Am I too old

T

tetly

Member
Joined
30 December 2012
Messages
10
Location
Ashford, Kent
Visit site
Hello everyone.
I've been debating this for some time, at 44 (nearly 45), am I too old to learn to ride. I am a male, and am a little self conscious on what other people/riders might say. After doing a bit of a search, am I right in saying that people might think I'm gay to be riding.(I'm married and straight) but I do enjoy the outdoors.
I live in Kent and there are plenty of riding schools around so finding one is not a problem. I'm quite prepared to buy breeches and rubber boots to start with as this is cheaper than jods and gaiters.
Sorry a bit long winded, but would appreciate comments.
 
No, you're not too old. My fella wants to learn and he's almost 40, and blessed with massive confidence and no fear. I envy him! He'll probably be brilliant.

Get some cheap stuff first and upgrade when you find you love it :D
 
You are never too old. I remember going to watch a dressage comp in Oz years ago. One of the competitors was in his mid 50's and a retired chemist. He decided he wanted to learn to ride when he turned 50 and spent his pension fund in riding lessons and getting a wiz bang dressage horse. From memory he was quite good too.
Go for it.
 
No, you'll be fine. Put all ideas of being judged out if your head and just do it. There was an older male beginner in my RS when I first started taking lessons at the great old age of 52. If I can do it then anyone can.
 
I've taught a couple of beginners in their mid 40's. One progressed to competing at one day events, while the other was happy to hack and enjoy time in the saddle.

You'll be surprised how popular learning to ride is with mature adults. So common that no one will give you a second look.

Just wear joggers and a boot with a small bit of a heel instead of buying kit until you been a few times. Hats can be obtained at the riding school.

The secret is finding the right riding school with horses/instructors that you click with.
 
Never too old! Just a matter of finding a place that you enjoy going with a good instructor. Brilliant way to meet new people too - nothing like a good hack out to get chatting away to people.
Good luck - I hope you enjoy it!
 
Definitely not too old. My husband decided that 68 was the ideal time to learn to ride and did! Go for it and good luck.
 
By no means are you too old!! We have two fellas just recently started to learn to ride at our yard, one of whom treated himself to the lessons for his 70th birthday! :D

I think we might be a bit far away for you to come to our yard (right on Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders) but I know you would be very welcome and encouraged.

(Don't spend a lot on 'kit' until you're sure, though!)
 
There are plenty of macho male riders in showjumping, and eventing, nothing gay about riding horses - o and I wouldn't think the hunting fraternity would have many gay men riding with them either.
Good on yer, just do it, you'll be hooked from your first lesson ;)
 
Good heavens, man, you're a Spring chicken! Go for it and make sure you go to a good RS though. Ask on here if you need recommendations.
 
My OH started learning to ride when he was 37 years old. Two years later he sold his motorbike and bought a horse. Go for it! And let us know how you get on.
 
Nope! No age limit on riding! :D your in the same area as me, there are some good schools and some not so good! But some lovely hacking when you get to that stage :D
 
Wow!
I didn't expect the responses so quick, many thanks to all that have taken the trouble to reply so far.
Just one more thing and that is what sort of reception will I get when I go to the riding school. By this I mean, I'm going on my own. Some of you that replied said my other half, etc. so they have had someone to turn to.
 
tetly said:
Wow!
I didn't expect the responses so quick, many thanks to all that have taken the trouble to reply so far.
Just one more thing and that is what sort of reception will I get when I go to the riding school. By this I mean, I'm going on my own. Some of you that replied said my other half, etc. so they have had someone to turn to.
Click to expand...

No one will take much notice. You will just be another client. We had men your age back when I was teaching and they were great fun and a pleasure to teach.

You are not far from me and all I will say is to pick your school carefully and be prepared to try two or three places until you find one you are happy with. You might consider starting with one-to-one private lessons until you are able to keep up with a bigger class. That would increase your confidence and also you could possible arrange it for quieter times..ie when the kids are at school!!

Good luck and, above all, enjoy yourself.
 
Did you not watch the Olympics and see how many equestrian folk are male, probably not gay (well they don't dress the horses in pink at least), and often older than you?

Get on the phone and book it, man!

It's kind of a solo sport (well you and the hoss), you don't need to bring a gang... until you want them to see you do your first comp :-)
 
tetly said:
Hello everyone.
I've been debating this for some time, at 44 (nearly 45), am I too old to learn to ride. I am a male, and am a little self conscious on what other people/riders might say. After doing a bit of a search, am I right in saying that people might think I'm gay to be riding.(I'm married and straight) but I do enjoy the outdoors.
I live in Kent and there are plenty of riding schools around so finding one is not a problem. I'm quite prepared to buy breeches and rubber boots to start with as this is cheaper than jods and gaiters.
Sorry a bit long winded, but would appreciate comments.
Click to expand...
Of course you aren't to old to learn. When our yard did the free fifteen hours riding and stable management course (the Government funding for these courses stopped a few years back) we had two ladies in their 60s who had always wanted to ride but time, education, families and finance had got in the way in earlier life. One of them went on to get her BHS teaching qualification and the other now part loans a horse on the yard.

And I'm sorry but I laughed when I read your comment that people may think you're gay if you ride. Well, who cares? Nobody else's business whether you sleep with men, women or sheep. In fact it always amazes me that men and boys don't cotton on to the fact that riding schools and livery yards have a limitless supply of women and girls with very little competition from other blokes! Ahh, possibly not a good idea to tell your wife this!

I would, however, be interested in where you found this research that informed you about men who ride being gay. Unless, of course, you are having us on?
 
Last edited:
I was older than you when I learnt to ride. I now have my own lovely mare. The yard I am on has 5 people only 1 is younger than me.
 
Good on you, go for it. You are definitely not too old. My husband dabbled a little as a teenager just playing about on a friends pony.

I got back into riding a few years ago after a approx 35 year break, hubby joined me after a while for a few lessons, a few years later, we have 2 horses, I am just starting doing some dressage competitions and he is doing jumping :D

We are fortunate to be at a great yard, have regular lessons that have helped us improve.

And we are both in our early fifties..... So never too old !
 
tetly said:
Hello everyone.
I've been debating this for some time, at 44 (nearly 45), am I too old to learn to ride. I am a male, and am a little self conscious on what other people/riders might say. After doing a bit of a search, am I right in saying that people might think I'm gay to be riding.(I'm married and straight) but I do enjoy the outdoors.
I live in Kent and there are plenty of riding schools around so finding one is not a problem. I'm quite prepared to buy breeches and rubber boots to start with as this is cheaper than jods and gaiters.
Sorry a bit long winded, but would appreciate comments.
Click to expand...

No certainly not,

When I was teaching my clients aged from 5 - 76
 
Yes, do it, tetly! My OH was 55 when he started, he went to a BHS school, had about 20 lessons/hacks, discovered speed and never looked back. He wore jeans, Doc Martens and full chaps for the first few lessons until he was sure it was for him, then bought the jods/boots (was really self conscious at first too) Have fun! ;)
 
Nope - not too old! The wife has had horses as long as I've known her and always felt like I was helping out doing the hard stuff without any benefits. I had the chance to get a great horse and started to learn proper in Jan 2012.

I turned 41 in July. And am confident/skilled enough to go out hacking without the wife and her TB now (though it's not as entertaining).

If there's one piece of important advice I can give you, from one male to another - make sure you have the correct "underwear" (sufficiently padded in all the right places), as rising trot can be a b!tch when you're learning.

...good luck and enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top