Older Riders: When do you know it's time to stop riding?

[mizzaster]

So, I'll be 55 next year, and I'm thinking it might be time to quit riding. Why? Simply, it hurts. My hip joints hurt, my knees hurt, my back hurts. No, I'm not whining. I hate to give it up though, since I feel I haven't accomplished half of what I've wanted to, horse wise or otherwise. I almost feel like it would be admitting defeat. I won't sell my horses, and I've always just loved watching them graze in the pasture anyway. But how many of you reached a point where you felt it was time to hang up the bridle? :cry:

[Isabeau Z Solace]

Okay, so I can't quite sympathize. But friends of mine have said the hip replacement was AWESOME and if they'd known it was going to be this good they'd have done it waaaaay sooner. "As soon as I feel a twinge in the other one, it's getting replaced" said one friend. That friend has also found life in the saddle has gotten a lot easier since she as slavishly devoted herself to some Pilates Videos.

I did sell two horses to retirement aged ladies this year. Recently, to a woman who is 75 !!! She was having a bit of trouble coming to grips with riding a smoother, perhaps less fancy, less athletic, horse. But I was impressed with how the horse felt after she had ridden it !! And everyone had a huge smile plastered on their face when they heard how old she was. She gave us a great boost, really !!

So keep in mind, there are 'other' kinds of horses. Walkers, Paso Fino's, and just plain flat moving warmbloods (Woman above bought an AdalusianX.)

What kind of riding are you doing ?? What are your horses like ?

[Sugarbrook]

Try a Tennessee Walking Horse. Smooth and fun for trail riding.

[Bluey]

Grandma quit riding at 84 because her 24 year old horse died and she didn't want to ride another.
If he had been around longer, I expect she would have kept riding.
It is not about age, but how you feel about it.

If all is keeping you from riding is physical limitations, you can see if you want to put in the time and effort to make that better and if not, we really don't have to ride at all.:)
How about just enjoying the horses in any one way you like.:cool:
We don't need to ride them at all, really.:yes:

[Pirateer]

When I wake up every morning hurting! (Yepp, hit 25 and here I am...)

[arabhorse2]

I'll be 51 this year, and I have no plans to stop riding until they pry the reins from my cold, dead hands! ;)

Knees, ankles, hips and back all sing arias to me on a daily basis, but I've found that switching to jointed stirrups has helped tremendously. I can now stay in the saddle for hours without paying for it too much, versus using hard irons where after an hour I was in agony.

I also don't dismiss the use of aids that I shunned as a young'un. I have a saddle with Equisuede instead of slippery leather, I use half chaps when necessary, I wear cotton/lycra breeches with sueded knee patches instead of slick, polyester breeks, and wear riding tennis shoes instead of paddock boots.

When I'm done riding I take a long, hot shower, pop an Aleve or two, and if needed, sleep on a heating pad. An adult beverage also helps me relax every so often, but if I drink I don't take the Aleve.

It's all about priorities, and what you're willing to do to make it happen. If riding has become more painful than fun, you certainly have my understanding and sympathy if you want to just hang up your bridle.

[Beverley]

You asked:

Older Riders: When do you know it's time to stop riding?

Well. Harumph. Older riders are, for me, in the same category as 'middle aged people'...20 years older than I am. Which would this year, be defined as 77.

I suppose it'll be time to stop riding a) when I have to attend my own funeral, or b) when it's just not enjoyable any more- whether from the aches and pains or some other presently unforeseen issue.

Meanwhile, Advil, Blue Emu, MSM/Chondroiton/Glucosamine, jointed stirrups, and my exercise bike are my friends.

[tcgelec]

What Arabhorse2 said: that's exactly what I thought when I saw the title to this thread. When they pry the reins from my cold, dead fingers!

I'll be 56 next week, and I only started riding at age 45. But I'll tell you, I hurt much more back then when I first started riding than I do now! When I started competing, two years ago, I started riding a lot more, like every day in show season if weather permitted. That seemed to make the difference in making the aches and pains go away. I'm not a perfect specimen: I'm overweight and have to wear glasses but I hardly ever hurt now...except if I take a fall which hasn't happened in a while *oops shouldn't a said that!

