Over 50 Gang

Schooling Show!

bassclef54 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:58:37 GMT

OK, so I'm 55 going on 12 and figured riding in a show would be a fun thing to do, so Lucy and I will do walk-only and walk-jog classes in a schooling show in a couple of weeks. Schooling shows are as far as I'm willing to go. There's too much bling and BS for me in "regular" shows. Fortunately my trainer is very supportive and promises to "be there" for us at least for our first class, if not all of them. (Am not sure how many clients she'll have at this show.) I'm not worried about me, figuring that there will be a few butterflies but no panic, but Lucy, now, she's a different story. I've had her a couple of years, her former mom said she has had some show experience, but gosh knows what she'll be like when we get in the ring. She could be just fine and do her job as asked, or be the Mare from Hell and get ear-pinny, tail-swishy, and obnoxious. We're going to pre-register for only a couple of classes so I'm not out too much $$ if she gets totally out of line and we have to call it quits. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this.

Do you remember your first show, did you have a good time? Anecdotes? Horror stories? (There always seems to be at least one fall, one horse that gets away, etc.) Advice? Thanks!

Are There Any Competing Over 50 Amateur Or Pro Jumper Riders On This Forum?

Ninasada — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:15:58 GMT

Im new to this forum. I turn 50 next month. I have felt pretty brave and invincible most of my life. I ride primarily green jumpers... part time... have a day job... But am married to an open jumper rider- turned trainer. I do most of the riding and showing because he has gotten big. We generally have 8-12 green jumper prospects or green pony jumpers for my son. Im quite short and ride them too. My hubby/trainer insists that because Ive ridden my entire life that I should still be able to compete in the 3 ft 6 - 4 ft 3 divisions on our prospects in my 50s, and is still looking for a grand prix horse for me. We primarily start jumper prospects, and so I ride alot of green horses. Historically, I wreck infrequently, but badly, never too badly, once every few years. But, I had a rash of bad luck this summer, good luck, in that Im still in one peice... and now I am re-evaluating my lifestyle. Three things happened in a row -

First, I started a 7 yr old green jumper (grey horse) this winter and with him did the level 3s (3 ft 6) and moved him up to the 4s (3 ft 9) at just 3 shows this summer, including 3 jumper classics/mini-prixes. He was wonderful on his first time out! I also did the Level 3s and 4s at those shows with another 7 yr old green jumper (chestnut horse) which I raised. This one is very talented, but can be not so careful. Well, this chestnut horse flipped himself over a vertical and fell with me jumping into an in and out in a Mini Prix, sending me chin first to the ground. Luckily, my buxomness caught me first, and I only broke my visor. I actually landed on my chest and quickly flipped myself over and pulled myself out from under the falling horse who landed on his side and rolled onto his back, and didnt get stuck under him, or hurt, other than a stiff neck and sore ribs. I was able to compete in another Mini Prix 3 days later, albeit....not on him..I scratched him. It was the grey, and he was wonderful!

Second, the grey was a star his first time out, pinning 3rd and 5th in some really good classes for a greenie. Then, we came back home and in 3 weeks the grey horse colicked and died on me. : ( First horse I have ever lost in 38 yrs.

Third, 3 days after losing the grey, I got on a 4 yr old colt that I raised, broke, trained and even showed in the schooling jumpers. Well, he blew up on me while hacking in the ring at home, and reared up cracking my sternum with his crest, to land spinning with his head between his legs, and slam dunk bucked me off onto the "overdue to be disced" hard arena footing. I thought I broke my pelvis. I didnt. But, my backside is still numb four weeks later.

Last night I started riding again. I got on my 16.3 h TB who has been schooling 3'9 -4 ft, and I could hardly get the nerve to trot cavalletti on him...! In fact, I was scared to even throw a leg over him! And, the two ft pony course set up in the ring looked terrfying! What has happened to me???

Am I doomed to never be back in the jumper ring? I turned 50 on Oct 26th. Wow! Maybe, I should quit riding green horses and doing the jumpers after 38 years in a jumping saddle!

Anybody have had these emotions? What has happened?

