horseback riding lessons

I got this great deal for 4 discounted horseback riding lessons. I am addicted now - I want to start riding like regularly. I used to work at a horse farm and took care of the horses back in high school and it's been about 15 years so I don't remember much of the terminology and procedure for tacking up, dressage, etc.

Idk if I should persue riding. I really really like it. Although it is kind of expensive. I think I could swing 3-4 lessons a month (group lessons) if I gave up something like internet or DVR or something silly like that. But I am already strapped for cash as it is. Nothing is going into savings right now and that worries me a little. I rent, so that's helpful in the sense that I don't have any suprise costs (like a leaky roof, broken hot water heater, etc).

Idk what to do...suggestions?

I think you should go for it. It can be very therapeutic.

Can you arrange to volunteer to help out there in exchange for a reduction in the price?

I have a thought of that, which was what I did in exchange for lessons when I was in high school. Idk if I remember enough to do that - I'd have to learn in order to help them at all. It'd prob take them too much time to teach me again. lol

My younger son was getting lessons at a therapeutic horse backing riding place. He started volunteering there assisting with the riders who needed help staying on the horse. There must be other jobs that need doing around the place too.

Here he is - in the blue shirt:

Oh wow - that's sooo awesome. What a wonderful thing to do! Does he like it? I'm sure it's a really great experience for both himself and the kids. Give him a pat on the back for me

Oh, he was too unreliable, so they asked him to quit. Kids!

Horses are the best therapy in MY WORLD other than my eskies (dogs in general). I love dressage, not to into western riding.....but will do trail riding in a western saddle if it's my only choice rather than not ride at all.

Another thought....if you have any extra spare time....sometimes at the ranch where my horses still are.....the owner/trainer/instructor will let some people who are a little tight on money clean some stalls in exchange for a lesson.....then pay for the rest.....but at least it lowers the expense by some......just a thought if it may be possible.

I truly believe that brushing down the horse, cleaning the hooves & tacking them up before riding is a great part of bonding & getting to know your horse before riding them.

I am a horse lover that is going through withdrawals because my horse is still in California after I left 5 years ago.....Izzy is now 8 years old.....I was with her 1 hour after she was born.....& that bond was the most awesome feeling I have ever experienced......I have some pictures of her in my profile album. She was born just at the time my mother's cancer surgery & when everything bad started happening along with the trauma with the home care person & the stress caused anorexia.....but I think if I didn't have Izzy at that time.....I never would have been able to recover.

Horses are so healing....the unspoken communication between body & horse is the most beautiful feeling. I love watching them but not as much as I love riding although I volunteered at the horse park for the World Equestrian Games in 2010 at Lexington KY & also just 2 weekends ago for the dressage championship 4 day show.....I felt like I was in heaven surrounded by all those gorgeous horses.

I would definitely say if you can swing even 2 lessons a month to go for it....it's healthy, it's outdoors, it's exercise, it's interfacing with a horse that is definitely healing for our mental health.

Horses are definitely expensive....but if you can just take lessons & even practice ride at times between lessons it would be great also. I ended up buying a horse after I started taking lessons.....& the vet expenses....but one can enjoy riding & lessons even without owning IMO......showing gets into a whole other set of expenses....again, not something that is necessary to really enjoy.

I am not really into trail riding but the trails around where I live are the most gorgeous anywhere in the country.....I have a friend who owns a farm with about 30 miles of riding trails. The first time I rode there 4 years ago, It was just like the dreams I had when I was a child....that was definitely a strange feeling....but awesome.

Hope you can work out a way financially to do this because the benefits are so great

OK, I'm gonna admit my bias up front. I used to teaching riding, trained, boarded other people's horses (still do this), bred... You name it I probably did it with horses. I gave up all sorts of things to support my horsie habit. BUT to me it wasn't giving up anything because being with the horses was what kept me going. To this day I'll go out and hang out in the barn to "absorb horse molecules" as I call it.

Doggiedo, ask the instructor if you can be a working student. Many are willing to take one on. You can work off part of your lesson cost. Plus you get to hang aout around the barn and learn all sorts of nifty stuff.

Like I said, I have a bias towards the horses and riding. To me it would be worth giving up something to be able to ride. Is there something you can give up or do without in order to be able to ride? You are very right, horse related stuff is expensive, but boy howdy the benefits outweigh the cost!