riding aged 40 +

I'll be 48 very shortly, and returned to riding 2 1/2 years ago after a 30 year break which included getting married and three children.

I sit my Stage 3 and PTT later this year, and aim to return to the equine world full time. My ambition is to get back out there eventing (BE100 will do nicely) and dressage, but first I need a horse.

Slow down? Why? Carry on as long as we are fit and enjoy it, I say.
 
NeverEver said:
how many of you have children? I certainly don’t feel old or as if i ‘should’ be slowing down but all my friends who are it’s because they’ve had a family and priorities have changed :(
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Yes there's no doubt that you have less time when you have children. I have always worked full time so when the children were young I had less time for riding. But I didn't give up and as the kids have got older my riding time increased. They are in their late teens now, so don't want their mum around any more. Yippee! Free to ride whenever work allows!
 
I bought a 2 year old when I was 46, I had resumed riding after a 10 year break about 3 years before. I admit I didn't ride at the same level as when I gave up for having children (hunting/eventing/show jumping) but that was more to do with buying a slightly unsuitable first horse. Had I been sensible and bought a hunter/schoolmaster type I think I would have got back into jumping again.


My 2 year old was not a TB and had been very well brought up and I chose carefully as to breeding and temperament. I know plenty of people riding into their 70s, although I think that once you get to 60 you choose the horse you ride with more care!
 
Slow down if you want, but all us older ones will be galloping off and leaving you behind! Only joking... Slow down if you want, but there's no need for sure. I'm 47, I was never brave, happy with speed though. My young horse will be getting a lot of exercise this year, and I'm looking forward to starting jumping with him. If we ever nail traveling I'm aiming for dressage, pleasure rides, local shows (just for experience, no judge worth their salt would overlook his splint), any little clinics, hacking on the high moor...

I was talking to an 88 year old customer today at work, she has two horses, still hunts, and takes them out together ride and lead. She's looking for another horse as one is aging a lot. She cares for them entirely on her own, and when she isn't riding she's out walking with her spaniel. She was reminding me today of when her brother wanted to go for a hack on his birthday, a group pony ride was organised on Dartmoor. Brother did very well but they would only let him walk, mind you it was his 92nd birthday! She could also remember her mother saying that someone must have a pony she could ride, now she couldn't walk too well.
 
NeverEver said:
how many of you have children? I certainly don’t feel old or as if i ‘should’ be slowing down but all my friends who are it’s because they’ve had a family and priorities have changed :(
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Exactly this. Don't think it's so much to do with age than changing priorities and a lack of time. Totally depends on partner/family support, job situation, number of kids, if horse is DIY/grass/part. Fine if you work part time or stay at home mum there's time in the week to do the horsey thing. But if your weekend is your family time & you're running around taking kids to parties, clubs, swim lessons you might be lucky to squeeze a hack in once you've mucked out. Certainly I'd love the luxury of spending half a day doing xc & hopefully I'll get back to it one day. For now I have limited time with husband & kids and want to make the most of it. I'm 40, still ride when I can, still love it, miss the outings & the fun stuff but there's only so many hours in the day!
 
I read the title of this thread with complete incredulity :D I will be 46 next month, I still ride 5 times a week (I have my own 15hh TB who is far from a novice ride :D ) as well as running 5 times a week (currently training for my next 1/2 marathon) and walking my dogs daily - why on earth would turning 40 make any difference? Ask me when I turn 70 and I might have swapped the TB for a nice native by then, I do sometimes think "I'm really too old for this ****" when he is pinging off the hedges on either side of the road as we walk along :D :D
 
40? Those were the days.... Since then I went team chasing and hunting on OH's horse, had a new horse that I took to BE Nov, then bought a very tricky horse to re-school with the intention of going higher..... oh, and was working riding and training young horses....

I did then injure my hip and back, not with my own horse, and had to step down a bit - as in we just did 90 and 100 at BE, as well as Ele BD :), as well as Trec:) I did change careers, and now work in a primary school, so still active but not now cold too :D:D plus, riding is now strictly pleasure, with some private teaching clients, which I really enjoy.

