horse riding

We have an Exmoor pony that is ride and drive! Well not much riding any more both DH and I are too old, but we still drive our old boy on a fine day,round our country lanes. He's 15 now having been with us since he was 4. He's the last of our little herd of Exmoors of yesteryear ) and is a dear old boy. Luckily DD can give him a home if the day comes that we can't, (they do live for ever!!) also our little dog. That's one less worry!!!!!

Menopaws
Remember Jack (and Jo) Berry (Mr Two Year Old) always wore a red shirt at the races?

Thank you Buddly. Four horses? Be proud of yourself and keep going!

Welcome cowgirlgrandma.
Good for you, glad to meet another horse mad grandma ?

I’ve just joined Gransnet. I am 73 and still ride my 25 year old American Quarter Horse although not competing now. I used to compete western. (American style). It’s a good discipline for oldies too! Are there any more western riders around my age out there?

66 and still mucking out and riding my beloved spoilt horse although in this weather fish seem the ideal pet.

Yes, I do.
I am 65 , my horse is 27.
I have had him 25 years.

The Queen is still riding at 90.

Hello ladies. Really nice to hear so many of you still enjoying the horses. I am 57 & absolutely love riding holidays, especially trails in the Spanish Pyrenees. True, I have arthritis in my feet which bothers me occasionally but the connection with your horse, fresh air, scenery, excitement ... can't be beaten

Never abandon your dreams trisher, just go out there and do it. Look around for a riding school who are sympathetic to your age and inexperience - most should be. As notoveryet said it is what we don't do that we regret.
Enjoy !!

I never learned to ride, but it was a childhood dream. I wonder am I too old and if not where should I start? I'm a fairly fit, if a bit overweight, 70 year old. Should I just admit it isn't going to happen and abandon the idea? Any advice will be welcome.

I'm 65 and have had to give up after a back injury ( car accident) my husband is 72 and in badly failing health, so has also had to give up. However he rode bare back for the first time on his 70th birthday. We both have happy memories of riding and like most things I would say do it while you are able, its the things we don't do that we tend to reret.

They say that if you start learning about horses from the day you're born, by the day you die you still haven't learned all there is to know. I get my 'horse fix' from watching and going racing these days [was up late last night watching the Breeders Cup from America].They're such fascinating, complex, beautiful creatures, aren't they.

How pleased I was to find this thread !! Something I've been thinking about a lot recently. I have 4 horses and ride and compete dressage on 2 of them. Mucking out 4 stables keeps me fit. I had a bad fall in June and was off for 2 months but I'm ok now and back to training again.
I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have this way of life but I keep thinking I'm too old and see all the young ones about and feel ancient, I'm 62. My instructor says I should be proud about still having the stamina and interest in carrying on but sometimes I feel a bit embarrased at shows when they are all so young and the first thing I do is look to see if there is anyone my age then I feel better but that does not happen often.
Wish I could get over this self conscious rubbish

My Mum was still riding my DD 14.2 at 80. I have lots of happy memories of my children growing up and days at PC rallies and events, we used to go as a whole family and had some wonderful times.

I looked after 2 young cobs for Blue Cross when I retired in my late 60s until they were old enough to start their ridden training, very rewarding.
loved having them around, as DGC live abroad it was

Anya, surely saddle soap and hoof oil too. I still have my old saddle and sniff it occasionally!!

It wasn't a racing yard but a yard that broke two year olds prior to them being sent into training and also where active racehorses went for back treatment following injury and got them back to fitness before returning to training. The horses all came from different top yards though

I rode briefly when I was in Cyprus 25 years ago. I joined the Saddle Club and loved just pooling around. I had no ambitions to learn to jump, just enjoyed the experience. I started when I was 38, till I was 41 when we left to come back home. I'm now 63 and would love to have a go again. DH2 is 67 and would like to try riding. I need to find a local riding school that would be willing to take a couple of oldies!

Which racing stables did you work for?

Thank you Alea I hate the phrase horse riding, I always went riding, ( no offence intended) worked with hunters and racehorses for 30 years, best job in the world but my boss retired and I just couldn't bear to work for anyone else or go to local riding school having ridden so many quality animals. I have a friend with horses and intend to ride again soon but I want to be thinner and fitter first but that is my goal.

Like GallopingGranny I bought myself a pony (with some trepidation) when I retired aged 62. He is a 15h Connemara which I keep with my DD's horse. I reckoned that, as I did lots of the stable work for her while babysitting GCs, I might as well get thoroughly into it while still able to. I must say, so far it's been the best thing I've done. I hack out with various local ladies, have lots of social contact and never-ending interest of talking all things equestrian. I am lucky in that DD enjoys schooling and competing, which I'm not good enough - or brave enough - to do, so pony stays nice to ride. I get lots of exercise and fresh air and have to push myself a bit. I never want to go away on holidays or trips, and am very contented with my busy horsey life! Fingers crossed if I look after him he should keep going into his late teens, which will see me well into my seventies.. So if you have the chance I would say go for it!

My mother in law rode hunters till she was 82. She had to give up after her mastectomy, otherwise she would still be in the saddle, I'm sure!

I went back to riding when I was 62, after I had retired. I bought a sweet 13.2 mare who has three paces - walk, trot and gallop (hence my name). Canter seems to have passed her by! I am now 68, nearly 69, and have no plans to give up until either I can't get on, can't get off or can't get my jodhpurs off! The last is the most difficult of the three. Or, of course, if my pony needs to be retired. So my advice is, if you and your horse enjoy it, carry on.

I rode all my life until 15 years ago when I cracked three vertebrae in a fall. Took months to recover and now I've lost my nerve. I content myself with watching my granddaughter eventing, but still miss it.

I used to ride (my scatty chestnut Arab mare with four white socks - everything you're told to avoid!); we did dressage and long-distance rides. I don't miss it, largely because life has changed so much since then.

Lovely photo!