I do Eventing at the BN level at local shows and do the low jumpers at the rated shows right now. I've got a great young horse who never gets tired off hauling my butt over fences.

So...unless and until something changes radically...not thinking of giving up riding anytime soon. I feel like I just started!

[MEP]

I'm 57. Last year I bought a 6yo from a man who is 92. He had only stopped riding a couple of years before when his paso fino dumped him! Last spring he bred a mare back to get a 3/4 sibling to my horse - the baby was a filly which is what he wanted - to continue the dam line. I just have to admire the guy!

Meanwhile, I have fibromyalgia, scoliosis, arthritis, now gout and am being treated for lyme disease. In other words, I'm a walking disaster area! :lol: I've got my now 7yo gelding at home with my donkeys - he's had a nice vacation, and pretty soon here I'm going to throw the saddle on him and at least start walking around. Haven't ridden in quite a while, but I know I'm stronger and feel better, especially mentally, when I'm riding.

So, my feeling is, ride as long as you want to. If you no longer feel like riding, just owning a horse is therapeutic. I've also heard that hip replacement can be completely liberating. And, if you don't go that route, or still don't feel like riding, if you've got a horse to learn to drive, that can be fun too. (I trained one of my donkeys to drive and it's a gas!)

[msj]

I stopped probably when I hit 60. The horse I owned tested positive for allergies and/or could have had phototic headshake as well but it was no longer fun riding from April to October with his very frequent head shaking and pulling the reins out of my hands when I tried to take him hacking. :( Also, if the wind was blowing fairly hard, I had to ride him indoors, which is no fun in the summer. :( I also disliked riding when it's below freezing, which in western NY, happens quite frequently in December through March. It didn't leave me much time to enjoy riding this horse.

What was so sad was this horse was quite a packer, had wonderful attitude and was excellent to work with. I suppose I could has sold him, or donated him in hopes another area would have been better for him but I knew his original owners wanted him to go to a single home and not passed around from rider to rider. I didn't have to honor that but I did as I knew how I would feel if I were in their shoes. He originally came from southern NJ and I bought him in Dec and the allergies showed up the first spring. I probably did ride him for several yrs (5) but but the enjoyment just kept waining and I finally just quit. BTW, the Rochester area is known for a higher than average sinus problems in humans so I'm not surprised the horse had problems as well.

I also found that living alone on the farm and riding alone most of the time didn't help either as I found when I would take off several months in the winter, I tended to be rather nervous come spring. I really didn't want to try a boarding situation so I just stopped.

I also suppose I could have bought another horse but I really didn't want to do that. So horse and I are both retired. I still have him at home with a companion horse and I still competely enjoy taking care of the horses. Actually I tend to be a bit anal about their care and I don't think they mind one bit. :) I don't believe he cares whether he's ridden or not. I know he's not a terribly ambitious horse so I rather imagine he enjoys retirement as much as I do. :)

I can honestly say, when I go to the local horse trials or dressage shows, I enjoy watching others and cheer for them, but I don't miss riding at all. Maybe 48 yrs in the saddle was enough. :sigh:

[Murphy's Mom]

My aunt's father quit riding at 84, but only because he moved across the country and had been riding his neighbor's 17 hh horse (they wouldn't sell him). If you're hurting, you could try a different breed (TWH, paso, Iclandic) or maybe a different saddle or discipline. My knees won't handle jumping anymore but they do ok with dressage and trail riding. Or, try driving. It's a blast!

[Eventer55]

My addiction will probably follow me to the grave and beyond, I plan on riding my mare Kelly across the Rainbow Bridge. I'm 54 and I have lots of plans for the future like breeding my mare and continuing competing.

54, 55, etc is not old anymore. . . age is a state of mind, what would make you think like this? All of us have some aches and pains, but we don't let it stop us. Really, I hate to name names, but there are 2 BNT and riders who are 60 and 70 something. I saw one compete at Rolex this year.

