Tips for 51 year old taking up riding

E

eriskaypony

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 January 2008
Messages
338
Location
Edinburgh/Perthshire
Visit site
My wife has ridden all her life bar a few years when the kids came along. My boys both ride now and I've got fed up being left behind, so at the ripe old age of 51 I've started to learn to ride.

I'm taking lessons on my wifes' coloured cob from my kids instructor. We'll wait till the summer to buy me a horse so that I'm able to (hopefully) do the basics.

Apart from the obvious like lessons from a qualified instructor, don't be too ambitious with the horse etc, does anyone have any hints or suggestions that will help me along?
 
Determination, patience and the ability to grit your teeth and smile through the frustration!
grin.gif


Unlike a lot of horsey people I wasn't able to have lessons as a young child. I was 12 when I started to ride so I can remember what it's like to be a complete novice. It can be frustrating when your mind knows what you want your body to do but your body isn't paying any attention!

Read as much as you can, talk to other horsey people as much as possible (not difficult to get them to toalk about horses!), try as many different things as possible, ride other horses, ride out whenever you can as that is what will really teach you to ride. Above all, enjoy!
 
Just enjoy it ,like your wife I have ridden since 6, at the age of 43 I bought my first horse ,your never too old to enjoy life.Just make sure you have good insurance and get your new horse vetted. Ive had a nightmare with expenses /injuries.Try and ride as often as you can practice makes perfect.You must be used to the smell so that wont be a problem.Hacking out once your competent will make a huge difference to your confidence.Have fun.
 
Warm up /stretches etc before riding will help reduce tenseness/aching muscles

Choose an instructor who suits you, not just because they are convenient.

If you don't understand something - ask
 
Riding out is usually an excercise in stopping my kids taking the mickey. I'm OK at a walk and a rising trot but am taking my time building up beyond that. My two boys think it's hilarious to drop 20 yds behind me and then fly past flat out.

My wife's cob is a docile chap, but loves speed so when the boys come flying past he wants to go with them so I spend a several yards yards stopping him. Much to my sons' amusement.
 
Indeed your attitude is great and the cob sounds absolutely perfect! Could you not pinch it?
You'll have a job to find the equivalent, bear that one in mind!

Booze, always a good one for riding, the old Dutch Courage....

There is really nothing like hours in the saddle to learn to separate your hands from your seat, "independent hands and seat"

Meaning, if your legs are kicking, your horse is cantering or going over a fence, or spooking at a dustbin, your bum is bouncing up and down like a whore's drawers, your hands and arms STILL have to be able to be kind, gentle, and totally detached in their job from all of that jazz..... and do what they need to.

There's always a load on mane to grab or a neckstrap to stop you janking at the horse's mouth. You can always stop when you've got your balance back, (unless heading for a cliff edge.)

Rhythm is key. Get into it, hum a tune or sing along with the horse, then try to make your body do it with the horse and you'll be going along with it nicely.

It's so exciting!
 
To respond to a couple of points made above, we're lucky in that my wife was a stalwart of the Pony Club as a girl, and now her PC pals have grown up and run the local Pony / Riding clubs. When our boys started riding, and my wife started again, we were able to tap into that network, firstly to mount our boys, then to get good vets, farriers, instructors, saddlers etc. We've now got folk we trust implicitly for advice, and who are happy to give it.

Looking at some of the posts on here, I think we're very lucky.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Love your attitude! you'll be fine........just stock up on painkillers and booze!

[/ QUOTE ]

There have been a couple of occasions I've not been able to walk for a couple of days due to stiff muscles.
 
My father-in-law took up riding at the age of 60. It is like all things in life - practise, practise, practise! Get a good instructor and have fun. I think it is wonderful that you are sharing this experience as a family - Good on you!
 
Having not ridden for 25 years and then taken it up again these are my top tips:

Long hot baths with whisky and painkillers are a necessity.
Get a sheepskin bum saver - or fanny warmer as mine is affectionately known in the family.
Neckstraps are not just for wusses!
 
Ah increase booze! It takes practice to judge correct amount necessary. Just keep at it and you'll soon find it comes naturally
smile.gif
Oh and be glad you have boys. Wife daughters and ponies is enough to push most men over the edge!
grin.gif
 
You might enjoy western, particularly if you've got a nice coloured cob. My OH started riding at 40 but wasn't interested in doing much other than hacking until he discovered western. Now, work permitting he's dead keen - in fact it's a struggle to be allowed to compete our horse, he's always off western training, at shows or at clinics!
 
Good for you!

Enjoy it and have fun are my only tips! Have a look at the team chase feature in Horse mag this month - the guy Ray in the team is 62 now but took up riding when he was 50!

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top