01/14/05 Riding age

Riding Age When should you start riding horses and when should you stop? I'm Jeff Keane and I'll tell you my thoughts right after this. First of all, when should you start riding horses? Well my answer to that is whenever you can. Most ranch kids or kids raised by horse people will be on a horse way before they can walk. This is because mom, dad or some other family member takes the time to put the little one in front of them in the saddle until they're old enough to ride that special gentle horse while being led and eventually handle a "baby sitter" horse on their own. My brother and I started that way because at cow moving times there weren't always babysitters real handy so Mom us took us with her and Dad. The days were long for us, but longer I'm sure for Mom. Well if you never had that opportunity, like I said crawl on whenever a horse is available and keep at it. There may a few bumps and bruises along the way, but you are in for a lifetime of rewards and pleasures; besides the little accidents can turn into good stories with just a little imagination and a little stretching here and there. Now, when to quit riding? I say as long as you have your balance and can get in the saddle anyway possible stay at it. I know on our place when it's time to move cows we try to make sure Mom, my Mother-in-law and our good neighbor are there. The two gals are in their 70'and neighbor, Buck, is 80-plus, but they still handle cattle right and still try teach us. I'm the horses keep them young. So get on that horse whenever you can, you're never too old to start and never too "young" to quit. I'm Jeff Keane.