Hunting After 50

[Willesdon]

Kaluha2 - just do it! As some wise person once said, you only live once.

Hunting is different from any other horse activity because the fox, the hounds, the horse and yourself all become connected. I find all my senses are heightened: I see more; smell more; hear more. The focus is on the chase not on how you are riding or even, often, where you are riding.

After hunting on Exmoor, I told the owner of my hireling that I didn’t canter down the steep lane with the gravel on the surface, unlike everyone else, and only trotted. The horse’s owner replied, very dryly, ‘Thank you’.

The biggest danger with hunting is that it is very addictive. You have been warned!

[xeroxchick]

Adding yoga to my list,
Actually remember back in my thirties I had a lot of lower back pain durring those long trots and took yoga classes twicw a week. Really helped and can still remember hearing my yoga teacher’s voice when staying in two point for a very long time in the field “and hold, and breathe and hold.”. Helped!

Women do seem to have a harder time because of bone density issues. So glad to hear last week on the news that we absolutely must have red wine all the time to keep from loosing bone. Even going two weeks without leads to more bone loss. Thank you science. You are awesome.

Not to be a snark, but come on, we have all seen a few older hunters who scared us to death and seem fragile! But I have to admit, the warmth and caring towards them far exceeded our concern for the scary young newbie. . .

[whicker]

Kaluha2,

Come on one of our coth hunts. They are designed for introducing newbies to hunting. You can still come and be nurtured by Hunter’s Rest at other times. We just do more over the clinic, parties, and other activities.

I’m longer in the tooth, and normally I ride in the back of the hilltoppers, as my mares are still in the green stage. I ride/hack/school to be fit and see the wildlife. I don’t get out to hunt as much as I would like.

Now I’m horse hunting for a more made hunter…

[Katyusha]

[QUOTE=xeroxchick;6510822]
This might sound ridiculous, but I am about to turn 50 and am starting to think about my long term plan. Do any of you have one for hunting?

I
How does the regular person keep up and keep hunting without getting hurt? Or exhausted?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

If it’s any consolation, I’m 34 and I still get exhausted; and I’m in good shape. I’m not sure there’s anyway around the demand it takes on your body!

[Ponyclubrocks]

Good grief I would venture to say that at least 70% of our subscribers are over 50…that’s why we are actively recruiting juniors…we need future members! Age is not very relevant in my book ; having the right horse and getting enough time in the saddle regularly (plus buying the largest size bottle of Advil) are far more important than age.

[SLW]

[QUOTE=Ponyclubrocks;6516317]
Good grief I would venture to say that at least 70% of our subscribers are over 50…that’s why we are actively recruiting juniors…we need future members! Age is not very relevant in my book ; having the right horse and getting enough time in the saddle regularly (plus buying the largest size bottle of Advil) are far more important than age.[/QUOTE]

And never underestimate how much difference a good afternoon nap makes!! :winkgrin:

Last year after Wednesday hunts my horse went to work with me and I worked until 5:00. Sometimes I struggled.

[kaluha2]

OK I’m in!!

What is the coth hunt and when does it begin? Thanks

[cheval_convert]

Kahlua, good for you. I’m 55 and will be at Hunter’s Rest for the coth hunt - it will be my first hunt. I have been riding at least 4 days a week and working on my 2 point diligently. I realized that I needed to be fitter, so I have added running to my schedule. We’ll see how I do since I have only started jumping and don’t do it very well. So hill topping it is for me. Look for the thread started by Hinderella with the title “Early call for Coth Hunt” (I think that’s it anyway.) The dates of the Coth hunt are Thursday September 13 through Sunday September 16. PM Hunters Rest for details. Hope to see you there! (That way I won’t be the only newbie. haha)

[otterhound]

[QUOTE=cssutton;6513667]
Sedgefield Hunt had a member who hunted until 90 or almost, and who whipped up until he quit.

He was also a legend for hauling his own horse all over the country by himself.
.[/QUOTE] Sedgefield’s current huntsman has met our “oldie” when he and his wife came to NZ and hunted with us one day the season before last… And yes, they too drive their own horse truck to all the hunts. Last year she finally got her truck license so that she could drive home after hunts if her husband had a couple of drinks.

