Bringing a horse out of 'retirement'

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Rosie's Owner

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Hi there. I'm not sure if I'm mad for even thinking this, so thought I'd pick some brains please!

I have a 22 year old TB mare who has been retired for 7 years. I've had her for 12 years, rode her with no issues for three years before I retired her on medical grounds... She is actually healthy as an ox and despite being out at grass for 7 years now doing her own thing she has recently jumped out of a field over a 3'6" fence and also, when popped into a sand school while her field was being cleared jumped the fence in the middle of the school a couple of times just for fun!

People have said to me a few times over the last couple of years 'are you going to bring her back into work' and each time I've said that as she isn't a young girl anymore, and hasn't been ridden in such a long time I think it would be a shock and unfair to suddenly present her with a saddle and bridle! The first couple of years you could tell she really missed it, and every time I went into the tackroom she looked longingly to see if I came out with her saddle, but I'm not even sure she's know what a saddle looked like these days :-D

I am moving her to a friends yard soon, who once again has asked me if I'll bring her back into work... My instant reply was 'oh know she's far too set in her ways' but it's got me thinking once more about just how much I miss riding her! My friend has several horses on her yard who I have been told I'll be able to ride, but all I can think is how much I miss riding MY horse...

So my question is, am I right - is it too late to think about trying to bring her back into work? Would it be cruel to when she's had so long being a lady of leisure? I'm a massive softy and wouldn't want her to be miserable! But I've no experience of older horses being brought back into work and don't know what the general consensus is? I appreciate it would need to be a long, slow process if it was possible...

Advice very much appreciated....
 
OH's 3/4 bred was retired for 3 years and came back into work- he loved it and even lightly hunted 2 seasons until he sadly broke his leg in the field. My old cob was in semi retirement but is also back in full work as he is getting OH back into riding after OH broke his back.

Neither were a problem but they were gently rebroken - we didnt just slap a saddle on and go. I would start with lunging/longlining in a roller and then progress to the saddle.
 
If shes sound then bring her back to work. Ive just brought mine back out of retirement (not ridden for 3 yrs) and hes even better now. Dont spend ages lunging as she knows her job, just get on with it and give her a chance of some fun. "plenty a good tune played on an old fiddle"
 
This is a really interesting thread so i will follow with interest.
My thoughts on the scenario would be why not. Obviously as someone above said, dont just slap a saddle on and go...but do a bit of ground work and see how she goes and then go really gently.
The reason i am interested is because i have just been offered on loan a friends old competiton horse (putting my own horse out on loan as he is such a sod...long story so friend has kindly offered me her mare).
Now this horse hasnt been worked for 2 years as she had her second foal. She is a 16 yr old mare. She evented to novice level very successfully and had a foal initially due to a tendon injury, then got back to competition fitness again. Had a second foal and now 2 years on her owner has offered her to me.
So i will be watching with interest what advice is given on this thread.

I love the expression above "many a good tune is played on an old fiddle" this is very true and what a good saying.
 
I'd certainly do it slowly! She used to be very high spirited (typical TB Mare!) but seems far more mellow these days! They have an outdoor sand school where I'm moving her to, I would have initally loose schooled her, but their fence isn't very high and she's proven she's happy to jump so don't trust her not to do a bunk!! However lunging would be a big possibility...

I think the hardest thing could be finding a saddle to fit her... I have her old two but doubt they'd fit her... Would have to just try and see!

The new yard is on the doorstep of box hill so has lovely hacking grounds, it would be wonderful to one day be able to take her out on easy hacks round there!
 
I would if she was mine, just take it very slowly and I'd prob aproach it as 're-breaking' rather than just tacking her up and jumping on ;)
 
Why not, what's the worst that can happen (OK you end up with 2 broken legs and a fractured skull.:D)

But i think I agree with previous poster, start by 're backing her' she probably won't have forgotten but I wouldn't assume that she remembers.

Let us know how you get on, i would be interested to know the outcome

Blitz
 
I would if she were mine too, depending on what her medical issues are? As others have said though take it slowly with lungeing, long reining first etc and see how she goes.

We have an ex-event gelding on loan. He was retired when he was 18 due to arthritis in his hocks. He spent 2 years galloping around the field and being a bit miserable and grumpy as he did love his work. He was brought back into work slowly and his arthritis is managed with medication and careful riding. He is now a fit and healthy 25 year old, showing the girls on the yard the ropes in hunter trials/showjumping etc.
 
Yeah bring her back my old mare was retired twice and brought back into work. She loved it and I did as well.

Go slowly and have fun! :D
 
I say bring her back into work and let your mad mate get on first ;)

Seriously, see how it goes, lots of help and experience with tb's at your new yard but no pressure and I'll always find you something else to ride so you can enjoy the hacking and get back in the saddle.

I opened this post thinking it was you! Can't wait to have you and rose on the yard :) xx
 
R2R - yes my mad and crazy mate will definitely have first dibs on her :D

can't wait to move her! And will certainly be picking everyone's brains once she's settled in a bit! x
 
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