middle-aged folks, would you get another horse

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dorito

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Just curious to hear the views of others in a similar position to me.

I'm middle-aged, work full time, had my own horse (at livery - the expensive way!) for 12 years till she had to be PTS. Don't have own land/stables/horsey kids so horsiness isn't totally ingrained, if you get what I mean.

That was a few years ago. Now thinking of getting my own horse again, tried sharing but it just isn't the same.

Anyone else in this position? what did you decide?
 
If you want another horse then go for it! I don't see why it has to be ingrained, lots of horse owners come from completely unhorsey backgrounds.

The only thing I would say is that I find the physical work harder as I get older, but the pros outweigh the cons in my experience.
 
Depends on what you call middle aged :p

I would say go for it. You only live once and its awful to look back and say 'I wish I had . . . '




I'm slowly heading towards 50 and have a youngster and an older mare :D and planning on backing the youngster myself :rolleyes:
 
I am middle-aged, kids flown, work full time, and have only just set out on the horse-filled life. My boy has been with me a year now, and I can't imagine life without him. Go for it! We have half our life ahead of us!
 
Hm....

Bought D1 a pony five and a half years ago, then one for D2 a few months later, then a horse for me a few months after that, then when I lost her I bought another one, she's a bit bobbered, so I'll be on the look-out again some time, oh, and bought D1 a horse when she outgrew the pony.

So, we now have four and will at some point in the probably not too distant future will have five.

A very long way round of saying, can't imagine life without the hairy gang :D. Well, actually I can, but I have been there, done that, and don't want it back :eek::cool:. I'll stick to being broke, usually in more ways than one; always having that faint aroma of de Equine; pulling straw and a hoof pick out of my good work coat (that never, ever goes near the yard, so how does that happen?!); often be seen to be scratching a horse fly bite; get excited at the new Robinsons catalogue; and will be eternally thinking of ways to explain my rug addiction to D :D :D :D
 
Chap at our yard outlived his last horse and got a new one 3 months ago at the grand age of 83 !!!!!! Rides out every morning.

I got my mare 3 months ago after a 19 year gap - I am also the wrong side of 40 and am loving every minute of it. Know too many people who have died before retirement, life really is too short:)
 
I'm 40, 2 young children (2.5 and 5, started late :D ), work full time and bought my mare 2 months ago.

I do cheat and she's on full livery though but that's mainly because my job involves me working away for a night or 2.

Go for it, life is too short :)
 
I bought my first horse at the grand old age of 50 (last year). I do work full time (although have school holidays off) and he is on working livery - which works perfectly for me as he is ridden and looked after when I can't get there, but at weekends and in the holidays I have him all day, every day if I want.

I think you will have to look at your circumstances - I do know that as you get older everything gets harder, but the things you enjoy are not so bad! Will you have time to do the chores? Maybe a share or working livery could be a possibility for you?

But on a purely emotional level - best thing I ever did! :D:D:D
 
OP I am 40 and have lost my horse this week. So I am finding myself in the same position. It's very difficult. Obviously way too early to be thinking about it for me, but it sounds like you have had time to look at it with a cool head.

I think, that if you have had a break and still want to go back then do it.
 
I am 62. A move to the New Forest made me realise that I would like another horse after having my previous one PTS a year before just before his 30th birthday. I had at the time thought that having more time for the family, more money etc. would be enough and that to buy another horse would be a mistake but soon changed my mind.

After a disastrous first purchase I have now owned my current pony for seven years and really love being her owner and all that that entails.
 
If you want a horse, then go for it. I had a horse when a teenager/early twenties. I wnet back to it aged 40. I'm having a break again at the moment, but am thinking of getting one next year and I'll be 50 then!! At the yard I was at there were quite few people the same age as me, and quite a few abit older.
 
I'm 48, have two teenagers, work full time and run my own assisted DIY yard as well. My older horse is 19, I've owned him since a foal (I've owned horses continually for 35 years) and I'm currently breaking my 4yo, who, touch wood, will be my last horse! Age is just a number...
 
Sure will.
I'm 50 and have three. Latest one was bought last year. Will most likely get another filly at some point too. I have a different perspective than I had when I was younger, more laid back and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. The horses keep me fit and keep my mind active by presenting new challenges and having to think outside the box.

