I couldn't agree more! At the age of 47 I picked up horses and riding after a 33 years lapse. I bought an arab mare and discovered she was in foal. I decided to keep the foal and trained her mostly myself. She's now 6 years old and we are doing quite well together!
Great article! I'm riding a wonderful little Tennessee Walking horse at the age of 76. Smooth gaits are a plus, but there is something about a horse at any age which keeps us feeling younger. I have friends, who are my age or older who are riding, some even over jumps. And a couple didn't start riding until they were 60.
I am 62 and have been riding since I was 7. I am still riding arabians and giving lessons bit no more training. My biggest fan and backer is my family doctor who says it's great physically and mentally. After my stroke I didn't need physical therapy I was told go ride and take care of your horse
I'm 61, have been riding since I was 9, started nursing school 6 months ago and I'm not about stop riding or making a dream come true. Age is a figment of one's own imagination!
I totally get it!!! I am 60 - still riding and (ocasionally) showing. Don't jump the big four-foot oxers anymore, but riding and being around horses is as much a part of me as my heart and lungs. Leather, fresh shavings, and hay are my perfume. The sound of horses munching, the sweet little nickers, snorts - the sounds of these glorious animals are the sounds of living. Riding is intoxicating and my life-giving drug. I'll stop breathing before I stop riding and being around these magical creatures.
We have a 92-year old woman in our barn. She and her 30-year old Tennessee Walker retired from showing and winning multiple national championships only three years ago. Please check them out!?! http://fridayflyer.com/2015/03/06/a-woman-and-her-horse-nine-decades-of-passion
I ride a gaited horse and I drive a mini. The cart is fun. It is a pleasure cart and the ride isn't bad at all. When I can't ride anymore,I will stick with driving my mini.
RE: Ride a carriage - More older equestrians should consider this option when the rigors of being in the saddle start to take a toll. The median age of members of the American Driving Society is mid-fifties. The average age of the driver in the World Driving Singles in 2003 (haven't researched other yeas) was 63. The show type jog carts referred to by the author were never made for any kind of driving than in a groomed ring or a smooth road. The majority of the carriage used today are direct descendants from the horse and buggy age where the primary goal was *comfort* while travelling. USEF would be wise to steer their aging riders who are considering hanging up their stirrups to try carriage drivng sports. They already know most of what they need to know. Having taught many, it's an easy transition which can extend the involvement with horses for many years.
Correction to my previous comment: The average age of the drivers in the *2010* World Singles was 63.