Riders of a Certain Age: Your Go-To Guide for Loving Horses Mid-Life and Beyond

by Fran Severn

Overview

A delightfully honest look at the realities of starting out with horses…when you're getting older.

Are you a woman at midlife or beyond? Have you just discovered you have a passion for horses? Or maybe you've now found time for them after years devoted to a job and family? Surveys show that riders over the age of 40 are the fastest growing segment of the equestrian world, with those age 65 and above seeing the biggest jump—so you are far from alone!

With carefully curated guidance collected over years of horsing around, rider and writer Fran Severn wants to embolden and empower you with tips, lessons, and advice as you begin enjoying a life with horses in it. In these pages, you'll find options for:

• Riding…and not riding (but still having horses in your life).
• Finding an instructor and being a good student.
• Coming to grips with what your body can and can't do in terms of fitness, weight, and fear.
• Understanding the realities of arthritis, menopause, and changing vision, hearing, and breathing.
• Knowing the rules for buying, leasing, and boarding horses.
• Dealing with family and horse-related finances.
• And much more.

Riders of a Certain Age provides an important reference to any older individual who craves the companionship of a horse and the sisterhood that can go along with it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646010493
Publisher:	Trafalgar Square
Publication date:	04/26/2022
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Fran Severn is a freelance writer and broadcaster who grew up in the city but was determined to get horses in her life. After earning her degree in Mass Communications, she worked in broadcast news in Louisville, Kentucky, where she covered the Kentucky Derby, events at the Kentucky Horse Park, produced equine-focused features, and finally bought her first horse. Moving to England with her Air Force husband, she discovered dressage and continued her training when she returned to the states. Her work has appeared in USDF Connection, Newsday, The Trail Rider, Western Horseman, Dog Fancy, and Games. She’s written about the exclusive “tailgate” party at the Royal Enclosure at the Ascot races, shipping horses to the Olympics, riding on Civil War battlefields, and the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. A past president of the Eastern Shore Writers Association and former PR Director for the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, she lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where she enjoys riding on the beaches and trails and promoting local equine activities and businesses and travel to the region.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction: The Rider of a Certain Age 1

Part 1 Getting Started 5

Chapter 1 Women and Horses: Why and How We Love Them 6

Loving Horses On the Ground 8

Cruises, Vacations, and Other Adventures 11

Chapter 2 Finding an Instructor: It's Like Looking for the Perfect Partner 14

The Qualities of a Good Instructor 17

Credentials 20

Evaluating a Potential Instructor 22

Being a Good Student: Make Your Instructor Smile 24

How We Learn: Thinking and Physical Skills 27

Remote Learning: What to Do When There Is No Local Instructor 31

Chapter 3 A Stable Environment: The Place, the People, and You 38

Good Manners Matter 39

Gossip 43

Switching Barns or Moving On 45

Chapter 4 What to Wear: Equine Fashionistas 48

Your Daily Riding Wardrobe 49

Headgear 49

Footwear 51

Gloves 52

Jeans and Breeches 53

Clothing for Competition 54

Part 2 Fitness and the Rider of a Certain Age 55

Chapter 5 Easing into the Saddle: Knowing What You Can Do 56

Chapter 6 Getting Fit: Training, Trainers, and Therapies 62

Finding a Trainer 62

At-Home Personal Training 63

Online Training 65

Apps 67

DIY with Books and Videos 67

Fitness Trackers 69

Bodyworks: Therapies for Balance and Strength 70

Chapter 7 Weight and Riding: A Touchy Subject 74

Riding When Overweight 76

Chapter 8 FEAR: Forget Everything And Run 79

Confidence Builders 84

Part 3 Safety and the Rider of a Certain Age 87

Chapter 9 Protection and Preventing Injury: Balance, Falls, Vests, and Helmets 88

Safety Vests 90

Learn How to Fall 91

Wear a Safety Helmet 91

Medical Alert Systems: How to Call for Help 94

Chapter 10 When to Quit: Questions to Ask and Options 97

Part 4 Uniquely Ours: Health Issues the Kids Don't Face 99

Chapter 11 What Changes with the Years 100

Menopause 101

Post-Menopausal Problems 104

Chapter 12 Bouncing, Chafing, Leaking, and Arthritis 107

Bras 107

Panties and Undergarments 108

Urinary Incontinence 110

Arthritis and Spare Parts 111

Chapter 13 Vision, Sleep, Hearing, and Breathing 113

Vision Changes 113

Sleep Issues 114

Hearing Loss 116

Respiratory Issues 116

Part 5 But He's So Pretty: Buying a Horse (Or Not) 117

Chapter 14 Shopping for a Horse: What Are You Looking for and Where Do You Find It? 118

Appropriate Breeds to Consider 119

Buy or Lease? 121

How and Where to Look (Find a Mentor!) 123

Where Else to Look: Adoptions, Sale Barns, and Auctions 126

The Pre-Purchase Exam (AKA the Vet Check) 130

Signing the Paperwork 132

Chapter 15 Boarding: Finding a Home for Your Horse 133

Types of Board 133

Evaluating a Boarding Barn 137

Chapter 16 But Wait! There's More! Your Professional Support Team 139

Veterinarian 139

Farrier 145

Dentist 146

Saddle Fitter 148

Chapter 17 Insurance and Powers of Attorney: Protecting Yourself and Your Horses 151