Nina Tipton

Arthritis in your hands

mystery's mom — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:15:53 GMT

Does anyone have a sure-fire remedy for arthritis in their hands and fingers? I use Naproxen for arthritis in my lower back and it has helped. But the pain in my hands and fingers persists. I "grin and bear it" when I ride but I'm afraid that if I don't do something constructive my days of riding are numbered. I even had a Radiologist tell me, after looking at films of my hands, that I'd better ride as much as I can because I'd going to lose the ability to grip in my hands. Thanks so much!! Everyone has always said that I can tolerate a lot of pain. The thought of not being able to ride is unacceptable to me. I don't ride hard or long but pleasure trail ride. I'm 61 and have been retired for 6 months so have been enjoying all my extra time to ride. I don't want to think that my riding days may be over in the next few years.

Any remedy would really be appreciated.

When to throw in the towel.

653439 — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:37:19 GMT

I don't mean quit riding altogether. But I have been riding for 12 years - I'm 55 now. I have never been athletically inclined (coordinated with large muscle groups) plus had a nightmare of a horse for 4 years and almost quit riding. For the past 3 years, I've had a horse that likes to work for me. But it has taken me a long, long time to get really good at walk, trot and canter. I've done English pleasure, intro dressage, and lately hunter/jumper equitation. I've started with crossrails and low fences (18").This month my horse is getting jumping training, mainly to get him going calmly over the little stuff. I think that is all I will make my goal. Used to be 3' fences, then 2'3" but I am tired of trying, taking lessons, training and always striving but going at a snail's pace. I am not comfortable cantering crossrails, after the last several months of lessons (on and off with crossrails in the lessons).

I've done alot of trail riding and really enjoy that. There isn't much by way of trails where I board. I have a trailer but it is really hard to find someone to go with me to trail ride. There are trail riding groups, but - well, let's just say I don't feel most of them have safety in mind.

So I am greatly decreasing my jumping goals. I'll continue this year and see how I do, and go as far as I can. I may part-lease my horse to someone who likes to jump as he loves it. I might go back to dressage and show him in that discipline instead of making H/J my show goal. I've always dreamed about cross country but don't know if I have that kind of courage, even for the beginner course. My horse can be very forward and has alot of energy to contain.

Anyway, thanks for listening!

Has anyone else out there changed his/her goals a their journey quickly headed toward older age issues?

back surgery

jobug — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:42:49 GMT

Hello. I would welcome information from anyone who rides and has had back surgery to fuse a disc(s). I have a herniated L5-S1 and will be considering surgery if the steriod injections do not alleviate the discomfort. My biggest concern is to be able to "sit" the trot and canter. If you have any knowledge of how this surgery would affect my mobility to ride, I would appreciate hearing about it. Thank you. jobug./p>

Getting back to horses after about 30 years away

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:50:31 GMT

I always had horses when I was younger, starting with riding with my dad, then we went to horse shows, clinics, had alot of fun. Later after getting married, and having kids, the money just wasn't there. I missed them so much, just holding memories of those good old days. Finally, on what would have been my dad's 76th birthday, on Nov 8, this year, I found "Toby", a 4 1/2 year old quarter horse gelding, that is so much like the horse I treasured when I was younger. He is a dream come true and a blessing. I believe my dad had something to do with this miracle on my dad's birthday, of all days of the year. I found that I have changed quite a bit, in all that time away from horses. I didn't just swing up and gallop away! I am much slower, and oh so much older. Is there anyone else that had such time away, and came back to what they missed so-horses? I feel like I am relearning some things I used to take for granted!

Would You Build an Indoor Arena at this Age?

NWBuckskinLvr — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:10:30 GMT

Hi Fellow Horse Lovers,

I live in western Oregon where we are blessed with rain, rain, more rain, and mud, mud and more mud. It is extremely difficult to ride during our nasty weather months, or even put the horses out since the pastures are extremely muddy and slippery.

I have 3 horses. My 17-year old dd has 2 horses. She keeps her show horse at a barn where she works with a trainer. I am in the 60ish age range.

