poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
That's interesting. My back is a bit shot but when its bad I'm in the least pain on a horse. I think people think I'm just lying when i hurt to walk or do day to day stuff then go for a hack round the villages!
Oldest rider?
- Thread starter Landcruiser
- Start date
Strawbz
Well-Known Member
This thread is so inspiring. Thank you everyone for sharing 
I'm 51 and haven't ridden since 2018 for one reason or another but I'm hoping to be back in the saddle in the coming months. Fingers crossed!
I'm 51 and haven't ridden since 2018 for one reason or another but I'm hoping to be back in the saddle in the coming months. Fingers crossed!
Nicnac
Well-Known Member
Gosh - hope for me at rising 63. Just bought a new horse and sent my boy off on loan where he hacks to the pub and back as his arthritis and Cushings has stopped his affiliated competitive career. Still have 3 at home and now have more time since I retired in January.
My neighbour opposite is my inspiration. He's 89 - drives 2 horses up to the local NT park in his trailer 3 times a week - rides one and leads the other. Takes care of his 17 acres and runs a DIY yard. He's Irish, still has a very strong Kerry accent, mad as a box of frogs and a lovely man.
My neighbour opposite is my inspiration. He's 89 - drives 2 horses up to the local NT park in his trailer 3 times a week - rides one and leads the other. Takes care of his 17 acres and runs a DIY yard. He's Irish, still has a very strong Kerry accent, mad as a box of frogs and a lovely man.
HopOnTrot
Well-Known Member
My instructor as a child rode in her 70s despite being full of rheumatoid arthritis. I think the horses were too scared of her to misbehave with her on 
Borderreiver
Well-Known Member
Lots of wonderful encouraging stories here. I’m a mere 70 and look after the ponies kept at home. I stopped riding but instead go out with my fell and the carriage. We treat it like hacking and I love it. If you are lucky enough to stay reasonably fit then all the horse jobs are good for you. Add in walking the dogs every day and it all beats sitting watching tv doesn’t it?
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
I'm 63, and got bucked off yesterday. Not sure how well that would work in my 70s. Think I'll have to find a reliable plod who wouldn't dream of bucking..... but that's not the sort I enjoy riding! 
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
I'm 71 and ride once a week.
My horse was PTS last September, but I had stopped riding him about 6 months before. I said that if he got me to 65 I probably wouldn't buy another. Well he did, plus 5 extra years, bless him. He was so quiet in traffic and generally nice in every way that I wouldn't want to take on a new horse around here, the lanes have got so much busier carrying too much traffic.
To my great good fortune I have been able to ride out on someone's else's horse once a week and the riding is mostly off road, so perfect in every way. He is a lovely horse, he just doesn't like going out by himself.
I was finding the stable tasks hard work, and was sometimes utterly exhausted, which is also why my sister gave up and sold her last pony when she was 72, but she continued to ride at a riding school with great hacking about twice a month until she developed pain in her hips.
It isn't the riding that is hard, it is the pushing of the wheelbarrow, the carrying buckets of water, shifting bales of hay and straw, and all the other tasks which get more difficult. A downside of not doing all those stable chores is that I have put on weight!
I think when you get older you feel more vulnerable, so having someone to ride with becomes more important, even if just to hop on and off at gates. I have also started to wear a body protector when hacking which I never did with my old horse.
My horse was PTS last September, but I had stopped riding him about 6 months before. I said that if he got me to 65 I probably wouldn't buy another. Well he did, plus 5 extra years, bless him. He was so quiet in traffic and generally nice in every way that I wouldn't want to take on a new horse around here, the lanes have got so much busier carrying too much traffic.
To my great good fortune I have been able to ride out on someone's else's horse once a week and the riding is mostly off road, so perfect in every way. He is a lovely horse, he just doesn't like going out by himself.
I was finding the stable tasks hard work, and was sometimes utterly exhausted, which is also why my sister gave up and sold her last pony when she was 72, but she continued to ride at a riding school with great hacking about twice a month until she developed pain in her hips.
It isn't the riding that is hard, it is the pushing of the wheelbarrow, the carrying buckets of water, shifting bales of hay and straw, and all the other tasks which get more difficult. A downside of not doing all those stable chores is that I have put on weight!
I think when you get older you feel more vulnerable, so having someone to ride with becomes more important, even if just to hop on and off at gates. I have also started to wear a body protector when hacking which I never did with my old horse.
hollyandivy123
Well-Known Member
Look at thermal undergarments for hill walking and sking....legs and tops....
Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
My old RI is in his 80s and can still be seen taking the younger horses for a spin down the beach on a sunny morning. He doesn’t jump anymore because his vision is poor and he can’t see a stride but flat land he figures the horse can sort it out.
Skib
Well-Known Member
I have those, thank you, as my previous yards we would ride in frost and snow. My first ever hack it was below freezing. But the yard where my current share lives they dont ride if it is below freezing. Winter hasnt been a problem for me but I rarely rode in August - school kids on holidays kept the RSs busy and OH and I used to go away.
NHS warnings for over 80s in summer look more frightening than the winter ones.
MereChristmas
riding reluctantly into the sunset
Most of your second and third paragraphs describe my situation too. Those reasons for me are why F is on full livery. I wear an air jacket not a b.p. though
Pippity
Well-Known Member
I've certainly noticed that my recently-fractured spine (L1) hurts a lot less when I've been riding.
Time for Tea
Well-Known Member
What lovely encouraging and awe inspiring lives to read about. I will be 70 in the autumn, and I ride my NF pony about 3 times a week. I don’t mind the yard work, I think it keeps me strong. We have just sold one pony, so only 2 to do now. I used to have a magnificent ID/TB, and also a trotter, both very forward thinking horses. But I don’t think I would cope with that now. They were physically demanding of your balance and core @nd your full attention. My relaxed Forester is a wonderful calm companion. Looking at the scenery i# now an option! I do find the only place I am really comfortable is on the back of a horse, and a long ride really loosens me up.
Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
This thread is amazing. I feel so young, though, at not yet 50!
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Well I'm a grumpy old bat of 63, long in the tooth and sit like a sack of teddies. But I've got the sweetest little pony-mare who's as gentle as a dove, and we're both happy.
Intend to keep riding as long as I can.
Intend to keep riding as long as I can.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
I’m 60 now and no plans to give up anytime soon. Ride twice a week usually and would do more if I could. Just call it my pony Prozac. Keeps me happy. Even when I ache it’s fine!
Carlosmum
Well-Known Member
My Mother is 86 and still riding twice a week if she can. She would ride more often but the staff on the yard wont let her ride without one of them there so she is somewhat limited by their availability. It would be fine if she was willing to ride one of the riding school ponies, but she insists on her lovely NF mare who I am convinced is holding it all together as soon as Mum climbs aboard.