Lessons

[Lisa]

At age 40 I am putting away the western saddle, and will be taking lessons in a english saddle. lol The last time I was in a english saddle I felt naked, cause there was NOTHING to hang onto! So my question is can you wear jeans? or? I know this sounds stupid, but I don't want to fly off in a middle of a lesson.

[adcooper]

Yay! You'll love it!

Jeans are fine if they are not loose. What boots are you wearing? If field or dress boots, you could tuck your jeans in. If paddock boots, you could get some half chaps to accomplish the same thing. The only problem with jeans is if they ride up your legs and get bunched around your knees or thighs. While you are getting used to an English saddle, you might tend to grip a bit more with your legs, and that just increases the jean bunching thing. Actually, I really do recommend half chaps. They just make you feel more solid.

[ZenRider]

What Ad said and have fun. I've found I feel more secure in some English saddles then many Western saddles. They are easier to pick up too. Though, Zen does look really cute in his Western saddle.

[Bara]

Oh have fun! Of course, I only know English. I'd suggest jodhs. You may feel a bit odd, but the closer fitting - the better. It's all about your bum and your legs - err butt.

You just have to sit back and sit DOWN, heels down. Someone once said to me 'make like a sack of potatoes'.

Ah, my mum once wrote in my autograph book : (I still have the book!)

"Head and heart keep high
Hands and heels keep low
Knees in close to your horse's side
Elbows close to your own."

Very best wishes. I wish I was ambisaddlerous like Zen! Keep us in the loop!

[Bara]

p.s. Don't forget - that's why God made manes ....

[Lisa]

OK here is another dumb question. How are Jodhpurs sized? Is it waist inches? I'm guessing they are not like regular sized pants.

[adcooper]

I have some Elizabeth G stretch riding pants I could send you. I wear a size 8 or 10 pants, so that's one estimate of fit.

Also, if you do go with breeches, I don't recommend starting with the full seat style. I like the ones that have a little grippy fabric or suede inside the knee or even in the thigh. Full seat can be annoying if they grab the saddle when you want to make slight seat adjustments, and you'll do a lot of talking with your seat, instead of your hands. (At least, that's the ideal! )

[Lisa]

I asked a friend to borrow her half chaps. I'm excited, even if i'm going to learn on a kids lesson horse! It was between hang gliding, or learning to ride english this year, and this seemed safer!!!!

[ZenRider]

If you have a store that sells breeches, it's a good idea to go try them on. Unless you are a 13yo girl it's hard to buy just based on size.

I miss Elizabeth G and wish I had an opportunity to buy a couple of more before she hung up the business. More too bad she couldn't have sold her line to one of the other makers. The last Rolex I went to Amy said maybe she should try on a pair of Elizabeth G's, since we all seemed to love ours so much. Of course, we knew if she tried them on, she'd buy them.

[Lisa]

My first lesson is tomorrow!!! I'm excited, and nervous, but most of all I just can't wait for the smell of horses!!!

[ZenRider]

Just remember this is fun. OK, can be hard when they want you to post with no stirrups. Yes, this really can be done. Have fun.

[niaru]

How did it go Lisa? I hope you had fun!

[Lisa]

Looks like they are not going to happen,so maybe I will go skydiving. Showed up at the "farm" and it was not a farm, or a riding stable, but a couple skinny horses in this woman's back yard. Ten no was around, and I called the number, and the man answered, and said he just woke up (at 10a.m), and that the lesson had been canceled, but no one could call me to tell me. So needless to say I got my money back, and left quickly. They advertised as a Farm with lessons, childrens camp, and handicap therapy riding. Uhm I doubt they were insured!!!

[adcooper]

Shady. I'm glad you got your money back! There must be some good lesson stables around Columbus, though! Keep looking.

[ZenRider]

How unprofessional. Sadly anyone can call themselves a trainer. I'm sure SMay can recommend a better place.