over 40's- what sort of horse do you ride?

Well both of mine have retired, so nothing rideable ATM but I'm not ready to hang up my boots permenently so when I get around to looking I have no doubt I'll go for the same type I've always had -> smallish mostly TB sharp types, probably a mare and preferably chestnut. You can't teach an old dog new tricks :D I know I should have a sensible sort, but very much doubt it will happen :)
 
My 54yr old novice father has a 15hh appy x cob whose 6 rising 7. We've known her since she was 3, bought her from a lady who I used to loan from. She's very green in the school and quite forward going but she's safe, genuine and proven for hacking and hunting which is all my Dad wants to do with her.
 
Learned to ride on a shetland pony called poncho, who was a typical wee shetland and a great starter
I have a retired tb/han who was a delightful 1st horse
Then a 16.2 tb/han who was a real challenge and a special boy, still have him
and ive got a 16.2 thoroughbred wee rocket who loves her xc, a fantastic ride
 
I ride a very sharp, somewhat spooky 15.3 registered Appaloosa, traffic proof, but not plastic bag proof :D She 'replaced' a 15.3 nappy, spinning Appaloosa, 5 years ago. I also ride Pearlsasingers 16hh Ardennes type, and I am 'the lighterweight' rehabing the sweet ID. (Pealsasinger is my big sis)
 
this thread made me smile. I went from pretty lively irish sport horse mares to highland ponies (my roots!!) after the birth of my last son and 40th birthday!!!! sense prevailed!!!! Now my son has gone to school.....and i found a mare who needed a home....and some understanding....and patience....but boy is she rewarding and a lovely ride, and she makes me think and challenges me every day.....my lovely chesnut thoroughbred girlie!!!! and in the wings, two two year olds.... one anglo arab and one highland cross irish showjumping pony so the slowing up safe thing did not really last for me although i do tend to nod to safety and caution
 
A gentleman up the road is nicely into his 70's and was back on his horses 6 weeks after a hip replacement and carpal tunnel surgery. Backs and rides out all his youngsters... Mind you, he is exceptionally experienced.
 
Two irish sports - one 16h and one 17h. Both sensible lunatics and able to do affiliated in any sphere...

Don't like this "being old" label!
 
This thread makes me feel great: wanted a horse all my life, decided couldn't wait any more and bought 15 hh arab gelding 2 months' ago. He is wonderful but very spooky/quirky and challenges my seat on a daily basis - it will be very deep and sticky soon!
 
I am 49 and have just retired my first horse who is 25 and have had since she was a very green 4yr old (14.3hh Connie x TB). Had ridden for 2 years at local riding school when I bought her so have had a very steep learning curve. Have just backed my 3yr old Hanoverian gelding (currently 16hh) who I have owned from a yearling. First one I have ever done and am enjoying it so much. 49 is not a good age to back your first horse I don't suppose but hey ho I just keep telling myself that age is 'a state of mind'. Mind you my body disagrees with my last statement on a regular basis.
 
A friend of mine always maintains that we are all 8 years old when we ride :)
Another friend is a grandma and elligable now for the 'vetran' rider class, as is her mother, who has two hip replacements! They ride a 16hh VERY strong cob and a nervous 17.1 ID respectively. The older lady decided last year to stop jumping competitavely as her doctor is not happy about the stress she is putting on the replacement hips. :D
 
My own riding mare is a 14h arab, I also have Quarter Horses.

No difference in height or breed from what I was riding 20 years ago, I was still 5'1" back then.
 
A five year old Spanish cross Selle Francais.
She pleases me every day.
I would tend to be a little more selective these days.
I am pleased my fellow over fifties are answering, kick on !
 
I went from a very sensitive, nappy KWPN (handed on to teenage daughter) to a lovely bombproof Ardennes. When I ride I just can't take the risk of being thrown, I don't bounce like I used to and I have an old injury which I don't want aggravate. So Fany and I plod around and are perfectly happy.

Size wise there is a huge change but that is co-incidental. I love my lad and his size is not an issue, he is not really the issue it is me and my health.

FDC
 
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Clannad48 said:
Me too!! :)
Click to expand...

I used to own a TBx in my early 30s,he was quite naughty but fun was then,died from severe colic.(RIP boy).I now have a 14.3hh coloured cob,quite hairy lol Hes only been broken in 2 years (now 9) and is pretty quiet.Good on lead rein with my daughter whose 13 and learning to ride.
I dont do big horses.
 
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I am another bus pass holder. I ride a 14.2hh pony. I have owned bigger horses due to peer pressure but now I am grown up I have reverted back to ponies as that is what I have always prefered.

