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Too busy outside!
Posts: 5417
 
| Cindy Hamilton - 2014-11-18 3:26 PM I'm 65 and 9 yrs. ago when I was 56, my good mare got hurt at a rodeo and was out for good...at that time I felt like I was at the top of my game both physically and mentally, and riding as good as I ever did...it was a big mistake not to go out and replace her with another winner right away...I was too cheap...now I'm paying a bigger price than money for only having young horses and projects for 9 yrs....
I think if you have always ridden high powered 1D or rodeo horses and you are older, if you get away from those kind for a period of time, you lose the timing, feel, and balance of that calibur of horse....so a couple years ago, I went and bought a 3 yr. old cutting horse to ranch sort on, then a few months ago, I realized I really wanted run barrels again and sold the horse, my cutting saddle and went looking for a 1D horse with all the criteria I had in mind to fit me and make running barrels fun again.....I wanted my "bucket list" horse, and I got exactly what I was looking for from Kendal Owen....he's the nicest horse I've had in 9 yrs and he's perfect for me....solid, proven, honest, same trip every time, quiet when you ask him, but ready when you get in the alley, and no nonsense even when it's cold and windy...I was riding him along the woods in my pasture last week and all of a sudden about 5 deer rushed out of the woods on the other side of my fence and all he did was put his ears up and look at them...awesome....I'll take all winter to get used to him and try to get myself up to speed on this kind of horse again...I just hope next spring I can do him justice....
One thing I can say is that yoga is like magic to get your flexibility and strength back, because without that, you can't ride at the same level you once did...I'm lucky that I don't have any physical problems and I'm committed to working hard at being the best I can be at my age to run with the young guns again......and remember that old age and treachery can always beat youth and skill...LOL...
This here is awesome- thanks Cindy!! | |
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 Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
 
| At 45 I ask myself every day if I should still be riding. I have ridden most all my life, taking breaks for school, marriage, baby, divorce and every so often. I don't do well emotionally if I don't have a horse, but I don't do well emotionally if I have a horse and I'm not competitive. (which is where I am now … have horse, not competitive enough for my liking). Then I do not so smart things like try to pull my saddle off without unattaching the back cinch and making my already quirky horse pull back and buck (thankfully I wasn't sitting on him) tossing my saddle, breaking my back cinch, and breast collar .. I just don't know if I have the internal drive or "want to". I bought this horse knowing he was quirky because I fancied myself and kinda a "rehabber". Now I don't know that I have the heart or energy to keep him. Part of me wants to sell and buy a ready made automatic horse and part of me wants to just call it quits. I always say, "if only" i had a living quarter trailer, I would be able to go to two day events and be comfortable, but truth be told, I'm not sure that I'd have the drive even if I had a LQ trailer and a 1d or pro caliber horse.
I need to make a decision …. | |
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Expert
Posts: 2121
Location: The Great Northwest | Awesome! There is So much to be thankful!  | |
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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Wow, what an inspiring thread!
I am 54. Even worse, I broke my back falling off my horse last year. It's been slow going. I still can't get my feet up comfortably to tie my shoelaces. And I can't get on the horse without a mounting block. I'm barely loping circles. But I am riding. I'm a little worried though that I'll ever be able to run barrels again and the thought is heartbreaking because I never really got going. For years, other things--moving, business, family responsibilities, horse problems--interfered and last year I was supposed to finally get serious and follow this dream. And then I fell off the horse. I've had accidents before but this time I'm wondering if I am ever going to be able to come back. I'm extremely weak. I think it's because of menopause. And I'm worried about reinjuring the fractures. But I keep going. I'm going to give it my all. I even bought myself the trailer of my dreams last summer because I am not giving up. I have to use that thing! And if it turns out that I can't barrel race, well at least I can ride. And living through your kid (my daughter is a barrel racer) is a pretty good plan B.
By the way, I started wearing a helmet a few years ago because I felt like a hypocrite making my daughter wear one and I wasn't, even though she never complained. When I fell off, my head bounced twice. If I didn't have that helmet on, a broken back would have been the least of my problems. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | I will be 61 in a few months, was riding hard 10 years ago, my good horse went blind, just ripped my heart out of my chest. I have been through a couple of horses and finally have two I trust. I had more injuries on the ground than from horses... I had four bulging discs this past February and was numb my thighs and feet, no balance at all, I have no idea what caused it just an accumulation of injuries and arthritis. Started back riding this past September, would not let a surgeon touch me, I knew if they put metal or plastic in me I would never ride again. So I rehab'd myself with help from a massage therapist and exercises from a physical therapist. I don't know when I will stop riding, it is scarey thinking about what it will take to keep me off of horses and barrel racing!  | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 131
Location: Colorado | This IS a very inspiring thread...and I think DogLady really started something here......I hope EVERYONE is inspired to keep going, keep running, and keep trying.......IT CAN BE DONE and it can be done successfully. It's about having faith and believing in yourself. Yes, I have LOTS of help I admit it in my earlier post...BUT I have faith and I believe in my horses that I have and 'system' that is in place......I know how the horses are trained and I trust that I know they are going to work...that's a huge plus.
