How old is old? these days?

charliesarmy

charliesarmy

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Hi not been here for ages so hi y'all....basically the question is in the title! How old is old? And are the still the truths about ponies outliving horses! Just curious as my oldie is 27 next a inch off 18hh a old traditional hunter type! And in my vets terms is looking fabulous! Despite a few lumps and bumps! So what is old?
 
I have a 37 year old AQHA, he's still going strong regardless of him having only 3 teeth. I had a 40 year old falabella but he died earlier this year. On my farm there is also a 40 year old AQHA, a 39 year old crossbreed QH, a 28 year year old TB and a 27 year old standardbred. All are in tip top condition. Who knows how long they'll go on for but it's a really lovely thing to be able to care for these old horses. I have some others in their early 20s but I don't class them as old.
 
It obviously depends greatly on the horse, but I'd say any horse over the age of 25 is a really good age, and over 30 is a fantastic age, especially if they are looking really good and healthy!

My veteran was was sadly taken from me at the age of 20. He was in tip top condition and still in full work, but had a heart attack and I lost him very suddenly. It was a shock, but I think 20 is a good age and he lived life to the full right to the end.

Would love to see pictures of your golden oldie!
 
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On the yard there's Splash, who's too tall for our measuring stick but nearer 19hh than should be allowed. He's spent most of his like being a master's horse for the Quorn and now is 21 and hunting gently (well, not gently but that's his choice entirely!) in Norfolk. He looks in amazing nick and hopefully has many years of being awesome left.

I competed my old boy until he was 27 (he was 15.2hh) at RC level, up to 85cm ODEs, hunter trials and XC. Gave up hunting him when he turned 25 as I had no control and it was getting silly how often he was beggaring off with me!
 
One of my Aunts horses lived to the grand old age of 45 :) Had to be pts in the end but she lived a really happy life .. was only retired for 6 years as she enjoyed working and her first attempt at retiring her she got very depressed :) The mare was a riding school horse and taught kids to ride- utterly loved it :)
 
I got my first pony when she was 24. We did junior camp that year, and senior the next. She was faster than a lot of the bigger horses who were almost 20 years younger. I had her until she was 35. She would still take off with me out hacking, and looked fantastic. She didn't look or think she was 35. Unfortunately one day the lump that had been silently growing inside her for years decided to block everything up and that was that. She was my best friend and tbe most amazing pony ever.
 
Its lovely to hear these stories as my pony is nearly 23 and looks fab :) I hope I have many years left with him; He out paces both my liveries horses and they are half his age!
 
I lost my tb/welshy at 27 two years ago, she was only retired for 3 months and also had a lump that grew and blocked everything up, she was amazing and looked fab right till the end.
 
i think it varies massively, like humans really. my friend has a 21 yo Clydesdale type, who to be honest has looked very old and quiet for a few years now and lame for ages :( but i learnt to ride on a mare who was 21 at the time and still doing 2 riding lessons a day 6 days a week. my friends 4 yo is currently playing in the field every day with a welsh pony who we think is about 20 at least, but acts like a hyper 2 yo! we recon he will live to 40.
i tend to hear or more ponies living longer than horses, i guess like dogs bigger horses have more pressure on their joints so get worn down younger. but still know many horses in their 20s in work.
 
:D
hnmisty said:
I got my first pony when she was 24. We did junior camp that year, and senior the next. She was faster than a lot of the bigger horses who were almost 20 years younger. I had her until she was 35. She would still take off with me out hacking, and looked fantastic. She didn't look or think she was 35. Unfortunately one day the lump that had been silently growing inside her for years decided to block everything up and that was that. She was my best friend and tbe most amazing pony ever.
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Oh that brought tears! There can't be a any other emotion than a pure simple love between a kid and their first pony, apart from when the kid gets dropped of course.:D
 
I think depends on what the horse has done in its life and lucky has it been not to have a nasty injury or get a nasty condition .
When I first went to work with horse I looked after a eighteen year old hunter and he was a celeb because he was eighteen and hunting now thats not noteworthy at all veterinary care is better and dentistry .
I think now middle aged to sixteen and after sixteen you needed to be watching them carefully for when they need extra support.
 
20+ regardless of how the horse feels IMO though I'll be chuffed if mine is still just as naughty when she's over 20 (had her since she'd just turned 6 and she is now 14).
I wouldn't buy anything over 10 I don't think but I've recently taken a 16 yr old ex-racer on full loan from work-try telling her she's not a 4 year old still! :)
 
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