Having said that, my husband showed a photo of me competing to some girls where he works (they're 30 something), one of them said "she looks younger than I thought" and the other one said "why does she do that, it seems kind of strenuous." Yeah, well it is strenuous, but I'm fitter than you and probably healthier and I do it because I like the challenge.

Please don't stop riding and suddenly become old at 55!!! Ride into old age with me and only stop when you get to the other side of the Rainbow bridge, then get off take a look around and get back on.:winkgrin:

[twofatponies]

I'm already achy at 42. But my role model is an 82 year old guy I know who still rides every day. Scares the living daylights out of his barnmates, as he needs help tightening the girth and getting on, then goes out and gallops cross country! His horse is a doll - totally takes care of him. He goes to dressage clinics and continues to take lessons, too - just won't give it up "til they pry the reins from his cold, dead hands" as a previous poster said! God bless him!

[fivehorses]

I am moving so I can ride and drive amongst like minded people.
I find when you get older, (56), I don't feel as comfortable as I once did to go for a hack in my woods and trails. Heck, I don't even like to walk alone in them, where I use to take a hike daily.
I guess some of that has to be because I am single too, and if I don't come home, well, no one might know for days or longer.
So, I am much more cautious now.
But, like I said I am moving so I will be amongst lots of other horse woman and men.
I hope to ride everyday! At least someone will see me if I fall.

[Eventer55]

After I got off, I began to think, if you're in that much pain maybe you should consider getting tested for Lyme Disease and just tell your doctor what ails you. I would hate to be telling you to keep riding and there is something causing the pain like Lyme Disease. I just don't know anyone your age that even thinks about not riding, or seems to have enough discomfort that it may interfere with riding.


Keep us posted!!!

[Bluey]

I am mid 60's and just took up reining.
Smallish horses, dead broke and extremely well trained, interesting to do right and not as easy as it seems and the horses are super smooth, much more than gaited breeds.

Many good, smooth reiners move so gently and lightly that you don't even feel them, unlike so many gaited horses, that tend to be considerably more energetic and active, just not bouncy.
With reining horses, it is rocking chair gaits, rocking chair saddles, mousing along movement, even just trail riding with them and better than a rocking chair on the porch.;)

I do miss more active riding, but then, it can get tiresome also, when you have been there, done that already.:yes:

[cranky]

Gosh, after having to take 22 years off from riding, now that I have it (and riding) back in my life, I hope I never have to give it up again. Late 40s here, been re-riding since September (low-level eventing).

[nadasy]

I guess when it isn't fun or interesting or productive, or if you become fearful of falling or have a condition that would make it difficult for you to be safe.

I've been riding with formal lessons since the age of eight, and I've competed in most disciplines. I was 16 when I had saved enough money to be able to have my own horse, a $25 - 3 yo from an auction that lived into her 20's. I was very fortunate to be able to have my horse(s) at home on our farm or a horse at school, (as long as I was paying the board for the horse at school and kept my grades up.) I've never had to board any of my horses.

I was totally dedicated then, and still am today at 66. I have been very blessed to have really wonderful horses (read not always easy or without issues) who have taught me so very much. I learned early on how to fall, and there have been some pretty spectacular ones.:lol: I now just have one horse that I've had since he was 4, and he is now 10. He had a rough beginning physically and spent 5 months at a clinic and then we spent almost 2 years walking. Not just schlepping around, but working, free, medium walks, up and down hills, in the fields, ring, just to get him in condition and balanced. He was so unbalanced at one point, he would fall to his knees on a 6" grade. It was a very good time to go back to the basics with him, and now we are working well at second level.

My little farm is right on a major highway,and I ride 6 days a week. I'm out there every day about the same time, and my neighbors can see me from the road when they drive by. This is the road that all the big loads use, the oversized loads some with 19 axles, most of them with parts of the windmills and lots of very large, very noisy farm equipment. My horse has become really used to everything BUT bicycles. :lol: If I ever fall off, hopefully someone will stop and make sure I'm okay. :D When I can, I go into the 300 acre field owned by a local farmer and walk and trot on a path up and down some gentle hills. I always wear a neon green t-shirt just in case.