[Hinderella]

Kaluha2, don’t be afraid to try hunting. Send a PM to Hunters Rest and she can help you determine whether you’re ready for hunting.
I tried hunting two years ago, after reading the “Dressage queen gone wild” thread by Pleasant Meadow Farm. Whicker, PMF and Hunter’s Rest kindly guided me through my first hunt, and I’ve been bitten by the hunting bug ever since.
It’s a riding experience like no other. When you ride out with the hunt, you are completely in tune with your senses, and all one with your mount in a way that doesn’t happen anywhere else. It is physically and mentally challenging in a wonderful way.
I am a timid rider, and it’s been difficult for me to make the leap from riding the made hunt horses at Hunter’s Rest and riding my own with a local hunt, but I still hope to make that leap.
It is harder to do anything physical at 50, but it’s worth the effort.

[Beverley]

Well, here you go. An example of riding at 86. I think she’d cut it out hunting (she did hunt in her youth).

https://picasaweb.google.com/100310658467918237790/August242012#5780456098374636562

[whicker]

Ooooo,
Does she have a full sheepskin cover on her saddle? She is still such a good rider. Full bridle, with a forward mount. Awesome!

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

That is way cool and those ponies are gorgeous! One thing I have noticed with my older friends (like 65 and up) is that they seem to prefer smaller, shorter mounts! Shorter distance to the ground and all that…

[Hinderella]

I ride a pony, and while I’m often told that it’s a shorter distance to the ground, I believe ponies counteract that advantage by being especially quick with their spooks & spins. When I’ve been on a big horse who decided to spook, it always felt a bit like slow motion. When my pony goes, I sometimes don’t get the memo until I’m on the ground.

However, it is much easier to remount

[SLW]

[QUOTE=Hinderella;6517399]
I ride a pony, and while I’m often told that it’s a shorter distance to the ground, I believe ponies counteract that advantage by being especially quick with their spooks & spins. When I’ve been on a big horse who decided to spook, it always felt a bit like slow motion. When my pony goes, I sometimes don’t get the memo until I’m on the ground.

However, it is much easier to remount :)[/QUOTE]

I think this is very, very true!

My Connemara is very good but her moves are lightening fast and with less geography underneath you, you better grab some pony mane quick! They don’t seem to hesitate (pre-signal) a change of direction like a horse does. :winkgrin: I never, ever forget that the genetics under my saddle are pony genetics, never. However she is the most cheerful and sturdy mare!

[Beverley]

Yes indeed, smaller= quicker.

I’m doing a cow class this weekend and my 14h mare has nearly turned out from under me a couple of times- doing exactly what she should, staying with the cow. My 16h gelding can’t get around as quickly, but with his longer stride he can regain his position without a lot of bother.

On trail rides I am much more apt to offer to get gates or dropped items when on the mare!

And the winter dismounts are easier on me too!

[kaluha2]

Hunting after 50.

They are bastards I tell you, quick on their feet those boogers are but oh so adorable especially when they are all spiffied up.

I have a pony too that I plan on taking out hunting. She is a large 14.2 flea bitten grey, personality plus and will do anything for a few grains of food. She’s a ticket.

I’m getting excited about going out. I’ll be the old hag crying loudly from behind the pack.

[cheval_convert]

No, you wont’ be crying. We’ll be riding side by side, laughing and sharing cookies:D

[florida_foxhunter]

One of the tricks, which I’ve been told…is don’t grow old with your horse older than you. It’s not easy to make a new fieldhunter when you’re older…sooo, when you’re approaing 60…be sure you have a youngish horse.
I"m 60+ and am riding a 7 year old…if he lasts till 20, I"ll have a great horse till 73!..but, I also have a 4 year old and a yearling…always thinking about tomorrow…
Like the NRA ad, “they’ll pry my reins from my cold dead fingers”…I plan to be riding as long as I’m living…
just ride smart!!!

[Beverley]

Well, I just turned 60 and figure the 7 and 9 yo will last a good while. And then I will spend the bucks to by a made and seasoned ranch horse. A short one.

I am mindful of crotchety old horses, though- Miss Connie Reeves died at 101, after hospitalization owing to being dumped by her 28 yo horse! (She did have a cracked vertebra or two in her neck,no paralysis or nerve damage, but if memory serves pneumonia got her).