What are the best things about riding/horse ownership now that you are over 50? Or why are you doing this; what moves you?

I was thinking about how horses impact us, all the ways: spiritual, physical, emotional, learning, where and how we choose to live and work.

Though I sometimes chafe at the never-ending responsibility of it all (I had to leave, after the ceremony and dinner, before the wedding dance last night, to come home and feed all those hungry mouths) I also truly like the repetition. I love to hear the nickers day in and day out, the little things like that.

And I am pleased to feel strong still, not as strong as I once did, but not too bad.

One of my very favourite things is to watch a horse who has suffered some kind of trauma in the past come round. DeeDee, the older of the two Spotted Saddle Horse mares, up from Tennessee, must have had some nasty things happen to her. She arrived very pregnant- that I was expecting- but also: thin, matted, timid, standoffish, depressed, so tricky with her feet that one farrier refused to do her. A year and a bit later: she comes hustling up to be petted, is smooth and round, will allow her feet to be picked out without a halter on, standing in the paddock or field. Very satisfying. Is she over 'it'. No, unfortunatly, never entirely with a horse that has had goodness-knows- what happen. But she seems a happy girl.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeanette on December 9, 2009 at 11:10am

Thank you for being there for the rescue's. I look at Hardy everyday and thank god I could have him. He came to me 60lb under 4 weeks ago just after his last race. He really is not cut out for racing but the Hunter seat is a different matter. He is beautiful, lovely confirmation and a disposition to die for. Sired by Vying Victor top BC producing boy. I am happy to say he is a different horse to when he arrived spirit is high, weight is going on nicely and chilling being a horse. Doing lots of groundwork to gently get him to trust and love us and boy he does, you can just feel it oozing out of him when we are together.
Point being, I dread to think of where he may of ended up in this present climate of ours!!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on December 10, 2009 at 1:59pm

I think I thought it might be easier than it is..... But I am doing this because I committed to my horses and whatever problems we have are just because I don't have experience, because I started when I was 44, because I have a elder horse and a youngster, because I need to do the work.... having a horse was on my bucket list since I was about 4 years old, but I never had the chance to be around them at all really until I bought a little ranch here in Los Angeles and finally got to "have" horses. .... Ever since I have been challenged, worried, nervous, unsure, in lessons, not any more in crisis of some sort, but a constant student, .... on a quest to learn and see who I become as I can let go and get into the spirit of being around horses and see what all this fun is that everyone talks about... don't want to miss out on that. .... I did it for my spiritual side, which sure gets involved every day.... I am emotional all the time around the entire conversation of horses..... they affect me.... I wish physically I was as able so that the side of me that needs to do the physical work can keep up, but I ask myself every day the exact question to this headline.... "Why are you Doing this?" for me it is about because I told Oliver and Toby that I would.... I made a promise to them that we would be together. We are a herd now.. they are my friends, they rely on me, they give me so much confirmation that I am doing okay, and because in my heart, I believe they thrive on permanence, in the constant reassurance of the safety, security that they are "home". In this common comfort they are trying to keep me in the game.... I can't believe how patient and sweet they are. I never knew.... they show me every day how worthwhile the relationship is, and how challenging life is... and that we don't get a reward if we give up.... I know someday, all of a sudden, it is going to be fun.... :) every day I am hopeful that I am going to get it.... I do this because I am not a quitter.... It is easier to pursue my dream, as challenging as it is, than to ever give up on Toby and Oliver and myself.

Permalink Reply by Shirley on December 10, 2009 at 3:57pm

Hi Jenn! This is cool! How did this come about? You are looking pretty comfy and confident! Glad u had fun!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on December 10, 2009 at 4:19pm

Hey Shirley... last year my trainer came over and we took these pics for this years christmas card. :) as long as we are standing still don't i look great??? LOL...

Permalink Reply by Ann Hatfield on December 13, 2009 at 10:22am

Jenn,
I think some of the great things about horse-ownership and riding and training are philosophical: learning to appreciate the right now, the sensory, the emotional and the little ‘improvements’ in our skills and the horses’ skills. I really think these are Zen-like steps toward enlightenment. It doesn’t matter if one think of them as Zen, or anything else, but I think they are true progress in our human condition.

We test ourselves and our horses and we progress. Some of the progress is backwards, which is all part of forward progress. If one is of a nature to worry, question oneself and become somewhat stressed, then concentrate on all the small ‘improvements’ and the sensory pleasures of being on and around horses.

It is helpful to recognize the negatives without condemning ourselves, think about what we will do over or do differently next time and then revisit all the positives of the lesson or the day.

It is known that it takes about 10,000 hours to master a skill set. We should be patient with ourselves, which, of course is part of the learning, the progress in itself.

Permalink Reply by Judy Bishop on December 27, 2009 at 12:12pm

The thing I really like about having a horse now that I am older is I don't feel compelled to compete or keep up with others. I can enjoy my time with my mare and do as I please. We are going through the Parelli levels and having a great time. I see now that if the day comes where I can no longer ride I can still have a horse and enjoy the relationship.

Yesterday was so great going out to get her from the field and she came cantering to the gate to greet me, then we walked in together. :)