How much life does he have left?

[Florrie]

Another thread about Tag! Joy

Anyway, I want peoples opinions on how long he has left with a riding career.
He has just turned 12, and we've pretty much completed our flatwork re-schooling from his racing career and we're starting on jumping (which he has a natural passion for!)
I'm hoping next year to get him out Eventing, XC, a bit of everything really.
But by then he will be 13, so how much of a competitive career would he have left? A good 5 years or so?

He is fit and well and always in good health and has good, clean limbs (touch wood!)

 

[Lolo]

Well, Al's 13yo ex-racer is eventing at BE100 easily, and hopefully will move up to Novice in time- just need to keep the SJ confidence up now, and they'll be ready!

My old boy was an ex-racer, and he was doing Open teamchasing at 19 He did low-level stuff (80cm RC stuff, so SJ/ XC/ ODEs) with me til he was 27.

 

[Florrie]

Well, Al's 13yo ex-racer is eventing at BE100 easily, and hopefully will move up to Novice in time- just need to keep the SJ confidence up now, and they'll be ready!

My old boy was an ex-racer, and he was doing Open teamchasing at 19 He did low-level stuff (80cm RC stuff, so SJ/ XC/ ODEs) with me til he was 27.

Oh wow that's brilliant glad to hear something positive on this thread, puts my mind at ease that he isn't too old!

 

[MagicMelon]

I dont think anyone can answer that! Depends totally on the horse. He's had a tough life I'd assume with being an ex-racer so he's probably slightly less likely to go on as long as say something that hasn't raced / wasn't started so young. But hell, who knows. I've got two 14yo horses, one (if he hadnt bust his tendon last year) would have gone on competing for years as he was a naturally fit, flexible horse. Whereas my other horse I don't want to push too much competing-wise as he's a stiffer type / harder to get fit etc.