I love riding my horse. It gives me time to focus on him and our balance, and timing. I enjoy the time spent in this beautiful area. In the Winter we go south and work. It's lots more work than I do here, because I'm caring for other horses as well as mine, but I still love the work, the challenges, and am amazed that I'm still continuously learning. Having to be responsible for a horse and care for him (and others in the Winter),keeps me on my toes and keeps me focused, fit, and healthy. My hips and knees haven't given me any problems so far, but when I'm moving logs or beams to mow or trim around them, I do take a few Bayer before bed. Just like older horses, keeping busy and active has been the best medicine for me.

I think it's great that you still have the horses with you. Just because you made the decision not to ride any more isn't a bad one, since you're not having fun and have aches that could potentially cause you real distress if you fall. You still can have a great time just being with your horse, grooming, taking care of him and giving him a good life. Good for you.

[BeaSting]

I'm 52 and just got a 4 yr. old last month. I did the math, and if all goes well, I figure there's at least 20 years of good fun ahead for us.

[2ndyrgal]

then I'll go back to just driving. As long as I can pull myself up in the tack, I'm riding. And honey, it's not the age, it's the miles.
As my husband says, my true mileage is unknown.
(as it should be.)

[Guilherme]

When it's no longer fun then it's time to quit.

Fun is not determined by a calendar, opinons of third persons, or any other source beyond the rider.

Do it until you don't want to do it anymore, then quit. Not before.

G.

[Lucassb]

If you still *want* to ride, but you are just finding it physically painful, my suggestion is to see a doctor and find out if there is anything that can be done to reduce or eliminate all those aches and pains.

I have had a ton of orthopedic injuries (not riding related, LOL - I was a very competitive downhill skier for the first 20 years of my life.) I've also had a bunch of surgeries to fix all the damage I sustained but still have some joints that are never going to be 100%.

On a good day I am pretty sound; on a damp or cold day, maybe a grade two lameness but to be honest I am used to it and it doesn't limit me. One thing that made a HUGE difference in my abilty to remain active was finding a really good medication for the arthritis related pain (mostly in my knees, but also hips & back.) I take 15mg of Mobic (meloxicam) on those bad days and it is like magic. (Mobic is an NSAID/cox-2 inhibitor.) It worked when all the other NSAIDs did not (and I tried them ALL.)

You may also find that PT or other exercise is helpful; sometimes building additional core strength or doing some stretching and balance work makes an amazing amount of difference.

That's a long way of saying, if it's just pain that is keeping you from enjoying riding, investigate some options before you hang it up. It may take a bit of experimentation, but you may come up with a plan that works and have a lot more years of riding fun ahead of you!

[Simbalism]

I'm 55 yo and am in the group with the cold dead hands...hehe. I ride most days of the week, but no longer compete. If I just feel like tooling around the farm fine, no expectations. I take hunter lessons once per week(getting back into jumping) and belong to several active riding clubs. I trail ride usually 2x per month at area parks. I have gone on 3 camping trips with my horse so far this year. This month, I am going to compete in a schooling show called a Prix Caprilli (as explained to me dressage with a few jumps) that is being put on by riding club. My current mount is a 14yo TB mare. I am already thinking that I need to purchase a youngster to be bringing along so when I am older, it will be well trained. It is up to you when to stop riding. When it's no longer fun would be when I quit. So far that's not happened for me. I still have things I want to try, like maybe something involving cows and horses like team penning or sorting. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of aches and pains, but rarely feel the need to take medications. I find the more active I am, the less achy or stiff I am. Good luck with your decision.

[Christa P]

My mom still rides at over 60 and plans to continue.

As for the aches and pains, have you had your Vitamin D level checked? I only ask because apparently low Vitamin D levels cause the aches and pains. Here is a recent health column about it:

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinioncolumns/columns/otherlife/story/712968.html

After reading this I started taking Vitmain D and have noticed improvment in overal achiness, though I could use a trip to the chiro.


