Getting back in the saddle

[nattu]

I was lucky enough to have my own horse when I was growing up. She was retired for the last years of her life, so I didnt get to ride much, then I went to university and stopped riding completely.
I had my first ride in about 3 years a couple of weeks ago. And it was so embarrassing!
It took me ages to tack up because I was so out of practice, so everyone was waiting for me. I got on (using a mounting block) and we set off, but I had to get off halfway because I'd dropped something. When I went to get back on I was so out of condition that I could barely get my foot high enough to reach the styrup, never mind find the strength to get on to a 16.2hh horse!! It was awful, I must of been there 20 minutes, just hopping about and trying to stop the horse walking off, while everyone just killed themselves laughing! Eventually I had to lead him to a tree stump and get on from there, because nobody would get off and give me a leg up!
Anyone else had a long break from riding and had a nasty shock when you found out you're not the rider you used to be?

[FerretBoys]

Hey, don't feel bad. I took lessons for 8 years then I went to college. I decided to take a riding class for 10 weeks here last year, after 3 years out of commission. Oh my gosh. The first couple lessons weren't that bad, but when we started to pick up the pace again I realized I couldn't sit trot anymore, my 2 point left much to be desired, and my horse shied to the left and I fell to the right. hehe. I was pretty goofy looking, elbows flapping and legs moving, and my ankles would KILL from my heels being forced down for an hour. And then I picked up a lease on a young QH, and tried to train him to jump, the first time we approached he stopped and I kept going. Over a 6 inch crossrail. It took a couple months to really get back in shape again.

[nattu]

I was more worried about losing my nerve than anything else......but I suppose you have to actually get ON the horse for that to be an issue.
I cant wait to go again though!

[kiwicactus]

I've been riding for three years. It was to cold for lessons for 5 weeks one winter, but I remember everything. I guess it's only because it was just 5 weeks.