I’m almost 59. My horse is 9. I hope to keep riding at least until she’s ready to retire. After that, I will on take care of her in her retirement and maybe volunteer at CANTER. I probably won’t buy another horse, but I plan on riding until it’s not fun any more.
I can’t imagine not having a horse no matter my age. But I do see that my horsey life will take on the appearance of a bell curve - my first horse was a fraction under 15 hands and then I went with 15:2, 16:1, and 16:2. Now in my 60s, I will no longer take on a greenie and my current horse is a nice 16 hands. He’s not that old yet at 11 so he could well be “the last”. But not necessarily if I stay healthy. So I could see the descent back through the 15s and into hony range of 14:2+.
For those talking about dismounting: For a short term injury I made myself a “dismounting block”. I turned a muck bucket upside down and set up a two step mounting block right next to it. The first couple of times I steered over to it and maneuvered so I would come down nicely onto the tub my horse was a bit leery, but now he’s got it down pat.
At the barn where I kept my retiree some years ago, there was a lady well into her eighties who had a little pinto mare. She didn’t ride, but after grooming she would go out on walks with her on our little trails, just the two of them taking a walk together. I can see myself doing that someday…
I am 57, and due to illness and debilitation, I can no longer ride, but that fact has not stopped me from owning 4, with 2 mares in foal for 2015. My daughters ride and I have a filly shown in HB. If there comes a time when they no longer want to ride or have time, I will give a well deserving kid the chance to ride and show.
I rarely get a chance to go to the barn, but when I do, I grab a brush and groom. The pain and stress seem to melt away and I find peace. As I board all 4, the costs add up, however the benefit of self satisfaction and joy I experience, far outweighs the financial obligation. It is just that important. Horses are in my DNA and help me feel whole. Sheer joy.
I’m 55. I show AQHA, and I hope, like some people I know to still be finding in my 70’s or even 80’s. When I can no longer ride I hope to own show horses and watch them win (hopefully being ridden by a hot but incredibly talented cowboy).
As long as I am able. I am 20, so hopefully a long, long time. 
I’m 51 and have stopped riding pretty much already. But I have four wonderful Minis, 3 drivers: one who is dead broke, a greenie and a barely-started. One retired broodie. And it’s enough for me. The ground gets further and further away, and harder, too. Plus I stopped bouncing years ago…
My barely-started is a mare, the sweetest, ditziest thing you’ll ever meet. The drivers are geldings, also sweet as can be. So even if I can’t drive, just sitting in a lawn chair watching them graze will be enough.
Until I stop breathing.
Anyone see the photo of an 80-something Queen Elizabeth hacking out astride a Dale pony?
And Tom Dorrance,(was it him or someone similar?)I believe, rode til his 90’s, rigging up a contraption to help him get on and off.
I’m in my late 50’s and hope to ride another 20 years or so, at least–though not anything demanding.
Like others here have mentioned, the older I get, the sheer enjoyment of being around, taking care of, and relating with horses as friends and fellow beings is more important than anything else, and you can usually do that whether or not you can ride them. They are amazing creatures in so many ways.
As long as I can physically do it…and if I can’t get on a horse anymore…than I will drive. I admit that I do pay trainer’s now to ride a few days a week because my job keeps me pretty busy. I used to feel guilty about it but not now.
I also have completely lost my desire to jump. We pop over baby cross-rails and do poles for being less clumsy.
As long as I can. My dad rode until he was 70, it was a little tough for him to get on and off. A co-worker was still breaking horses in his 90’s. The best moment I remember from him riding was when we was at an auction. He was selling his young TWH and this young guy couldn’t get him to rack properly. He told the guy to get off and I’ll show you how it’s done. He did. When he got off he said now son that’s how you do it.
It’s funny, riding is not as important to me as it used to be.
but I will always have horses. For as long as I possibly can, I will have my horses.
This fellow is 97 and still working cattle horseback:
Until my body gives out. Which it is always trying to find a way to do, but we’ve made it through two spinal fractures, a plate in my head, autoimmune issues and 15 wrist surgeries so I figure, how much worse can it get?! (erm…knock on wood). I’m almost 30, but hope to never stop. Its what keeps me going, riding and being with my horses and the one place that I never feel second best or on very unequal footing.
What tabula rashah said. I aspire to follow in the footsteps of my mother’s camp counselor, Miss Connie Reeves: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/25/us/connie-reeves-a-cowgirl-until-the-end-dies-at-101.html
But if the body fails me before then, well, I just took a driving lesson the other day with my sister’s pair of mini donkeys, so there are options…
Til I die. Then ten more years!
I hope to get a retired western pleasure horse that’s broke as can be with a jog and lope smooth as silk and trail ride him everywhere.
I admire everyone who is showing, jumping, and breaking horses in their retirement years, but I don’t foresee that for me.
The thought of one day not being able to ride is frankly horrifying.
Yes I will continue to ride and then learn to drive. Either with a gypsy cob if things workout next year or just for fun I will go the mini horse route.
There was a guy at one of the Olympics. In his youth he competed in the showjumping at the Olympics for Japan. In his 70s he returned to the Olympics to compete in dressage.
As long as I can. Breaking almost all of my lumbar vertebrae last year at the age of 25 has given me an early sense of self-preservation, so I’m hoping this will help me avoid further injuries and ride longer. 
I quite riding. Once I made the desicion to do so, it seemed a relief. I wanted to ride into my dotage but hey, stuff happens. I still have my two ponies and just bought a mini so I am still getting my horse addiction satisfied. I would be at a loss without a stall or three to clean!
