Mature horse worries

[Caro]

Hi all

Sorry if this post is in the wrong place - I wasn't sure where to place it and I kind of feel it's a mature issue...albeit from the horse's point of view.

Some of you may remember me from some months back when you gave me tons of confidence to begin getting back into riding after a long break and at a very mature age, and that I found a very mature horse to share to help me with this, and help get my children involved in the necessary day-to-day care. :D :D

It's all going really well, but I wondered if anybody would be able to help with a worry I have, made worse by a comment from an onlooker last week.

The horse I share is 27/28 years, and is an absolute sweetheart. We go on lots of lovely hacks together, and he's keen. However, although he wants to canter (particularly when we turn for home!) I kind of feel he's too old and I should keep him strictly to walk and trot. I don't want him dropping dead under me, and I don't want to exhaust him. So that's what we largely do.

The other day I was giving him a long rein as we were heading for home. We'd had an hour out, mostly walked, with some (not much) trotting and about 30 yards of cantering. We met a woman who commented 'what have you been doing to him - he looks exhausted' which made me feel awful, especially as he didn't feel exhausted to me and I didn't feel I'd overworked him at all. He was hanging his head low, but he tends to do this when I allow him a long rein). The question is, at his age should I be keeping to walk from now on? I want to do what's best for him.

I'd really appreciate your input.

[Mehitabel]

this kind of thing varies so much from horse to horse, it's impossible to say without seeing him. we have one who is 25-ish and slowing down considerably - he only does leadrein work and really that's only to fool him into thinking he is still a young horse with a job - they often get depressed when they retire. on the other hand we have one who is at least 33, and last weekend i took her as escort for a walk trot and canter hack, she bounced, she bucked, she huffed and puffed and pranced and thoroughly enjoyed herself. she doesn't do lessons, only leadrein and hacking, but she is fit and well and happy.

looks can be deceiving - in general i would say go with your gut instinct. have you got an instructor you can trust to tell you the truth, or a knowledgeable friend who could come and watch you ride and assess him?

[Ipsa]

Hi Caro, it sounds like he is happy and enjoying a good quality of life. I think older horses do tend to look more tired than younger ones as they seem to elongate in the way they carry themselves as they get older as well as been less flexible.
I would ignore what the person said and try not to dwell on it. You could ask the opinion of somone who you can trust to give you a truthful answer and whose opinion you could value.
Our old pony who was put down at the age of 33 last year often preferred to canter rather than trot so I am sure your horse knows what is best for him.
:)

[Caro]

Hi

Thanks for this - his owner says exactly the same thing and she's keen for him to be used. She's kept horses to advanced ages for years and feels the best way to keep them happy is to use them as long as possible. He certainly has a healthy, shiny coat, bright eyes, pays lots of attention to what's going on around him when we're out, and is definitely keen. I think the problem is my worry, compounded by the woman we met, that I shouldn't canter him. It's cheering to hear of your 33 yr old. My boy certainly seems to enjoy himself - so maybe I should trust my gut feeling and not be swayed by a stranger in the woods!

C

[virtuallyhorses]

If he's eager to have a bit of a canter then let him. You don't say what breed he is, so its hard to tell whether 27 is really ancient or whether he's simply in his late middle age :)

One thing that is important with most older horses is to keep them in some sort of fit shape - it's harder for them to get fit if they are given a complete break, work keeps them muscled and suppled and they like their routines. While an older chap will enjoy the fact that you are so considerate of him, he probably doesn't know he's old and likes to have a bit of a trot and a canter - although even at his age he shouldn't be allowed bad habits like racing home ;) Just remember to build up slowly, always allow more warmup and cool down time than with a younger horse.

[Wobblydeb]

Please don't worry about comments made by strangers! :) It could easily be someone with zero experience of horses, and has never seen one getting a good stretch of the neck after working. The cob I ride plays it to perfection, plodding around the school after a mere 20 minutes with his nose nearly to the floor trying to look the most hard done to horse on the planet!

Either that or it could simply be what she thought was a jokey way of making conversation. Who knows? :rolleyes:

As some of the others have said - rely upon people who have experience of horses generally and your chap in particular. I've certainly known ponies of 30+ years happily hacking and cantering so he may well be healthy enough for a bit of canter work :)

I think if you asked anyone on this board what they would like for their horse as they get older, they would opt for a similar life to what your chap is getting!

[Kanuma]

my 24 yearold pony is still doing county level showing and winning!
a friends 29 yearold purebred arab still does huntertrials!
if the pony s happy doing it then dont stresss about it, they know thier limits and generaly will tell you when they have had enough!

[Caro]

Hi - from a reassured me! :)

Ho ho - I'm not sure he does know his limits - he's always keen to move quickly, once warmed up. I always walk him at least 1 mile out and 1 mile home, so any trotting or cantering is done inbetween. He's a Welsh X (at least, I think he is - I'll have to check now), and has been such a confidence giver. Which is why I want to do the best by him. And yes, maybe that woman was trying to make conversation, albeit choosing the wrong opening line!

Anyway, many thanks for your help on this.

Caro :)

[Kanuma]

harvey my 23 year old is a terror! he doesnt know the meaning of slow! but it suits him, we tried to retire him and he went downhil very fast when we did! so we brought him back into work and he is happy!
i know a 54 yearold pony who was giveing rideing lessons up until 2 weeks before he was PTS! (colic)
this is harvey last year
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/kanuma/harvey/Copyofharvey.bmp
and harvey playing up in the showring and throwing in a couple of flying changes!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/kanuma/harvey/harvsflying.jpg

[Purdey33]

I have a 25 year old, she went on loan last September, and she loves going out! She is the fastest hacker I (and the lady that loans her) knows! She never goes beyond trot and although suffers from arthritis - riding out keeps her happy and alive :)

It sounds like your horse loves riding out too, and this woman who made the comment knows nothing about him - but YOU know him :)

Forget her comments and carry on as you are :)

[Grace O'Malley]

The arab gelding I ride is the same age, and he loves to go fast (much more than I do :eek: , if the truth were to be told). I took the day off work yesterday and went out for a long trail ride on him, along with his owner who was working a young horse. He does have brakes, but he makes it clear that he wants to go, and keep on going, and canter rather than trot or walk.

Usually when I hack him out alone, we walk down the road to a local park with a nice dirt track, and some good uphill slopes. I keep him walking on the road, when we get to the uphill bits in the park, I'll give him the opportunity to trot or canter. I'll urge a bit, but if he doesn't want to, I don't push it. There's also a nice open flat area, and I try to get a few minutes of trot there. He also loves to blast up the last hill (dirt road) home. Not something I would do with most horses, but it's been his habit for many years and he always stops in the same spot.

But then earlier in the week last week, I got there and he just looked tired. I spoke with his owner and she said she'd had him out for a long trail ride the day before. So I decided just to handwalk him instead of riding. We both enjoyed it, and he looked so grateful when I untied him without putting his saddle on :p

So I guess what I'm saying is the horse will let you know :)

Grace (who loves the golden oldies)

[Zimbah]

Like everyone else has said, it sounds like he's fine. The things I would watch out for are his breathing and his paces - if he gets very puffed or coughs a lot after faster work then he's probably not fit enough. Similarly if he seems stiff or jerky when you come back to walk after trotting or cantering then it's probably too much for his muscles and joints. If none of those things happen, or only for a very short time, then I'm sure he's fine :) . Especially if his owner agrees - you can alway check with her that he's not stiff the day after you've ridden, to be extra sure. It sounds like he enjoys getting out and about. As others have said, if he sometimes seems slower or tired I would give him the benefit of the doubt and take it more slowly on those days.