Can you retrain an older horse?

[Wemblyfinal]

I have a 24 year old tb x warm blood who is in excellent shape, riding wise I’ve used her for hacking and a little bit of light schooling, however I’m just wondering with the age is there any different exercises to do with her to make things a little fun? How many tines would you ride a horse at this age? She does enjoy being out on hacks, I just tend to worry if I ride her too much or too little? What’s everyone’s thoughts on the older horses with regards to riding or even competing

 

[be positive]

I think you can introduce some new things to an older horse but you need to take care that you are not doing too much and risking straining muscles or ligaments that have not previously been conditioned, so doing some polework would be fine but I would probably not start jumping a 24 year old that had never jumped before, the same with schooling asking for a little leg yield or increasing what you ask for generally if done gradually should be ok but I would not start doing any real lateral work or collecting of the paces as it may be too much.

She can be ridden as often as you like as long as she is fit enough, make sure you listen to her if she is a bit off or reluctant to go out as it may be she is a little sore or stiff, the more regularly you ride the fitter she should get so the more she can do in theory, there is no reason she could not do some low level competitions.

I have a 23 year old pony here that had retired when he arrived, over the past 21/2 years he has come back into regular work, he was built up slowly as he had no topline but has been out competing very happily, looks several years younger and seems to be loving a more active life as well as the fuss he gets from his young riders who adore him.

 

[Wemblyfinal]

She was an endurance horse, woman that had her before let her go a little and when she used to hack her was too frightened as cows were around and unfortunately for some odd reason my horse doesn’t likes cow and goes absolutely mental. I’ve only had her a month or so and so far had all teeth done, back checked and even all her vet checks and she’s fine. I ride her a few times out hacking and then a few times in our arena. She shows no sign or discomfort or that she doesn’t enjoy it. I’m currently with BD but haven’t took her for a lesson as of yet as just didn’t know if she was too old for this, I do have another horse who’s younger to compete with anyway, however I didn’t want to retire madam because she’s so fit and muscular and she seems to have a lot more life since being with us. Maybe just gradual work but I won’t be jumping her mainly flatworm and hacking x