Horse-people "Over The Hill" :-)
By GayzeStarr
@GayzeStarr (100)
United States
May 15, 2007 3:23pm CST
I'd love to meet other horse-lovers and horse-owners who are in the Forty and Older Crowd, especially those who didn't get their first horse till after they had moved beyond their young and foolish years.
I've been a horse lover all my life, and worked with other peoples' horses for many years, but have yet to own my own horse. I'm currently volunteering my time grooming at a rescue farm, and the owners are encouraging me to get back in the saddle. Having a horse of my own is a dream that I still hold as one of my fondest wishes, and the fact that I've reached the big Five-Oh hasn't changed that dream at all. If anything, it's made it more important!
If you have a similar dream, or if you've made your own dream come true after leaving those "young and foolish years" behind, please share! I'd love to hear your story ... and "meet" your horses!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
16 May 07
I am in this category. Only as a horse lover though, have never been able to afford to have one of our own in time or money. It was great getting back in the saddle recently when my daughter became interested in horse riding. We have been on some rides together and had a great time. When you don't go very often it is more sore when you are older!
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
16 May 07
Just to say, I did return to read your message. Sounds like you have great fun.
@GayzeStarr (100)
• United States
16 May 07
Oh, how I can relate to those aches and pains! LOL I discovered that recently, too, as the owners of the farm have let me ride "Trigger". The fact that I'm riding their four-year-old daughter's elderly palomino says a lot about the extent of my riding skills! It's funny how it comes back to you, though. Remembering what to do isn't the problem ... it's convincing these old bones to cooperate that is the challenge!
I had a great time this morning, and spent much of my time grooming Trigger, as she and her young owner are going to be in their very first shows this weekend. Trigger's still blowing winter coat, so I spent over an hour currying her down. They wasted the shavings in her stall today ... she could just bed down in all the hair I got out of her! Also used some no-rinse spray shampoo on her tail and got all the tangles out of it. She'll have a "for real" bath on Friday, but I figured I'd get some of the grunt work out of the way for them.
As I arrived, a bus full of preschoolers from the local Head Start had just pulled in for a tour. So I started with Jake, who is the star of the farm ... he's a Clydesdale who is nineteen hands if he's an inch, and the gentlest of souls. I got him all spiffy for the photo shoot at the end of the tour. The kids were so cute ... amazed by a horse whose head is quite a bit taller than they are when he touches his nose to the ground!
I met the new boy, who is quite sweet, though a little spooky. I didn't feel any heart connection to him, but I'll be pleased to become his friend and get to know him.
It's such a joy to be around horses again ... even if they're not my own. (I just uploaded a few photos of a couple of the horses I've been grooming to my Photo section here on MyLot.)
By the way ... Magicalmerlin, your little dog and bunny are adorable! We have a rabbit, too, a Netherland Dwarf named Mavvy. She's getting on in years ... she was 8 in January ... and isn't as sociable as many rabbits are, but we still love her dearly.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
16 May 07
Hello Hon,I'm a 56 year old woman.I've been around horses all my life.I have 6 horses.29 year old Arabian mare that was my daughter's first show horse and now retired and leading the life of the pampered,15 year old morgan mare that daughter jumps and games,11 year old standardbred off the track 2 years ago that is now for sale.She had never had anything on her back when we got her but she now jumps,has been riden english, and is a fearless trail horse..you could light a bomb under her and she won't bat an eye,her 1 month and a half old son that is a standardbred/qh cross and is a natural pacer,4 year old palamino qh stallion who is baby boy's daddy,6 year old qh gelding that my 17 year old has trained and shown the last 2 years.Sheilana has done so well with her best friend Jazzy.
Welcome to myLot..we need more horsey folks here.I have some horse pics on my profile and I'll load one here.
Maybe you could give one of the rescue horses a good home.Owning a horse is expensive,alot of planning and work,but very rewarding.When I walk across the lawn ears perk and I hear knickers of hellos from the field..Or when baby boy comes running for a kiss on the nose..he thinks everybody is there to kiss him..tehe..
Follow your dream Sweetie..make it come true..good luck
@GayzeStarr (100)
• United States
16 May 07
Thanks so much for your reply, Raydene. Your horses are just lovely, and I can see that they're happy kids, too!
I've got my eyes and my heart open ... in fact I'm on the way over to the rescue farm in just a minute to do some grooming, and they just got a new horse in whom I haven't met yet. "You never know till you know". :-)
I can recall, when taking lessons as a teen (that's what babysitting money's for, right?), my dad tried to bribe me away from the horses by offering me a dirt bike! "Dad, dirt bikes don't love you back," was my reply. LOL
Give your boy ... and all his stablemates ... an extra kiss from me today!
