Comment

Comment by Jackie Cochran on June 9, 2010 at 11:37am

Hi Vickie, we all go through this. Right now it is getting up into the 90's F in the USA and sometimes I wonder the same thing.
I had to give up on owning horses because of my MS. Right now I have fun riding other people's horses (and paying for it), and it is a LOT cheaper.
A person can spend an infinite amount of money on horses, there is always something more that they need.
In a few weeks your days will be getting longer. Up here I always have difficulty in December as the days get shorter. Do you get the snow and ice storms in New Zealand? We get them mostly after the solstice, but at least there is more daylight.
I do wish I could make you feel better. In the long run just remember that there are other ways to make sure you ride than owning a horse. At least the quality of horse-flesh at the lesson stables has increased greatly since I first started riding over 50 years ago.

Comment by vickie lawson on June 9, 2010 at 5:10am

ah! it must be winter. and i'm not riding enough! i feel like i should give it all up! it's a lot of work, more money than i can ever afford. and i'm stuck in a thank less job trying to make ends meet (and not succeeding). the house needs so many repairs, i can't afford the mortgages..... need i go on?

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on June 4, 2010 at 4:30pm

When I was about 6 yrs. there were 2 draft horses at my friends farm and they were kept it tie stalls. We used to crawl up on their backs and sit their for hours talking to each other and the horses. Sometimes we groomed them other times braided their manes while up there. Their backs are so broad we could lay down very comfortably.:-)

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on June 4, 2010 at 4:27pm

And isn't that what it really is about ? 'Just horsein' around' enjoying our horses whether on their backs or not. Even if it means sitting out in the pasture or turnout pen with a lawn chair and our favourite beverage or grabbing a curry and groom with no attachments or expectations.

Comment by Karen T on June 4, 2010 at 4:26pm

First off I just want to add - I need a sign on the wall when you walk into the kitchen that says "I love house work" with the 'U' crossed out and replaced by an 'R'. That wouldself- explain why my barn is clean, horses look decent and my house is a mess :)

Secondly, I too plan to ride for ever. I was at a 'weekend of horses' and there was a fellow there at age 94 just coming in from a 4 day pack trip......not that I would ever try to pack - but let me be riding at 94+.... :)

Comment by Shirley on June 4, 2010 at 3:48pm

Ed, Great comeback! Why did your friend ever 'have' to ride before she turned 50????? HUMM?
I had a horse from age 17-20 and we never had good communication nor did I have much control with her. I started back up riding at fifty-three which was 6 years ago on a barely 3 year old gelding and I'm having so much fun with him. He's just a gem. There has been challenges and fears and falls and bruises and rewards and giggles...it's great!
I hope to be doing this into my 70's and hope the same for you and all us 'over 50 crowd' that want to ride on.
Keep horsen around!

Comment by Ed Sink on June 4, 2010 at 1:07pm

a friend I had been riding with for over 20 years quit riding and said,

"I'm over 50 I don't have to ride anymore", I said "I'm over 50 I don't have to walk anymore"

Comment by Linda White on June 3, 2010 at 8:42am

Lovely image, Cindy. I never get that fine a feeling cleaning a house as I do cleaning a horse.

Comment by Cindy Jeffery on June 2, 2010 at 11:51pm

I was out doing yard work yesterday mowing the 2 acres of lawn around our house, the weather was good. When I was done I saw 6 sets of big brown eyes staring at me over and under the fence. None had been brushed for a while and I was missing their company so I grabbed a two sided curry and proceeded to groom all six horses. I felt like a fish groomer with each horse coming to my station and lining up for it's turn to be rubbed and scrubbed, It made me feel like one of the herd especially when they tried grooming me at the same time. Their personalities are so interesting, my two geldings were 1st and 2nd according to age and basically enjoy the same thing, the mare decided she only wanted one side done and wandered off not to return, my daughter's 2 geldings just stood patiently quite enjoying the task and the youngster figured that giving everyone a nip while I was in a rather compromising position was a good idea, but only garnered him a tap on the shoulder which served to make him wary of me when it was his turn to get groomed. Once I started he settled in enjoying every bit. It took about an hour and I was tuckered, but it was good to go out and just groom with no halters or ropes, instilling more trust in them by not imposing any kind of condition on the gift I gave them. I haven't been out to see them today, being a people day, but I expect they will have a kinder attitude towards me when I visit tomorrow.

Comment by vickie lawson on June 2, 2010 at 9:56pm

gosh elaine! 4 horses! im wondering how i will manage to keep 2 in work- and work to support them of course. i find winter is really tricky, the dark, the rain, the cold, but mostly the dark- i just don't bother to ride as much.

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