‘Aged’ horses

[gallopingby]

Once upon a time the term ‘aged’ was commonly used for horses over 8 years old. Times have changed and management is now very different, so when would you consider a horse to be aged? Discuss nicely

 

[tda]

15yrs +

 

[Wizpopagain]

20+ years

 

[reynold]

With vet and care advances we now see horses at top level competing to 18 and then go on to be schoolmasters for younger riders for a couple of years so I'd go with 20+.

For good and safe Pony Club ponies I'd increase that age to 22 and there are many still going at 24.

 

[cauda equina]

I think it depends on the horse
Like people, some horses get old younger than others

 

[Polos Mum]

Horses 20+ ish - there have been some popping around Badminton at 19 y/o I think

Ponies a bit older - more common to see them going well past 22

But the range is huge, some 70 year old women are running park run several times a year, some are in a home needing significant support - genetics and lifestyle can play a huge part.

 

[rabatsa]

Aged versus Old?

Aged was used for those horses over 7 years due to the difficulties in accurate ageing from teeth after that age. Not that horses were written off at that age.

 

[MNMyShiningStars]

I have 2 at 23 years old, retired. I considered them aged from around 18. Are veteran classes still from 15+? I think they are in their prime at that age x

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

20+ is aged to me!
Seeing as my soon to be 16 yr old is the most spritely animal ever, and getting worse with age! haha

 

[Korg]

It varies a lot when they get old, so I wouldn't set a number. Some are old by 16, some are still in great condition at 19. But approximately at 15+ I'd pay more attention towards if the horse is getting old, even though most are still good by then.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Like Rab, I thought aged related to guesstimating their age via their teeth rather than ageing process per se?

My 20 year old native does definitely not consider himself remotely close to old. He's still comfortably in full work & shows zero signs of thinking about slowing down. I mentioned the other day that I think he'll age disgracefully. I was asked how I would know the difference ...?!

 

[smolmaus]

Aged versus Old?

Aged was used for those horses over 7 years due to the difficulties in accurate ageing from teeth after that age. Not that horses were written off at that age.

This makes more sense. An 8yo is still basically a baby!

My incredibly low mileage 10yo is already on supportive meds for her joints, several parts of my body think they should be drawing a pension already (I'm 36 and also very low mileage!). I have a friend in her 60's (cancer survivor!!) with a 22yo gelding and they both run rings round us.

 

[Sanversera]

Aged 15+. Old 19 + very old 26+

 

[humblepie]

I have 2 at 23 years old, retired. I considered them aged from around 18. Are veteran classes still from 15+? I think they are in their prime at that age x

Most veteran classes are 15 plus. The showing societies split them pre veteran which is 15-19, veteran 20-24 then diamond veteran with the other society being slightly different.

 

[moosea]

Aged always used to be over 7 years old. It referred to the fact that the horses education was complete and they were suitable for work.
So probably 9 these days.

 

[midnight Legend]

I think it’s depends on the individual horses/ pony and Heath issues associated with the horse. I know Connemara pony that are so hardy they are able to buck people off and jump out of a field at the ripe age of thirty. I also know horses that were retired at 19 due to severe arthritis and unfortunately won’t live a long into their 20s . I say in general 19+ for a horse and early 20s for a pony .