Tips and hacks for the older and/or creaky horse owner

[Highmileagereindeer]

Why do you soak grass chaff?

Horse has COPD and I am careful with very dry feed.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I nearly went head first off the other side on a nervous horse I was getting off when i did that, so I changed my technique
.

Much easier, ime to train the horse to stand next to the mounting block. We laughed at the ID when she marched up to the mounting block at the end of a hack when my younger, more agile friend had ridden her but it did show how effective the training was.

 

[ycbm]

Much easier, ime to train the horse to stand next to the mounting block. We laughed at the ID when she marched up to the mounting block at the end of a hack when my younger, more agile friend had ridden her but it did show how effective the training was.

Doesn't help if you're out on a hack, as I was in that incident.
.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Doesn't help if you're out on a hack, as I was in that incident.
.

I try very hard not to get off away from home

 

[paddy555]

I nearly went head first off the other side on a nervous horse I was getting off when i did that, so I changed my technique
.

I tried something like that and he put his head down part way through it. Didn't end well. Think I'll just stick to jumping off. I have found that holding the saddle flap/front edge of the saddle on the off side getting off does stabilise things and it would be easy to slide off if necessary

 

[paddy555]

I try very hard not to get off away from home

I doubt there are many rides where I don't get off for various reasons several times. I know every rock, bank and wall around our riding area.

 

[Skib]

It had never occurred to me that one could topple over head first on the off side of the horse when dismounting in the normal way. Being elderly, from my very first lesson, I was taught to dismount cavalry fashion, using the left stirrup. I have once or twice almost fallen over on landing, so, having seen the forum vid of a 90 year old woman dismounting in the school in the conventional way, I asked the YM if I could try doing the same.
I duly leaned forward along the neck of the horse with my head on the off side and was shouted at to stop by the very alarmed YM. She said that, with my head on the off side, I could easily fall off to the right.

I doubt there are many rides where I don't get off for various reasons several times. I know every rock, bank and wall around our riding area.

I have hacked solo for about 15 years now and have only twice needed to dismount away from the yard due to Police or other activity.

 

[Gloi]

I doubt there are many rides where I don't get off for various reasons several times. I know every rock, bank and wall around our riding area.

I've cut down on doing the routes with the getting off gates.

 

[eahotson]

I dismount by using my left hand to hold onto the top of the right hand stirrup leather and using it to steady myself down.Think I am going to have to learn to dismount onto mounting block now though.

 

[cauda equina]

I used to do it the cowboy way - right leg over the neck - but with a sticky seat saver it's impossible

 

[Fransurrey]

Bottle of Port isn't a bad idea on cold morning - you need something to swill the pills down with after all !!

Actually on a serious note I do keep a bottle of Grand Marnier in stock at home. If I have a bad Raynauds attack I have a shot of that and it send the blood to the extremities. At one time I couldn't get in the shower before having a shot of the stuff, as it was too painful having water land on my feet!

 

[Fransurrey]

... or handles that slip off etc.

When my handles became loose on the wheelbarrow I replaced with silage tape. It's been on there for years - probably longer than the handles lasted!

 

[Pinkvboots]

you don’t need to go home after a long ride with a flask of port and some pain relief. Just kip in the barn with the cat.

When I first got Arabi I kept him on livery and the woman that ran it had a fold up bed in her hay barn, I often turned up and found her fast asleep on it

 

[madmav]

I used to do it the cowboy way - right leg over the neck - but with a sticky seat saver it's impossible

I always used to dismount like that, much gentler on the knees. But last yard owner shouted at me for doing it, saying I could topple off backwards.
Loving this thread. Good to know so many 'mature' riders and owners still going strong. I haven't ridden for four years after horse share died. Other attempts to get a new one didn't work. I would so love to ride again, but my 63-year-old brain has stopped me looking for options. This has inspired me. Thank you.

 

[Skib]

63-year-old brain has stopped me looking for options.

If you would love to ride again, please do have a look. Most RSs will help older beginners and returnees and will have quiet horses to minimise the chance of falls.
Dont feel you have to start by proving yourself or taking a W, T and C test to qualify to hack out. Lunge lessons can restore ones balance or simple walk and trot lessons in a school.
I would suggest a good hat and bp, but the most important thing is to find any horse and sit on it. If sitting on a walking horse and maybe steering it a little and stopping and starting makes you feel happy, then go for it. As soon as I am on the horse, I feel really happy and that is what it is for.