How much can a 24yr old pony with cushings do?

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djlynwood

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My friend is letting me ride her old pony to help get my confidence back after a bad fall off a part loan.

I will be looking to do some hacking, bit of schooling and popping a few jumps. I have done all this on a couple of occasions on this pony and she is such a fun, game little lady and boy can she go! My friend said dont let her age fool me, she is 24 going on 6!

I just worry in case I am asking her to do too much. My friend has someone else who rides the pony 2 days per week and she usually has a 1/2 hour lesson on one of these days. Im just looking to have a bit of fun and get my confidence back but I dont want to wear the pony out and Im not sure if her having cushings makes a big difference.

Am I being a bit soft? Like I said she is up for anything, the faster the better and she has been there and done everything.
 
I have no experience with cushings,but would say if you are careful and she is enjoying herself,why not???
Sure there is some1 on here that has got the experience and advice you need though!!
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Mine continued competing and hunting until about 6 months before she died, she had always been very whizzy and lived for racing about. When she was no longer able to cope with this in her mid 20s she was PTS as she would never have been happy with retirement.
This was a very long time ago though and I am sure treatment options have come on a long way since then
 
my little lady is 28 and still goes like a train! we're still doing sponsored ride, local dressage comps and school to a decent level. she will pull me over 2'9" and bronc afterwards out of sheer joy!
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she was believed to have cushings until recently (blood test proved otherwise), all she has is a long coat. but i've known a few others to have cushings and are happy to hack and general school and pop the odd fence.

i'm sure this pony will tell you she isn't happy, but generally i think they like to feel useful - you just have to be careful and let them have fun.
 
My cushings mare is 35 & still in work.

She can be a pain in the a**e out hacking & still runs off with people! She was still doing xc clinics & competing v successfully sj at the age of 29 until she did a tendon out hacking.

The cushings does make her tire more easily eg if she goes out one day then she's v tired the next day. I would start gently & play it by ear & give her a day off if she feels tired etc rather than pushing her. She will let you know what she wants to do. (Mine wants to gallop off bucking...)
 
It depends on how the Cushings affects the pony. A friend of mine (actually, she's my boss now!) had a pony with Cushings and it used to make her appear "drunk" - she staggered around when she walked so was competely unrideable as it would have been dangerous. She was PTS.
 
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