Help - time off for older horse

[Darcey22]

Hey there,
Hoping you may be able to help. I have a 17 year old mare that I have in full livery. At the moment I am only getting to ride once or twice a week due to kids, work, winter weather, Christmas, breeding puppies etc. I only really do low level dressage (prelim) and hacking to be honest and I am finding it stressful with the stop and start of it all. I am contemplating giving her 2 months off and restarting her mid March. Would this be detrimental to an older horse?
Obviously I would still see her most days and groom her and spend time with her, she also gets daily turnout and is well looked after in my absence.

 

[SpeedyPony]

If she's getting plenty of turnout it shouldn't be an issue. It's worth remembering that she might need a slower fittening regime when she comes back into work, but 17 isn't very old.
It can be good for them to have a proper holiday, as long as they're getting enough movement from turnout to keep them from stiffening up/going stir-crazy.

 

[Sanversera]

I think it will do her good

 

[Zoeypxo]

She will be fine. They often come back into work nicely after a good break.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

It will be good for her especially if she can get as much turnout as possible. It will be much less stressful for you giving her a break in the winter and it will stop you feeling guilty for not riding. Some horses are difficult to ride just once a week so better to wait until better weather when you can get back into a proper routine.

 

[Barklands]

As long as plenty of turnout in a large field it won't do any harm

 

[Hackback]

I have given my 18 year old gelding the winter off for various reasons. The physio says I need to do back strengthening exercises with him before I put a saddle on him in Spring. He is having a few months off though and also has PPID, so more prone to muscle loss.

 

[Britestar]

My then 24 yr old had 3 months off after I broke my hip. Came back just fine.

He then had another 3 months off at 27 after a 2nd hip replacement. He was the first horse I rode after being able to ride again.

 

[Pinkvboots]

She will be fine mine often get a few months off in winter thet are 19 and 20.

 

[Skib]

My old share was turned away for the summer but I hacked her twice a week in winter when she was stabled by day and turned out overnight, well rugged and with hay.
She retired and died aged 24. Throughout her old age, I had the use of a Connie at another RS if I wanted a good canter.

 

[pistolpete]

My old horse used to have most winters off. He didn’t really cope with being ridden all year. Multiple issues but racking up in spring and gentle hacks throughout summer seemed to suit him. Agree with the need to have fittening program when you do start again to build her back up. Then she’ll be better than before I expect!

 

[moorhillhorses]

We do this with a lot of horses in winter that are older. I feel it does them all good

 

[HopOnTrot]

My mare has been in and out of work the past few years, I always do her physio exercises but she’s not always ridden.