Christa

[Valentina_32926]

So, I'll be 55 next year, and I'm thinking it might be time to quit riding. Why? Simply, it hurts. My hip joints hurt, my knees hurt, my back hurts.

As we get older we go with supplements to keep us going. Are you using Glucosimine/MSM daily? Take like 2 tables twice a day (read bottle instructions) and stretch when you get up, before you ride, then post after riding shower to keep those muscles stretched. How about (GOOD) chiropractic care? Both are important for pain prevention/control.

I'll quit riding when I die.

[jeano]

Used to see an old gentleman at the trailhead--easily in his eighties, had obviously had a stroke, and needed to be boosted into the saddle by his grown grandchildren. This old guy had no control over half his body. Once in the saddle, he'd take the reins in his good hand and scoot out of there with the grandsons scrambling to mount up and catch him.

As a re re rider (first in my late thirties, and again in my early 50s) and currently age 55 1/2, I hope to Jesus I never HAVE to quit again, because starting up again can be hard. FWIW, I had all the same pains you describe BEFORE I got horses again at age 52. I suspect what's catching up with you is age, not necessarily riding. Youre going to hurt ANYWAY. Might as well ride.

[Posting Trot]

I'd agree that it's time to quit when it stops being fun.

Have you tried a jointed stirrup? I've been using the MDC intelligent stirrups for the past two years and it's made an incredible difference for my right knee that tends to stiffen up (I'm 53). They're pricey but well worth it: http://www.mdccorporation.us/products/stirrups/index.html

The other thing I'd suggest is doing some weight training and stretching. Yoga is good as is Pilates (which I've just started doing after doing yoga for many years). If the aches and pains are coming from your compensating for some weakness or a lack of stretchiness (or from poor posture) this will help a lot. Also helps with balance issues.

Good luck and have fun.

[Rayman421]

At 51 (this year) I quit riding a couple years ago, but more because of my huge weight gain than anything- I'm afraid I'll break a horse!

BUT until then I had switched from English to western- every joint hurt when I rode English and when i jumped my knees just screamed!! (And when I figured out the last 3 falls I'd had were over fences, I decided it was time to stop jumping too) Mind you, I rode foxhunters, jumpers and showed hunters since I was 13, so it wasn't like I was a beginner over fences. I trained and showed western for a number of years on the AQHA and open circuits.

My sister went back to riding recently because she said it was therapeutic for her (dressage)- she is a few years older than I am, and was starting to have difficulty walking. It helped her quite a bit.

I am now driving- never thought I would like it as much as I do- but I am enjoying it, and am amazed at how much feeling I get through the reins - it is VERY much like riding - I just don't have the legs around the horse. I can get extensions/ collections/ bending and pony "feels" when I want to turn or slow down just as much as when i rode.

So if you're really ready for a break, try driving. Word of warning tho- as we age it gets VERY scarey to get back on for the first time after a break. It takes a lot of courage!

I will ride again, once I address the weight issue, but I will also have a 15-20 yr old been there- done that old timer that wants the same thing I do. To mosey along on the rail, occasionally work for a small show and just spend most of our time lolly gagging at the sun and clouds with the breeze in our hair!

[mizzaster]

Thanks, folks. All good comments, and helps me know I'm not alone. This damn Texas heat is killing me, and I know the older I get the more the heat bothers me. Riding in the mornings is better heat wise but the humidity is unbearable. If you ride in the evening, it hasn't cooled down enough from the 104 of the day to be even remotely pleasant. Just returned from a week in Ruidiso, NM, and never broke a sweat and my joints were less achy. That may be my answer. MOVE! And lose some weight ;)

[AnnaCrew]

My DH started riding last September at 56. His medical records make every doctor very excited - he had died twice, had smashed hips, twice broke backbone, smashed chest (and had seen his own heart, carried by a doctor, running with the stretcher), knees went when he was 18, and it is hard to find a bone in his body that had not been broken at least once (he was racing bikes :( ). Doctors can not find the reason why he is able to walk and why he is not in wheelchair... Yesterday he reached the jump height 1.80 m. OK, it hurts and he is on painkillers but he wants to keep fit and wants to ride. if you feel it is time to retire, do so, but other than that ... :) You still CAN.

