Is thirteen to old to start horse back riding lessons?

Question

Hi, I'm going to be thirteen soon and I will be starting horse back riding lessons. I love horses so much and we haven't been able to afford lessons till now! My moms so lucky she got a job in this economy. Anyways do you think thirteen is too old to start horse back riding lessons? I've had lessons for eight months in western and it wasn't a good facility at all. Plus I want to start english so its going to be completely different so too old??? or not?

Answer 1

Your never too old to learn. I'm fourteen & have only been riding for six monhs. =)

Answer 2

You are never too old to learn. I have a friend of mine who didn't start taking lessons until she was in her 50's.

Answer 3

how old are the other students? 4?



I'm curious....what's your age got to do with anything? The horse doesn't care how old you are, or what you look like, or if you have straight or curly hair, or if you like Wheaties for breakfast. All trivial things.



Horses want a rider who cares about learning communication skills through your seat, legs and reins. Is that you? Then you're right on target with taking riding lessons.



Be sure to find a GOOD teacher. There's lots of duds out there. Don't get a babysitter, get someone who really cares that you understand stuff.

Answer 4

You are never too old to ride!!!



I heard of someone learning to ride when she was 93!



13 is definatly not too old to learn how to ride Why would it be?? not everyone starts when they're 3 or4!

Answer 5

There is a woman at my barn who started to ride at the age of 30, and now she owns two wonderful horses, and is great with horses. So no, you are not to old to start horse back riding.



- HorsePro

Answer 6

No it is not too old. At least you will have the advantage of more strength than a 5 year old and will be more able to understand instructions.



English riding is far more controlled and horse and rider body aware than Western, much easier on the horse. It is possible to make the transfer. It might feel a bit weird to start with but you will be fine with a good instructor

Answer 7

absolutely not!!!!! i was nearly 15 when i started!! now i'm 16 and i've just about caught up to the more advanced riders at my stables! it just means u'll have 2 work harder!! lol! good luck!

Answer 8

NEVER TOO OLD!! my teacher is teching 40 year olds :P GOOD LUCK! riding english is SOOOO fun!!!

Answer 9

no way! you're never too old to learn to ride. you are definitely still young, and one of the pros is you have the developed motor skills and comprehension to be able to control a horse in more advanced situations that young kids don't have. you'll have a blast :) good luck!

Answer 10

you can never be to old to start horse riding lessons.



you could be 75 and start horse back riding lessons

Answer 11

If you are 13 you can't be to old for anything. the horse does not care how old you are or what you are wearing. If you have ridden western then you will have no problem riding English, after all, you know how to get on a horse, ride it and stay on. Those are the basics. English is just another way of riding, and the horse does not care about that either.

Answer 12

I started taking my horse riding lessons when I was 12 so no 13 shouldn't be a problem unless the instructor only teaches young children but other than that you are never to old to learn how to ride. I learned english also when I was 13 because I started my riding lessons doing western and now I am doing a lot of english pleasure and jumping but I still ride western sometimes but no 13 is probably a very good age to learn to ride.

Answer 13

Absolutely not. There are some people who never ride until they are fifteen, twenty-two, or even seventy-five, so you may definitely start them now; however, if you just want to ride for fun then take fun riding lessons, not competitive English unless you plan on competing someday. English riding is usually more competitive and expensive then Western riding lessons, which is more laid-back. Do wait until you gain balance before riding bareback unless you are a natural rider. Hey I started at eight, then took a few years of absence due to allergies and asthma, and did not go back to riding regularly until I was sixteen years old. Rode ever since, sold my horse, and am now free-leasing a new horse. My suggestion if you just want to ride for fun? Try Western, try trail riding, try bareback riding, and instead of owning or sponsoring a horse try free leasing. I am doing it, and I love it. You will too.

Answer 14

You never get to old to start taking lessons, but I would continue with the western and start english lessons also. You will get bored with the english lessons because it takes so long to develop the muscles you need for posting properly. I once taught horseback riding to college students that had never been close enough to a horse to touch it, and they are hard students to teach anything. I have taught 50 year old men and women to ride both english and western.

Answer 15

Not at all! 13 is actually a good age- you're choosing to do it but you're still young. And english will be different, but you won't be too old. You're going to be relying more on your legs for balance and stability. It will probably take a couple weeks or months, depending on how good your natural balance is, before you start to canter or jump. Just listen to your trainer and you'll be fine. (: Just wear comfortable jeans, half chaps (if you have them- if not, it should be okay for the first couple of months), paddock boots if you have them but if not, maybe a shoe with a heel and just a t-shirt and sweatshirt. Your clothes shouldn't be baggy, but not tight either.



Have fun starting english lessons! Ive been riding english for nearly 8 years now. (:

Answer 16

I have been riding horses for 10 years and the first 6 i was riding western, I did not realize it then but I was really not learning how to ride. I learned how to sit on a horse and not fall off. The past 4 years I have been riding English, at a new place in a new country. lol. I am 15 now and have a boxes and boxes of awards for riding, but all of that stuff dose not mean a thing when you know that you can ride, not sit on a horse and not fall off but really ride, and you are never to old for learning something new and how to do it properly. So to answer you question: No thirteen is definitely not to old to start horseback riding lessons.

Answer 17

Not at all! I started horseriding a few months before my 14th birthday, i had always wanted to but could never afford it. Also you have had some previous riding experience, even if it wasnt much, or very good, but I had never even sat on a horse before!