BUT, either way......we are only as old as we feel right? Keep riding and keep thinking and feeling young.....you'll succeed! Our age is only numbers..the commitment is the same: if you want it you have to work at it...that's doesn't change regardless of your age...the work just might take longer and 'hurt' a bit more.....the commitment stays the same....but most of all its the passion. If you have passion YOU'VE GOT IT! For me, THIS is all I ever wanted....I've spent 30+ years locked in offices doing work for beer companies....riding, rodeoing, barrel racing was 2nd....I'm now moving to make that first and the 'offices' will change....I am in the middle of a life change and the horses and my time with them will surface to the top.......'commitment' and PASSION!
DogLady....you get that trailer full of horses going...you can make nice ones, you can sell nice ones, and you have the skill......get them all ready for future grand babies.....I really hope to see you at more of our races...I'm going to go to more Northern ones and hope you come our way......us to Older Gals will show 'em how its supposed to go (even if its only in our minds).
Here's my wish for everyone that reads this post: Stay young at heart! Keep your commitment, your drive, and your PASSION for our sport! Believe! Hope to see y'all down the road somewhere!
Edited by Mile Hi Barrel Horse 2014-11-18 10:44 PM
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | There is an awesome woman in our area named Norma Woods. She is older than me so she must be in her mid 60's. Besides being a wonderful woman she still does a great job barrel racing. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | I am 55. I'm 30 pounds overweight because i have chronic fatigue and cannot work out. I get so tired at the barrel races that i saddle, rest, warm up, rest, run, rest, drive home, rest. I used to run pro, and if I had the money to buy a pro horse, you can bet your sweet bippy I'd be hauling to that end. Yes, it's a little harder physically than it used to be, but I just buried a solid 2D horse, and I am NOT happy running anything less than 2D. Matter of fact, I am listing my LQ trailer tomorrow so I can buy a young 2D horse that has 1D potential. I don't think the right 1D horse is any harder to ride than a 2/3D horse...they are all different....if the horse fits you, then I think you can run it fast and hang with it. I have no intention of slowing down...I am limited only by my finances. If my weak, overweight and aged body can do it, then certainly anybody can. You just have to accept a little limitation, and dream big.  | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | Yes, well, I have a LQ trailer with nothing smoking to put in it, so I'm selling that sucker to buy a nice horse. Don't quit!!!!!!!! If you have the money, for heaven's sake, go for it!!! | |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| I guess I have a slight advantage over many of you. I have been sporting a middle aged figure since I hit puberty, always the Amazon of my barrel racing friends. As far a energy and pain, I have been dealing with Fibromyalgia for at least 20 years...added to the fact that I have a steep learning curve, am naturally a klutz and don't have the best of luck NOT hurting myself. lol I actually get scared when I find that I don't hurt anywhere as a painful injury is in my near my future, but fortunate enough that it's usually not super serious. A small sample , a torn glute, a torn hamstring and nerve, got my foot jammed into the deep ground while my spur was stuck in my' horse's side in a fall and she continued to skid, threatening to break my leg in a spiral fracture, kicked below the knee only to have an evulsion fracture ABOVE the knee from hyperextension... Currently am nursing a sore and torn buttock from 3 different injuries in less than a week involving torn muscles and strained ligaments in the hip joint. And this is the short list from the last 10 years, all after the age in question.
Still can't bring myself to enter the senior classes but am able to avoid them by rodeoing. I would still rather drive 50 miles to make one run than drive 50 miles and sit all day or all weekend to make a couple. Finally admitted that I no longer care for the outlaws and dinks which for a long time were all I could afford and I enjoyed fixing them. Sent my colt for someone ELSE to break as I guessed correctly that he was going to be a pistol and he is proving to be exactly that. I paid my dues and now am trying to be a little wiser.
Edited to add; also have pretty much always been on a budget and having been pulling the same trailer I bought new almost 22 years ago with it's 22 inch short wall with the tack In the LQ. And I still love my little trailer. Not having the desire to keep up with the Jones' can have it's advantages. :o)
Am trying to get back the joy of not just running, but of riding, which has been hard to find after getting so burnt out riding so many horses, that HAD to be ridden. Energy and motivation is what I am looking for these days. Motivation is much easier to find when things are going good. Cannot tell how much I have enjoyed this past summer.