[nicbarker]

If you ride in the evening, it hasn't cooled down enough from the 104 of the day to be even remotely pleasant.

Yikes! I'll stop whinging about it being in the high 20s C here then...:eek:

I think my role model would be the chap here who hunted several times a week even when he was in his eighties, and died, on his horse, in the middle of a fantastic hunt - presumably with a smile on his face :)

I am full of admiration for all the folk here who still ride and hunt well into their seventies and beyond, with lots of aches and pains and taking lots of prescription medication throughout the day if need be :cool:

Nic

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Four words: three step mounting block.

[WB Mom]

Or for those of us who would like to ride bare back:
Four Step Mounting Block
:winkgrin:

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Hint: for bareback rides, you can carefully place the three step mounting block on its side and use that as well. Even better, use the retaining wall by the garden.

[Foxtrot's]

This is not about how long a person can ride. Lots of people ride into their 80's, and heck, one darling gentleman here just died at l0l and he still rode the Park almost daily. But pain is such a put off, I sympathise. If riding is your main activity, and you will miss it, then perhaps there are solutions : Different tack, different (smaller, quieter, narrower, smoother) horse, exercise classes, pills, physio. It is ok to hang up the bridle if that is what you want - just fill the gap with something else, preferably physical, not donuts.

[azeventer]

Four words: three step mounting block.

HA!!!!!

[azeventer]

Hint: for bareback rides, you can carefully place the three step mounting block on its side and use that as well. Even better, use the retaining wall by the garden.

I often use the back on a conveniently placed pick-up truck. It's the climbing up onto the pick-up that's MY challenge! :)

[WaningMoon]

I just lost my doctor because I won't listen to the "do not ride order". SAys too many patients on waiting list who will listen to him, oh well.

I use my aluminum step ladder to mount. It is so easy to use. And it doens't bother my green horse at all. It will be interesting to see what happens if I ever have the need to dismount while Im out riding but will cross that bridge when I get to it. Likely end up walking home if it happens. That is one thing my spine will not allow, I just can't do it. I can get a foot in the stirrup okay, but that hoist part of mounting just pulls too much on the wrong part of my spine and the pain is something I just can't take.

But I've got to say, since last yr taking riding back up again after listening to the doctors for 12 yrs, my life once again has enjoyment in it. Im 49 and had been riding and had my own horses since the age of 9 and it just left such a huge hole in my life to not ride. I continued to keep my horse and it was so hard to see her out there and not ride her. I find no purpose to living a life that makes you totally miserable. It is bad enough to be property bound as it is much too painful to ride in a car unless absolutely necessary, I am going to ride as long as I possibly can. There are many days where I just don't have enough feeling in my legs to ride, just too numb, but every day I can possibly manage it, I am. I try to let a daughter know Im out and about but I think that is mainly to assure myself I would be found if I didn't come home. Then again Im not so sure anyone would even notice or look.

I will continue to ride as long as they make ladders. I'd like to come up with something portable that I could take along. But that isn't likely I guess. And if a fall leaves me paralyzed as they say is likely, than so be it, at least I will have got to that point doing what I want, riding.

[BarbB]

I am 58 and want to continue riding. I am probably taking getting some weight off and getting in better shape more seriously now than ever. I was riding everyday until about a year and a half ago when my horse died. I have a new rehab project horse now that I am finally starting to ride, but I discovered just how fast my body fell apart at this age with a year or so of neglect. If I am going to keep riding I am going to have to work out.

If you want to keep riding and the aches and pains are making it just not fun, I recommend a sports physician. Their outlook is different from your average GP who wants you to avoid anything risky and they deal a lot with chronic pain caused by wear and tear.

