Riding at 70+++

Eclipse, My, I am doing well for compliments today. One of my articles was published on an internet magazine yesterday. However I have paid with a tear or two just from reading my own work back to myself.

On my CP under 'statistic's' there is a list of the threads I have posted on HF. Look for the early ones mentioning 'Joe' - they are not quite such an emotional journey.

Many thanks for your kind words. It is a pity you never met with DiDi herself - she was something rather special.
B G

Folks as I write this post I am thinking that it is unlikely now that I shall get back into horse ownership - indeed even into horse riding.

The saga of DiDI's last days hang heavily over my psyche. And then there is the matter of my lumbar spine. A recent Xray gave rise to a report which confirms that arthritis has set in. There is little treatment for the condition.

This year I also lost the two dogs which I have had the priviledge of owning for the last ten years. However two delightful little terriers have come into my life and to a certain extent they fill a gaping void in my new days without a horse to look after.

I am now sleeping again. I am working on my posture. The terriers make me laugh. For the time being I am going to let sleeping horses lie.

From time to time I shall cast my eye over the Forum to see how all my internet friends are getting on.

Thank you all for reading my posts.

Barry G

Barry, I feel your sadness. I am glad that you have the two new terriers. They are extremely entertaining dogs and there is nothing better then laughter to help heal the heart and lift the spirit. I happen to know that you have a wonderful spirit because it is there in everything that you write. I wish you well and I know that you will be missed by many here on the Forum.

If you want to see something that might bring a tear, google Scheese saddles, the website. There is a short video of a gal who is in her nineties. She's a bit frail but once on the horse you can tell she has wonderful hands and posts a good trot.

I ride with a 75 year old lady a lot. She still tacks her horse up by herself. In fact, she even tacks up her daughters horse. When we went on a 20 mile ride her daughter and I were sore afterwards and Jo (the 75 year old) said she could go another 20 miles. She is amazing! I love her to death and her passion for horses and riding is very inspiring to me. She has had horses her whole life and is a great mentor. Her love and knowledge of animals is so helpful.

I rode for cattle again this weekend with my great uncle that is 84. He kept telling us his horse is getting to old and slow for him and he needs to get a new one.

Makes me think how many miles he has ridden, been a cowboy his whole life.

Sorry for the misspelling. It's supposed to be Schleese saddles.