For a couple of years we boarded at a self-care barn so we could ride in winter. However, the barn (as most self care barns here) was very nasty and dusty. My tack was always filthy even if I cleaned it daily. Each time one of my horses changed stalls, I had to sweep cobwebs, level the stall floor, and disinfect. When the BO's acquired chickens which fertilized everthing including tack, hay, walls, etc., I couldn't stand it anymore.

Last fall I built a stall barn so I could keep our horses at home. I love the barn, but still can't ride during the nasty weather months.

I really want to build a covered arena.........another major expense which is difficult for me to justify financially. I have 2 major concerns preventing me from doing it:

1. I don't know how many more years I will be able to ride. I am in good health now, but you never know.....

2. My dd is determined to become a horse trainer, but who knows where life will take her in the future.

If you were in my position, what would you do?

Euthanasia Replies

BarbN2009 — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:33:48 GMT

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful and very helpful comments and advice. I tend to equate a good appetite and enthusiasm for food with quality of life. I now know in my heart that the day my mare stops eating, for whatever reason, will be one day too many at her age. I won't drag it out, I will let her go in peace. There are fates worse than death and being kept alive for the benefit of another is one of them.

Euthanasia

BarbN2009 — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:39:14 GMT

Dear folks,

I am facing a painful decision and could use some objective advice regarding when to let go. I have been riding on and off for 17 years. Five years ago I bought my first horse, a feisty 24 year old mare. She will turn 29 on June1 and has been retired for over a year.

She was recently diagnosed with EPM, is uncoordinated in the rear, but can still turn small circles, and rise from a lying down position without difficulty. The vet assured me she is not in pain. She is rail thin but eats really well and as much as she desires. She comes in from the pasture as soon as she sees "food and treat lady" (me), lives at a small 5 horse farm, enjoys the company of her geldings, and has maintained her status as second in the herd. I would say she enjoys her life.

I have tentatively planned to let her go in October before winter sets in, because I know she cannot survive another harsh winter. However, we also have some harsh summer days: hot, humid, with lots of bugs and mosquitoes. She does have shelter and can go inside anytime. I also am considering getting her a fly sheet.

I am aware that if she starts falling, she will present a danger to others so I told the farm owner if he sees her fall, even if she is able to get back up, to call me because that will be the time to let her go.

Here is my question: Has anyone had a geriatric horse decline due to summer weather? I would love for her to be able to lay in the grass on balmy summer days and sunny September days before she dies. I want this to be about her comfort and not about my discomfort. Please advise.

Thanks,

Barb

To the over 50 Gang

Thann Hanchett — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:22:30 GMT

I am 74 and still starting Dressage horses. You kids in your 50's stop whinning and ride.

How to Deal w/Time Off

bassclef54 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:29:23 GMT

Hi all,

I recently had rotator cuff surgery which is going to keep me from doing ground work and riding for at least 3 months. Lucy always needs to be lunged before she is ridden, so even once I can ride again my trainer is going to have to lunge her and tack her up.

I'm trying to figure out how to spend my 3-some months off my horse. I can still go see her at the barn and groom her, but currently that's about it. Tack cleaning comes to mind. Trainer is doing groundwork and lunging/riding for me in the meantime (for a price, naturally). Any suggestions re how to deal w/a frustrating, medically induced horse hiatus??

Thanks!

Hip mobility problem kept me out of the championships

874019 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:46:44 GMT

I qualified my horse for the state dressage championships. My scores were OK but had declined in the last tshow. I was also having lots of pain in my right hip and lower back and leg. Also we were getting very poor turns to the right. Anyway my coach advised against showing. I went and helped out but did not show. I know it was the best decision, even though I was so sad to be there and not compete, because I hurt so bad that wekend I could not sit still. I have been going to Drs and now have had a MRI and am waiting to hear some results. One fairly scary finding is that my reflexes and muscle strength on the right side has declined significantly over the last several months. I am hoping this is a reaction to a ligament injury and hernia that I was aware of already. My Dr is talking neurologist. I am determined to follow up on this a get better. Riding is what I really love. I am training my horse to drive and if necessary will get into driving more and riding less. I am finally in a job that gives me time to ride, have several nice horses and am not being a show mom,,getting to do it myself. I do not want to be sidelined.

