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

ironhorse said:
Aged 43 I have just started riding my 3yo quarter horse...must be mad! But I've got the assistance of a great trainer, and my boy although opinionated is so sensible and sweet. Have just had a lovely ride on him at his second ever show....we showed him in hand and then rode him in the warm up areas with LOTS of other horses and he was good as gold! :D
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Nice one Ironhorse, I'm 56 and just about to start riding my 3 year old QH. Currently have a nutty 18 year old Appy who veers between very sensible and trying to kill you, never sure which horse I am going to ride each day! The only thing I don't do now, is ride other people's horses, I stick to what I know.
 
I returned to riding aged 43 and my first horse Ride and Drive, now 33 years young, is I think a part bred CB.

My husband took up riding for the first time in his 50's and we bought him a pure bred mare Stoneridge Merindah Jundah (Borderfame Prince Charming-Penrhyn Dipoloma). She has been an absolute star and never given him a moments anxiety. She gave a good account of herself in the show ring too.

We now have five CB pure breds and would recommend them to anyone wanting a sensible horse that can give you a fun time in lots of disciplines.
 
I'm 45 and have a 13.2 Highland who, due to a dodgy hip, I still can't mount from the ground!

I must admit I am finding him a bit wide for my aching limbs, but he is so safe, you can leave him for months (as I often do!), then just tack him up and go out for a hack and he is absolutely fine.

I also have a 4 year old mongrel pony (possibly NF x TB) who is going away to be backed later this year and I would love to ride her as she is a fabulous little mare who I love to bits. We will see how sensible she is under saddle first though, I'm not as bouncy as I used to be and after a horse related accident left me on crutches last year OH is not keen to have me out of action again!
 
When my 18 yo old and very reliable SF stallion went lame late last year, I was all for waiting for him to be better and not looking for another horse yet. I was thinking that if and when I wanted another horse, he (I do not do mares) will a) not be too young, b) not be too big and c) not be grey. Guess what? I somehow ended up with my husband's 17.1 hh 5yo (now turned 6) dapple grey Hannoveranian stallion :eek: I honestly have no idea how it happened but he wormed his way into my heart with his sweet ways and gorgeous eyes. He usually is as good as gold but (as all youngsters) can occasionally have his moments. But he is never ever nasty and, for me, that's the important bit. I sincerely hope I can do him justice though...
 
Bought the firdst Appy (with my sister) in my early 20's. Kept her for 20 odd years (some of them very odd :p) Bought the current Appy five/six years ago and am wondering about getting a youngster Appy for when this girl retires (hopefully in the distant future)
 
Flibble said:
Oh god no are over 40's old I am over 55 and just horse shopping for a nice 16hh.
I dont want a plod I would die of boredom but then I dont want an idiot and never have wanted an idiot.
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lol brilliant Im 50 and just sold tbx and wait for it bought unbacked 5 yr old,my first horse at 40 was ex racer .New boy is id/warmblood so hoping he will settle into more sensible all rounder. mad as hatters :D
 
im 60 and ride my 2 exracers.ive ridden tbs since i was 16 and intend to carry on until i cant get on.my husband at 65 has had to hang his boots up with his exracer due to a bad accident which has left one arm with limited use but he is still hankering to get back in the saddle
 
One of mine is a dear old 16.2 fellow who could transport anyone's granny along the busiest of major A roads, and my other is a feisty little 15hh Irish chap who likes to test my wits, balance, ability to stop and generally keep me guessing. I love both to bits and enjoy some "interesting" rides on the little one. Oh, I'm not too far off being 50. :)
 
something more sedate?
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That would have been sensible, wouldn't it? I bought my first horse - having ridden since a child and shared (safe, sensible) horses before - when I was 44. He was a 4 year old ISH just backed, standing 16.2 at the time and now 17hh. He's now 10. I'm 50 in a few weeks. He's starting to get more sensible now, but I wouldn't describe him as a relaxing ride :D Exciting and exhilarating, sometimes terrifying, and a wonderful horse who is with me for life. I hope to be still happily riding him when he is 30 and I am 70 :D
 
What a great thread. Ive got a TB ex racer. Had him 4 years now and Ill be 50 this year. He is 13 and had been reschooled before I bought him. I wanted a coloured MW cobby type but couldnt afford anything that fitted the bill so went to look at Che cos he was for sale about 3 miles from me. Apart from saying "TB" his ad was exactly what I wanted. 99% of the time he is a calm, easy horse, a pleasure to ride, perfect to hack out and an absolutely perfect friend for me. The odd 1% of the time he is a complete idiot but on those occasions I just leave him in his field to chill out and wait for Mr Sensible to return. Ive always wanted a TB but definitely didnt think that Id get my first one in my 40's.
 