Being at this age gives you an edge, you have the ability to focus more, remember more, and understand more than the younger people. I started 6 months ago and keep getting better all the time, while there are still many 7 year olds better than me, i am better than some of the 7 year olds who have been going for a few years.

Answer 18

Nope, I believe you're never too old, it's such an amazing sport.



One of my sisters' friend took up riding lessons recently - and she's 21! Although she is keen on horses she mainly started because of the fitness aspects of riding :L



The change from western to english may be hard but personally I prefer english, I find it easier :)



Good luck, I hope you have fun!

Answer 19

Your never to old to start! My granma hasnt ridden since she was 5 and is now 73 and just bought a horse and plans on showing this season. I started when I was 10 and have been riding for 6 years now.



My best friend is 14 and just starting.

Answer 20

Of course not! I started last summer and I was 13. :) I ride both English and Western. But mainly English. Good luck with your lessons!

Answer 21

NO, you are never too old to start riding (well so long as your health is in tact) Sure most beginners are probably younger but you can take private lessons or find a group around your age. Riding is awesome, hope you enjoy it!

Answer 22

Absolutely not!!!! I started when I was almost 14 and my mom is going to start riding this year; she is 54 haha. Just have fun and don't worry about your age! People begin riding at all different ages and no one should ever be ashamed or feel embarrassed by getting a later start.

Have fun riding!!!!!! I know you will love it!

Answer 23

thirteen is way not too old ot be starting riding lessons! there are a ton of people that start lessons way later in their age like my friend for example is 25 and she just started riding lessons. you can start lessons at any age. I started riding english when i started which was 16 years ago [4yrs old] and then i switched to western and did the whole rodeo scene and now im 20 and started english lessons again last year and still dont know even close to everything i want to know. lessons at any age are way okay! you dont have to be a certain age to start. so no your not too old to start lessons in any discipline. starting the teenage years are a great time to start riding lessons. its such a great responsibility and just an amazing sport.

Answer 24

no way! i started when i was 14 and i advanced amazingly quickly and was jumping full 3 foot courses and showing within a year! as opposed to some people that start young and take years to advance. Being older gives you the ability to better focus, understand and process everything you are told, and your muscles are stronger and better developed so riding and getting muscle memory will be easier. happy horseback riding! :)

Answer 25

Nope, in my opinion you are never to old to learn. I helped my instructor give lessons to a group of people where the youngest was thirty. And i was eleven when i started riding. so you should be fine! Good luck!

Answer 26

the definate right answer if "you are never too old to start lessons" haha.

every one starts them at different ages.



I started them at age 9, and I thought i was "too old" than too, because my friend I was taking lessons with started years before I did.



Lessons are VERY fun and there usually are a lot of young teenagers doing them.



I am 17 years old, and I took lessons even last year:]

Answer 27

Dusty, That's a great age to start lessons. And you are going to love English. I also believe English Riders are great in teaching you everything you need to know about Horsemanship!

You go, and enjoy!

Answer 28

If 13 is too old it doesn't look good for the millions of adults who start to ride in their advanced old age - some of the clients at our local riding school are positively ancient - some even in their thirties!



Seriously though if you are reasonably fit then you are never to old to take riding lessons. I have a new side saddle pupil in her 60s who has never ridden astride.

Answer 29

your never to old for lessons! some start young one of my best friends didn't learn to ride until he was 17 and he is a pretty good rider not as good as he thinks he is but you got to let them have their fantastics right their boys lol.

Answer 30

No. You're never to old. Some people start at 6 and some people start at 23. Have fun!

Answer 31

no bcuz my bestie is 13 and she started riding when she was 12 so no ur not 2 old 2 start

Answer 32

Definitly not. Your never too old to get back in the saddle. ;). with the exception for people who are over 80 and in wheelchairs. and once you have learned to ride, chances are you will never ever forget.



good luck!!

Answer 33

Step 1: Go to the horse section

Answer 34

Definitely not. I've known people who started much later. Personally, I started at 12 and I've been doing fine.

Answer 35

NOOOO Some people start riding in their 50's... your not too old.

Answer 36

yournever to old to learn. im 12 and have been riding since i was 3 but didnt become a good rider until last year. so i would say no

Answer 37

its never too old for you to learn i started at the same age as you

Answer 38

You are never to old to learn to horse back ride!People start at all different ages!=)

Answer 39

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY!!! You can start horseback riding pretty much any age. I started solid lessons at twelve :) Have fun!!!

Answer 40

the one thing about horseback is that its never to late thats what i love about it i am 13 and i have been riding since i was in the 3rd grade. but my mom who is 48 is just staring lessons at my barn

Answer 41

My friend is fifty and she just started :) ! English is amazing, and you are definately not too old!

Answer 42

you are never too old to learn to ride just dedicate time and it shouldnt take you anytime to grasp it

Answer 43

You're NEVER too old :) I know someone who started in her 50's.

Answer 44

You're never too old to start riding.

It's just going to be a little more difficult for you.



goodluck.

Answer 45

No, you are NEVER too old to start! Start when ever!

Answer 46

NO! of course not!! i started when i was 13 :) totally go for it!

:D You will LOVE english!!

Answer 47

I am 13 and i just switched to english, and its not to late at all.

Answer 48

ABSOLUTELY NOT! :o) Go for it girl! :o) Do watever your heart tells u! :o) Good luck!

Answer 49

definitely not!!!!!!