Search results matching tag '50 plus'

Re: Arthritis in your hands / Large Reins

bonniess71 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I do use round rope reins. I don't know if they come any larger but I will check that out. Your description of who to make the reins was very instructive. Thanks so much.

Re: Arthritis in your hands

bonniess71 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Percheronrider: Thanks for the article. It sounds very interesting and something I should try. Actually, my hands are screaming out in pain today. This is probably from the fact that I rode for over an hour yesterday and didn't wear my gloves!! I just can't get into the habit.

I've received a lot of good advice from the Equisearch forum. Most of the hints I have incorporated into my daily life.

I'm going to break down and get an appointment with a rheumatologist tomorrow. My family doctor thinks it's more than plain osteoarthritis. I can manage the pain at home but when I have trouble knotting the girth on my western saddle, then I do need professional HELP.

Thanks everyone.

Arthritis in your hands

bonniess71 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:00:00 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.

back surgery

jobug — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:00:00 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>

Coming up, My First Trail Ride.

Ritamc55 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 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.

Re: The 50 plus gang

Rae Sandberg — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Hi, I am new to this, so excuse me if I do not do this right.. I am over 50 and we are new to horses since we retired, two years ago. We have three horses now and looking to add another. We are wanting to add a horse that will be good for the novice and for kids. Is a 19 year old too old to buy? The lady we purchased the other horses from, has this 19 year old palamino quarter horse gelding. She said he will baby sit anybody that gets on him. About how many years of riding will we get from him, we would only ride easy trails and leisure rides.

Re: Riding Rules for Women Older Than Dirt:)))

RenOrama — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

LMAO... these are great!!! I especially like #10

need a few volunteers

bonniecdoc — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT

I recently posted a reply about fear of riding in which I mentioned a relaxation audio that myself and a musician in Texas are developing to assist riders (or anyone fearful of horses) with relaxation. It includes a guided relaxation and also a visualization that includes actual horse sounds. I am a psychotherapist and "over 50" horse owner who had a few bad falls resulting in injuries that shook my confidence to the core! I am hopeful that the audio will be helpful to others struggling to overcome a negative experience with a horse. The musician and I have done a "field test" with several riders locally, but would like some feedback from some folks in other parts of the country ( I want to be sure my Texan accent is not a distrction, etc.) I am seeking 6 - 8 riders who have had a fearful or negative experience with a horse, who would be willing to listen to the audio 3 times, and provide me with written feedback. I will provide the audio, mailing costs, etc. and the CD is yours to keep with our thanks. Anyone who would be willing to participate, please email me at bonniecdoc@hotmail.com or leave me a message at my toll free office number 1-800-697-4296 and I will return your call. Many thanks! Bonnie

Re: Riding fearlessly

LianeJ — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Having returned to riding at the age of 47 after a 30 year hiatus, my riding of the past few years has been rather tentative. I've been way more careful than I was as a child, and I share your concerns about old bones, etc.

I had a rather spectacular fall a few months ago after my big boy spooked and bucked. I landed flat on my back, on soft ground, fortunately. My visit to the emergency department was necessary, but other than one heck of an ugly hematoma on my back, I didn't break anything. At 54 years of age, I don't think I have many of these fortunate outcomes left in me. However, getting back up in the saddle and finding/maintaining my confidence has been tough. A friend suggested that I read "That Winning Feeling," by Jane Savoie. You may have heard of this book. I recommend it without reservation! It's all about positive attitude and visualization. The first time back in the saddle, I imagined how gorgeous we both looked, trotting around the arena. (He is gorgeous: a Friesian. I on the other hand... well, I felt gorgeous that day!) It worked. I relaxed, he relaxed, and while we're definitely a work in progress, and we'll need plenty of "couples counseling," we're on the road to recovery.

Best of luck to you. I'm glad to know there are plenty of us old gorgeous gals out there still riding and enjoying it!

Re: Riding fearlessly

t6834bl — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT

[quote user="Briahna's Mom"]

When I was younger, I didn't fear being bucked off or falling off or getting dumped at a jump, I just rode. I got bucked off, fell off when my horse spooked and landed a few jumps without my horse. No big deal, I just rolled with it. Now that I'm over 50, I worry about losing my balance and falling off my horse. I really worry about getting injured. My reflexes aren't as sharp as they used to be and my strength is no where near what I used to have and my weight is, well how do I put it politely....I've gained weight.

I know, from all the information available from sources like Equisearch, so much more about riding even though I've never been formally trained. But still I worry about falling off and getting hurt.

(Did I mention I have an Arabian?)

Does any one out there have any exercises or mind strategies to help with this?

[/quote]

WOW! I feel better now!!!! LOL!!!!!!

I always knew we needed our very own 50+ forum for riding questions like these. Thank you Equisearch! Just look at all the great posts here. So many older riders feel the same as I do in this regard. I don't know if it is because of the 15 year hiatus without horses, or just the getting older and "wiser" as one post suggested. All I know is I"ve had some great information set forth, the Riding Positively website is great. So is the Grey Horse Matters website. If you haven't gone yet, please check then out. Some great books to read, gotta get to the library. So many other "Hints and Helps", just what I was looking for!

I do lunge Bri at least once a week, or after a "rain delay" in our regular scheduled rides. Not necessarily to make her tired, but from all I've learned from the natural trainers, the constant changes in direction and transitions from walk to lope to trot, I'm asserting my leadership of her and she always is a trusting ride when we go out after the round pen work. Using the word "Wisdom" instead of "Fear", that's a great one! My Bri is pretty calm at 25 years old, last Saturday "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAHNA!". But she is an Arab. She is so much more aware of her surroundings than any other horses I've ridden or owned. We hardly ride in the arena, only when the park or the trail across the street is too muddy. So the majority of what we do is trail ride. I ride by myself during the week and with friends on the weekends. I do need to become a better athelete, now I can do it for her, not just for me!!!! Strength training, flexibility training, yes, I need those. I really like the idea of Meditation via horseback too! I tried it today in the park, eyes closed on a safe riding trail, breathing yoga breaths, smelling the eyculuptus trees, all the green stuff that has come up from the rain, chanting "Now", being in the moment.....It was so relaxing!!!!

Bri is a very smooth riding horse, you can sit her trot without any problems, small horse, soft movements. So even if she does spook, spin or a four foot hoof plant, it is done very gracefully!!!! LOL!!! So really, the problem is an irrational fear I have! I too have hooked my sports bra over the saddle horn going up a hill!!! I'm more flexible than I think I am, because you have to be once your horse thinks you are urging her on by hanging on her neck and swearing!

Maybe my fear is like one poster said, more of dying of embaressment than injuries!!!!! Most times I ride alone, so that's probably not it.

Glad to see also under 50+s reading our posts. The'll be there sometime, so this will give them something to think about. Even a few new posters, gave them a reason to join our 50+ online horse community.

Thanks for all the great advice. Practice, practice, practice....enjoy!