I am 46 and ride a 15.1hh Welsh Sect D, my mother in law bought a very lively anglo arab when she was over 40 and was learning to ride! She fell in love with the chestnut mare and worked so hard to be able to ride her and continued to do so well into her 60's. She only gave up riding when the mare died at the age of 35.
 
Well 60 is not too far in the future & 18 months ago I bought a 4 year old warmblood cross who is now pushing 16hh (I have told him now is the time to stop). The lad has got over the 4/5 year old usual antics & is now settling in to a very lovely boy. I wouldn't change him for the world. Did his first BD Novice a few weeks ago & managed to pick up some points & win. Chuffed to bits so forgive my brag.
 
I am nearly 42 and have my lovely 20 old mare.. Last year I had a mid life crisis and got an ex racer!! Straight off the track. No explaination, total madness!:D
 
domane said:
I like 'em wide, hairy and with a big turning circle!!! :D
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I love this /\ :D:D And me too, I would like to join that clique please :D

I am not yet over 40 but I have always preferred a pony so when I am over 40 likelihood is it wont be over 14.2, well that depends on if Nell has much more growing to do too, currently stands at 14.1hh!
 
I'll be 47 in October and for some reason each horse I get seems to be taller than the last. I recently bought an 18.2hh, rising 5 year old Irish Draft x Cleveland Bay who is expected to reach 19 hands :eek: (what was I thinking? Obviously I'm less than sane!)
I'm currently researching body protectors as although I'm yet to take a tumble from my big boy I'm almost certain that at some stage we'll part company in a less than ceremonial way and providing I survive my lofty fall I plan on riding him till one of us meets our maker (all going to plan neddy and I will both be here and still annoying each other and fighting over that last carrot for at least the next 30 years I hope).
I clearly remember as a rather green 16 year old (as opposed to a rather daft mid aged woman), saying to my late dad that one day I'll own an 18 hand horse, also told my lovely and very patient and thankfully understanding OH the same thing. Both men said don't be so stupid. Dad will be spinning in his grave like a top and for some reason the OH is currently looking at the best private health cover for me :D as both of them were/are very overprotective and seem to think the bigger the horse the bigger the risk. Strangely though the older I get the less worried I become (apart from the occasional lack of confidence) and I think what the heck, if I'm going to meet my maker then at least I'll do so doing the one thing I enjoy in life. I've always dreamed of having a lovely large horse that will take me places and with my current boy I'm thinking my dream might finally be realized. I ride 5 days a week (only ever managed 2-3 days with my previous horses) and have the funds and the time to devote to bringing on and competing to a decent level). It's on my bucket list to be able to complete a X/C course and hopefully gain a ribbon or such and be able to tell people I finally did 'it'. Wish me luck as neddy and I both have a very long way to go but I'm confident we'll get there and prove all those doubters wrong. ;)
 
I have had my bus pass for a few years but am enjoying my riding more than ever since I bought my latest horse. I have a 19 year old 14.3 Arab/Welsh. He suits me perfectly. Bomb proof, but forward going, good natured and easy to do in all respects. He is so laid back that he does not bother to get up if he is lying down when I go to catch him. If he is sitting up he insists on lying down for a minute, sits up, has a roll then gets up. I do not think that he has heard of fight or flight (thank goodness)
 
well 40 is young!!!! im well over 60 (have had 2 hip replacements)and ride most days on my nutty warmblood cross....she is a little easier at the moment as she is out 24/7 but in the winter she is in at night and is a challenge, very spooky and likes to take off suddenly and will throw in the odd buck and spin....def keeps me awake.....cant imagine my life without a horse
 
15hh coloured m/w, bought in a moment of madness as a yearling. Now just gone 6 broken and ridden on by myself (first one I have done) He is a good boy most of the time but has had me off a few times over the last year throwing a tantrum.

Get back on my nice sensible 13.3 fjord when I need a confidence boost. lol.
 
Have to laugh! I saw the title of this thread and thought 'that looks interesting' then realised it was me that started it! Well it was a year ago and my memory is going!
Nice to see it's been resurrected :D :D
 
Other people's horses as I don't have my own. I normally ride a 16. H coloured cob type who has a thoroughbred cunningly hidden inside but it all started one year ago with first lessons on a shire X just about 17h. After him everything else seems small.
 
TheoryX1 said:
OP you made me laugh - do we own the same horse? Mine is 14.3hh, a nice MW irish cob type, very handsome and very funny. He is just the same, 90% of the time he is great, the other 10% he is a total and utter *****.
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Think I have this horse too!

I only got into riding in my 30s and at 38 bought my 15hh Irish cob. He's mostly very good, great brakes, but will gallop like mad given his head and jumps anything! Quite happy to walk, mostly! :D
 
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