If it just isn't fun any more period....then enjoy them in the pasture. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that...ask the horses.

[pj]

Have to say I'm with the "cold dead hands" people. At 69 riding makes me feel Better physically. :D The getting up and getting ready to ride is HARD (heck, getting up and moving in the morning is hard! :lol:) but once on my horse I can ride all day long. I do ride a smaller horse than I used to, one I can mount from the ground when need be. I'm fortunate that the mare I ride is steady (though she sure isn't dead!) and we do only trails now because that's what I want to do. I feel really blessed that at this stage of my life I am able to ride and that my girl is what she is so that I feel safe to take on any trails and am able to enjoy this beautiful world that God created.

I do swallow a couple of over the counter pain pills when my feet hit the floor each morning and some weeks (when the weather is changing) I swallow a Celebrex along with them but <laughing> I'm thankful I have those, too.

If you stop wanting to ride then don't but if you want to still ride but have physical problems try different things and see if you can't make it happen!

ps
As to the gaited horses being easier on the old bods....I don't know. I tried gaited and it wore me out! Was like just sitting in a comfortable chair all day long and just sitting makes me really tired. :)

[tabula rashah]

I'm only 30, but the person that I ride with the most is 70- She still rides a least a couple days a week from 3 to 5 hours each time. I'm sure I'll be a pry my reins from my cold dead hands person too.
Honestly if you want to keep riding, work on finding ways to manage your pain- go for 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions, try some unconventional methods, etc until you find what works for you.

[WaningMoon]

I am 58 and want to continue riding. I am probably taking getting some weight off and getting in better shape more seriously now than ever. I was riding everyday until about a year and a half ago when my horse died. I have a new rehab project horse now that I am finally starting to ride, but I discovered just how fast my body fell apart at this age with a year or so of neglect. If I am going to keep riding I am going to have to work out.

If you want to keep riding and the aches and pains are making it just not fun, I recommend a sports physician. Their outlook is different from your average GP who wants you to avoid anything risky and they deal a lot with chronic pain caused by wear and tear.

If it just isn't fun any more period....then enjoy them in the pasture. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that...ask the horses.

I totally agree with the sports physician thing, they do for sure look at things differently. Unfortunately in my case they very much agree with the spine specialist after viewing my last four MRI's. Nothing can be done and they say I am just one of those ppl who should not be on a horse. Fuey, I am going to ride anyhow and now do. It would be different if I wasn't going to end up in a chair at some point anyhow, but since they say I will, I may as well enjoy the trip there I figure. But yah, sports physicians are great, and are very beneficial to many ppl.

[BabyGreen]

This 61 year old rider had an unscheduled dismount Thursday. Horse tripped at the trot and went all the way down to his knees. I went forward and as I was sliding sideways, he started to come back up and hit me in the mouth with his head. I then slid all the way off. Fat lip, stiff neck (hit the side of my my helmeted head on the sand), sore back, wind knocked out. Got back on that day, and rode again Friday. Still sore today, but, oh, well. At least I didn't get caught in the stirrups or lose any teeth.

[Foxtrot's]

Put osteoporosis into the equation and we really don't want to fall off!

[jeano]

Put osteoporosis into the equation and we really don't want to fall off!

I had to put on my big girl panties after a Dexa scan a few years back and start taking Fosomax. My bones are no longer in the osteoporosis range, moving back thru osteopenia toward normal bone density.

I have a racking horse for the bad knee days, a trotting horse for the sore tailbone days, and have both stump broke, ditch broke, and pickup bumper broke so I can remount on the trail. At least one knuckle joint in my right hand is in the process of fusing and hurts like hell, so both horses are learning to neck rein against the day when riding with two hands isnt an option.

Everybody be sure to learn the old lady dismount, where you hug horsies neck and sort of slither off with knees flexed and hope you dont land on your *ss.:D

[Equibrit]

You know it's time to stop when they're screwing the lid down !

