Would I be mad to start horse riding again at 45?

[LabradorsByTheSea]

I loved riding as a teen and wasn’t bad (confident hacking, jumping a small course). I’ve ridden a couple of times as an adult, but nothing regular. Enjoyed a few dressage lessons ten years ago.

I am watching my son having a great time cantering around the arena and would love to give it a go again. I work in a profession, take care of the kids, walk the dogs, go to swimming and Pilates and book club, but would love a bit more adrenaline in my life! I’m reasonably fit but no athlete.

Is restarting at 45 just an injury waiting to happen? Has anyone done this and enjoyed it?

Following as I'm thinking the exact same! I owned horses until about 10 yrs ago, am almost the same age as you. I've never let my kids get into riding because I know how expensive it could get!

But those were some of the happiest times of my life and I'm itching to get back in the saddle.... I was thinking maybe starting once a month or something to see how it goes. I've been mulling this over for about 2 yrs tho...

Go for it! Sure, you don't bounce as well as a ten year old so please remember my No. 1 tip for riding;

Keep the horse between you and the ground.

I did the same at the same age OP.

I loved it, but it's true we don't bounce any more. I fell off the third or fourth time i cantered again and broke my coccyx 🙄It didn't put me off riding (i got straight back on at the time so as not to lose my nerve) but it made me think hard about how a relatively minor injury fucks your life right up when you're juggling a job and kids.

I confess after that fall i stuck to just plodding round the village on a lovely arm chair of a horse 😃

My friend did around your sort of age. She has now been able to get her own horse and loves it. Don't get me wrong, she has come off several times, some which have really dented her confidence but she got back on the saddle. The only downside is I don't get to see her very often as she is always at the stables, but I do not begrudge her at all. It's been her lifelong dream.

Thank you, that’s the inspiration I needed. I’m going to see if I can book a private lesson and maybe a couple of hacks to see how it goes. My aunt is still a keen and capable rider at 74, so I’m a spring chicken I guess!

I’ve been thinking about it too. I’m slightly older. I’ve not ridden since I was a young teen and I’d love to just go out on a nice relaxing hack again. No interest in going fast, just plodding along.

Do it do it Do it!!

I am 50 and planning to start again when I lose weight and hit 11 stone. (Too embarrassing being given the Riding school Clydesdale cross).

What motivates me is the fact that the Queen was still riding well into her 90s and if she can....

This is wise and sage advice. [nods]

(My DH has a hobby that requires racing and I tell him 'Remember my top tip... start at the front and stay there...'. )

I’ve booked a private ‘grading lesson’ for a couple of weeks time. I’m hoping to try some hacks over the summer.

Dug out my lovely riding hat and jodhpur boots today. Ten years and a baby later, the jodhpurs aren’t getting round my waist for anything!

Can’t wait to get back in the saddle 🙂

My mum still rides on occasion and she's over 70.

My step-aunt had a riding holidays place with quarter horses and American style saddles. Mum said it was like riding a sofa.

@Eyesopenwideawake - Oh I have laughed out loud at keep the horse between you and the ground - Thank you

@LabradorsByTheSea I used to ride when I was young / teen . Recently when we go anywhere I can have a lesson etc - I enjoy it. Had one last year and a hack and I am 60 - managed to avoid any injuries but to be honest didn't do as much as I would when I was younger. I am not Princess Anne

You should absolutely do it! I started last year at 40 with no previous experience. My confidence is all over the place but I am very much enjoying it.

If you are going to a riding stable OP you are unlikely to be able to wear an old riding hat, the standards have been updated and they should insist on you using one that complies with current regulations.

Hope you have an amazing time! When DD is older I plan on getting a mother/daughter share, something she can go a bit of competing on and I can hack out on! Can't wait

Go for it. I was v horsey as a kid right through to my early 20s. 5 year break, had dd and got her a pony when she was 8 months old. Then bought a highland filly when she was outgrowing 2nd pony, dd decided at 15 she wasn't interested anymore so the filly was all mine. Started riding her properly about 18 months ago (Im 45 as well) and I luffs it. Manage to ride 5 times a week and I'm properly mardy if I can't. Pony just had 10 weeks off for injury reasons and according to dh, Ive been proper arsey.

Tips tho. Don't go faster than you want to. Don't jump if you don't to. Don't compare your ability to youngsters whizzing about. Buy a highland, literally armchairs and they don't want to whizz anywhere. Except very occasionally when it's that much of a novelty it's fun.

@galaxywipple - I used to have one of those lovely velvet peaked riding hats with the bow on the back & yes when I went for my last lesson it was a proper helmet thing.

&
@HighlandCowbag Because I am short they put me on a highland pony. But I do get your point about them being like armchairs. They are quite wide. But he was lovely . In no way nowadays would I try to keep up with "proper" riders.

Yes they can be very stretching 😁. I feel uber secure on mine, and if/when I do fall off, it's not far to fall. Mine is very, very comfortable. Luffs her.

Kids nicked her to paint at Easter, she is literally a giant my little pony.

@HighlandCowbag Oh lovely. The one I rode was very dark brown so the stencils / paint would not have shown up so much , but he was a poppet.

I started riding again in my mid 50s having not ridden since my 20s . We had horses growing up and still have a pony on full livery from when my kids were small as we don’t sell on . It all came back to me very quickly but unfortunately I had to stop again after about 18 months as it was badly affecting my lung disease . There is a thread for returning / beginner riders over in the Tack Room topic if anyone is interested . Enjoy 🐎

Thank you everyone. I am so looking forward to it. I am going to avoid jumping and stick to flatwork, but reckon I’ll still be pretty saddlesore.

HighlandCowbag I rode my cousins’ Highlands when I was a teen and loved them. We used to go out for a whole day with them, around the fields and woods, into town and even on the beach. I remember tying them up outside the village sweet shop to buy sherbet lemons! They are such dependable ponies.

Do it!

I lived on horses as a kid and came off loads, but nothing could put me off. I gave it up for hanging out as a teen. I did a few fun ride hacks as an adult but always felt wobbly as hell and pretty scared, in truth.

I re-started last year. I’ll admit that I’m a fair weather rider, but after a whole summer of weekly schooling to get me back into the swing of things, it feels almost like it used to and I’m really looking forward to some hacks this summer.

Yes!! Go and do it!

I got back into it over the pandemic and found my first pony share at age 40. Best thing I ever did!

There's loads of 40-something horsey women on Instagram sharing their joy & challenges.

It's honestly the best thing I ever did!

I started riding aged 49 three years ago!

It can be tough a you obviously don't have the same fitness and being an adult I think you are always going to be more fearful but I have really enjoyed it.

Lots of highs and lows (I have found that instructors don't always know how to deal with adult beginners) but it is still an amazing experience.

I have had to deal with several spooks but I am yet to fall off a horse. I usually stick to schoolmasters and older horses and don't jump :). I have done hacks in the woods and try to do lessons regularly.

I really wished I had had the opportunity to learn when I was a kid.

Another highland lover here! My username comes from a comment I once got when I beat several “fancy” dressage horses as Novice level on my “just a pony”
highland!
Get going on the horses,definitely not too old for it. Heels down,shoulders back and kick on!!

I joined a get back in the saddle group a year ago aged 41. One of the group is 64. Unfortunately I found out her age when we had to call an ambulance after a nasty fall (she had a concussion in the end)but she was back on board within a fortnight and still going.