Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness -- Book Review

Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness
by Rallie McAllister, M.D.
Eclipse Press, 2007, $28.95
ISBN-13 9781581501704
Available through Amazon and Chapters/Indigo

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton – www.dreamsaloud.ca
First published in Horses All Magazine – www.horsesall.com

"If you’re like most horsewomen, you probably can’t imagine a life without horses. How long and to what extent you’re able to ride and remain actively involved with horses depends not only on your desire but also on your health." ~ Rallie McAllister, M.D.

Many of us have difficulty fitting good health habits into an already rushed schedule. We have careers and raise families; some of us tend farms, ranches and riding centers, over and above our personal equestrian pursuits. Enter physician Rallie McAllister, also an avid horsewoman, syndicated columnist and author of Riding for Life: A Horsewoman’s Guide to Lifetime Health & Fitness.

This unique book can help all riders maintain optimal fitness and health while keeping up regular daily priorities. It includes two simple Riding for Life Programs, one focused on wholesome eating / nutritional supplements and one on physical fitness. Both serve as launching pads to help women improve their strength and stamina as equestrians, no matter what their current levels. We may understand the importance of good nutrition for our horse and yet neglect our own. McAllister details simple solutions to help us eat smart and ride well. No extra time for gym or exercise class? McAllister’s exercises require little equipment and can be done at home, at the barn or in your office. Her logic is clear. The more toned specific muscle groups are, the more quickly and comfortably your skills as an equestrian can advance.

There are two chapters devoted to overcoming obstacles that can stand in the way of your horse passions. As women, we often spend much time taking care of others and shortchanging our own needs. Finances and individual circumstances can also impede what we would like to achieve. These chapters contain worksheets to help define your dreams and priorities, identify barriers and create solutions, both in the saddle and on the ground.

McAllister combines excellent medical information with her deep love of horses. She writes in an encouraging, yet no-nonsense voice, designed for reader inspiration. This book can help anyone continue to ride regularly throughout the seasons of life.

About the Author:

Rallie McAllister, the mother of three boys, lives on a farm in Kentucky and enjoys riding her four horses. She designs corporate wellness programs, is the author of several other health books and writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column, Your Health. Visit Rallie at: http://www.rallieonhealth.com

Horseback Riding Fitness for Mature Riders -- Help Your Body When You Ride

Guest Post by Nanette Levin, Owner of Halcyon Acres

First, I’d like to say that I don’t consider myself mature. You (usually) can’t see my gray hairs, there’s not too much gathering in my midsection, the sun hasn’t yet cratered my face, I’m more active than most teenagers (that’s not saying much these days), and I’ve been accused on more than one occasion of being childish.

It seemed important to make this clear. That said, I’ve definitely noticed some challenges riding, particularly in the last decade or so as I have seen my thirties wane and have roared well into my forties.

Paul asked me to discuss how I’ve altered my routine to accommodate some of the physical challenges – many borne from injury, some just plain about getting older - that have developed over the years. For the record, I still gallop Thoroughbred racehorses at an area track and start and fix young horses under saddle at Halcyon Acres.

Stretching prior to riding (I’m not as vigilant about this as I should be) has really helped. This is a good practice for anyone, but becomes essential later in life. Try to stretch the muscles you use most (think thighs and shoulders), but don’t forget about the hips, ankles, calves, the neck, and back. Simply spending twenty minutes stretching, can not only keep you from getting sore, but also help avoid injury. To offer extra assurances the toxins are released from my muscles periodically, I have also incorporated massage twice a month.

These days, I always wear a back brace when riding. Having torn a major ligament, my back just isn’t what it used to be. It helps to have the support to avoid future injury and offer additional strength. If you have an area that’s giving you trouble, try wrapping it and you may be amazed how much less pain you suffer.

I now listen to my body instead of riding through the pain. If I pull something, I take care of it. Sometimes this requires rest. I’ve also become a big believer in ice. Twenty minutes on; twenty minutes off; coupled with some massage to an injured area can really speed the healing process and minimize the discomfort.

Sometimes you have to learn to say no. This can be extremely challenging when you’re used to doing it all, but I do not hesitate to let some cocky young rider rise to the challenge of a difficult horse anymore as I happily climb aboard the “boring” steed. That’s saved me from feeling old on a whole bunch of occasions.

You get wiser too. I spend a lot more time on the ground than I used to with young horses that are fractious, concerned or just plain belligerent. It is amazing how effectively you can teach a lesson in the stall, the round pen or with long reins and have it understood once you hop on their backs. This saves a lot of time in the long term too, because riding becomes a pleasant cooperative experience developed from a communications process that is clear. It’s also a lot easier to ride without pain if you’re not brushing dirt off your backside.

I’ve found water to be more critical as the years have passed. Merely keeping hydrated can help you avoid a lot of muscle ache after a particularly rigorous day.

Finally, I’ve had to slow down. Gone is the routine of riding twenty or more horses in a day. Instead, I take on less, but enjoy it a good deal more. Breaks between horses also gives the body time to recuperate and muscles time to relax.

Older and wiser is a term that didn’t mean much to me years ago, but as it’s become necessary to supplement brawn with brain, I’m getting it. Now I just wish I could go back a couple of decades and institute the care required now to avoid some of the creaky quirks that remind me daily of neglectful mistakes made in the past.