Edited by rodeoveteran 2014-11-18 11:42 PM
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Mrs. Troy
Location: western Nebraska | I have a funny for you. I haven't ridden in over a week-it has been too cold. So I am all fired up again and I am going to go ride. Have all the clothes on that are necessary to ride when it is 40 degrees and very windy plus heavy snowboots. I am riding my 5 year old ponying my open horse. I am about mile from home and turn to come back. The open horse goes straight up in the air and starts bucking and of course I have to let go because the 5 year old is all excited thinking she will do it too. Off he goes on a dead run for home. My colt is bucking and I am looking for the ground -she pauses and I get off. I walked the mile home and packing all the clothes and boots I guess I am starting to get in shape sooner and not in the way I really wanted.
Now go ahead and have a good laugh! | |
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Location: midwest mama | CrossCreek - 2014-11-18 10:53 PM
I am 55. I'm 30 pounds overweight because i have chronic fatigue and cannot work out. I get so tired at the barrel races that i saddle, rest, warm up, rest, run, rest, drive home, rest. I used to run pro, and if I had the money to buy a pro horse, you can bet your sweet bippy I'd be hauling to that end. Yes, it's a little harder physically than it used to be, but I just buried a solid 2D horse, and I am NOT happy running anything less than 2D. Matter of fact, I am listing my LQ trailer tomorrow so I can buy a young 2D horse that has 1D potential. I don't think the right 1D horse is any harder to ride than a 2/3D horse...they are all different....if the horse fits you, then I think you can run it fast and hang with it. I have no intention of slowing down...I am limited only by my finances. If my weak, overweight and aged body can do it, then certainly anybody can. You just have to accept a little limitation, and dream big.Â
THIS!!!!!!!!! ^^^^
I have chronic fatigue also, and have to rest in between everything I do with my horse.
I have just decided that this is what I have to do, and I figure the extra time I need into my schedule at the race. That way I don't get panicked or frustrated.
I have decided that I am going to invest in a little LQ trailer - just a small one. That way if I am at a race and need some time to go and take a little nappy before I drive home or whatever I can.
I have had a lot of people want to buy my horse, but even if I decide not to go to races much (or not at all), I will still keep him. I love him and he makes me smile every day. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
| I'm 52 love training the young ones, have a nice solid 1/2d horse that I trust. I have no plans to stop going lol. In my area the Masters classes are a lot of the open winners, very tough group. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 131
Location: Colorado | doglady - 2014-11-18 11:49 PM
I have a funny for you. I haven't ridden in over a week-it has been too cold. So I am all fired up again and I am going to go ride. Have all the clothes on that are necessary to ride when it is 40 degrees and very windy plus heavy snowboots.   I am riding my 5 year old ponying my open horse. I am about mile from home and turn to come back. The open horse goes straight up in the air and starts bucking and of course I have to let go because the 5 year old is all excited thinking she will do it too.  Off he goes on a dead run for home. My colt is bucking and I am looking for the ground -she pauses and I get off. I walked the mile home and packing all the clothes and boots I guess I am starting to get in shape sooner and not in the way I really wanted.
Now go ahead and have a good laugh!Â
OMG DogLady...I am sitting in the concrete jungle (my office) just chuckling because I can just see this!! OMGosh I am giggling....that's happened to me too and by the time I got home I was dying!!
Great workout and that's God's way of saying YOU'RE IN!!
Hope to see you soon.......
Signing off giggling..........  | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: Oklahoma | I am 60. A year ago I got bucked off on the way to the first barrel and broke a rib. My fault, because I knew the horse was cold-backed and didn't warm her up enough. Anyway, 4 years ago I had a massive heart attack while I was working one on the pattern - Life Flighted to the hospital, etc., and now have a stent.Then 20 years ago I was bucked off and broke 3 vertebrae. That didn't stop me, either. A friend of mine says, "we ain't got a lick of sense" due to all the injuries we have and we keep riding and running. I have a new prospect I'm training and hope to be running her by spring. Karma repaid the last one that bucked me off as she fractured her P2 bone in February and is now a pasture ornament. I plan to keep running as long as possible!
