Riding on a lead rein

[midimoos]

That’s what I am doing
After riding for 20 years, I now have myself a youngster after owning the same horse for 13 years, I am nervous and am quite happy to admit it, Dan is only 4 so still very looky and sometimes jumpy but, I am now sitting on board going out for rides, albeit with my husband leading me but together we will gain confidence in each other and hopefully one day have a amazing relationship. I just wanted to share that as a 34 year, I feel no shame in the fact that I am doing this, I have in the past tried to push myself past my comfort zone and it has backfired, so here I am back on a lead rein pony

[ladynowak]

So long as you are happy and it works for you then you can't ask for much more! just work up slowly to going out with him walking beside you and occasionally going ahead for a few yards...little by little you will get there! x

[kidsmum]

Slowly but surely is key, good luck and enjoy!

[ruthp]

Good for you! When I first had Bali and was trying to recover from my catastophic loss of confidence, I too went out with my husband leading us. And I was 44, so a good 10 years on you!

Gradually we progressed to him unclipping the rope once we were out, and then no rope but OH still walking, OH starting out with us and then turning back leaving us to carry on without him, and finally just me and Bali on our own. It worked brilliantly for us.

[diggydoggy]

Thank you, middimoos, your thread gave me a lightbulb moment, as I realised your method would work for me too!
A friend has offered to lead me out on her big and frisky Welsh Cob, and so far, I have been "too busy" for an outing. Too nervous, really.
I realise now, that the "Giant leap" of buying and riding my own cobby 12.2hh is achievable with the stepping stones of being led on it, incrementally , until we could ride out "alone."
And I think my friend would be willing to help me.
I am so glad I read this, thank you very much.

[Mellymoo]

There's nothing wrong with being on a lead rein! I have been in the past, and my friend is occasionally now too. If it makes you feel better, do it.

[diggydoggy]

I am beginning to realise that there is a different type of person on this Forum - encouraging and supportive. Thank you!

[dalesfan]

Brilliant idea midimoos sounds really positive. I sometimes have someone walking beside me if I'm worried....took my friend with me when I was able to ride Chym after 4 months off.

[Deleted]

Nothing wrong with being on a lead rein at all, if it helps then go for it! I think we all at some point, realise we are not as young as we were that we access the risk more than used to do , and that we break rather than bounce these days.....................plus we also have far more responsibilities than we used to have! I am planning on a return to riding after a bvery long break and if a lead rein seems to be the appropriate way to go then I will be making use of one myself and if anyone at the stables dares to laugh at me then so be it, would rather feel safe and confident than push the boundaries too soon and have an accident