Many people have a lifelong dream of riding a horse. But as life moves on speedily, they are forced to fulfill their dreams in their older years. Since equestrians are often portrayed as young and spry, you may wonder if it is ever too late to start horseback riding.
It’s never too late to start riding a horse. If one is determined to develop the strength and stamina required to ride a horse, they can take up the practice at any age. The instructor will determine whether they’re physically and mentally capable of learning and set them up for beginner lessons.
In this article, you’ll learn more details on starting horseback riding at an older age, how long it takes to master the hobby, how hard it is to learn, and more.
Is It Ever Too Late to Start Horseback Riding?
No one is too old to start riding a horse. If you’re healthy and you can develop the skills, you’ll be good to go. You’ll find seniors learning to ride even when they’ve reached 70 years of age.
However, when you go to practice, your instructor will assess your fitness for the activity and determine whether you are healthy enough to start training. It may take some time, but if you’re determined to learn to ride a horse, you can successfully start to ride a horse at any age.
Here are the reasons why it’s never too late to start horse riding:
It’s About Consistency, Not Age
Especially if you’ve ridden a horse before, you understand that what matters in mastering horseback riding is regular practice, not when you start.
Many people start riding a horse at a young age then stop for a couple of decades. When they come back, it’s like they’re starting from scratch. Their strength, stamina, and flexibility diminished over the years.
Therefore, age doesn’t matter. Whether you’re 60 or more, if you want to do horseback riding for the rest of your life, all you have to do is start learning and keep learning.
No One Expects You to Learn at a Particular Rate
Everyone is different, physically and mentally. Some come with the strength required to ride a horse but end up taking longer to learn because they are fearful and spook the horse. Others develop the skills they’re taught faster than the best starting candidates. So, the learning timelines differ, and sometimes they don’t reflect how you started.
Therefore, if you are financially capable of starting lessons, do not worry about the rate at which you’ll master the sport. Do your best according to the instructions you’re given and see how it turns out.
Your Trainer Will Help You Stay Safe
Many senior equestrians worry that it’s no longer safe for them to try horseback riding. It’s understandable. Bones have thinned with age, and the youthful strength that could be useful for sustaining the shifting weight is long gone. But you shouldn’t worry.
As long as you train with a professional, they’ll help you prepare for each training session with the right gear plus exercises. You’ll have the right items to keep you balanced plus a helmet and other body cushioning equipment to ensure safety in case you fall. Most importantly, they’ll teach you how to stay safe on the saddle so you can master proper balance.
It Might Be the Exercise You Need
If you’re looking for fitness activities you’ll enjoy, horseback riding could be excellent for you. Riding a horse keeps you active and if you are capable of starting now, keeping the practice for the rest of your life becomes easier. You might be advised to do moderate exercise before getting on the saddle; it’s worth it to avoid missing this opportunity.
You Are Not Alone
Many people start riding a horse after 50. The existence of senior riders forums proves that. Chances are, you’ll find someone starting their practice in their senior years where you’re going to train. You can opt for group lessons if you are more motivated to train with other riders.
Check out what other senior riders say about their experience with learning to ride a horse after 60:
(Sources: Top Horseback Riding, Horse Forum, Equesure)
How Long Does It Take to Become Good at Horse Riding?
Generally, most consistent learners learn to ride a horse within three years. If you’re moderately fit and can take one lesson every week, you’ll be able to ride your horse without supervision within two years. This is a common estimate by most instructors. However, if you’re a natural or you can remember some training you received in the past, you can ride a horse well in months.
There are many factors to consider here but assuming you take a reliable instructor and keep handling one horse, you can learn quickly. Furthermore, your trainer will keep giving you feedback on how long you’re likely to take to reach your goals so you can plan around that.
(Source: Salisbury Farms, The Riding Instructor, Overdale Equestrian Centre)
Is Horse Riding Hard to Learn?
While the short answer is no, a more reasonable response is: it’s complicated. Unless you’re a rare natural, riding a horse is difficult for many beginners. However, if you continue to learn and practice consistently, the practice becomes simpler.
According to Topendsports, horseback riding ranks 54 out of 60 common sports worldwide in terms of the athleticism skills they demand. They ranked sports based on experts’ opinions and determined that riding a horse is less demanding than swimming, skiing, and even golf. (Source: Topendsports)
While the data is based on expert-level feedback, it shows prospective horse riders that this sport is easier than they’d imagine.
Best Horse Breeds for Older Riders
As a senior rider, your focus is probably not on the most highly-spirited horse but more on the horse’s trainability and patience. While you can get the personality you desire in any horse breed, some breeds are generally more fitting for older riders than others.
The best horse breeds for senior riders include:
Gaited Breeds
Gaited breeds are known for their fast yet steady steps that provide a smooth ride and easy ride. Instead of bouncing, you’ll feel as if you’re gliding, making this horse perfect for trails with harsh terrain. They also have a gentle demeanor, which is much needed when training.
Gaited breeds for older riders include:
- Icelandic horse: These have a sure footing and are small, making them easy to climb and handle.
- Missouri Fox Trotting Horse: This horse is usually friendly and is commonly used for handicapped horse riding.
- Rocky Mountain horse: Also used to ride people with disabilities, this horse is known for its laid-back attitude and sharp brain that understands timid riders.
- Tennessee Walking horse: This horse is known for its responsiveness to humans, making it perfect for training.
(Sources: Equisearch)
American Quarter Horse
This breed is highly popular, and for a good reason. Most quarter horses are even-tempered, adaptable, and reliable. They are well-rounded and can adapt to your needs as you become more comfortable with riding.
(Source: PetMD, Michigan State University)
Morgan
This horse tries their best to please their rider and is attentive and responsive. They are patient with beginner riders and are quick to learn how to handle them. They’re excellent horses for pleasure riding.
Conclusion
Age is just a number when it comes to learning horseriding. Whether you’ve never ridden a horse your entire life or have lost most of your experience over the years, you can start riding a horse even after 50. Others have done it, and you can do it, too!