From Saddle Wreck to Scritch Whisperer: What Horseback Riding Taught Me About Acting

When I showed up for my first horseback riding lesson, I was—how do I put this delicately—terrified. I’d watched enough Westerns to know the horse was probably smarter than me.
(And stronger. And faster. And heavier. And judging me silently.)

Fast forward 11 lessons, and here I am:

• Walking out to the field solo to catch a horse

• Haltering them without help

• Grooming (yes, even picking their hooves—gulp)

• Saddling up

• Riding with confidence – (In the video below, I’m sitting the trot — which basically means I didn’t bounce off like a sack of laundry. It’s a new skill, and honestly? I’m just impressed I stayed on. Progress.)

• And then doing the whole post-ride care routine: brushing, de-tacking, leading them back to pasture, and giving out scritches like a cowboy turned Disney princess

I actually look forward to riding now. But I didn’t start out that way.

Watch me go from saddle-shy to scritch-savvy in 11 lessons flat. (Note: No horses were bribed in the making of this video. Unless you count treats.)

And, just in case you were interested, these are the riding boots I bought since my work boots didn’t really fit into the stirrups:

What I’m Wearing:  Ariat Men’s Heritage Roper Western Boot–

These boots have a short upper and a round toe, which makes them easier to move in — especially when you’re not used to cowboy gear. They come in a wide width (a must for me), and they were surprisingly easy to break in. Comfortable, solid, and just stylish enough without going full rhinestone rodeo.

They work great as riding boots and general-purpose work boots. I can even get my big feet into them without a wrestling match — though full disclosure, I did throw my back out trying them on. (Yes, really. Welcome to aging like a stunt double.)

Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed
So, if you’re old like me, you’ll need one of these too (ask my spine):
ZOMAKE Metal Long-Handled Shoe Horn — I use this exact one, and it’s a game-changer. Makes it way easier to get those boots onto my ogre-sized feet without throwing out my back in the process. Comes in a 2-pack, in case you want to keep one in your trailer and one in your regrets drawer.

What Does Any of This Have to Do with Acting?

Everything.

Because learning to ride as an adult feels a lot like starting an acting career later in life:

• You feel awkward.
  Like a kid in a grown-up’s body trying not to fall off. (Emotionally or literally.)

• You have to rewire your instincts.
  With horses, you can’t muscle through fear—you have to learn to listen, breathe, and move with intention. Same with acting. The moment you try to control everything, you disconnect from the moment.

• It’s about trust, not domination.
  The horse doesn’t care that you booked a co-star. They want to know if you’re clear, kind, and grounded. Turns out, so do casting directors.

• You grow by showing up—over and over again.
  Progress isn’t about one perfect ride or one booked job. It’s about the 100 quiet, messy, beautiful repetitions that come before it.

And just like acting, some days you feel like you’ve got it. Other days the horse looks at you like, “Absolutely not, friend.” That’s the gig.

You Don’t Have to Be Fearless. You Just Have to Be Willing.

Starting anything new as an adult—whether it’s acting, riding, or chasing down an old dream—takes guts. Not because you’ll be perfect. But because you’ll keep going even when you aren’t.

So here’s your reminder:
It’s not too late. You’re not too far behind. And you absolutely don’t need permission to start.

You just need the right tools, a clear path, and someone to tell you it’s okay to be new at this.

Want Help Starting Your Acting Journey?

If you’re curious about acting but don’t know where to begin, I’ve got two things for you:

1. Start Where You Are – A mindset-first guide to building a career later in life

2. The Working Actor Starter Kit – A no-fluff resource to help you take your first on-set steps

Both are made for late bloomers like me (and maybe you).
Check ’em out and see what speaks to you.

Heads up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you. Think of it as tossing a tip in the jar so I can keep creating helpful stuff (and maybe upgrade my lighting setup).