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Super Contributor
Posts: 659
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

[ Edited ]

Hi All,

 

I fulfilled a dream of a lifetime two years ago when I got my first horse (me 54 years old).  I had a lot of experienced support in the process but my riding skills are not improving as quickly as I hoped they would.

 

I have fallen off 8 times, the last time breaking my shoulder.  I ride English-Jumper.  Believe me, I haven't jumped anything.  I take riding lessons.

 

My horse is a dream boy.  I big grey thoroughbred/warmblood cross.  He is now 19 years old and still showing in Jumper classes.  We have a young friend who is an excellent rider and she shows him.  He loves to work.

 

So I just wonder if anybody has any advice for me about the riding progress or any experiences they can share.

 

catlvr

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,520
Registered: ‎03-04-2012

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

My only advice, be careful!  We break much easier at this age - that's a tall fall.  Glad you are getting to do something you had always dreamed of. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,460
Registered: ‎05-12-2012

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

The tallest thing I get on these days is my couch......never been on a horse......take care..

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,140
Registered: ‎07-26-2014

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

I taught myself to ride a horse in my teens.

I've never "jumped" on a horse.  To scared.

I only "run" on the beach coastline.

 

To date, I have never fallen. 

 

67 yrs young.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."


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Honored Contributor
Posts: 74,392
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

I've never been a very good rider because I'm not a talented althete in any sport.  I did take a bad spill off a horse (riding English)  when I was in college riding with friends.  We were in a wooded area and we jumped a log about 3' high.  This started a lifetime of back problems for me. 

 

Shortly after I was married DH and I bought horses.  By then we lived in Texas and rode Western, which IMO is the only way to ride.   I don't ride anymore but still have my lifelong love for horses. 

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Super Contributor
Posts: 659
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

Thanks ladies.  Nice to see that there are others who love horses.  

 

I enjoy it, not only because I love him, but because riding requires my entire attention.  So it's very distracting and mostly quite relaxing.  Admittedly, there are moments of complete and utter terror.  I ride indoors in an arena so there isn't much external danger but even the tractor going by outside as we rode inside spooked him once and put me on my butt.

 

catlvr

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,977
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

Catlvr, I first got on a Shetland Pony at aged six, so my experience does not mirror yours, but I second the advice to switch to riding a Western saddle.  I rode bareback first (never had a saddle for the pony, I outgrew him too fast to make it worth buying one) but I started on my first horse at 11 on a Western saddle, and did not move to riding an English jumping saddle until I was already an advanced Western rider.  My mare was a 14.2 hand Morgan/Mustang cross chestnut who was a terrible daisy cutter, so I would have been better off riding English so I could post her trot, but I learned to sit it anyway, and developed a solid seat because of it.  A Western saddle would stabilize you and give you more security on top of your warmblood, with a deeper seat and more leg contact with your horse's barrel, which ought to help your seat become more solid more quickly.  Best wishes, I hope you find a good solution so you can keep riding without falling!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 34,839
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?

I've been around horses all my life.  My advice?  Get a GOOD western saddle with a padded suede seat, buy a high-stepping little quarter horse, and go out and enjoy the world in comfort and security.

 

No need to be fallin' off that horse!  Just walk, trot and run for a sense of joy and freedom!  And that quarter horse should be able to go from standing start to flame on in one stride and turn on a dime!  Now THAT's a thrill ride!  LOL!!

 

Horses are wonderful aren't they?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?


@catlvr wrote:

Hi All,

 

I fulfilled a dream of a lifetime two years ago when I got my first horse (me 54 years old).  I had a lot of experienced support in the process but my riding skills are not improving as quickly as I hoped they would.

 

I have fallen off 8 times, the last time breaking my shoulder.  I ride English-Jumper.  Believe me, I haven't jumped anything.  I take riding lessons.

 

My horse is a dream boy.  I big grey thoroughbred/warmblood cross.  He is now 19 years old and still showing in Jumper classes.  We have a young friend who is an excellent rider and she shows him.  He loves to work.

 

So I just wonder if anybody has any advice for me about the riding progress or any experiences they can share.

 

catlvr


Why are you falling so  much?

I've ridden horses since a child, I've never fallen off.

Came close a few times.

You need a new riding instructor.

I don't know much about  jumpers, maybe they don't make good riding horses.

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 34,839
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone here learn to ride horses later in life? After 40?


@software wrote:

@catlvr wrote:

Hi All,

 

I fulfilled a dream of a lifetime two years ago when I got my first horse (me 54 years old).  I had a lot of experienced support in the process but my riding skills are not improving as quickly as I hoped they would.

 

I have fallen off 8 times, the last time breaking my shoulder.  I ride English-Jumper.  Believe me, I haven't jumped anything.  I take riding lessons.

 

My horse is a dream boy.  I big grey thoroughbred/warmblood cross.  He is now 19 years old and still showing in Jumper classes.  We have a young friend who is an excellent rider and she shows him.  He loves to work.

 

So I just wonder if anybody has any advice for me about the riding progress or any experiences they can share.

 

catlvr


Why are you falling so  much?

I've ridden horses since a child, I've never fallen off.

Came close a few times.

You need a new riding instructor.

I don't know much about  jumpers, maybe they don't make good riding horses.

 


@catlvr  @Kachina624  Are you falling off or getting bucked off or what?  I was bucked off once, a horse fell with me once, and one simply jumped out from under me when someone on a motorcycle came over to shake hands with me while I was on the horse (stupid, yes I know).  But I didn't normally fall off.  Course I wasn't jumpting either.  Intentionally jumping let us say.  .  . 

 

If the horse is the problem, it needs training or traded!  LOL!!