What do you look for in an instructor?

Onyxheart — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:57:41 GMT

I am new to the forums, and am really enjoying reading the posts. The last time I rode, the web hadn't been invented yet--I like this better!

I will be taking my first lesson in nearly 20 years next week, and wanted to seek your advice on what you look for in an instructor. Do you have different expectations because you are older/more experienced--in life if not in riding? Do you have any good/bad experiences to share? Thanks!

Kristyn

Stupid things we"ve done and lived to tell about

shannon7 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:49:07 GMT

I guess this has evolved from one of our other discussions, but what stupid things have you done with your horse and lived to tell about?

EvenSong Paints get the honor of the first post. I'll copy and paste it;

Along the same lines, Shannon, and appropriate for your new thread:

I learned to ride by trading mucking for rides on a neighbor's QH. But she wasn't about to let me use her good show saddle! So I rode for over a year bareback (great way to learn balance).

Well, one day Joe and I were moseying along a trail, and we stopped to just enjoy the peace and quiet. I threw my leg over his withers, and was sitting as if side saddle--sans saddle.

Wouldn't you know: I lost my balance and fell off of a horse that was standing perfectly still! To add injury to insult, I broke my arm in several places and knocked the elbow out of joint. The whole appendage looked a bit like a corkscrew!

After having to walk half a mile up the hill to the nearest house, being as how it was Sunday, and my parents were out of town and hadn't left any kind of medical release for my grandparents, it was FOUR HOURS and two hospitals before anyone would so much as give me an aspirin!

Suffice it to say, I did survive adolescence (but never quite outgrew it ;-D ).

Fifty-four Going on Twelve!

bassclef54 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:14:34 GMT

I swear there are times I feel and act like a kid because of my horse! What the heck, she's my first horse, I'm entitled, wouldn't you say??

Anyway, our Humane Society does a "Pose Your Pet With Santa" fundraiser, and even though Lucy isn't a pet, I thought what the heck, I want us to get our picture taken with Santa! So, I hired my trainer to haul us, dressed her up in her Christmas halter and lead rope, et voila:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v669/bassclef54/Lucy/?action=view&current=LucyandSanta.jpg

It was big fun and I'm glad we did it.

Mary

PS - Couldn't get the image to insert, even using Photobucket. Oh well!

Amazing horse(s)

TerrieDouglas — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:41:53 GMT

I wanted to start a new thread, a place to share our experience with an amazing horse, or four. :) We have all been around the block at least once in here, so I am sure there is, or was, at least one amazing horse in your life.

Coming up, My First Trail Ride.

Ritamc55 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:40:53 GMT

Good morning. It's been awhile since I went on a trail ride. I'm a bit nervous, but anxious as well. I'm thinking of purchasing a new riding helmet. The stables I ride tell me it's not truly needed, but I'd much rather have one. I may even get a pair of gloves to prevent my fingers from freezing. I know that I'll be given an experienced older horse, but I still feel better with my decision. I can't help it. I'm not a kid anymore. lol Have a great day, people.

Stirrup Extenders

bassclef54 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:26:18 GMT

Have any of you ever used an "Easy-Up Stirrup," or an "Easy Mount"?? There's something else out there that's close to $80, these two are much less expensive. Thoughts, pros, cons appreciated!

Thanks,

Mary

Thinking About Changing Barns

bassclef54 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:54:52 GMT

I've been with my trainer/barn owner since I got into this horse thing early last year. I've been taking riding lessons and learning general horsemanship, and have bought a horse under her tutelage. I bought the horse mainly to do trail riding--to me being outside on a horse is a little bit 'o heaven on earth. She'd told me that she was going to have trails cut on her property. So far there's a little trail that takes about 5 min to ride. Recently I discovered a local barn that is right next to a state-owned forest that a lot of people ride. That BO does a lot of clinics, is active in a saddle club, and I've been impressed with her when I've seen her clinics. The thing is, I'd feel really bad about moving my horse because BO has been really wonderful as far as answering questions, e-mails, etc., and I feel loyal to her. But, being in proximity to miles of trails, a larger covered arena, a trail course, etc., is really attractive. The cost is about the same.