[msj]

I
Everybody be sure to learn the old lady dismount, where you hug horsies neck and sort of slither off with knees flexed and hope you dont land on your *ss.:D

Uh, I started to do that at 32 yr old with my 17 hand horse in winter when you didn't want your feet to land hard on the ground! :D :D

[AZ Native]

Thanks, folks. All good comments, and helps me know I'm not alone. This damn Texas heat is killing me, and I know the older I get the more the heat bothers me. Riding in the mornings is better heat wise but the humidity is unbearable. If you ride in the evening, it hasn't cooled down enough from the 104 of the day to be even remotely pleasant. Just returned from a week in Ruidiso, NM, and never broke a sweat and my joints were less achy. That may be my answer. MOVE! And lose some weight ;)

Take some inspiration from this fellow Texan :http://www.jackbrainard.com/index.html I host his clinics twice a year. He will be 88 in August. Just bought 2 saddlebred filles as he wanted more '' loft '' for cowboy dressage than the QH's he typically rides.
Move if you can, I can't function in humidity either. Actually thought briefly recently of moving to TX's for lots of reasons, but neither DH nor I could take the climate.
I lift weights and take several cardio classes a week. I have not had to go to the chiro nearly as often since i started doing this routine about 3 yrs ago. I have a 5 yr. old Trak. that I've had since he was a yearling and have been bringing him along myself, the way I want. I was 47 when I got him and it has worked out wonderfully. I'm with the cold dead hands peeps too.
Your attitude may change if you can commit to getting fit. It should help your aches and your spirit and attitude too.:) Good luck !

[AndalusianMom]

Arthritis in both hands--check. Bilateral carpal tunnel--check. Raynaud's disease--check. Rotator cuff problems both shoulders--check. Neck and lower back arthritis--check. Stressful job--check. Turned 58--check.

And yet, I hurt much more when I DON'T ride at least 4 or 5 days a week (2 or 3 horses) than when I do ride.

But I did choose Spanish horses, and they have easier-to-sit gaits. :winkgrin:

[brightskyfarm]

Heres a fellow to admire...age and disability!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF-aOgd3Aak&feature=PlayList&p=064B9AE57825D2BE&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5

Im 56 and work ponies at the track ... there's good advice on picking different breed horses...when I evaluate for a new horse, they Have=to=be=Comfortable!, Period.. I have a walker, a spotted saddlehorse (who is AWEsome!), a big appy built like a couch with legs and conformation put together by a (drunken) committee, a super trained app (reining and comfy--rocking horse), and a QH that moves under you like a carousel horse... all this while galloping, holding a not so nice horse in my <gloved!> right hand (with 2 broken fingers). This mismatched group have one thing in common....they are comfortable to ride.

Wear the right clothes, ones that allow you to move easily, comfortable footwear and half chaps... and dont forget to PAD that saddle! while adding extra padding for your horse.. synthetic saddles are more flexible and easier to sit in for a lot of miles, vs my super Steuben (also with padding) for hunt season. (with a tb of course).

Already said, but very important: Warm up, stretch before interval workout, and a good cool down, >> Im talking about for YOU, not your horse... well, him too. but, at night, elevate legs, ice whats swollen, heat what aches, support what ails, and be thankful you get up again. (out of bed or on a horse).

Age?... ha...I think the average age at Penn National is older than 60!. From outriders, to exercise riders, to gate crew, to valets, to maintainence, trainers and grooms...! One (riding)trainer, age um...62, took a fall, fractured his neck, braced it and kept working, swore on vitamins...and was back in the saddle in 6wks.! His theory is once off, always off , so he's not getting off.
I'm middle aged as far as the pony girls... others are mid-60's with knee replacements, bad backs, falling apart extremeties... and that mount/dismount move?... yes, its real, we have a bench, ... a bucket.. and that 3-step block.

so.... aside for dealing with what ails you..... how about asking ..
well, what else would you do?
I cant think of anything better than riding, and all that comes with it... whether finding that perfect morning ride in the woods, to finishing a days hunting..
life is short, ask any 90-yr old. :)