I think I'm getting old!

[Shiny McShine]

For the first time ever I have had the sensation that my bones are breakable, what a shocking realisation! I was riding my friend's horse Jimi out the other day and it was a bit of a hairy ride. We went for a ride through the newly opened paddock and we had two horse follow us then take off back down to the yards once we had got to the top of the hill. Jimi was very fresh and decided he would go absolutely insane.

So this was the first time I have ever been really worried about falling off... I mean I have always been worried about it but usually just for the sake of not falling off, this time I was actually quite sure that if I fell off I was going to break something. Needless to say I didn't fall off but it was a real wake up call... I'm only 19 but it sure made me realise I'm not a child anymore. Perhaps I can now officially join the ranks of the mature riders :D :p.

[Stella2]

No, absolutely not at 19, try the creaky old bones of the 40+ rider! :)

[virtuallyhorses]

Sorry Shiny, good try but no way are you joining our exclusive little club. You'd need another decade+ of mental and physical scars before I'd consider it :)

[chev]

Scary sensation isn't it? Suddenly thinking eek I can break!!

So how old do you need to be to be a mature rider? Physical age 30 plus, mental age varies between 12 and 60... do I qualify?

[tubby]

:):) Oh Chev do you think we're going to stop riding at 60!!!!! Not if I can help it , hell I've only got 21/4 yrs left 'till I'm 60 & there's loads to do still.:):)

[welshcoblady1]

hello all ,just read your post shiney ,i am 45 and still enjoy riding my greenies ,how ever i think we all have a moment of ( what if )
i did more so when my son was younger ,but now he is grown at 17 , im as mad as ever ,i break all my own and school.
there has been wobbling times like the greenies first canter ,but i am a quiet rider and so laid back it goes ok .
i also thinkl women are more aware of danger than men ,hope you agree girls..
most riders know their capibilities and stay with them .
we would not be human if we could not predict the danger signs .
so dont worry to much ,just do and ride with in ,what you are happy with .
best wishes .

[tubby]

Too right WCL women are more intuative & tend to know their limits better. Its probably due to men being "inferior":D:D:D:D:D. That should get 'em all going:D:D

[chev]

Stop at 60?? Who said anything about stopping?! :)

[Kady A]

I'm coming up to 40 and well aware that I break a lot easier than at 19 - you've a way to go kiddo!

I hope that I will still be riding when I hit my 70's. We have several pupils where I work in their 70's - and they are fitter than a lot of people my age (me included!).

[Shiny McShine]

Hehe... you're a lovely bunch, I would feel privaledged to join your ranks, but alas...

Originally posted by virtuallyhorses
You'd need another decade+ of mental and physical scars...

That's really something to look forward to :eek: ;).

Anyway good news is that Jimi is being kind to me once again. I took him for a long trot out in the company of our good friends Amy and Silver (without any other horsey tag-alongs!) and I think the poor fat fellow really felt it because he's been a complete angel since :D.

Congratulations must go out to all the mature riders out there for sticking with it... I can now appreciate a little more the difficulties of a mind (female at that ;)), well-wired with fear! :p:D.

[galadriel]

Oh, dear, if that's how we're judging, then I think I may fail the acid test. I still never think about injuries when I'm riding .

When I'm not riding...that's something else entirely.


Caveat--I wear my helmet every ride and my body protector on cross country; I take reasonable safety precautions and do the things I can to keep injuries minimal *should* I fall off...I just don't think about it.