Equestrian Insights: Defying Age Stereotypes
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting your equestrian journey, you may have come across moments where you have wondered the impact of age on your riding abilities. Age shouldn’t be a barrier to your passion for horses and riding.
I enjoy working with riders of all ages, from children to adults in their eighties. I encounter a diverse range of horses, from foals to equines whose age in horse years equals that of a ninety-year-old person. Society often dictates how we should feel and what to expect from our bodies as we age. But I’m here to encourage you to set your sights higher.
One common misconception in the equestrian world is that certain aches, pains, and physical limitations are inevitable consequences of aging. Many riders accept these issues as a natural part of getting older. However, as a restorative exercise specialist with years of experience, I’ve witnessed a different reality. I frequently observe individuals in their twenties exhibiting repetitive strain patterns comparable to those found in their older counterparts. Surprisingly, these patterns often develop in a relatively short span of time.
Age -Defying Strategies for Riders
The influence of culture on our lifestyle choices and environment plays a crucial role in shaping our movement, health, and longevity. Certain cultures boast a remarkable number of individuals living healthily well into their nineties, often without the typical age-related diseases. Embracing whole-body movement is a key component, and as horse owners, you have ample opportunities to integrate this into your lifestyle.
Our bodies adapt to the demands we place on them. If you think about the way you walk, stand, sit, lift, twist, and many other movements. Over time, our behaviors, posture, and movement patterns shape our bodies and influence our overall function. When riders experience discomfort or limitations, it’s not always because of age itself. It’s often the result of how they’ve used their bodies throughout their lives.
The Secret to Ageing well and Riding
It’s about understanding your body, recognizing its unique needs, and unlocking the potential for healthy, functional ageing. In many cases, physical limitations can be improved. One of the key aspects is understanding that everyone’s body is unique. It’s a personalized journey to discover the best practices that will enhance your body, riding and overall well-being. Incorporating this into your daily routine is simpler than you think. Small changes and consistent habits can yield significant results over time.
Incorporating this little and often with no pressure into your day. Can brings ease of movement, strength, balance, health benefits and pain reduction. Walking the recommended number of steps daily is fantastic! However, have you considered your walking style? Could it be stressing specific areas? Would you benefit from learning to walk in an improved way? One thing I know regarding ageing is that mind-set is important.
Do you have aches and pains that you believe are because of your age? That other people your age don’t have? It is never too late to move better, refine your riding skills, or perhaps even make a comeback to riding!
Defying Age Norms for Riders and Horses
My recommendation for both horse and human is to assess your comfortable limits. Identify movement boundaries and explore ways to expand them. Many mature riders I've worked with were pleasantly surprised at their body's capabilities once they started this journey! Over the years I have encouraged horse owners to reassess their horses' retirements when there seemed to be no apparent physical reasons for it. These horses successfully returned to ridden or groundwork or both tailored to their individual capabilities. I recently read an article by Dr Karin Leibbrandt, a veterinarian who quoted “Many horses over twenty are written off when they could still have active pain free lives.”
Let me throw some rider examples for you!
Jon Court was the oldest jockey at 58 years, young who rode in the Louisiana Derby last year.
Event rider Mark Todd competed in a three-day event at the Olympic Games aged 60.
To top both of those read 96 years young Dinnies story:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/this-96-year-old-ontario-woman-is-still-horseback-riding-and-has-no-plans-to-stop-1.3810564
I know many horses happily being ridden into their thirties, and Megan pictured here is one of them. Happily continuing her ridden life in her early 30s. The oldest documented horse lived to 62 years old in the 1800s.
As a restorative exercise specialist I want to promote healthy functional ageing and help people realise some of things people accept as being age related, are often down to how you have used your body. Meaning your behaviour over time may have lead a reduction in function but in many cases this can be improved.
Age-Defying Insights for Equestrians
Here’s an example of a simple exercise you could do throughout your day that will really benefit your body. Try gently backing your hips up without applying force, allowing them to glide straight back. Initially, it might feel odd, especially if you’ve been accustomed to the posture shown in the bottom picture.
This exercise helps load areas that may have been neglected for some time, taking stress off other parts of your body and aids balance plus much more. This is an excerpt from my free guide “Core and Much More.” Which dives into natural core work, postural tips and insights, and enhance your body awareness!