My inspiration is the 93 year old who cheerily waves each morning as she briskly trots down the road on one of her two arabs that she keeps hunting fit. She then returns and walks her GSD down the road and still has time to make pies for her neighbours with apples from her orchid. (Hope she gets a good crop this year,:D)

Anyone seen the western rider on utube who was still riding at 103 (or thereabouts.) ?
 
Please, throw away your birth certtificate! Well, not literally, but how do you FEEL??? That's what counts - whether you're 20 or 50. Do you feel that you have the enthusiasm, the dedication, the energy to make the committment? You do? SO GO AND DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They keep you young. We'll await the piccie!!!
 
I'm 48, just bought a 4 yr old. To go with my retired 19 yr old. I find having them out 24/7/365 gives me more options time-wise, I'm not tied to mornings and evenings at the yard, which is important to fit around my work as I do often travel and am away overnight.
 
I am 43 and have ridden since I was 5 and had my first loan horse at 8 and my own from 13. I have always competed and normally had more than one horse at a time. This year I sold my eventer and lorry and put my lazy connie on loan. I did this as I had been out of work for some months and had no option. I am now working again and the temptation is to rush out and buy something else but I have made the hard decision to wait. I have neglected my house and garden badly over the last few years so I am now spending my time and money on getting it straight. I do plan to get another but realistically it will be 2-3 years before I have the time or money for what I want. I think next time I will put the new horse on full livery though - so I don''t neglect the house and garden again ;)
 
Im 48 and bought my TB 3 years ago after a break of 8 years with no horse. I keep him on DIY and am loving it. I cant believe I managed for 8 years without any horsey contact, Im loving it and feel so much better for the exercise and work involved. Im lucky to only work part time but I do help out at another yard a couple of times a week as well.
 
Speaking from the wrong side of 50 .. yes, of course! A horse keeps you young, because there is always something new to learn, helps you appreciate everything because you experience life fully with all the ups and downs, keeps you fit, (or in recovery!) and gladdens your eye in the morning. :)
 
there are heaps of middle aged women at the local riding club, a lot just started again after a long break, or for the first time. It is amazing how some of the most timid and numptish have developed into really confident, capable horse owners/riders over the last 4-5 years.

Several are taking on younger horses in addition to the quiet hacks (the quiet hacks often not as quiet as they could have been ) they started with. So yes do it, but get the right horse that you are going to enjoy, and have help on hand /riding instruction if and when you need it to help make it all more fun.
 
there are heaps of middle aged women at the local riding club, a lot just started again after a long break, or for the first time.


Can't agree more I had a 30 year break and returned at 50 and have 7 years doing riding club/pony club eventing - and now we hopefully have a foal on the way - We are on a very good DIY yard and I'm blessed as hubby is the bestest groom ever
 
Yes - but I would say I know people in their late 70s / 80s who fret hugely about their ability to keep physically well enough to care for their elderly ponies and what will happen to those ponies when they can no longer carry on. In some cases they have bred those ponies themselves in middle age. Their money worries have increased with retirement too.

While that is not to say don't take on your own horse (there is no reason not to take one on just because of middle age) I would say plan ahead for your horse.
 
oh yes but I do have my achy days where I think I might not bounce as well........BUT I am missing my hacks and want to do them again. I am a pretend horse person currently...I go and poo pick my arthritic old boy, gave him a bath last weekend feel very sad that he is no longer rideable AND I am still looking about 3 months now. I have just approached a D to help me...although she has gone very quiet??

I have been going with some other mums for a lesson at a riding school..more so I can sit on a horse but its been really good fun too, we are the biggest bunch of cowards that turn up but wont be beaten....we love it!

Go for it...I dont want to ever think I wish I had......when I am 100!
 
Good Golly noone is old these days and as for planning ahead to make sure you can afford what about all the youngsters who buy and then realise its time consuming and expensive.

I am over 55 and currently patiently waiting for my next horse too turn up.
 
I am 56 and up until 1986 my life was nothing but horses - working with them, owning them, competing etc. House purchase and work put all that to a stop, but now I am looking to retire in a couple of years, and with a view to then getting a nag, I have started riding again. I am also helping a friend back a couple of youngsters. We were giggling the other day as she had her first sit on one of them and I was leading her round - she is 62. We have been horsey friends since our twenties. I still enjoy it as much as ever, although I wish I had the level of fitness that was there when I was young. So yes, I'm getting on in years, but I am really looking forward to the day I have my own horse again.
 
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