How to tell when a horse is too old to ride?

[Susan's Dad]

Hi everybody! Finland calling!

My first post, so please be gentle!

My daughter Susan is now 12 (yesterday!) and she started riding in December last year. She goes once a week with her friend to a stable not so far away, and they have great fun spending a whole 4 hours grooming and riding Anki, a lovely old mare.

My question is this: How do you know when a horse is too old to ride? I have absolutely no experience with horses whatsoever. I must admit I'm concerned as Anki is 29 years old! I went to see the girls ride on Monday - my first visit to the stables. It was really lovely. It's a super place and very professionally managed and there's also a huge heated indoor riding hall. Anki is very very well looked-after, but should I be worried that she'll drop dead at any moment with one of the girls on her back?

I'm asking here because I'm actually English and I'd like an educated and experienced opinion. Please, any replies will be most gratefully received!

So, until then. Thanks - or as they say here: Kiitos!

Matt

 

[notpoodle]

hello there!

i would guess if anki seems happy (ie she does not look like she is about to conk out, isnt lame and looks like she's enjoying herself), she should be fine horses do seem to be rideable for longer these days. and i guess anki's owners wouldn't let people ride her if she couldn't be ridden any more.

there's a lady on here with an older pony called Brandy who can probably tell you a lot more about veterans

Julia
x

 

[Susan's Dad]

Oh, thanks Julia! You've made me feel MUCH better! Anki is in great shape and still has a big twinkle in her eye.

Matt x

 

[mikh]

My friends 27yo TB is still competing regularly, I think it depends on the horse tbh!

 

[*Sez*]

I know someone with a 32 year old (approx ) who still goes hacking regularly. He is happy and healthy, and his owner takes appropriate care in ensuring that his tack fits, his teeth are checked regularly and he is on supplements to help keep his joints in good condition. He looks like a much younger pony, and I was completely gobsmacked to hear that he is in his early thirties!
If Anki looks in good condition and isn't struggling, then she probably has some years left in her. It isn't unheard of for horses to die suddenly undersaddle (I think that is mostly heart conditions, and can happen to a horse of any age), but I would imagine that when Anki is reaching the natural end of her life, she will start to go downhill, as most animals do as they age, and her owners will probably prevent people from riding her as she loses condition. Some veterans do better when exercised lightly to keep the joints mobile and supple, as some of them cannot cope with being turned out 24/7 and being stabled a lot can cause joint stiffness and pain.

 

[Mehitabel]

yep, horses can go on for a long time if they re kept goign and fit. it's like people - some are 'elderly' in themselves in their 60s, others keep goign well into their 80s and 90s. a good riding school will listen to its horses -i certainly wouldn't expect a 29 year old to be doing a lot of fast work, but beginner lessons keep the horse interested and happy, rather than feeling bored in a field. many horses hate retirement - we had one years ago who came to us aged 20ish to slow down from a life as a showjumper. we tried three times to retire her, but she was having none of it - would jump out of fields and bring herself in, her eyes lit up when she saw her tack - and eventually aged 37 she consented to stop working. she had a year very happily nannying youngsters before she went. towards the end she onlyt did the odd half-hour plod with a toddler on board, but just coming in, being brushed and used for lectures (parts of the pony etc - we used to stick stickers on her with names on) kept her happy and lively to the end.

 

[rtk]

No problem at all if she's fit and sound.

One is mine is 32 now and still hack out over the moors and shows every summer

Here is the proof

 

[clairey259]

As many of the other people have said, it completely depends on the horse. If its still bright eyed, enjoying what its doing, not losing vast amounts of weight and generally happy then its ok to keep riding.

My old riding school had a 40 year old mare who was still competing and absolutely loving it (ovbiously she was taken over less demanding courses).

 

[Susan's Dad]

You're all too kind, thank you!

Susan and I are reading all your posts avidly.

Great to hear the oldies can still hack it! Well post some pics soon for you to have a look at Frozen Finland!

Matt and Susan xxx

 

[Skippys Mum]

Not only will Susan be having fun, Anki will love being spoiled and petted.

