this because one of the girls at work was randomly dating a farrier who randomly knew a wonderful person with too many nice horses to ride and we did a ride-a-long to his next shoeing of said barn.)

I think now, I’m realistically looking at 1-2x a week, maybe a lesson a month? I think I would be happy hacking around, doting on a buddy, mucking a few stalls and feeling like I’m using my body again.

But before I even reach that thought, my first question is if my body can even handle it. I have a plate and 9 screws in my ankle (one through the joint), and I’m honestly not sure I can handle holding my weight in my ankles dynamically for a long period of time. So how do I test this? I’m not really into calling a lesson barn and signing up for a lesson where someone is going to try to ‘teach me’ while I try to just hack around for the first time in 15 years… It would seem really weird. But I also don’t know anyone here, I don’t have my grapevine or know anyone with a horse. I can’t ask a friend if I can hop up for 10 mins and trot around.

And then, assuming that goes well, what is my next step?

I’m a small town girl that has always fallen into the next ride. I’m also a bit introverted and I just don’t see myself hanging around a tack shop asking if anyone has an extra horse that needs some exercise…

Advice? Is what I want even possible these days as a relative nobody on the scene?

[Christa_P]

Anyplace around you can sign up for a trail ride? That would at least get you in the saddle for a test ride to see how your ankle holds up.

[EADoug]

It’s certainly crossed my mind. I’ve never been a huge fan of these operations, but yes, it would let me test out the body at the very least.

[leighbo009]

I think a lesson barn may not be a bad choice, just letting them know your background when calling or maybe when you show up for the first lesson. I feel like most first lessons are just a hack around while you get to know the operation and goals.

If you don’t have another option, I don’t think it’s the worst idea.

[Scribbler]

Call up a lesson barn, tell them your situation and do an evaluation private session with them. Find a coach that likes returning adult riders. See how you do. Check your ego at the door. Take a couple months lessons twice a week. Some stuff will return like magic and other things will feel impossible.

When you have your strength and balance back go looking for a half lease.

Paying for eyes on the ground is the best move you can make to keep yourself safe and get good feedback on any inevitable position flaws. Just pick a coach that can talk to adults and does private lessons so you can avoid the horrible screechy shouty atmosphere of kiddy lessons. If your schedule allows, do your lessons in the morning before the school kids arrive

[EADoug]

I think I needed to hear that I should call a lesson barn. I’ve never been a part of a real one, so they are this mystery to me - the local one growing up was an english slash rodeo slash trail riding barn where for a year or so I was yelled at by a chain smoking lady on a chair in one dark corner while navigating around with 20 other kids. Other than that I’ve been at private barns where we either hauled out or someone came to us.

So do I just start calling who I find on Google Maps? Or do we have some Savvy people in here that could point me in the right direction?

You hit it that I see a half lease in my future, I just need that little push to get me moving in that direction.

[Scribbler]

@EADoug

I think I needed to hear that I should call a lesson barn. I’ve never been a part of a real one, so they are this mystery to me - the local one growing up was an english slash rodeo slash trail riding barn where for a year or so I was yelled at by a chain smoking lady on a chair in one dark corner while navigating around with 20 other kids. Other than that I’ve been at private barns where we either hauled out or someone came to us.

So do I just start calling who I find on Google Maps? Or do we have some Savvy people in here that could point me in the right direction?

You hit it that I see a half lease in my future, I just need that little push to get me moving in that direction.

We had no lessons when I was a kid, and horse adults were scary people best avoided. So I was self taught. I resisted the idea of lessons as an adult, but then I let myself use my adult knowledge of people and situations to find myself coaches and barns and mentorship I trusted and found useful.

I would do a Google or FB search to see what’s in your area, join a FB horse and tack classified sites, make a short list, do some barn visits and evaluation lessons. Sometimes smaller programs can be great for adults, like a trainer who just has her own retired show horse for select lessons but mostly coaches owners. You want someone who can be respectful to an adult, and has solid basics so they will catch your being off center or tipping or etc.

There are a lot of returning adult riders in your position these days, and for the right program they make great clients with some cash, some free time, and basic horse sense. They may not all progress very far or fast in competition, but having a full barn of them would be a good business model for many trainers. So don’t be abashed.

Also stay open to new possibilities. You might never really want to two point and jump again with your ankle but you might end up in dressage or back country riding or working equitation or almost anything out there. I never guessed I’d end up with a truck and trailer and go camping with horses!

[steelerino]

Facebook groups are your friend! Join local horsey FB groups for your area and post a ISO post of what you are looking for.

[trubandloki]

@steelerino

Facebook groups are your friend! Join local horsey FB groups for your area and post a ISO post of what you are looking for.

I will second this. Join some local horse related facebook groups, read thru the posts to get an idea of who knows what they are talking about and then ask for recommendations.

But (there has to be a but) remember that to research the responses you get above and beyond what you see posted in your ISO ad.

Stupid example - when people post ISO ads for boarding or lessons there is one barn that is quick to post their availability (even when the ad is asking for a facility not anywhere near where this place is). I would never send anyone to this place, ever.

[Saskatoonian]

You might go to a local event and see who seems to be teaching a lot and if you like their style, chat with people, etc. I don’t know where Boucherville is but we used to go to La Criniere in Napierville and it was awesome. Looks like they’re doing a fun day in early October. Might be worth checking out. Good luck!

[trubandloki]

Another thought is that if your ankle can not handle say jumping cross country, it might be worth trying something like dressage, where your ankle use is different.

[EADoug]

Sometimes you just need to write it out and state it ‘outloud’? Typing out my desires and sending them to the wind has helped solidify in my head and remind myself how to problem solve

I joined a bunch of Quebec groups last night and spent a bit of time browsing through. Need to learn a whole new set of vocabulary in French. I can’t even just ask my husband on this one, he has no idea about the horse world.

I’ve got a little short list of barns I see in the area, and see a few people that have posted sales horses that would fit my bill (so maybe they have lease horses or give lessons?).

I’m also 100% game to switch up my riding. I do enjoy flat work and dressage, and already shortlisted a dressage trainer to contact. Longer stirrups may be my friend

@Saskatoonian - It looks like La Criniere is about a 45min drive from my new place, so not out of the question to go have a visit, thanks for the tip!

[trubandloki]

Glad to hear it is working out!

Keep us posted on how wonderful it is.

[Scribbler]

Your lesson barn doesn’t need to be your forever barn. Pick a place that’s convenient, has happy horses, and where the coach respects and values you as a client. Do private lessons until you feel safe and balanced hacking alone again. Then you can evaluate the program and facilities going forward and see if you want to lease there or move on.

I had good solid lessons for my returning rider period but the barn was landlocked and I needed trails access to not lose my mind. I found a suburban barn with park trails access and very affordable that I never knew existed, once I started lease shopping. Shifted from h/j focus to.dresssge focus and now more like horse camping. I could not have predicted any of this. Just start somewhere OK and then figure out the next st os!