38/ SEPTEMBER 2017 THE RIDER


To The 50+ Year-Old Horse Rider By Kathy Farrokhzad


I know you’re out there. In fact, I know there are


more of you (us) than ever be- fore.


It seems like more and


more middle-aged people are able to maintain their health, fi- nances and activity level enough to own, ride and care for horses well into their 50s, 60s and beyond. Some people are coming to


horses for the first time. Maybe it was a lifelong dream, or wish- ful thinking that is finally com- ing to fruition. Others have been “in


horses” since they were young children, and were among the lucky ones who have a long his- tory of enjoying every avenue that horse riding has to offer: riding lessons, ownership, showing, trail riding, special tricks and performances (musi- cal riding, anyone?) and so much more. Many of their life- long friends are likely of the


horse-loving variety. Both types want to keep


riding. They want to keep showing up at the barn, savor- ing the ambiance and environ- ment that it has to offer. Most of all, they want to spend time with the horses themselves. People often ask me what


they need to do if they are older riders. Is anything particularly different for the over 50 crowd? Well, sure. And, not really. Because after all, a horse is


a horse of course, of course! If you look at the guide-


lines for people as they age, you’ll see that horses and horse riding meet all of our “grown- up” needs. I’m no doctor, but I can tell you that being involved in horses maintains and maybe even improves many areas of our lives, such as: • general muscle strength (lift- ing, pushing, pulling) • balance • core strength • general mobility (both fine and gross motor skills)


else a horse could do under difference circum- stances. Pick well!


Ride at your level You might think rid-


ing at your level is com- mon sense, but many people try to push them- selves far outside of their comfort zone, for various reasons. As an older rider, you should constantly challenge yourself to keep developing new skills and “feels,” but make sure that you are riding at a level that you can be safe and confident.


• emotional health • mental health • socialization • lifelong learning Walk through any riding


facility and you’ll likely find children,


teenagers, adults,


“grown-ups” and every age in between. Age has little meaning


to a horse. They respond simi- larly to all of us. However, there are some


things you might want to con- sider if you’re in the “grown- up”


category (although


honestly, I’d give these same recommendations for children, adults of any age returning to riding after a long absence, and new horse riders of any age).


Pick the right horse I can’t stress this point


enough. The horse you ride/buy can make or break your experi- ence - never mind your body! Know your strengths and limi- tations, and find the horse that will enjoy what you want to get out of riding. This might mean that you’d pick a more experi- enced, possibly older, but likely much more forgiving horse that will be happy to do whatever you want to do - whether it be a good grooming, a riding lesson, a trail ride on a nice day, or just hang out under a tree enjoying a nibble on some grass. Stay away from horses that


April 2018


need more attention or require more athletic ability that you are able to provide. Younger horses may need to be ridden every day. They may need train- ing by a professional. They may go through learning stages of their own, which might include bucks/rears/spins and whatever


Take lessons to keep develop- ing your skills This is not to say that you


should be content with main- taining the status quo. Learning to ride is a life-long quest and you can absolutely continue working on your aids, balance, coordination and timing. Keep setting goals and working to- ward personal bests. Realize that goals might take longer to achieve, but keep at it! Finding a good instructor is even more important for some- one who has no prior riding ex- perience. There


is no


replacement for honest guid- ance and a safe learning envi- ronment and horse.


Take more walk breaks This is a recommendation


I’d give to “grown-up’ riders as well as young children and any- one new to riding. Walk breaks give both you and your horse some time to catch breath, re- group, let the muscles relax for a moment, and allow some rest between more demanding work. Use these moments to


work on stretchy walks, lateral work at the walk, halts and then transition out of the halt, any sidepass/turn


on the


haunches/backup practice. Walk over poles, back around a pylon, work on inside leg to


outside rein (bend)... the possi- bilities are endless! When you’re ready, move back into the trot and canter.


Listen to your body Well, here, I’m referring to


the aches and occasional creaks the ol’ body might complain about. Seriously, though, if you feel a recurring ache, or a new strain, be sure to listen. There is absolutely no reason to push the body to a point of disrepair and discomfort. Take it easier, change what


you’re doing, or get off alto- gether and look forward to rid- ing the next time. Getting hurt, even from something like a repetitive strain injury, is not worth the extra few minutes you can keep riding. Give the body time to recover.


Enjoy the social aspect For many of us, interacting


with fellow horse lovers is an essential part of the whole horse “experience.” The barn is where friendships are made. Enjoy spending that extra time with your friends even while you’re grooming or tacking up your horse. You might not notice - but your horse likely enjoys your chat time with your friends as much as you do! All this to say, if you want


to ride horses, your age doesn’t really matter! Get out there, get active, and enjoy the compan- ionship of this very special ani- mal.


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and author of the Horse Listening book collection. New! Five Years of Horse Lis- tening, an anniversary compila- tion book of the top 20 articles from the blog. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog


at


www.HorseListening.com for many more articles about horses, riding and life in gen- eral.


The video and social community for horse people just like you!


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