Sadly Jay Man then did his suspensory last year, and needs a steadier life, the other horse is with a friend, and I have been at loose end, with Jay to hack gently, but nothing to really RIDE. Hmmm, am off out trying 6 horses tomorrow, at the same place I bought the wonderful Jay :D:D:D

I am coming up 50, and feel very different to when I was 40, but heck, life is for living, and if a horse suits tomorrow I plan to be back out BE this spring!
 
alexedwards said:
Exactly this. Don't think it's so much to do with age than changing priorities and a lack of time. Totally depends on partner/family support, job situation, number of kids, if horse is DIY/grass/part. Fine if you work part time or stay at home mum there's time in the week to do the horsey thing. But if your weekend is your family time & you're running around taking kids to parties, clubs, swim lessons you might be lucky to squeeze a hack in once you've mucked out. Certainly I'd love the luxury of spending half a day doing xc & hopefully I'll get back to it one day. For now I have limited time with husband & kids and want to make the most of it. I'm 40, still ride when I can, still love it, miss the outings & the fun stuff but there's only so many hours in the day!
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yes you’re right. i think having a family younger means you have more energy to keep fitting everything in as well. ive had plenty of times when im really not feeling motivated but i cant ever imagine really giving up. A few family members have made comments that surely now with a young child and my impending ‘birthday’ that the horses will have to go ? :( time to give it all up? Im always told I take on too much but Im happy!! Def sticking at one small person though ;)
 
1st child at 27 and last child at 41, I've worked all my life, retired at 65 and have 6 grandchildren, age is in the head, I honestly don't feel any older than I did 30 years ago....that's until i look in the mirror, which i avoid as much as pos!
NeverEver said:
yes you’re right. i think having a family younger means you have more energy to keep fitting everything in as well. ive had plenty of times when im really not feeling motivated but i cant ever imagine really giving up. A few family members have made comments that surely now with a young child and my impending ‘birthday’ that the horses will have to go ? :( time to give it all up? Im always told I take on too much but Im happy!! Def sticking at one small person though ;)
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I'm 48 this year and my gorgeous horse who I got as a 3 year old, is now 16. She took me to my first BE event and round my first BE novice courses and BS newcomers, but she is off with foot issues at present. I'm not sure if we will be able to jump again, and neither of us have the mindset to do pure dressage! I definitely don't feel devastated that we may only be able to hack, whereas 10 years ago I would have been really upset that I wouldn't be able to event and jump! I have other things in my life and just go with the flow more these days. However, I also haven't completely ruled out adding another member to my little herd so that I can get my jumping fix.....!! I do think as you get older you have more things going on in your life, and as horses can be a time consuming and somewhat selfish hobby, I feel it is a natural process that you have to cut down a little on that part of your life to fit in others.
 
Well is this about having children or being 40 plus? I have no children and no desire to change what I do but 2 broken legs in 3 years (51-54) slowed me down a bit. Now at 55 hunting as much as I can and enjoying my riding more than ever. Have 3 all in work.
 
I'M 56 and I'm planning on doing my first ODE with my current boy in April. Got my places for the RAF Halton Sponsored ride and West Wycombe booked and hoping the ground's dried up a bit by then so we can get a good few gallops in. Looking forward to getting a better jump over the 'plane at Halton this year.

I'm just as competitive now as I was when I was in my 20s with my first horse. I actually feel more confident and have a lot more self confidence. I have a little lorry and try to get out at least every fortnight. My fave is SJ and XC but I get 'bullied' in to doing stressage by a friend LOL.

I'm actually regarded by most at the yard where I keep my horse as a mad hacker. I don't want to just walk everywhere and regard a short trot as something daring.

Physically, apart from the getting off part (there was a huge response to a post about that on FB a couple of weeks ago) I feel just a fit and able as I did before I took a break from horses yen years ago. I plan to keep this up for as long as I physically can. I still have aims and aspirations and have decided that age is just a number, in my head I still feel about 25 !
 
JDH01 said:
Well is this about having children or being 40 plus? I have no children and no desire to change what I do but 2 broken legs in 3 years (51-54) slowed me down a bit. Now at 55 hunting as much as I can and enjoying my riding more than ever. Have 3 all in work.
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good point, i dont think i was sure myself when i posted but for me the 2 are linked but im not sure being 40+ isnt a red herring ;)
 
I am 43 in a weeks time with a 3 year old small person. I have no desire to do crazy stuff now but I am planning on doing some combined training and cubbnig and then hunting proper this year.

Having lost my mojo massively at 40 just post child due to a nasty fall I am now grabbing any opportunity to ride - was out in ménage last night after work at 8 pm when -1. I enjoy and savour those lone. 'Wow' moments far more now time - especially 'me' time is at a premium.

