It’s now or never!

[OohhhhhBigStretch]

Arghh I’m going round in circles. I’m 52 and have ridden on and off all my life, but never owned.

My dd has a horse, she’s a far better rider than me and she events her horse, so borrowing hers is a no, no.

I adore horse ownership, I’m at the yard most days and really enjoy looking after her horse (helped by the fact she’s an absolute pleasure on the ground). It helps my fitness and I just get so much pleasure out of it, even in the pissing rain.

My dilemma, is I’ve always wanted my own horse, I love to hack and enjoy really low level schooling. I don’t bounce anymore so just want a happy hacker tbh. More woah than go.

But my confidence is gone, I’m ok on the schools horses, but the thought of paddling my own canoe scares me shitless. But on the other hand, it’s now or never really. 10 years time and I’ll be 62, my knees will have finally given up and my DH and I have always said we’d travel when we retire (which we plan to in about 6 years time)

Get a horse! I bought a happy hacker pony last year and it’s brilliant! I had to wait until I was 47 so really appreciate it (I even enjoy mucking out!). I was careful and bought a very safe happy hacker who can do low level stuff. It’s so nice to build a bond! I recommend it but take your time to find the right horse

I think you’re right @Chopsticksushi my dd had a full time loan at one bk point, which turned into a bit of a nightmare (wasn’t anything like as described - same old story). So if I do, I’ll be taking a lot of time to find the right horse.

Where did you find yours?

I can pm you the lady I got her from. She’s a dealer but v honest

Just do it. I bought my first horse when I was 55, it’s been the most amazing journey and I absolutely love owning my own horse(s) (now I have two) ! There is nothing like the bond you build with your own horse, the trust and the partnership is really really fulfilling.

Do it! I bought my first horse 8 months ago at the age of 51 after riding regularly in riding schools for over 20 years. It’s been one of the best decisions I ever made.

Like you, I had a sense that it was “now or never”, and although the last 8 months have been a rollercoaster, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m loving building a relationship with my horse, planning our time together, and there are so so many exciting opportunities for things that we can do together. I’m fortunate enough to be able to have my boy on full livery, which has been a good investment, and I just love spending time at the yard, pottering about with him. Riding is the least of it, and I love having him so much.

If you can afford it, do it! We have had ponies before but this year I got my first horse. It was a very shaky start if I’m honest. I did think wtf have I done. She’s not the right one for me but I never gave up, she just needed to settle and she makes me so happy. The bond I have with her is immense. I love her to pieces. Every day she makes me smile. It has been a process but I feel that I have gotten to know her so well, and her me. Life is certainly much more full on, and poorer, but I’m so lucky to have her.

Not my first horse but I bought my lad below when I was 54, wanted something I could hack out and do some low level schooling and dressage with - I had recently moved to Scotland and had always wanted a Highland Pony.
7 years later it was the best decision I ever made! I am now 61 fit, strong and he is my R&R in a busy working day.

Just do it!

I've got 10 years on you and am still going strong and loving riding and stables life on what i bought 5 years ago and was meant to be a 'ease down towards retirement for a couple of years' (for me and the pony) so I say absolutely go for it. There are people older than me at my stables still riding too so you're definitely not too old.

Like a PP he wasn't my first horse, but I'd had a long gap from owning my own while the kids were young and their ponies were the priority, I'd say the advice to really take your time and find the right horse can't be repeated often enough, but it's easier said than done, for several years before getting my current pony I'd struggled through a dispiriting and expensive series of heart-over-head horse purchases that ended in (literal and metaphoric) tears, current boy really isn't my type in lots of ways (I like pretty, sensitive, forward going but green bay mares with traumatic pasts that I think I can help them overcome😏😂), he's a chunky grey dunder-headed Connie gelding who'd done his years in PC doing it all, bold and brave with a sense of humour, I umm and ahhed over taking him which is absolutely mad now I look back, as he's a perfect granny's mount, 100% safe which is the main thing and although with age related wear and tear fundamentally sound for the hacking and pootling job I want him for, I'd have been absolute toast by now had I bought another stress-head damaged but diamond-in-the-rough type, what was I thinking? 🤔. At our age you just don't need the stress, expense and physical risk of trying to sort someone else's problem out however much you like the horse, so go with the safest, soundest animal you can get even if it's a compromise in other ways...

Go for it ! After having a pony for a couple of l years in my mid teens I got my own four years ago at 51. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done makes me so happy. I keep him at full livery so have to put in an extra shift at work to justify it but also had now or never when a friend suddenly died.

Do it! I got my first last year, and I’m older than you :)