Any Advice Please!!!!

[XxHoneyMonsterxX]

I would would like any advice on what to do please. I would like to get back into riding my 19 year old thoroughbred. I havent ridden him for 8 months due to i had an injury but a couple months later my other horse was put down. He has two other companions but since she died hes become slightly nervous about everything and i just wanted some advice wether i should retire him for good or just slowly get back into it. Any advice is welcome.

Lotti

 

[dwi]

If he doesn't have any medical problems I would say start with some gentle, reasonably short walks and see how he goes. 19 yo isn't particularly old in itself, many people are still out competing in veteran classes at that age

 

[dozzie]

Id definitely ride him!! he could go on for years and he may enjoy the experience. I would still ride my old boy if he wasnt so mad and impossible to catch!!!! But he is "lots" older!!!!

He'll tell you when hes ready to retire!!

Just build up slowly.

 

[gothdolly]

Hey there
Im in a similar situation, I have not ridden Domino regularly since March 2005 when I found out I was pregnant. My mother rode Domino during my pregnancy a bit but he has done nothing since February 2006. I have got on him maybe twice in the last year and a friend walked him out once but thats it. Im hoping to bring him back into work if the vet gives me the go-ahead in mid march. He is recovering from bruised soles - I had his shoes taken off because he kept casting shoes - big mistake!

Anyway.... I would definately ride him, starting at walk for a few weeks, and building up slowly.... in general, I think horses are better kept in appropriate work than just being field ornaments.