Is a 15 year old horse old

[Lexi 123]

I seen someone on tictok say a 15 year old horse is a senior and should be treated like one . It’s got me wondering what age would you consider old . My horse is 14 years old yeah she looking a bit older she doesn’t have the youngster face anymore but I wouldn’t consider her old . I think it’s probably like someone there 40/50 not old but is getting on a bit.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My ridden horse is 17 and whilst I don't class him as old I am aware he may need to slow down a bit.

 

[PSD]

I would say that’s when most are in their prime. Depends what sort of life they’ve had individually, for instance a 15 year old showjumper that’s competed at high levels most of its life (as a lot do) will need to slow down more than something that’s been a hacker most of it’s life by that age.

That being said, friend of mine has an ex pacer and she’s definitely not ready for slowing down any time soon and she’s 15! Little bit clicky and arthritic but it doesn’t stop her.

 

[BlackIrishBeauty]

I wouldn’t say they are old, but I would say that you need to start considering joint care etc.

My mare is 15 and I’ve just popped her on a joint supplement as she’s got the start of arthritis in her front fore.

However, she still in work 5-6 days a week, has her training lessons, and hunts throughout the winter.

 

[Cortez]

A high level dressage horse would be considered in their prime at 14 - 15 years old, so mature but definitely not "past it". This of course depends on the individual horse and what their working lives have been; there are not many 15 year old race horses, for instance, whereas a showjumper of that age could very well be winning big prizes.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I wouldn’t say they are old, but I would say that you need to start considering joint care etc.

My mare is 15 and I’ve just popped her on a joint supplement as she’s got the start of arthritis in her front fore.

However, she still in work 5-6 days a week, has her training lessons, and hunts throughout the winter.

Prevention is better than cure, I would have on a joint supplement life long if you think they make a difference.

 

[ihatework]

Event horse wise they would be on the older side (but certainly not past it!) but you would be mindful of furture longevity

 

[BlackIrishBeauty]

Prevention is better than cure, I would have on a joint supplement life long if you think they make a difference.

Only realised as she pulled herself so had x-rays. She has been on a supplement since 10 but since this, I've up'd her to a better more efficient one.

 

[Sealine]

I wouldn't consider 14 old but each horse will vary dependent upon type, how much mileage they've done and how they've been cared for. A 14 year old pony is very different to a 14 year hunter who's done 10 seasons. I own a 16.1hh hunter type who is 21 years old with arthritis and he's definitely slowed down in the last 2 years to the point where we are now happy hackers. He was on good quality joint supplements from when I bought him as an 8 year old and he first developed hock spavins when he was about 16.

It's very subjective. The Veteran Horse Society defines a veteran as over 15. For insuring a horse a veteran is over 20. Horse feed companies market veteran feed for over 17 year olds.

 

[tristar]

recently a young vet said, well age is starting to have an effect, then, its his age, (15 yrs)bla bloxdy bla, i felt like saying something but did not bother, perhaps i should have popped him on our 22 yr old and asked for an opinion, well always supposing he survived getting on, then the initial period when the horse says come on lets go, and then after about an hour of schooling when the horse is just really reaching boiling point, i would imagine said vet would be sweating and puffing, perhaps then i might tell him how old the horse is.

i really do not know why we have to put up with such crap, i mean no disrespect to the vet but it is tiresome.

then the other older vets, are saying what lovely animals they are, the young and the old.

 

[phizz4]

I seen someone on tictok say a 15 year old horse is a senior and should be treated like one . It’s got me wondering what age would you consider old . My horse is 14 years old yeah she looking a bit older she doesn’t have the youngster face anymore but I wouldn’t consider her old . I think it’s probably like someone there 40/50 not old but is getting on a bit.

Try telling our 28 year old quarter horse that she’s old!

 

[Jambarissa]

Not old as in you'd expect less of them unless they've had a hard life and are aware they're starting to struggle. But I'd say older as in fewer ridden years ahead than behind.

I'm looking for a new one soon, I my head 12 is as old as I'm going because Im aiming on a good 10 years happy hacking from them. I see that many over that age aren't being sold even when reduced so I guess others feel the same.

