Welcome to the Grey Mare Blog

The blog for older but still bold equestrians everywhere

Are you a thinking horse lover who has headed over the hill on the wrong side of 50 — but you’re still looking after your horses, still riding, and maybe even still competing? Then this might be the blog for you.

My name is Henrietta Forrest and as a lifelong horse lover, owner and rider who has hit her late-50s, I’ve found my equestrian landscape has changed a bit. I still own seven horses of all ages and stages, and I still ride and compete now and then, even though most of my fellow competitors seem to be about twelve!

I still love learning about these wonderful animals, and I try to keep up with the science and how it affects us as riders. I’m also at that age where I sometimes need to sit down to haul my socks on, mucking out makes my back ache, and I’m trying to persuade my other half to put skyscraper extensions on the yard mounting blocks. If this sounds familiar, then welcome to greymare.co.uk. This blog is an ode to middle-aged riders everywhere - the ones who look at John and Michael Whitaker flying huge fences and wonder how their backs survive the landings and the ones who’ve learned to layer smartly to deal with hot flushes on a freezing day.

I might be over the hill but I still love riding my horses

Some dreams haven’t died, though. Even if I’m less dedicated to switching the arena lights on on a winter’s night - the fire, a film and a glass of wine often win - I’ve still got two homebred youngsters who I hope will keep me cantering through middle age.

I also love following the research we now have access to - the good and the bad - and doing my best to make sure my horses live their best lives. I enjoy working with trainers and professionals who really think about what they do and why.

Galloping over the hill

The hope is that some posts here will keep you up to date with my own horses, some will make you laugh as fellow “over-the-hill” riders, some might make you think, and others might help you dodge a bullet when it comes to buying gear for our ageing bodies with their new bulges and complaining joints.

Come along for the ride

So come along with me - for fun, for reviews of clothes and kit, for great stories, and for interviews with other older riders who are still knocking it out of the park (or did back in the day). Riders who absolutely refuse to canter gently into that good night.

If this sounds good to you, I’d love you to hit subscribe, leave a comment, and keep up with everything happening on greymare.co.uk.