Keeping Oldies Golden

[k1994]

My girl is 16 going on 17 next year, I’m a paranoid mother and although she’s still very much in her prime and so far hasn’t shown any signs of ageing or slowing down, she means the world to me so want to keep her healthy and happy for as long as possible!

So was wondering if anyone has any tips and tricks they swear by that keeps or kept their senior horses as happy and healthy for as long as possible?

Shes very much kept up to date with jabs/vet check ups/farrier/saddle fitter/physio/dentist ect, but would love to know if there’s any small tips and tricks!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Regular gentle exercise, mainly hacking with hills in walk and a weekly school for suppleness, weight kept down helps my ageing mare. She is only an old ladies hack though.

Years ago when my hunters became aged I exercised them off another horse to get miles into their legs but weight off their backs.

 

[Auslander]

As much turnout as possible, 24/7 if possible (and as long as they have a non muddy area and suitable shelter)

 

[tristar]

do interesting things with them, mental stimulation, use their bodies, ride teach them something new, i`ve got one in his 20`s starting piaffe

keep them warm, keep the back and joints warm

a good general supplement

loads of turnout, ours have a stable with open door onto yard at night

 

[MuddyMonster]

I wouldn't call a 16 year old a golden oldie just yet If they are showing no signs of needing to slow down, I wouldn't change too much from their routine or worry unnecessarily just yet but just keep monitoring them and tweak if needed.

I had to get off mine (similiar age) this week before he ejected me so I'm assuming he feels he has plenty of life in him still ?

 

[meleeka]

I’d say keep them active for as long as possible. I’ve known a couple still in low level work in their late 20’s.

 

[Winters100]

I try to listen to my oldie, and to pay careful attention to how she is feeling. Usually she is full of beans, but if I feel that is not the case I just get off and give her a gentle hack in hand off one of the others. I like her to move every day, sometimes this is faster work, sometimes not, according to how she is feeling. If I let others ride her it is only lightweight adults or children, and they must be balanced riders. She receives multiple small feeds rather than 2 big feeds. That having been said she is a lot older than yours, not sure how old but I guess 20, so I would say that you don't need to worry for a while.

 

[SO1]

There is a lot of luck involved. I lost my veteran at 20 despite doing all I could to keep him fit and healthy. The vet even sent me a card after I had to have him PTS saying I should be proud of myself for trying everything to make him better.

Keep an eye on teeth as they get get problems mine had to have four filings at 17.

Legs, many horses are overweight which can make them more likely to get arthritis so keep to a healthy weight, plenty of turnout and manage fitness. Older horses can be more prone to soft tissue injuries due to age related degeneration.
Keep them fit and working on a variety of surfaces.

Metabolism, my vet recommended testing for Cushings every year from age 15. My lovely pony did not have Cushings even at 20 but I know many veterans that do and this can lead to the dreaded laminitis, being more prone to infections and lethargy. If you catch it early you may be able to prevent laminitis.

Lots of cuddles and enjoy your time with them you never know how long you will have. I really thought my pony would be fit and well into his 30s but sadly lost him to a gastric impaction that returned despite a special diet.

 

[eahotson]

There is a lot of luck involved. I lost my veteran at 20 despite doing all I could to keep him fit and healthy. The vet even sent me a card after I had to have him PTS saying I should be proud of myself for trying everything to make him better.

Keep an eye on teeth as they get get problems mine had to have four filings at 17.

Legs, many horses are overweight which can make them more likely to get arthritis so keep to a healthy weight, plenty of turnout and manage fitness. Older horses can be more prone to soft tissue injuries due to age related degeneration.
Keep them fit and working on a variety of surfaces.

Metabolism, my vet recommended testing for Cushings every year from age 15. My lovely pony did not have Cushings even at 20 but I know many veterans that do and this can lead to the dreaded laminitis, being more prone to infections and lethargy. If you catch it early you may be able to prevent laminitis.

Lots of cuddles and enjoy your time with them you never know how long you will have. I really thought my pony would be fit and well into his 30s but sadly lost him to a gastric impaction that returned despite a special diet.

I am so sorry for for your loss.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I wouldn't call a 16 year old a golden oldie just yet If they are showing no signs of needing to slow down, I wouldn't change too much from their routine or worry unnecessarily just yet but just keep monitoring them and tweak if needed.

I had to get off mine (similiar age) this week before he ejected me so I'm assuming he feels he has plenty of life in him still ?

My goodness i near panicked, shes just in her prime ???

 

[SO1]

Thank you.

I know I was lucky to have had him for 15 years. He was still sound at 20 and the vet said he was moving like Valegro after athramid.

OP the good thing is there are quite a lot of advanced treatments for a lot of age related issues especially if you catch them early. Some of them are not cheap though.

With a bit of luck and with what you are currently doing you will hopefully have at least another 10 years of riding with your veteran. There are lovely elderly horses at the RS in their 20s and some of them only do hacking but others are doing flat lessons and the dressage.

I really enjoyed doing the Senior Showing with my pony and there were plenty of horses in the over 25 category that looked amazing.