He is a good hack but not ploddy.

Jane
 
I am 50 in a couple of months, I have now found my ideal horse, he is a rotund black cob from the ILPH, we have had him for 4 years for my teenage son to hack, but boys being boys, work and girls have intervened. I started hacking Jake last summer, the first time he had hacked out on his own, he was and is brilliant, during the winter we have done some local dressage and the occassional show, he is not allowed to jump. The best thing about Jake is that I am now able to go out and about on my own I don't need help loading, tacking up,holding etc. I no longer worry about driving the trailer as he stands like a rock, have no problems when he bucks ( he makes me laugh) or when I have to get on from the ground (I am only 5ft 3in). My two previous horses were 16.2 and 16 hands it has taken me 10 years to realise what I was missing!
 
Not sure if I like the "old" if you are over 40!!!

I am still riding my home bred 15 year 18 hh TBx WB, who can and will buck the height of himself on a regular basis, also have his 17 hh 20 year full brother and have just bought a 16hh Polish Sport horse to hopefully try to event this year or next.

Jumped the little one yesterday for the first time in 3 months as I broke my neck comming off him doing xc practice in March! :o
 
Am now 50 (omg) but still riding my 26 year old Arab mare who despite her age remains very quick and can outpace much of her younger peers.Unlike me she does not look her age.Also have my daughters outgrown Welsh section D who is 14.1 and a sharp but responsive ride.Can't bear plods as i would get bored.I am sometimes allowed to ride said daughters 16.2 WB in the school but find him all neck after the 15 hh Arab and the welshie.Still also love sponsered rides going at a good pace,and hacking out as there are plenty of places to canter and gallop.Not ready to hang my boots up or go into the slower lane yet.
 
I own a 16.3hh quite forward going ISH. She is what I would term as 'safe', but has bucked with me on a couple of occasions and can spook as can any horse.
I would like to say 'age is no issue', but just popping her over a couple of little jumps at the weekend made my back tweak and hurt - I would like to think that was down to the hard ground, but I suspect my joints are ageing.
In my youth I would ride absolutely any horse without hestitation. I wouldn't do that now.

We have a 6 yr old 17hh WB - who I would like to say I will ride once his lameness issues are sorted, BUT only after he is proven to be a safe ride. I have seen his bucks!!

Some inspiring 'mature' riders on this thread indeed!! :D
 
I'm 42 and own a 16.1 Gelderlander mare. She's quite spooky and not very brave but she will give it her best try while holding her breath. She's forward going with good brakes, doesn't buck or rear and is a sweetheart. I bought her when I was 38 so yes, I do ride the same type of horse as I did when I was young ;)
 
I'm nearly 52 and have a 14.1 cob for happy hacking and escorting my daughter, but daughter aged 10 has now started riding her as well and is jumping her far better than I ever could! :(
 
my lad is a 16.3hh ISH, who is now 8 y/o... A few weeks after I bought him, I thought I'd made a terrible mistake as he was "too much horse" for me, but I stuck with it, and once we got over the 'teenage tantrum' stage, things improved and I wouldn't be without him now! :D
 
I am over 50 and have just backed am are now riding away two 4 year old IDs, one is 15.3hh sharp and spooky and the other 17.2hh slightly argumentative, also have spooky 11 year old ID hunting mare, these will defo be the last youngsters I do, I dont bounce anymore and have taken to wearing my body protector as an age concession, but really i still love it.
 
Hmmm. I am over 40- but I'm not old.:D

I have a 6 year old very green arab with a penchant for spinning, prancing and doing mini-rears. With the odd buck thrown in now and again. Hacking out on his own now- although road lines apparantly are very scary.:rolleyes:

And a highland. Sensible chap- but not a plod. Forward going - just teaching him to jump.

Said to OH last night- if it takes arab as long to calm down as my last lad.......I'll be 57 when I hack him on a loose rein.:D:D
 
Over 60 and just given up riding due to nappy cob. Feel I dont want to own another at my age now as find it too hard to part with them and getting harder and harder to keep up with the yard work etc. as on DIY. If I happen accidentally upon something bombproof might reconsider but not going to actively look. The best horses I have ever had have been accidentally aquired!
 
40 isn't old. I didn't start eventing until I was 40 and went straight in at BE novice.
I still ride the same sort of horses I've always ridden - the ones others dont want to. Only difference is 20 years ago I rode with my guts, now I ride with a few brain cells.
 
Will be 50 on Sat, :D am riding a Welsh Sec D, as a youngster had Welsh C's & D's (stick with what you know!) ;)
PS actually work in a NH yard but now leaving the riding out to the young bloods and the Boss!
 
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