Honest opinons I'm too old and injured to ride seriously again?

S

Silverblaze

Member
Joined
2 October 2017
Messages
13
Visit site
Hi All,

I’m new here, just after some honest opinions.

I live in Europe and have been driving past a ridding centre for years that looks amazing. This time I managed to get their details and found they offer the most amazing trail ride.Its 8 days riding English tack, 7 nights’ accommodation it looks truly incredible.

I contacted them I have been TOTALLY honest about my weight (just under 12stone), My age, ridding experience etc. Eg. I used to work as a ridding groom, I qualified as an instructor (Decades ago), I rode daily for years, working at specialist yards, did lots of re-schooling, competed in eventing and show jumping. BUT I have NOT done any serious riding in nearly 10years (when I had my kids). However, if they feel I could cope I would love to join the ride. They have been very positive and are happy for me to make a booking. It’s a group of no more than 8 people with a guide and back up vehicle, staying at hotels overnight. Their horses are in excellent condition and they seem honest and knowledgeable, they have answered every question I have and are properly insured and insist on rider insurance as well.

The riding is mountainous with a few fast canters, lots of opportunity to trot or just to walk along enjoying the views and being back on a horse. There are a couple of long days eg. 23km and 18km

I really want to go on this ride. I have been through a very difficult few years recently and this seems to have come at just the right moment for me. However, the last thing I want to hold up the group or injure myself or heaven forbid my mount.

I would be looking at going next autumn so would have a year to get saddle fit. My job would mean that I could probably go riding once every 2 weeks or so for the next year, there is an excellent yard local ISH with a good instructor and there MAY be the possibility of a share or loan. Don´t misunderstand I have ridden in the last 10years but, only on occasional hacks with my daughter. I can still ride, the muscle memory is still there, and I have only had complements from stables I have ridden out from. But I am older than I was and not as fit as I was (at least saddle fit) I do a physical job day in and day out.

I can control a horse in all four paces, half seat canter / 2 point, seated trot, post to trot etc. without issue, I still jump (but it causes some ache the next day now). I´m still a light rider soft hands etc (I went to see an instructor before went out hacking with my daughter). But I do have a back injury that makes me a little stiffer in the lower back than Id ideally like to be and a old hip injury from re-schooling a stallion that had an unfortunate slip during a rear and came back on me.

Do you think I am being reasonable with the amount of time to get saddle fit, or should I give it longer? Or do you think I should just abandon the idea and chalk it up to being too late to get back in the saddle?

I've braced myself for the chorus of your definitely insane to even consider it.

Thanks SilverBlaze.
 
I think with a year to get fit....why on earth not? We all need something fun and exciting to aim for!

If you do lots of longer rides in the build up to it you'll soon know if your back and hip aren't up to it but if you look after yourself (see a physio regularly etc) I'm sure you'll be fine. If the longest ride on the holiday is 23km then try and do one ride of around 20km beforehand so that you know you are fit enough.

Being older doesn't mean you can't have adventures. :)
 
Go for it!! Life is too short :)

Yes you will Ache but it will be so worth it! I did a Friesian beach ride and loved every second. Definitely go for some riding lessons just to refresh and get back in the swing of things but providing they pair you up with the correct horse you will be fine!
 
Sounds lovely - can you find time to do exercise outside of riding? Only because one ride every 2 weeks won't get you saddle fit. Squeeze in as much riding as you can and go for it!
 
Just do it - you have been very honest in telling them your story so they know what to expect. A year is plenty of time - why not aim to do it in six months as more of a challenge? I have joined a gym to help my riding fitness and have requested exercises to help my core stability and general riding, so you dont have to spend a small fortune riding for hours on end which might make your back worse! Plus the gym is helping me lose weight which is never a bad thing (for you and the horse!).
 
Do you mind me asking how old you are? If you had kids 10 years ago, I'm guessing you can't be any more than mid 40s which is nowhere near old!

Your skill might need a little honing but it will still be there so it's just a question of building the fitness and you have plenty of time for that!

Go for it. Get into some training now and you'll be fine by next Autumn. You'll have a ball I'm sure.
 
You don’t need a year - except that if you are only going to ride fortnightly that isn’t going to get you riding fit (and even if you do that for ten years you still won’t be!). To be doing that amount of riding and not be so sore you can’t enjoy it, I would want to be riding daily for at least the proceeding weeks before you go. It sounds great. Hopefully you can find a way to get fit enough.
 
Oh, thank you. So everyone thinks I can go for it?

I am very physically fit anyway - still working with animals just a different kind now :-)

I compete in triathlons so I train everyday for that everyday, so run 6 days a week for between 5 to 10km (depending on the day of the week or where I am in the training schedule). I swim 3 times a week, and cycle 3 days a week at the moment. I do yoga every night before bed. So I´m physically fit, My core is probably stronger now that it was when I used to ride! Oddly enough the one thing that is really causing me concern is mounting - We always used blocks, so its been a very long time since I´ve hauled myself up into a saddle repeatedly - that is definitely something I will have to practice.

I think more than anything its a confidence thing. As I'm older now and a single mum I find that I access things differently. I think back to some of the stuff I used to do and I would have a heart attack if my daughter did any of it in the saddle.

If any one is interested this is the ride http://www.pirineoecuestre.com/the-trail-of-the-holy-grail-the-most-legendary-horseback-trail-ride/
 
If it would be better I could probably look at taking the 2 months off before the ride from training and could just go and ride everyday instead. If I timings work I horse sit for a friend when she goes away during the summer (6 to 8 weeks) and she has told numerous times to ride everyday if I want.

annagain Lol its not the age in my case it is the mileage! Mid 40´s, I don´t look it apparently which is always nice to hear but I feel ancient.

