Dog and Horse Boarding at
The Stallion Station - Reno, Nevada
est. 1978
Horse Boarding Reno - Expert equine care for all horses in Reno, NV
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Jane & HL trotting!
Katy/Chris
True Love!
Mike & Rocky
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Equine Health and Fitness
January's Tip...
Riding at Mid-Life & Beyond
Changing Wants, Needs
What we want out of our horse lives shifts subtly, but significantly, as we age through our middle years. Specifically, we need riding to be:
- Fun. Whereas this may’ve been a given when we were younger, now we must make sure riding remains enjoyable, rather than stressful or overwhelming.
- Safe. Here’s where that wisdom of age comes into play, because we’re now much less likely to take unnecessary risks than we once were. If you have children, you may’ve noticed a more conservative approach emerging when you became a parent for the first time. For those in the grandparent stage of life, avoiding injuries that may now take longer to heal is more important than ever.
- Comfortable. We want our time in the saddle to be pain free, and we’d prefer to suffer as little soreness afterward as possible.
- Doable. Though we may be approaching retirement (or already there), we’ve still got a lot on our plates, including family commitments. We need horse activities to fit smoothly into our weekly schedules, and we may also need special accommodations in order to be physically able to ride.
- Rewarding. Here, we’re talking the satisfaction of achievement. The competitive aims we had when younger may no longer be relevant, but we feel an ongoing need to keep challenging ourselves and advancing in our horsemanship.
Six Defy-Your-Age Strategies
#1. Be Fit, Strong, Flexible
(To address: Safety, comfort, doability)
This is the biggie in terms of defying your age. As the experts will tell you, there is a fountain of youth...it’s called move your body. When we were young, being strong and flexible enough to ride a horse was a given; that level of physicality is still attainable at midlife, but we must work for it--although not as hard as you might think...
#2. Rethink Your Horizons
(To address: Fun, safety, doability, achievement)
The riding-achievement goals you once had likely no longer suit you, and that's natural. So change them...
#3. Ride the Right Horse
(Fun, safety, comfort, doability, achievement)
You can't have fun if your horse intimidates you, or be safe if he's hard to control, or be comfortable if he bucks you off, and...
#4. Get in (the Right) Gear
(To address: Safety, comfort, doability)
Items that may prove helpful to midlife riders: helmet, tush cushion, mounting block, extra cushion saddle pad...
#5. Share the Love
(To address: Fun, doability, achievement)
If possible, get involved with like-minded friends. "Surround yourself with people who share your riding goals. They'll be your support system..."
#6. Lighten Up!
(To address: Fun, doability, achievement)
Keep things in perspective, and maintain a positive attitude at all times...
...click here to read the full story
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