Edited by shaunar 2014-11-19 10:56 AM
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 Purveyor of unconventional wisdom
Posts: 17112
Location: CA | Not to change the subject... but I wonder if " Chronic Fatigue" is the inablity to accept we aren't 25 anymore. every spring I go to my doctor just knowing something is terribly wrong. I am exhausted, and resting several times during the day. Every year I get a whole panel of blood tests and there is nothing wrong with me... Finally he said it..... You are not a spring chicken anymore. The only reason I don't get mad at him is 1. he is right and 2. he is the same age as me. lol | |
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 Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | azsun - 2014-11-18 9:50 PM At 45 I ask myself every day if I should still be riding. I have ridden most all my life, taking breaks for school, marriage, baby, divorce and every so often. I don't do well emotionally if I don't have a horse, but I don't do well emotionally if I have a horse and I'm not competitive. (which is where I am now … have horse, not competitive enough for my liking). Then I do not so smart things like try to pull my saddle off without unattaching the back cinch and making my already quirky horse pull back and buck (thankfully I wasn't sitting on him) tossing my saddle, breaking my back cinch, and breast collar .. I just don't know if I have the internal drive or "want to". I bought this horse knowing he was quirky because I fancied myself and kinda a "rehabber". Now I don't know that I have the heart or energy to keep him. Part of me wants to sell and buy a ready made automatic horse and part of me wants to just call it quits. I always say, "if only" i had a living quarter trailer, I would be able to go to two day events and be comfortable, but truth be told, I'm not sure that I'd have the drive even if I had a LQ trailer and a 1d or pro caliber horse. I need to make a decision ….
Your post really stood out to me because I was like that....I was so brokenhearted when my mare got hurt and I also had "rehab" projects and quirky horses that I would stick with and I hated nearly every horse I had during the last 9 years so much that I dreaded even going to a barrel race....
I got so frustrated and I wasn't doing well emotionally because I was trying to find a (cheap) young horse or a project that I liked to be competitive on and it wasn't happening....I got to where I didn't care and just got out of barrel racing because of it....then I finally decided to bail out of the young ones and just go out and spend the money on something nice....way worth it....I can tell you that a nice, uncomplicated finished horse that fits you will make you want to ride and go and make it fun again....they are out there, don't settle for another project, you are beating yourself up with them like I did.... | |
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Veteran
Posts: 223
Location: Louisiana | I will be 50 in February - still feel pretty good about my riding - my goals may have changed a little and I have to say that my mom is over 65 and is still very competitive. | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Cindy Hamilton - 2014-11-19 11:41 AM azsun - 2014-11-18 9:50 PM At 45 I ask myself every day if I should still be riding. I have ridden most all my life, taking breaks for school, marriage, baby, divorce and every so often. I don't do well emotionally if I don't have a horse, but I don't do well emotionally if I have a horse and I'm not competitive. (which is where I am now … have horse, not competitive enough for my liking). Then I do not so smart things like try to pull my saddle off without unattaching the back cinch and making my already quirky horse pull back and buck (thankfully I wasn't sitting on him) tossing my saddle, breaking my back cinch, and breast collar .. I just don't know if I have the internal drive or "want to". I bought this horse knowing he was quirky because I fancied myself and kinda a "rehabber". Now I don't know that I have the heart or energy to keep him. Part of me wants to sell and buy a ready made automatic horse and part of me wants to just call it quits. I always say, "if only" i had a living quarter trailer, I would be able to go to two day events and be comfortable, but truth be told, I'm not sure that I'd have the drive even if I had a LQ trailer and a 1d or pro caliber horse. I need to make a decision …. Your post really stood out to me because I was like that....I was so brokenhearted when my mare got hurt and I also had "rehab" projects and quirky horses that I would stick with and I hated nearly every horse I had during the last 9 years so much that I dreaded even going to a barrel race....
I got so frustrated and I wasn't doing well emotionally because I was trying to find a (cheap) young horse or a project that I liked to be competitive on and it wasn't happening....I got to where I didn't care and just got out of barrel racing because of it....then I finally decided to bail out of the young ones and just go out and spend the money on something nice....way worth it....I can tell you that a nice, uncomplicated finished horse that fits you will make you want to ride and go and make it fun again....they are out there, don't settle for another project, you are beating yourself up with them like I did....
I did the same thing, and then he got hurt, got sick, got hurt, seemed to be getting our groove back and now he can't see right. Ugh. I'm ready to get my young ones going enough to haul. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 131
Location: Colorado | T turning 3 - 2014-11-19 10:55 AM
Not to change the subject... but I wonder if " Chronic Fatigue" is the inablity to accept we aren't 25 anymore. every spring I go to my doctor just knowing something is terribly wrong. I am exhausted, and resting several times during the day. Every year I get a whole panel of blood tests and there is nothing wrong with me... Finally he said it..... You are not a spring chicken anymore.  The only reason I don't get mad at him is 1. he is right and 2. he is the same age as me.  lolÂ
Your post made me giggle.
We aren't spring chickens anymore for sure...but we can still give them hell! | |
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