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After retiring some 17 months ago, today I start my horse life!
I am going trail riding with a wonderful local horsewoman and then sort of auditioning in the arena for her program in therapeutic riding (I would volunteer as a horse handler for riders with disabilities). I had thought to ask about leasing a horse, like a timeshare, from her, but she asked me if I'd go trail riding with her to help exercise her string of horses. Did I die and go to heaven?
I found out last summer that my ongoing fatigue doesn't stop me from riding, as it it's not aerobic or strenuous. I may get tired walking up the hill to the barn, but can ride well. I went for a week of riding vacation last summer and while I kept conking out while not on horseback, was able to do almost all of the riding.
(Still being treated for anemia with no effects that I can feel, and being worked up for possible lupus or something. That's just a minor update- do not want to start another thread about health!)
This woman is a fine horsewoman. I am really looking forward to riding with her and learning so much. Her property abuts 3000 acres of BLM land by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Montrose, CO. Gorgeous country.
Location: IN>Germany>ND>OH>TX>CA>Currently NoVa and a Vacation Lake House in PA
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Horses are great but can be dangerous. Just remember the older we get the more prone we are to broken bones. I took a fall off a horse at 45 and shattered my collar bone. A titanium plate, 7 screws later and now 10 years later, I am done with them.
Last edited by LakeLifePA; 06-10-2019 at 10:22 AM..
Robert is right on the money with this comment. I know a LOT of horse people who have had injuries, most from a horse they have had for years. I quit riding 5 years ago, and I'm realitively young.
After retiring some 17 months ago, today I start my horse life!
I am going trail riding with a wonderful local horsewoman and then sort of auditioning in the arena for her program in therapeutic riding (I would volunteer as a horse handler for riders with disabilities). I had thought to ask about leasing a horse, like a timeshare, from her, but she asked me if I'd go trail riding with her to help exercise her string of horses. Did I die and go to heaven?
I found out last summer that my ongoing fatigue doesn't stop me from riding, as it it's not aerobic or strenuous. I may get tired walking up the hill to the barn, but can ride well. I went for a week of riding vacation last summer and while I kept conking out while not on horseback, was able to do almost all of the riding.
(Still being treated for anemia with no effects that I can feel, and being worked up for possible lupus or something. That's just a minor update- do not want to start another thread about health!)
This woman is a fine horsewoman. I am really looking forward to riding with her and learning so much. Her property abuts 3000 acres of BLM land by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Montrose, CO. Gorgeous country.
Good for you! Go for it! Volunteering for therapeutic riding is a wonderful opportunity to watch how horses can change lives. Are these kids or veterans? Its fascinating. Dont listen to the naysayers. Yes we can get hurt but we can get hurt in our cars. We can catch alot of dread diseases and die but do you want to live your life waiting for could happens or enjoy yourself? Im over 70, still ride, still own horses so do friends who are in their 70s and 80s and I know of someone in their 90s who is about to buy another horse. I have a friend who stepped off a curb wrong, fractured her ankle badly and tore a few tendons. Crap can happen anytime, anyplace. Do what makes you happy! Good luck! Sounds like a great place to trail ride!
Congratulations, BDL! I know you've been waiting a long time and looking forward to this. I'm glad to see it's beginning. The service you'll be providing will have many rewards, to yourself included!
Horses are great but can be dangerous. Just remember the older we get the more prone we are to broken bones. I took a fall off a horse at 45 and shattered my collar bone. A titanium plate, 7 screws later and now 10 years later, I am done with them.
I've been riding all my life, both ring and trail. Have had two major falls in the past and was lucky not to break anything. Got hit by a motorcycle on a bicycle on the bike path in Boston. Of course I know stuff can happen, but am more likely to have a car crash than anything. I know horseback riding isn't an old age plan, that's why I'm getting on with it.
The trail riding is largely on the flat with mountain views. I have found that an old back injury (from my job as a psych RN in an assault) makes it hard for me to go steeply downhill on horseback because my back just gets stuck when I try to lean back. I was very glad to find that injury didn't stop me from riding.
The therapeutic riding is about 50 percent kids and 50 percent adults. I am really looking forward to horse handling for veterans. I think the kids are a lot of autism more than anything. The job of the horse handler is to handle the horse safely at all times, not to engage with the rider. I also look forward to the happiness of the parent(s) who can take a little break and see their kid doing healthy empowering things, sets them at ease to be part of it.
A major reason I moved to Colorado was I was uninspired by any horse life I could have in eastern MA. Uninspired by the landscape and the summer weather. It was the first indication I had to move, when I thought of the only travel I felt like doing was from eastern MA to guest ranches in the West, and why stay in the East.
Does this mean you'll now be known as brighthorselover?
Heh. I still favor dogs for my household. Am probably getting my sixth senior this week if the vet gives him an okay for quality of life.
As much as I admire horses and enjoy riding and think they are all beautiful, I've never gotten that sense that horse fanatics have of "the magic of horses" and have never had a relationship with a specific horse. I think I'm safe with dogs in my name.
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