Older Horses..

[Raggedyrat]

Hello All!

I am about to purchase an aged QH mare. She is 19. I would like to use her for pleasure and trail riding. She looks to be in good health and is guarenteed sound for riding/breeding. Is there anyone here who could share experiences with me? Does anyone here have older horses as riding horses? About how long with good care, could I continue riding her?

Thank you,
Liz

[~alison~*]

Well, if you take good care of her, and don't overwork her or anything like that, she'll probably last a good while. But remember, you never know when nature might take its place. We had a 30 year old horse that we used as a school horse, and he was still going strong. We had him on a joint supplement, and he was even more energetic. My friend has a 21 year old Saddlebred, and she is definately full of fire and set in her ways! So, I hope all goes well, and you have a lot of fun!

[Medalia]

Only 19? She still has up to 14 years left- that is if you don't over or under feed her, keep her in good health with Vet and Farrier checks often, make sure she doesn't have a hazardous field to live in, things like that.

Good luck!
:)Medalia :)

[Horselover2]

Hey Raggedyrat!! Just saw this post, don't have much time to read them all lately. Anyway, my old girl is 22 and still going VERY strong...most of the folks at my barn are afraid to get on her, he-he!! My advice is to take a decent amount of time w/warming up and cooling down. If you notice her having an "owie" kind of day, ride accordingly. I was at a team penning event this past summer, and was amazed when one of the competitors told me her horse was 30!!

[amethyst]

I've probably posted this before - but here goes again! - it's something I feel strongly about. Old horses last much longer if they know they're still useful - keep them interested in life and they'll go on for way past a mere 19! (particularly if they were not overworked when young - eg. raced as 2 year olds). Our oldest pony worked happily until she died at 35. She was just as wicked and fun then as 20 years earlier. A favourite Thoroughbred mare lived until she was 28 - and got naughtier as she went on.
Perfectly behaved until she was 21, then it was the "I'm only a poor old lady and I'll do what I like!" routine. She did it with such flair that I'm embarrassed to admit she actually got away with it. Our current oldest residents are 2 at 30 and 1 at 29 - all very fit and well.

[Horselover2]

Hi Amethyst
Nice to meet ya. I have a quick question and would like your opinion, if you will...

Do you think that the size of a horse is relevant to life expectancy as it seems to be in canines? you know, the fact that smaller dogs outlive the larger breeds??

[Catherine]

I quite agree about keeping older horses active and feeling as though they are still important to you. Our oldest TB (Jenny) is 26, and behaves about 4 a lot of the time. She is a bit creaky now and slow to warm up, but once she has got going, it takes a determined rider to stop her. The rules change, you see; once you hit 21, you have the proverbial key of the door, and can do whatever you like, and mum and dad don't tell you off.

I suppose a lot depends on what experiences they have had in their younger working lives, but Jen still loves to be taken out for hacks and last year we entered her first ever showing class, and came fifth out of 23 other horses. Not bad for an old lady who at 8 had a serious racing accident that ended a promising point-to-point career. I have a lightweight friend who rides her quite often - my padding is somewhat thicker than it used to be - and they have a great time together.

In addition to all this, we bred a gorgeous colt from her in 1997, and she was the most adoring mum you could have wished for. Our vet was very supportive of trying to have a foal from her, as he knows her inside out, and knew she'd have no difficulty. Not only have we still got a wonderful lively 'more mature' mare, but also a living memory of how much pleasure she has given us over the years.

Go for it!

[Horselover2]

Catherine, how inspiring to hear about Jenny! I would love to breed my old girl (she's 22) but didn't know if that was too old or not, and anyway, can't afford a foal next year, but could the following year which would put her at 24. She is a very opinionated SBxTB who has had several previous babies; the last one at the age of 12. She is very smart, very willing (although a bit stubborn at times, if the two terms can be used in the same sentence, LOL!) She's got beautiful conformation, although her back could be a tad shorter, which I will fix with the stud I have in mind.

Anyway, I've vered off the subject, but I guess I just wanted to know, will she be too old to breed next year, (God willing that she's still in the same great health that she is now???)

Happy Holidays,
HL2

[Clare]

Hi!

I have a 17 almost 18 year old, and he is fantastic - he puts 6 year lods to shame. He jumps like nothing on earth, which he loves, and when hacking out will rarely walk, but prefers to prance the whole way around, tail high and loving every minute of it. He will also try and gallop off if you give him half a chance, as he loves a gallop from time to time, and will turn on a six pence, so yes, older horses are brill!! :)

Oh, and after reading the posts about older mares having foals, I was talking to someone who had a 19 yr old mare who was suffering slightly with arthiritis. When she ended up in foal (by accident) it gave her a totally new lease of life, as when they probuce the milk for the foals, it also helps them, by some sort of hormone level rising (like oestrogen for us?) anyway, it is the absolute truth, I don't know if there is any scientific evidence for this, but I am sure there are many more cases where this has happened!

[Horselover2]

Clare, your gelding sounds just like my 22yo mare! I hope that this is an indication that they will have a LONG life!!!

[Zoey]

I have got a 36 year old ex-race horse, 16.2hh, acts like a 4 year old when out. Dancing around and loving every second of it. However, saying that he is only ridden out about once a fortnight but we would have probably stopped it a while ago if he didn't enjoy it. It is good to hear of so many people having older horses - so many horse people think 12 is getting `over the hill'!

[Clare]

Hi Horselover2!!

I hope that this is the case too - I am dreading the day anything happens and I can't ride Mouhn any more, as I don't think I could keep 2, and would not be able to part with him, but on current form it looks like he has a good while to go yet! :)

[newrider]

Agen horses can be the best or slow you down,I advise that you don't work her too hard, but ecsersize her and warm her up alot.

:.)