Shire horse broke english years ago?

Im getting a Shire gelding who has not been ridden since he was 6 when (he was once broken to ride english).
He is now 11 and has spent five years of his life in a pasture not being ridden but he has has much human contact and is trained well on the ground.

Any suggestions on retraining him to be ridden?
also will it be tough?

I would try it. It should not be too hard, its just a big horse, does not make much of a diffrence. and you said he was trained well on ground, that would probley mean he respects humans, making it easier to saddle train him.

Take your time. Take it slow and see what he remembers. He will probably be rusty (or may act like he doesn't know what your asking). If he remembers it, reinforce it and move on, if he doesn't work with him as if you are training him the first time and repetition is the key!

just work with him daily and maybe tethering would help. just be safe!

Before you get on to see if he is going to fight the change (possibly hurting yourself) test him out on a lunge line. Use a closed arena in case of problems and carry a lunge whip. Saddle him and bridle him, then attach the lunge line by putting the clip end through the right side of his bit, over his head and then clipped to the left side of the bit. Then (using the lunge whip behind him, not on him) send him foreward at a trot to the right (you should not see the clip of the lunge line it should be on the other side of the horse) Have him trot and canter to the right then switch the line to the other side of his head and trot and canter him to the left. If he acts fine and like he remembers the situation just fine, then start riding him slowly. Start at a walk and work up from there to a controlled trot and canter. I

f he was english trained then he has not forgotten so don't let him get away with much at all, remind him that you expect the same things as his original training and he will be good in no time.