At what age would you consider a horse as "old"?

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CastleMouse

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Everyone has their own varied opinion on what age they think a horse is "old", but what at what age would you consider a horse as "old"? It also depends on breed and what discipline(s) they do, but say for instance an allround Connemara and a TB x eventer. I know many Connemaras who are still happily one day eventing and showjumping in their late twenties, I also think it's about how happy the horse is about what he does, if he has the heart and willingness he'll stay going at it longer. I would consider an allrounder Connemara old in their early twenties. As for a TB x eventers, I'd say about the 18 mark, I'd be interested to know what your opinions are though, as I was talking to a friend about this matter and it's amazing how different our opinions are on a horses age!
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My last horse although 34 was fit as a fiddle and would bolt with the best of them up until he was pts. I only used him for hacking though. I guess if you compete you need to keep track of their health as they get older and into their 20's.
 
Over 20 is old to me. I have a couple of oldies, both 21 years old; one looks and acts like a 12 year old, the other looks and acts like a 21 year old. Both are highly bred Quarter Horses with remarkably similar breeding.
 
Horses are only as old as you treat them.

I've known and ridden some horses in their late teens/early 20s who act like fresh 4 yr olds ans vice versa. Look at JB's Over to You, he's what 18 now and heading to Badminton again
 
Cinn was officially 15 this year (insurance doesn't class him as old until next year
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). But I would class him as old at 18 or 20. He *tocuh wood* has got plenty of young in him yet!
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The old Appy wasn't old until three years ago, was still bonkers when out and about, about 29, but now she is very old and needs lots of TLC. She would probably be ok if she could have dentures as her teeth have gone.
 
depends on the horse. Im a firm believer that the horse will tell you when it is feeling old.

Ive got 4 veterans a 16 yearold, a 17 yearold and 2 24yearolds. one of my 24 yearolds looks ancient and all the signs are he is feeling his age, however a year ago he was still happily carting kids round the bridle paths. the other 24 yearold is still in full work and demands to come with you when you go out with one of the others.

The 16 and 17 yearolds i dont concider old at all, both are still competeing at a relatively high level and both fit and happy.
 
Definitely depends on the breed in terms of a milestone "old age" mark.

I think in general, for any horse anything over 25, id consider to be older. Not necessarily to stop doing things etc but generally just old.

Shadow is28 and although has arthritis, acts like a 2 yr old. Trix is 33 and id say over the last 3 years has begun to look her age.

However Boo is 16 and that somehow seems SO much older than 15! But I wouldnt consider her old.

Interesting topic.
 
Bobby is 25 & has just started telling us that he feels a bit old for jumping (except he counts 2' as fun, not jumping), but hack him out or do games & he acts half his age. Gets dead miffed if he can't canter at what he considers an appropriate place.
 
I don't consider them to be old until 20 and not really old until 30. I have hunted a 29 year old and done sponsored rides etc on my pony when she was 34 - she lived to 39. My arab at 26 was still life to the max.

I have had fantastic OAPs in the past. Breeze at 29 was still the fastest on the yard and had more stamina than a 5 year old - never slowed down. Only concession was a bute every other day to keep her comfortable and took extra care in warm up and cool down as she could in the winter be a little stiff.

Cairo is 21 - went through a period of lameness due to low ringbone but is now practically sound and loves a good gallop, hacks and little jumps. We treat him as 24 due to the chemo he has had, and he is a heavy horse which can have problems due to their weight. However, he still plays and acts like a 3 year old with my youngster who has given him a new use of life.

My policy is ride them with care to warm up and listen to them - they will let you know when they want to slow down (if ever).
 
I class everything over 20 as old, purely on an age basis. Chex is 25 and acts like a 10 year old, but he's still technically old.
 
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