Riding at 60 vs Riding at 20

School Horse, Cowboy

I have settled into a regular riding routine at the dressage barn where I started taking lessons in late October. I go on Wednesdays to only walk Cowboy (who is pictured above) as he heals from a suspensory injury he sustained back in August. He is one of the school horses used for lessons.

The first time I got on him, we walked for maybe half the ring length when he suddenly bucked three times. I pulled on the reins, bringing up his head, and continued to walk him as if nothing had happened. If it wasn’t for my (mostly) relaxed manner in the saddle and an experienced seat, I might have had a different outcome, like ending up in the dirt. It was a clear reminder of what I am doing and what can happen on the back of a horse, even a quiet school horse who rarely behaves that way. I hope I will tuck and roll if I fall off, like I was taught to do when I was a young rider, but I’m not counting on it. I’ve been more timid on some levels, protecting myself from these possibilities.

What is most obvious to me is the way my body has changed - the weight is distributed far differently, which changes my balance even more than when I was riding 13 years ago. This is something I’ve gotten serious about improving. I am following a program through Nicola Smith's Dressage Rider Training. I love her enthusiasm for horses, riding, and training the rider before they get on so their bodies are ready for the demands of riding. Although I seriously strength trained for over a year and a half and have been athletic most of my life, I’ve had a more sedentary lifestyle this past year with the writing of my fourth book and redoing the other three. I barely had time to do anything other than get the writing work done, which did not help my waistline! Now I’m undoing all of that by daily movement and better nutrition. Exercise is a great activity for anyone. It’s definitely a must for riders.

The Author showing Anglo Arab, Taaj, at 14

What I’ve noticed, too, is that I’m not as driven to “succeed” at riding as I was when I was younger. I want to enjoy myself as I learn more about dressage and riding in harmony with a horse. Yes, at some time in the future, it might be fun to ride a basic dressage test at a schooling show, but I’m not focusing on a career with horses like I did when I was in my 20s. I remember being very competitive when I showed a neighbor’s horse, Taaj (above photo). I wanted to win instead of learning from the show experiences. I think I placed second in this 4H show. I most likely needed to work on my correct diagonals, picking up a canter instantly, or any other riding challenge that wasn’t executed perfectly in the ring. I had a lot to learn, more than just bringing home blue ribbons. I just don’t feel that’s why I’m on the back of a horse again. This time it’s for enjoyment only.

School Horse, Gent

This sweet horse is Gent, the gentle school horse I’ve been using for lessons since I started riding at the barn. He has a quiet disposition and manner about him. Riding him has been a wonderful way to be back on a horse without feeling anxious about him being nervous or skiddish or sour. He does take some time to warm up before we do a nice forward trot, but I don’t mind the exercise to get him to move along. Last week my abductor muscles (inner thighs) complained from all of the posting we did, but it was a good ache in my opinion.

The trainer may get impatient with me for not making him go as fast as she wants him to. I think he is reacting to my subconscious “Am I ready yet?” attitude of moving along. In time. We are getting better together. As I spend more time in the saddle, this unconscious “breaking” will come to an end, and I will again feel as confident in the saddle as I was for most of my life. It’s just taking me longer than I though it would. I can’t be too hard on myself. I’ve only ridden six times in the past two months.

The worst part about riding again? Dismounting. When I went on the impromptu trail ride back on Labor Day, I hit my stomach hard on the Western saddle’s pommel. I had black bruises on my belly for months. I still have faint marks. This, of course, makes me nervous to get off the horse. I thought using an English saddle would prevent this, but I was wrong. The first time I swung down I hit my stomach on the side of the saddle too. Not Fun! The trainer and I addressed this last week. She showed me how to (mostly) dismount gracefully or at least not hurt myself. This, like everything else, will take practice, but that’s exactly why I’m doing it again.

Even though I was around horses for nearly 30 years, I have to remember it’s going to take some time for things to come back to me and for me to loosen up in the saddle. I learn something each time I get on or am around the horses. I’m so glad I made the decision to try this again. That inner 10-year-old, horse-crazy kid is a very happy girl again.

MHWF Website.

I donate regularly to the Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation. I have followed them for years and send a portion of the book sales to them quarterly and for their annual fall hay drive. They always need donations for the rescued horses they have in their care.

Author Kerri Lukasavitz and the middle grade Oak Lane Stable Novel Series: Books written for young readers, but enjoyed by horse lovers of all ages.