DuckToller I think its important to tell the truth, particularly in a situation like this one. How can you pair rider and horse if people over exaggerate or deceive.
 
My horse is 17hh, I'm 5'6 and a bit. I never mount from the ground. If I ever have to get off when I'm out and about I'll find a tree stump, style, gate, bank, boulder, anything to make it easier to get on. There is always something you can use. Your fitness will certainly help but you still might need to ride more than once a fortnight - not straight away but as it gets closer. Even then you'll probably ache like mad for the first day or two as the muscles you use are always being tested in different ways. The more you tell us, the more I think you should do it :)
 
From what you have said, I would say go for it!! I was in a similar position years ago (not quite as professional a background as yours, but lots of experience) and I had a week at a Welsh riding centre. There was the option to stay with the slower group or break away at various points - I assumed I'd be playing it safe, but ended up having the most fantastic gallops and really enjoyed it!! I was honest about my ability and rustiness (as you have been) and the centre was incredibly astute at matching horses to riders and judging what they saw, so that helped.

I did initially worry about my knees holding out as 5 or six hours a day was quite an ask, but at the time a knee support bandage helped me out and my main problem was saddle-soreness! Some people brought their own gel pads for the saddles. Now I've got my own horse these days, I do find my knees and hips ache a bit after a couple of hours, but flexi-stirrups have helped. Might be worth seeing what works for you and if you can bring your own. You do sound super-fit already though!

Plus, in another ten years time, you may look back and think "But I was just a youngster then!!" :)

Good luck - hope you have fun! :)
 
You'd be mad not to! I ride most days and would probably ache after a day's ride tbh but I'd soldier on :D
 
Ok So Book it and access, if I need to ride more frequently as it gets closer I will.

I can certainly play around with different kit if I need to. Whatever else I´ll be taking my own hat anyway (old habits and that I never trust a hat unless its mine), boots etc. so if I need a gel seat pad or stirrups I can take those with me. They provide saddle bags already. So then it is just down to clothes, cameras etc.

Annagain that is what I have always used too, at shows etc I took my own block or used my grooming block. I don´t know if it was a preference but I am sure that was how I was trained too. But then I worked with projects and big boys so it part to protect them and part to protect me.
 
Oh lucky you, perfect location! How lucky you are to live there!!!
You are not too old, book it, look forward to it, enjoy every moment, and ride as much as you can from now on. I couldn't bear to wait a year for that!!!
All the best...
 
One hundred percent go for it!

I'm crewing a tall ship across the Atlantic for two months, and I've only got six months to get fit for it, so a year is more than enough for you!
 
why are you even asking ... you must be 45-55 MAXIMUM possibly much younger. wherever did you get the idea that is old - get on with it you have more riding experience than many of us are ever likely to get. Hope its brilliant
 
I did the Namib ride in 2004 and we had a 68 yo man on it who put us all to shame. Confidence and a willingness to have a go on a strange horse are more important than anything.
 
Goodness Silverblaze, I didnt start riding util I was nearly 50, bought first horse for my 50th, second for my 60th and present horse for my 65th. We are working adv med currently. You are a mere spring chicken, just get on and do it. A friend, who rode in her youth, recently went on a horse safari in Botswana. she was 70 and hadn't ridden for 15 years and had a ball. she did take some lessons, did her best to get fitter and was prepared to suck it up if it was hard (and I think she did struggle occasionally) but blimey, life is for living!
 
oldie48 said:
Goodness Silverblaze, I didnt start riding util I was nearly 50, bought first horse for my 50th, second for my 60th and present horse for my 65th. We are working adv med currently. You are a mere spring chicken, just get on and do it. A friend, who rode in her youth, recently went on a horse safari in Botswana. she was 70 and hadn't ridden for 15 years and had a ball. she did take some lessons, did her best to get fitter and was prepared to suck it up if it was hard (and I think she did struggle occasionally) but blimey, life is for living!
Click to expand...

Heh heh, yes! And just to add to this, on the holiday I described, the ride leader who peeled us off for a gallop was in his 70s and was about to go on holiday himself - a riding holiday in Argentina! :) Have fun.
 
Ach get it booked. Fgs you’re a mere child. If you’re already fit it will definitely help but I would want to be riding as much as you will be in the run up, if that makes sense. You’ve got access to horses so really you’re made!
 
Oh thank you so much. I was all set to book and mentioned it to a family member who told me in no uncertain terms that I was crazy, I'd be a liability and ruin everyone else's fun and proberly kill myself whilst I was at it.

It really took it to heart for some reason and I started to doubt myself. So I wanted other people's opinions.

I'm really envious of some of the holidays mentioned. Botswana sounds amazing! Maybe I can make it a regular thing 😆.
 
I am in my 50s and only took up riding again this year after *cough* decades out of the saddle. I built this up easily enough to 12 miles which is 19km. I did feel a bit stiff afterwards, but with a year to harden up I think I would be fine for 23km. HTH
 
Booking made 😆.

Now for the hard work and fun.

I need to replace my basic kit.
New boots (mine are old war horses but they have started to crack)
New hat
Jods, breeches or tights?!?

T-shirts and fleeces I have plenty of. So I'll use them for now, and sort something nicer / better as I go. I can always borrow but out of my running and cycling kit in the mean time.

I still have a riding coat with some service left in it. It's old and I'm sure there is much better coats available now but I'd rather save my money for more time in the saddle. I can replace it later if I find I need one during the winter.

Well for once at least I can give family ideas for presents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top