Medical Coverage 151

Liability Insurance 152

Personal Property Coverage 153

Who Makes Decisions if You Cannot 154

Putting Your Horse Down 155

Part 6 Living with Your Horse 159

Chapter 18 Your Own Place: A Home on the Range 160

Time, Health, and Location 160

Buying Your Own Farm 162

Other Horse-at-Home Options 164

Chapter 19 Boarders: Benefit or Bother? 167

Types of Board 167

Contracts 168

Firing a Boarder 172

Chapter 20 Barn Fires, Natural Disasters, and Evacuations 174

Barn Fires 174

Natural Disasters 178

Chapter 21 On the Road: Money, Medicine, and Practicalities 189

Medical, Financial, and Licensing Issues 191

Trip Planning 199

Part 7 Family and Finance 203

Chapter 22 Money and Manure: Finances of Life-and Horses 204

Chapter 23 Dealing with an Unsupportive Spouse 209

Chapter 24 Protecting Your Horse When You Are Gone 216

Wills, Trusts, and Other End-of-Life Plans 216

Conclusion The Trail Never Ends 223

Resources 225

References 230

Acknowledgments 237

Index 239

Editorial Reviews

Severn’s writing style is witty and insightful. Whether a newcomer to the horse world or a returning rider, readers will appreciate the wisdom of Riders of a Certain Age.” —Cowgirl Magazine

“Fran Severn’s book Riders of a Certain Age resonates with wisdom, humor, frankness, and common sense. Reading like a practical manual or a conservation with a wise aunt, Severn lays out the reality of owning a horse and returning to the saddle after a long hiatus. The book is a gem for riders of any age.” —Horse Illustrated Magazine

"Riders of a Certain Age is a great book for those… well, of a certain age, but also for those who teach riders of a certain age or run barns with adult clients. The insights within this book are super helpful for all aspects of the horse world." —Equiery Magazine

“This is a no fluff, down to earth book that addresses all the unmentionables—weight, fear, lack of athleticism, finances, and family issues. Riders of a Certain Age provides a much-needed resource that will empower riders of a certain age to engage with horses and follow their passion in a productive and meaningful well.”  —Catskill Horse Magazine

"Riders of a Certain Age fills a vacant niche, providing much-needed curated information tailored to the novice, older horse lover. The author’s conversation style and carefully considered guidance keeps the mood light while imparting essential tidbits of information. … For those seeking to indulge their newfound or lifelong horse passion, this is a useful reference that’s easy to read." —Horse Journals

“Fran Severn's Riders of a Certain Age is a wonderful resource for women who are starting their riding lives later in life or returning to riding after a break, and even for those who are experienced long-time riders. Women over 60 have different abilities and needs, and Severn tactfully explores the differences that we experience as we age and how this impacts riding. If nothing else, this book is a reminder that we need to acknowledge the process of getting older and embrace the gifts of aging—not just bemoan the changes. A fun and easy read, this book is now on my recommended reading list for all my students!” —Aviva Nebesky, Co-Host of the Dressage Today Podcast

“Riders of a Certain Age is full of wisdom and sound advice for people coming into horses as adults. Fran Severn’s book has been extensively researched, and her suggestions are backed up with facts and figures. Yet, she has an easy writing style and the refreshing ability to address difficult topics with tact and grace.

 "The suggestions for handling horse-related fear are in accordance with my own experience and methods, especially her constant reminders to be kind to yourself and others. Despite my commitment to safety, I even found myself being reminded to recheck several areas addressed in the book, including updating the emergency contacts list stored in my trailer. Fran’s 'Ageless Advice' sections are helpful and easy to read. The information in Riders of a Certain Age is timeless, and I highly recommend this book." —Laura Daley, author of Riding Fear Free: Help for Fearful Riders and Their Teachers and the Riding Fear Free Journey Tracker

"Fran has written a very timely book, given that the demographics of the equestrian industry have changed over the past 50 years or so to become very female-centric. And not only female-centric, but for the most part comprised of mature female baby boomers whose husbands are out playing golf, and whose children are off at university or getting married and starting families of their own. Some of these women are coming back to riding after having enjoyed it as youngsters; others are just picking up the hobby or even beginning to compete as adult amateurs. As such, there is much knowledge that has been lost, that has changed over time, or that was never learned. This book is a comprehensive revelation, touching on pretty much every current topic you can think of related to riding: buying a horse, owning a horse, training a horse, legalities and health issues surrounding the horse, and more. Every question is addressed; you would be hard-pressed to find this much information elsewhere in a single reference! And beyond that—it's just fun to read.” —Sabine Schleese, B.Sc., MBA, Schleese Saddlery Service, Inc. 

"Fran Severn’s new book, Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond, and its resonant cover, ride to our emotional rescue at just the right time, and with just the right tone of pragmatic advice, to keep us riding forward at a point in life when others might expect us to whoa. From leasing to leakage, money to manure, this engagingly candid, comprehensive resource is an owner’s manual for reclaiming the right to indulge your horse-loving inner child." —L.A. Sokolowski, Award-winning journalist, 2017 AHP Lifetime Achievement Award

"Riders of a Certain Age is the most comprehensive book for new equestrians that I have read. It answers typical questions regarding equipment, barn, and horses. But more importantly, it addresses the nuances associated with getting older—notably, how to be more comfortable with horses physically, mentally, and emotionally, as well as how to find long-term success with them." —Heather Wallace, The Timid Rider

From the Publisher