She will let you know when she needs to slow down. If the riding school is quite happy to let her continue, she will be better kept going. Horses tend to grind to a halt when they are retired. A bit of light work is much better for them.

Good luck with your future riding career Susan, and Dad, why dont you give it a go?.

 

[monsoon1983]

we had one years ago who came to us aged 20ish to slow down from a life as a showjumper. we tried three times to retire her, but she was having none of it - would jump out of fields and bring herself in, her eyes lit up when she saw her tack - and eventually aged 37 she consented to stop working. she had a year very happily nannying youngsters before she went. towards the end she onlyt did the odd half-hour plod with a toddler on board, but just coming in, being brushed and used for lectures (parts of the pony etc - we used to stick stickers on her with names on) kept her happy and lively to the end.

We had to do the same with my Shettie, although he would go through or under things to come in - yep imagine an army comando along the floor suffle, but white and hairy and that was him!

The kids loved him and he thrived on the attention they gave him, i even used to get someone to walk him out inhand with the beginner hacks, although he used to end up cantering along next to the helpers going loopy! he was like it right up until his last month when he lost his other OAP mate

 

[sotanimals]

I was at a riding place and their fastest horse was a 34 year old one eyed mare. (goty it front of a car when younger. lucky little girl.) She was the oldest one. But we have an ex-cow horse and she is going into retirement now. But she was worked hard in her youth.

 

[x-Marmite-x]

I ride a 27/28 YO tb who thinks it's REALLY funny to tank off with me in any space bigger than a menage he's still jumping, isn't stiff and has some very loopy moments when he wants - the only way you can tell his age by glancing at him is his back is now dipped and he's a little on the bony side (he's got an appetite of a shire, though ) he acts like a spring chicken (oh dear, he's out on the spring grass soon, o joy !). As long as Anki looks and acts happy and healthy there's no reason she can't work t that age .

 

[Jetstreem]

My mare is around 30yrs old now and is still full of go! She still wizzes round jumps like a loony, but will stop of her own accord when she has had enough. I recently had her in the forest close to me with a friend of mine riding her, with me on my 25yr old gelding, and we were flying through the trees jumping fallen logs and she was fairly shifting and throughly enjoyed it!

Cerys

 

[atd87]

The riding school that I used to go to had an Exmoor who was still being used for lessons until the day before he died and was between 35-38, plus he still wanted to work!! There was a few times when he wouldnt come in from the field with the heard so the left him out for the day for a rest, but other than that he was fine and would still tank off if he thaught the rider couldnt handle him!!! He was always my fav

 

[allcluedup]

your horse will tell you when he doesnt want to be ridden any more my freind had an old boy who was 35 and he loved going to shows and going out for a quite plod.

 

[sonnet]

I competed my 36 year old Arab x in Veteran classes and SJ to 3ft. He loved it and had to have a ridiculously strong bit in!! It depends on the horse but they'll let you know!

 

[Ms Kitty]

We've got a 35 year old playing Polo.

It really is down to the individual horse and how they have been used in the past. I have known horse less than 10 years old so riddled with arthritis they have had to be put to sleep, and others like the one we have at our yard, still going strong at 30+.

If your horse is comfortable and moves well, no reason to think that he/she should be retired. Of course, you do have to consider the age and not go hooning around like he/she is still a youngster, but I am sure you'll know what I mean.

I'm asking here because I'm actually English and I'd like an educated and experienced opinion.

I am from Finland myself, and I am not sure if I should take that comment to mean you are uncertain if you could get an educated and experienced opinion from Finnish people, which would be rather insulting..

Nina x

 

[allinyourrows]

I know a 35 year old semi retired, but still LOVES a bit of XC, SJ and Pony Club games!

 

[skewbald-mad]

kaisers field mate is 29, i had a shot on him a couple of months ago and i couldnt actually get him from canter to trot! he has always been a nutter tho, used to jump for scotland etc in his day, went all over, even had a few trips to france etc for comps!

now he leads a life of luxury, gets ridden once or twice a week and although he cant eat hay etc, he gets a huge bucket of hard feed morning and night and is looking great!!!