exmoors and aging?

[~Perdita.M~]

An exmoor, kept naturally and regular work, would be healthy and fit for hacking/pleasure rides until what age? :)

[Angiebabe]

I think it depends very much on the pony. I had one on loan who was 30, not exmoor but I don't think that matters, she loved to be doing things and when she was retired a couple of years later after a few months she refused to come out of her stable and had to be PTS. I still believe to this day that if she had carried on with gentle hacking she would have lived longer.
Alternatively there is a horse on our yard who has arthritis and lies down in the field all day after he has done anything more than a gentle hack but his owner insists on taking him jumping??
Be judged by the pony - if they enjoy it and don't suffer any after effects keep going. Thats my opinion anyway.
Angela

[hApPiNeSs]

i think exmoors can go on for ever! :D

not really - but most work well into their twenties and even there thirties.

my first horse was a county level showjumper (yes i know - foolish! Bonnies Pride - heard of her?) so she was worked very hard. i was still riding her at 23 and i had to sell her because she was too strong for me

i owned her for 6 weeks lol! :D then 'downgraded' to my exmoor :p

[notpoodle]

mine is only 13 so can't really say (when i tell people shes 13 they often refuse to believe it though!!).

i knew an icelandic mare (not that different from an exmoor i guess) once, she was well into her 30s, fit as a fiddle and still did the odd beginners lessons!

julia
x

[Mehitabel]

yep, entirely depends on the pony, what kind of start it had, how many miles on the clock it has, etc etc. generally, one that has had a good start in life, not been worked too hard at a young age, should go on until 30s, barring stuff like lammy, injury etc. natives normally last longer than bigger, finer animals. poor starts often catch up with them - we are seeing it in a couple of our 20 sometihngs at the minute - mistreated and not enough nourishment as youngsters.