I am so sorry for for your loss.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My girl is 16 going on 17 next year, I’m a paranoid mother and although she’s still very much in her prime and so far hasn’t shown any signs of ageing or slowing down, she means the world to me so want to keep her healthy and happy for as long as possible!

So was wondering if anyone has any tips and tricks they swear by that keeps or kept their senior horses as happy and healthy for as long as possible?

Shes very much kept up to date with jabs/vet check ups/farrier/saddle fitter/physio/dentist ect, but would love to know if there’s any small tips and tricks!

My boy has just turned 15 and when he did I started him on glucosamine as he was a racehorse so I want to keep him as comfortable as possible. Not needed anything else as yet ?

 

[k1994]

Regular gentle exercise, mainly hacking with hills in walk and a weekly school for suppleness, weight kept down helps my ageing mare. She is only an old ladies hack though.

Years ago when my hunters became aged I exercised them off another horse to get miles into their legs but weight off their backs.

this is good to hear! she is mainly a happy hacker with lots of hill and forest paths an a schooling session every now and then ?

My goodness i near panicked, shes just in her prime ???

Haha I got the scary insurance letter with my new ‘senior’ contract and had a slight panic!

 

[Barton Bounty]

this is good to hear! she is mainly a happy hacker with lots of hill and forest paths an a schooling session every now and then ?




Haha I got the scary insurance letter with my new ‘senior’ contract and had a slight panic!

Oh crap! Mine might say that too ?

 

[k1994]

There is a lot of luck involved. I lost my veteran at 20 despite doing all I could to keep him fit and healthy. The vet even sent me a card after I had to have him PTS saying I should be proud of myself for trying everything to make him better.

Keep an eye on teeth as they get get problems mine had to have four filings at 17.

Legs, many horses are overweight which can make them more likely to get arthritis so keep to a healthy weight, plenty of turnout and manage fitness. Older horses can be more prone to soft tissue injuries due to age related degeneration.
Keep them fit and working on a variety of surfaces.

Metabolism, my vet recommended testing for Cushings every year from age 15. My lovely pony did not have Cushings even at 20 but I know many veterans that do and this can lead to the dreaded laminitis, being more prone to infections and lethargy. If you catch it early you may be able to prevent laminitis.

Lots of cuddles and enjoy your time with them you never know how long you will have. I really thought my pony would be fit and well into his 30s but sadly lost him to a gastric impaction that returned despite a special diet.

Im so sorry for your loss gosh must of been so hard I can’t even imagine, but thank you a lot of great advice there especially to appreciate them while they are here

 

[Barton Bounty]

I like to spoil my boy ? i bought him the equilibrium massage mitt and quite often give him a massage too. ?

 

[k1994]

I like to spoil my boy ? i bought him the equilibrium massage mitt and quite often give him a massage too. ?

ohh yes she got one for Christmas that we share ? the heat is just lovely in winter she finds it okay as well haha.

 

[Barton Bounty]

ohh yes she got one for Christmas that we share ? the heat is just lovely in winter she finds it okay as well haha.

Unreal what we do ?

 

[Mosh]

Mine is 28 and we do everything still, pops the odd jump, hacks, schools but we just do everything at her pace (often fast!) and the jumps are smaller! She is well and loving life, I keep her warm, turn out as much as I can whilst managing the laminitis risk and manage her diet with decent supplements. She does have cushings so I make sure she is checked regularly and she has a yearly work up checking liver/kidneys/heart. I check her teeth at least every 9 months.

I've found when she is in a big bed helps keep her warmer and less stiff.

This was her about 2 weeks ago, dozing

 

[JoA]

I'm sorry for your loss too. I lost my 12yr old Arab last year, so know how devastating it is
I have a 28yr old ISH mare I got back on today after being dumped 3 months ago following one of her 180deg spins (stupidly sitting it and so went out the back door when she bolted). I feel that a lot of it with a veteran is a combination of luck, genetics and care. My mare did endurance, has always had 24hr turn out and I put her on a joint supplement at 16 (who knows if I've wasted my money or not). I keep her ticking over with gentle walks if that's what she says and forest rides when she feels like that too. Some hacks can be 45min, others 2hrs. BUT she doesn't cope well with the heat now. So I'd say, make the most of what you have and count your blessings when things are going well and just do as you've always done and listen to what she's telling you.
(BTW.... I'm new on here, so hope I haven't rambled on!)

 

[Ratface]

Old Horse is nearly 30. He's in excellent condition for his age. He's 16hh and kept very plain: two small basic feeds plus balancer, big nets of own-cut old hay and daily daylight turn out with his little herd on carefully managed grass. Thick, clean, full straw bed. Teeth and hooves attended to on a conservative regular schedule. Weigh-taped weekly, and condition and general demeanour assessed on a twice-daily basis by extremely experienced YO. Rugged/fly masked according to temperature/weather/season.
Self-excercises by throwing shapes and roaring about, plus "airs above the ground". Ridden/in-hand excercise 30-40 minutes twice a week, either in-hand or ridden, almost all in walk; straight lines, big circles, serpentines in the sand school or round the little local byways.
His relatives have lasted well into old age, so, fingers crossed, he will too.