The Bottom Line
Taking Up Riding as an Adult is a great book to have on the shelf if you are an adult (over 30) and want to begin learning to ride. There is some good general information about horse care and riding and great advice for the older rider just starting out.
Pros
- Information is appropriate for those wishing to take up English or western riding styles.
- Emphasis on safety.
- Good details such as rider health care, and issues specific to older riders.
- Fun ideas for the social side of riding and horse ownership.
- This book is only the first in a series but stands well on its own.
Cons
- Pricing Guide quickly becomes outdated.
- Only two 'out of the saddle' exercises depicted.
- A few very minor horse care facts are debatable.
- Might have suggested driving as an alternative for those not able to ride.
Description
- Soft cover
- Black and white photos and line drawings.
- 155 pages
- Published by Storrey Books
- ISBN: 1-58017-081-1
- Author: Diana Delmar
Guide Review - Taking Up Riding as an Adult-Book Review
This book is written specifically for adults who have never ridden before, or have been away from riding for an extended time. Much of the basic information about riding, choosing a stable, choosing a coach, and horse care can be found in a multitude of books. But the information on fitness, injury prevention, physical limitations and even clothing selection is excellent. Author Diana Delmar addresses issues such as:
- How old is too old?
- How to manage physical stress and pain.
- Coping with fear.
- First Aid and immunizations for riders.
Diana Delmar decided to learn to ride later in life, after dreaming about it for years. Although this book is not written by an experienced rider and horse owner it is packed with references and quotes from professionals who are. Generally the book is well researched, and very readable.
