Older Riders

J

jonto

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Apr 26, 2002
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North Staffs
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Hi, only just found this site joined yesterday. Haven,t been in the saddle for 25 years now, am I to old at 59? I'm retired now and would like to ride again, nothing serious just for recreation. Any other older riders out there, North Staffs, South Cheshire?

Best regards to all horse lovers everywhere. Jonto.
 
I dont think that you are too old I know someone who rides at the age of seventy I think if you feel well in yourself and you are enjoying riding then carry on with it
 
Welcome Jonto!

I don't think you're too old to go back to riding, it's a bit like riding a bike - you don't forget! One thing, prepare yourself before by doing some stretching and suppling exercises so you don't get too achy. Then, book yourself some lessons and go and ENJOY! Eventually, get out on hacks and breath that fresh air with the birds singing and sun shining and everything bright and cheerful! (I think I'm getting a bit carried away here!)

Lots of luck

Judy
:D :D
 
Hi and welcome to NR.
I can recomend a good place in Staffs for you to try out.Their horses are ace and the staff try their best.
We ride on Cannock Chase,at weekends you can do one or two hour trekks,in the afternoon for mixed ability groups.
Age is no boundary or your level of ability,there is horse for for all level of ability.

We now only cross one road,the scenery is exellent too.
I see riders from all back grounds there.Many have there own horse,but like to ride out in company on different horses.
The horses can be automatic,{understandable when in a group},
but you the rider are responsible for the horse.You can hire hat too.
Well worth a telephone call,Cannock Chase Trekking Centre.
Tel:01785 711177
Best wishes from Fred.
ps.many NR members have ridden here and have enjoyed the horses/scenery.When your up for it, they do all day ride too:)
taking a stop at local pub for dinner.
 
Hello Fred
Called at Cannock Chase treking Centre about four weeks ago to make enquiries, have their brochure. I'm about twenty-five miles away, just north of Newcastle,its about time I got started now. Do you go weekdays?

Thanks everyone for your kind support
Jonto.
 
I joined this site yesterday too. I'm 55 and hadn't ridden for 34 yrs, that is until last year when I loaned a 35 yr old ( possibly older) Appaloosa X ? I was extremely nervous to start with but with a lot of help and patience from the many new friends I have made (both old and young) I have gained so much confidence. My mare was given to me after the first months loan and has given me so much pleasure over the year that I have just bought a young Icelandic so that as my olden gets older she will be able to retire and I will still have one to ride.Don't worry about your age if you want to do it, I just wish I'd done it years ago!!!:D
 
I wish I could ride week days,Wednesday's were always extra fun,they taught a retired Cornel and he learnt too jump too,but they don't do lesson anymore. Its rare i can make it during the week,they have helped me a great deal.
The horses are great and a privilege for us folk new too riding:)
 
Hi jonto and sable - it's nice to have some more grown-ups on the board!

I'm older than both of you; sometimes have a bit of trouble climbing on, but then I did when I was a child, too - no bounce! And sometimes I can't do what I thought I could: tried Round the World the other day (where you swing your legs over the horse's neck so you're sitting sideways, then over the bum so you're backwards, then over again so you're back in position) - managed it with much huffing and puffing, and very chuffed I was too!:p

So jonto, go for it - next week you'll be older than you are now. :)
 
read!!!

My old instructer is 76 and still rides, she trains, she is like a 16yr old rodeo rider. In the summer she will be riding on a 50mile trail ride when she told hte pple her age they were like 'ummm maybe you should only ride the first day?' and she replyed 'i am 76, not dead!' pls she drives like a maniake, just last month she got a speeding ticket....she must go through 2cars a year:) haha! i just hope i am like her when i am that age!
 
when i returned to riding a couple of years ago, and bought my own horse, I had a confidence crisis. I was lucky enough to come across a lady locally who assisted me. She was 78, still had her old horse and still was able to hop on bareback with no assistance and ride around like a pro. she is now 80 ish and sadly old Toki went to heaven last year but by these standards you are a mere babe. Enjoy it!:)
 
Its really wonderful to have such support. There is a school nearby where I have also made enquiries, I shall go next week when the rain has ceased here and have a lesson prior to attempting trekking. What about clothing, will jeans do? Or do they rub as badly as some say, I have a pair of leather moyorcycle boots with a good instep and an open face helmet that I used to use when I rode my Rudge motorcyle, would these do to begin. I regret to have to say, Fred I hav'nt worked for 6 years now and have got used to taking recreation and days out during the week, very naughty! Weekend will be fine.

Best regards to all who love horses
Jonto.
 
CRACKING UP!!!

Well, Jonto,
A couple of months ago I was at the end of my tether with people telling me I was too old. If you can find the post in the archives it's 'How old is too old?' I was really helped by the positive response I got from everyone on the site. It gave me such a lift, you wouldn't believe. I was beginning to think I was the only mad person who wanted to ride'at my age' :D
Now, I'm convinced you should do what you are able to do ,no matter what age you are. Who cares what people think anyway?
You probably will be a bit sore and stiff to start with but it's really worth it and you'll be so pleased with yourself. Good Luck!!
 
several of our livery owners are retired, and several more are in their 50s. a couple of years ago i taught a lady in her mid 70s, she'd never ridden before, and her son had booked her a holiday in america and she wanted to go riding out there. she learned to canter in 3 months, and is still going strong.
 
If you're going to wear jeans, make sure they're thick, soft and baggy around the crotch....yesterday was my first time back on a horse in about 6 months, and I wore jeans as I'd outgrown my jods. However my jeans were thin and tight, and my legs are now a fascinating shade of blue and red, and if I was a bloke, I'd never have kids...:eek:
 
wear trackpants in preference to jeans. And borrow a riding helmet from the centre (they should have some) rather than use a motor cycle helmet, if they are like the ones here the motor cycle helmet covers too much of your head.
Have awonderful time and you are far from too old :)
Vera
 
Hello Jonto,well I guess I will have to learn to be naughty!,and try and find some time in the week to go out on the horeses:)
Not easy to find time though.

I doubt motorcycle boots would be suitable because they usualy have a zip on the inner side.I doubt the horse would like that.
Those M&S mole skin type jeans are ok,but I found instructors like you to wear jods...after a few lessons.
There are some prety naff jods about,more like chain link material
in dissguise!,friction burn and sore you get, if your not carefull what you buy.Remember to aviod 'chair seat' {the best way to get sores}and hopless in all other respects,it dosen't make for a secure or safe seat.

Good luck and don't give up now, and forgive my spelling and sometimes I get letters back to front even though I check and check they are right.
Best wishes from Fred.
ps:
There are some ace books you can buy too about horse,Monty Roberts book, the man who listens to horses is good and also True horsemanship through feel by the late Bill Dorance is exellent.If you read them just think that your reading about your treasured motorcycle and the maenings will become very clear.
 
Hello Everybody
My recent interest in horses has been spured by the need to let seven acres of grass which is now vacant, directly behind my house. This was advertised a couple of weeks ago and being a smallish area all the response has been from horse owners and so over the days the prospect of having horses on has rather blossomed and the thought of a little riding become quite appealing. This is not the place for personal advertisments,(and so due apologies for this), but if there is anyone in the locality who is in need of summer grass, North Staffs/South Cheshire, mail me and I'll be pleased to forward the agents number. So tomorrow with some help we do fencing improvements and can then let. Then I move on to my next priority which is riding lessons. The old motorcyle boots do zip up at the rear and were made for use with foot pegs so would probably do to begin, being on the wrong side of middle age and therefore a little brittle should my first purchase be a body protector?

My regards to all who love horses,
Jonto.
 
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