 

[Cortez]

recently a young vet said, well age is starting to have an effect, then, its his age, (15 yrs)bla bloxdy bla, i felt like saying something but did not bother, perhaps i should have popped him on our 22 yr old and asked for an opinion, well always supposing he survived getting on, then the initial period when the horse says come on lets go, and then after about an hour of schooling when the horse is just really reaching boiling point, i would imagine said vet would be sweating and puffing, perhaps then i might tell him how old the horse is.

i really do not know why we have to put up with such crap, i mean no disrespect to the vet but it is tiresome.

then the other older vets, are saying what lovely animals they are, the young and the old.

But at 15 or older the effects of age will very likely be starting to show. They're certainly not young horses, are they? The fact that a 22 year old feels like misbehaving doesn't mean it's not old. Horses, just like people, vary greatly in their longevity and capabilities. I've had a great days hunting on a 22 year old, and had to put down an 8 year old due to arthritis; both are unusual but not unheard of things to occur.

 

[JBM]

My girl retired from jumping at 20 (70cm)
does mostly hacking but still enjoys dressge
She’s just on a joint supplement and keeps her running around like a youngster
22 now

 

[tristar]

But at 15 or older the effects of age will very likely be starting to show. They're certainly not young horses, are they? The fact that a 22 year old feels like misbehaving doesn't mean it's not old. Horses, just like people, vary greatly in their longevity and capabilities. I've had a great days hunting on a 22 year old, and had to put down an 8 year old due to arthritis; both are unusual but not unheard of things to occur.

i think a 15 yr old should be in the prime of life, if, ridden and cared for well, not young or old.

well i consider my 15 yr old to be young for his age, and that 15 is not old for a horse well cared for and carefully used

same vet also said he was a drama queen, i thought he was being the intelligent horse he is, and trying to tell us very clearly what was wrong, and it made me question the age comment

the issue he was treated for has no relation to age

the 22 year old horse, is not misbehaving, he is a strong personality and expresses himself without being mean, he really just wants get on with the job!

 

[equinerebel]

Mines 17. Her mind is as sharp as it’s always been but her joints are stiffer. Her dentist said he didn’t consider her a veteran, but the vet does

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I don't consider it old my 2 are 18 and 19 they are a bit stiff have issues but they are very much still young in the mind, typical Arab's they don't seem to ever really grow up mentally I think that's why alot make old bones.

 

[J&S]

I got the ride on an old eventer to fitten him for the Hunt Relay team, he was 22 at the time!! He did his round and was stand in for another less enthusiastic member!! He jumped the next year too. My companion pony is 16 now and she is a right little pocket rocket, her legs are clean as whistles.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

At a recent talk given by a Leahurst on caring for the older equine, they said don't let the number (age) define how you treat the horse. Deal with the horse in front of you.

Don't feel you need to switch to a supplement for horses 15+ just because your horse is 15 or older. Add the supplement if the horse needs it.

Same with workload, don't change it because of the age, do it because the horse indicates it would benefit from it.

There is such a huge range in ages of horses that going only by the number fails to take into account breed, health, work done, fitness level etc.

 

[First Frost]

My older horse would be very upset if you told him he was old - he's 20! He still does everything - jumping, hacking ,schooling. He has been on a quality joint supplement since he was 15. He has worked moderately hard all his life but he has always been very well cared for, not worked on too hard ground etc. I think that makes a difference.

 

[spacefaer]

We've got two 16 yr old 17 3 RIDs. Both have had very similar workloads throughout their lives. One I would say is feeling his age - he's been on and off sound for the last couple of years, currently unsound and probably won't be ridden again.
The other is as sound as the day he arrived 6 yrs ago ( possibly sounder) and I'd happily plan a full season's hunting on him.
I'd class the first as old, the second as a long way from it! Their birthdays are two days apart!

 

[2 Dragons]

My 17 year old is "older" than my 20 year old.

 

[silv]

Kibah Tik Tok won 2 Olympic gold medals eventing at the age of 18with Matt Ryan. He lived to the grand old age of 36.

 

[SO1]

Not old as in you'd expect less of them unless they've had a hard life and are aware they're starting to struggle. But I'd say older as in fewer ridden years ahead than behind.

I'm looking for a new one soon, I my head 12 is as old as I'm going because Im aiming on a good 10 years happy hacking from them. I see that many over that age aren't being sold even when reduced so I guess others feel the same.