If you’ve been around horses long enough, then you’ve probably witnessed a scenario like this: a middle-aged woman buys a very expensive horse but shortly thereafter becomes afraid to ride the animal. Then the woman’s coach takes over the ride until the horse becomes more “rideable.” And sometimes the woman never feels safe in the saddle and that horse gets sold, and she goes horse shopping again and repeats the ordeal.
Confession: I’ve been that woman.
It certainly doesn’t happen to all women riders; many continue to be brave and are able to ride young or difficult horses and enjoy the experience for their entire lives. For me, one bad fall in my late thirties that required surgery pretty much robbed me of my confidence. Since then, I’ve bought and sold four warmblood dressage horses, eventually owning one that suits me the most.