Any advice re how to decide whether to stay/go, etc.? I figure, most of the posters here have been through this so would have good advice/insight.

Thanks,

Mary

The Dominatrix Mare...

bassclef54 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:51:59 GMT

won again, or rather, my inexperience and stupidity won again. (Would've put this post in the "stupid things" thread but didn't want to monopolize it <grin>.)

Yesterday Lucy and I had a good groundwork session before our ride. Then I tacked her up, and that little voice said, "You shouldn't ride in the arena today." (No, I'm not schizy!) For a minute there I actually considered not doing our practice-for-lesson session and just heading outside, but noooo, just had to work on lesson stuff. Everything was fine 'til we started loping and Lucy decided to cut to the inside of the cones instead of going around them. Naturally I thought I could ride her around them, oh me of little experience but an abundance of (misplaced) confidence. Yup. Came off. She went one way and I went off the other. Damn! No harm done, just stiff and sore today, and I got back on and loped her some more, then we went outside and rode in the pasture and on the short trail thru the woods. Can't figure out why she got all squirrely about those cones when we were loping, at the jog she barely noticed them. Will figure this out w/the trainer next week. Argh! Nothing like discovering a couple hours later that you have a nose full of dirt and have been out in public!

Mary

Decisions-decisions.

Appys4me — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:56:29 GMT

I'm requesting a mind melt....in other words your opinions. I've decided to sell my 11 year old Appy gelding, Ben.

I feel horrible about it. I bought him shortly after my beloved Appy gelding was euthanized. Ben had been "cowboyed" off of-in a bad way and suffered some abuse at their hands. It took some time, but he somewhat trusts me. I swear he suffers from PTSD though, sometimes he just flips out, and becomes unmanagable. I hate to sell him, because I'm afraid with his issues he'll fall into bad hands again or eventually go to a low-end auction and then off to Mexico.

I'm really agonizing over this. I could move him to cheaper pasture board and keep him there.

Any good advice???Anyone been faced with this before?

Worst Advice From an Expert Wannabee

JMFriedman — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:19:22 GMT

From the sound of the "bad neighbors" thread, we've all gotten some really . . . uh . . . interesting pointers from our friendly barn Horse Expert, especially from the ones who have never been closer to a horse than the button on the TV remote during Flicka. I'd like to hear some of the worst. I do believe some of the things we've heard would challenge the minds of even the most patient of us!

I'm going to start with the woman who said that you should never feed grain at night feeding during the summer because it makes the horses sweat more.

I'll skip past the neighbor who called to tell me the other neighbors were taking bets on why I blindfold my horses (who were wearing fly masks, in case you were wondering the same thing) in the pasture. She assured them it was because I didn't want them running through the fences.

Then I'll mosey on to the man whose horse broke its leg during a trail ride, and who rode the limping, screaming horse home anyway figuring if the horse could still walk, it couldn't be that bad. The horse was never sound again.

Finally, let me share the brilliant words of my favorite horseman wannabee: "I would never board there because there are trees all over the pasture. Branches could fall down and injure the horses!"

So . . . whaddya got?

Stupid things we

shannon7 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:44:50 GMT

Is it just us, or do bad neighbors drive other horse people crazy?

JMFriedman — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:11:07 GMT

Dukey and I are both in NJ. We seem to have endless issues with non-horse, non-farm neighbors (particularly of the McMansion breed) who do thoughtless, crazy things. Is this indigenous to NJ, or do other states have their required population of fools who think all open land is fair game and horse people are fun targets?

The 50 plus gang

PJKam — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:35:02 GMT

I was wondering how many people on this site are over 50 and still loving horses? You don't have to own one to be a part of this thread. Sometimes, I feel like I am alone in this favorite pastime. I am 61 but don't feel it at all.
How about you?;) PJ