How old is too old? Driving horse

[meleeka]

Would 21 be too old to bring a driving horse back into light work? The horse is a Freisian mare. She gets stiff when stabled but is great if kept out and has a joint supplement. I’ve recently bought her and thought she had a ridden loan home but She has now come back to me and I think she’d like something to do.

She’s done very little for a few years now, apart from being ridden occasionally on short hacks. I’ve no wish to ride her (she’s huge and bouncy!) but quite fancy driving her. She’s was a perfect driving horse a few years ago with previous owner although was only driven occasionally then.

Just a musing really.

 

[Leo Walker]

My friends horse was only broken at 19. so I'd say not!

 

[bonny]

I’m sure if you took it slowly and carefully she would let you know if she still wanted to ......21 and healthy I think she’s better off in work and I would go ahead

 

[scruffyponies]

I sold a driving pony aged 19 to a RDA driving group. He worked for them until he was 30, and retired in perfect health due to his age, rather than ability to do the work.

In short, no.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

She sounds very low mileage to me. I would definitely have a go with her and take it handy and see how she goes.

 

[rara007]

Course not. Assuming she’s sound enough for work and you’re not planning on working her 7 days a week at Blackpool or similar!

 

[Nudibranch]

Sounds ideal to keep her ticking over, and it's less strain on the joints than being ridden so win win imo!

 

[meleeka]

Sounds ideal to keep her ticking over, and it's less strain on the joints than being ridden so win win imo!

I was wondering that, if it was ‘harder’ than being ridden. I’m pleased you don’t all think it would be too much for her. She probably wouldn’t tell me as she’s such a darling, so I just need to be extra careful with her I think.

 

[Malibu_Stacy]

One of the horses in Boyd Excell’s team at Olympia this year is in her early-mid twenties (one of the leads I think) according to the commentators. Admittedly I’m sure all his horses are under exceptional management, but if she can be crushing the opposition at the highest level of international competition I’m sure yours could do the odd pootle out if brought back into work sensibly!