I've also opened my mind to learning more about Western riding, cart driving, natural horsemanship and teaching young children how to ride. I have a 70-year-old friend who still loves jumping, but for a different reason than she did in her early riding years. The height of the fence is no longer her focus; now her challenge is memorizing the course! These days some of the jumper classes require committing to memory a course of up to 14 fences. My friend stays with 2'6" fences and finds keeping mental track of the course her new goal. She feels she's exercising her mind, along with her body.
Be Committed and Consistent
Nothing good happens without a commitment--and consistent effort. Horseback riding is a sport, so treat yourself like an athlete in training. Don't take a lesson and then neglect to practice at home, or take a lesson and then skip three weeks. Just as consistent hands bring a consistent head-set, so consistent riding brings consistent--and more effective--horsemanship.
How to be consistent? Make guidelines for yourself and keep your appointment with your horse just as you would with your doctor--or with your hair stylist! Women won't cancel their hair appointments, so make your horse appointment just as important as those.
Then, too, remember that the quality of the time you spend riding is even more important than the quantity. It really doesn't take much. Twenty minutes of quality time in the saddle might be all you need, IF you do it consistently.
Get Help and Get in Shape
I need all the encouragement I can get just to get in the saddle these days. I love riding, but I've let the fear of being bucked off stop me from doing it as much as I'd like. I'd love to be able to find a good trainer to help keep that bull-headed animal of mine in line! I'd especially love to find a trainer who'd give reasonably priced group lessons for midlife trail riders.
Beyond that, I think it's critically important to stretch and exercise regularly--you don't want a muscle cramp out on the trail. It's also a good idea to lose the muffin top (those extra pounds that jut out above your belt!).
Be Strong, Limber
The biggest challenge for me is to stay limber and fit. I now have a semi-weekly (four or five times per week) habit of stretching, walking and doing some lifting with my arms. I find I can't move a hay bale around anymore if I don't. In my younger years, I could go out and ride or move a hay bale or a 50-pound sack without giving it a second thought. Now, at the very least, stretching almost every day is mandatory to make those things possible. Doing some minimal weight lifting helps a lot, too. And walking keeps me energized. I also do some yoga-ish exercises because I'm starting to have some lower-back issues. All this exercise helps me tremendously.
Know Your Limits
I'm a barrel racer, and riding at this stage of life, I find I want time off over the winter months to recoup and plan--set goals--for the following season. Beyond that, I rely on the wisdom to "quit while you're ahead," in reference to riding my horse, driving a car, deciding whether or not to go somewhere... anything that requires you to "be smart." I try to know my limitations and live within them.
For more great information on this topic, see "Keep Riding at Midlife--and Beyond" in the February 2010 issue of Horse & Rider. To order back issues, call 877-717-8928.