While I am more aware that it hurts more when I fall off I am more rational when assessing risk and not so hung up on the 'what ifs' - life is too short.
 
I am 43 on the outside and a pony-mad ten year-old on the inside. Oh, and I still bounce.

Edited to add, I bought a 3 yo WB a year ago, so hoping we will be together well into my 60s. Might want something a bit more native-y at that point, but who knows?
 
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Hey the 40s are sprightly youngsters surely?! I think having kids has a bigger impact as that's when people I know have slowed down or stopped riding. Some reappear when their kids are a little older and they revive their love of it, although admittedly were all getting a bit creakier!

There a mix of 40+ riders are my yard and 30 somethings, not many younger. Used to be a 70 yr old who'd hack his fiery tb which I loved to see. Sadly she was pts so he gave up.

I do find I'm more tired now and get the odd ache and pain compared to my yoof, but I'm still doing xc sj dressage, sp rides, hunting and generally getting out and about. ETA as I realise I probably sound even more ancient than I am, I'm mid 40s so not quite OAP!
 
I am 50 but haven't ridden for over 12 months due to my health last year and the wet weather all this winter. I am planning on getting back on him come spring. My MIL didn't learn to ride until she was in her 40's.
 
I'm 49, 50 this year and I've just bought myself a nice new horse. Yes I went for a quieter one but that only because I work all week with naughty kids and the last thing i need at the weekend is more drama!!!;)
No plans to give up yet but I think you slow down naturally the older you get depending on your own ability.
I must admit the chores get harder the older you get!!!! :D
 
I'm 43 and have two horses that are exercised daily, mainly hacking with the odd lesson when I can. One is on field rest at the moment due to injury and I'm frustrated and bored - can't wait to get back on her!

i work full time with an hour commute, but I'm at the yard both ends of the day as they are both on DIY...I do have a horsey OH which helps.

I don't have children, but have an elderly mum I care for, so life's busy.

I don't feel old, and hope to be riding until the day I can't get myself on or off a horse :-)
 
Oh to be 40 again. Two stone lighter, fitter, reasonably fearless and joints that worked, eyesight that could actually see further than the ears and energy.

Much older, little energy, joints that don't work, far too fat, fearful to the extent that any horse who considers removing its feet from the floor without being asked has no place in my stables and when I do ride I have to take pain relief two hours beforehand !

I am never giving up though !
 
I am 43 and my pony is going to be 14 this year, we mainly like hacking and sponsored rides. I did used to more competitions on my pony but now feeling as my job is demanding that the time I spend not working needs to be as unpressured as possible. I am lucky enough to be on part livery which makes life massively easier though.

I don't think it is necessary age that curbs ambition or slows people down it is responsibilities that sometimes come with age especially if you are the sole breadwinner or a carer and have to be careful not to get injured otherwise you can't work or take on your caring responsibilites.

There are quite a few over 40's at our yard and people like a variety of activities but I am the least competitive out of everyone.
 
Hello SO1 - Greg's mum here!! R.

Love to everyone at the yard! I am the oldest person on my new yard by quite a long way - but still riding at 74!! Bliss living only 15 mins from the farm. Used to hour + depending on traffic - you know how that is.

I now only hack and NEVER on the road!! Had Greg for 8 years now and bought him for his great temperament and the fact that he is very well schooled. At my age, couldn't cope physically with babies anymore. I have to be careful as I am 24/7 carer for my mother and who would look after her?!!

I now have to have a rider to compete him and I do sometimes wish I could still compete myself - but all good things come to an end.
 
I got my very first horse a couple of years ago aged 39. I feel like a little kid some days, learning something new every day, full of enthusiasm. I often have to pinch myself that I have my very own horses, two of them to boot, just outside my window at home. I hack out and about on the trails in the forest and hills around our property. So I am far from winding down... I am winding up! :)
 
I am 71 and still ride 3 or 4 times a week.Not as far or as fast as I used to. I competed in endurance well into my 50's. I shall carry on as long as my horse is fit to do so as he is now 22
 
50 something now, I had a bit of a riding hiatus for 9 years whilst I worked myself into the ground looking after other people's horses at my livery yard, no time, energy, or inclination to ride then, so I concentrated on breeding - which I do not regret, it was an experience, I learned a lot and there are quite a few very happy people with my stock out there :)

Sold the farm in 2014 (yay) moved to a much more horse friendly area, downsized from ten of my own horses to just one, then added a new turbo-charged one and haven't had so much riding fun in, well, about a decade! :D
 
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