Older 17yr old tb ex-broodmare – bringing back into work vs retirement? Advice needed

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Autumn30

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I’m looking for a bit of advice and other people’s experiences.
I have a 17yo 15hh TB mare who originally raced and then went on to be a broodmare (she’s had two foals). She ended up with me as a companion for my horse, who sadly passed away about a year ago. The mare was given to me at the time as her previous owner didn’t want her back.

I then took another horse on loan as a companion for her, but that horse is now going back to its owners, so I’m deciding what the best long-term plan is for this mare.

She’s currently recovering from a pretty horrible hoof abscess, but assuming she comes fully sound once that’s resolved, I’m wondering whether bringing her into work would actually give her a better life than simply sending her to a retirement yard.

Her previous owner told me she had no known issues and was ridden about 3 years ago, although she hasn’t been in work with me.

My thought would be to send her somewhere to be professionally brought back into work, rather than doing it myself, as she’s been out of work for a long time and I’d want it done properly and sympathetically.

So I guess my questions are:
  • Has anyone successfully brought an older broodmare back into work?
  • Would a 17-year-old horse enjoy having a job again, or is retirement generally the kinder option?
  • What sort of monthly costs would I realistically be looking at for schooling/bringing back into work? (Full livery + schooling I imagine?)
  • Would somewhere like a rehab or schooling yard be the best route initially?
Roughly I was estimating £1,000–£1,200 per month, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic.

I’m not looking to push her — just thinking that light hacking / low-level riding might be a nicer existence than standing in a retirement field, if she’s capable and enjoys it. I also would not be selling her. Would be for myself or I would loan out.

Would really appreciate hearing people’s experiences with older horses coming back into work.
 
It would take a while to build her muscles enough to be fit to ride but can very much be done. Schooling livery where I am is around £600-£700pcm. If she enjoys her work she may well enjoy it, if she has some niggles she probably won’t and retirement would be the kinder option. Generally at that age it is good for them to do some low level work to keep the body moving but can be different with broodmares given the toll on their body.
 
Barklands said:
It would take a while to build her muscles enough to be fit to ride but can very much be done. Schooling livery where I am is around £600-£700pcm. If she enjoys her work she may well enjoy it, if she has some niggles she probably won’t and retirement would be the kinder option. Generally at that age it is good for them to do some low level work to keep the body moving but can be different with broodmares given the toll on their body.
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I looked into her background and she only had x2 foals.
She’s such a lovely mare, just thought of it being an option before I do retire her and if it turns out she can’t be ridden at least it was tried!
 
I've just brought my 17 yo back into work after a foal. She was on maternity leave for about 1.5 years (just the one foal) and she's really taken to work again. She looks and feels better than ever with a longer walk warm up in concession to her age. She's forgotten nothing and is a joy to ride. I just started her back up with some walk hacks. The difference with your case is that she was mine and I rode her before her foal.
 
I think it's a great idea, because you are doing it for her benefit.

Not a mare, but my 20 year old comes into and out of work. I just do what he feels like doing. He only ever hacks up to an hour, but if he's been out of work, we start with 20 minutes, or even walking in hand.

I would see how she goes.

The only concern I would have is that a pro set up will likely want to do the process quickly and efficiently. I suspect she may appreciate a slower re-start. Could you start it yourself, with walks in hand and ground work such as straightness training etc?
 
I brought my old girl back into work after years of being a field ornament and nanny. I literally pooped her tack on and off we went for a stroll down the road. And slowly increased. She absolutely lit up when she knew she was going to be actually doing something. However, I trusted her 💯 as I’d had her for a long time and ridden her for many years before.
 
Red-1 said:
The only concern I would have is that a pro set up will likely want to do the process quickly and efficiently. I suspect she may appreciate a slower re-start. Could you start it yourself, with walks in hand and ground work such as straightness training etc?
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This totally.

I 100% agree with bringing her back in to work, but if you really have to send her away to get restarted, I would think a rehab yard would be better than a schooling yard, because they will focus on correct strength building rather than getting her ready for competition .
 
I think it’s a potential idea but with caveats.

I’d caution that it’s possible you will encounter issues, my reason being that her history as a racehorse will have predisposed her to orthopedic issues (I’m particularly thinking back/spinal). Often when fit and strong this can be easily overlooked as the horse copes well enough.

3 years out of work and 2 foals, things start to sag. And issues can become far more apparent .

You won’t know until you try and if willing to invest the money in her then great.

If you can I’d do a number of weeks of physio/groundwork/core exercises and maybe some long lining before sending her away.

I think you are looking at a minimum of £250/week for someone with the competence to understand how to ride and strengthen this type of horse.
 
OK, boil washed coblet is about as far from an ex-racehorse brood mare as you can get 🙈 🤣 but boy did he enjoy himself when I popped him back in harness last year. Hadn't been driven in at least 15 years, but 1 quick pull of a tyre told me he hadn't forgotten anything. So I got him the lightest little 2 wheeler, well fitting harness and off we went. Happy little cob who really enjoyed having a job to do that didn't involve hordes of wobbly kids bouncing around on his back🤣
 
I think it is an excellent idea.
Just choose very carefully who brings her back into work, if you aren't doing it yourself. She will need lots of steady walking to build strength. If I were doing it I would ensure she spent as little time as possible in the school. She would hugely benefit from lots of steady hacking , as soon as safe to do so. She will probably really enjoy having something to do. Good luck. x
 
Yes - an 18yo with a history of many, many foals. She is a pony though, and was never backed previously.

Ours took a lot longer to build muscle than a youngster would - but does really enjoy her new job. She likes to potter about and is a happy hacker sort of pony. She will go in an arena willingly but isn’t all that excited about it.
 
I think that sounds like a lovely idea - especially as it’s to keep her interested and improve her quality of life. It might even give her a new lease of life.

Agree with what others have said - be careful who you send her to and make sure they go slow and steady. If it’s the getting on and starting her back part that you need help with, there’s nothing stopping you doing some groundwork with her before to save a few pounds!! But it also ensures she has some muscle and base fitness before trusting someone else with some schooling.

Bringing her on short in hand hacks (bonus if you can find some hills!), letting her walk over uneven terrain to get steady on her feet so she isn’t phased on ridden hacks, walking over poles for strength (or fallen branches as I used to do!!), simple things like backing up and turn on the forehead from the ground - all of these things are easily done yourself, don’t require an arena and do tonnes to build strength and fitness.
 
Violet555 said:
I think that sounds like a lovely idea - especially as it’s to keep her interested and improve her quality of life. It might even give her a new lease of life.

Agree with what others have said - be careful who you send her to and make sure they go slow and steady. If it’s the getting on and starting her back part that you need help with, there’s nothing stopping you doing some groundwork with her before to save a few pounds!! But it also ensures she has some muscle and base fitness before trusting someone else with some schooling.

Bringing her on short in hand hacks (bonus if you can find some hills!), letting her walk over uneven terrain to get steady on her feet so she isn’t phased on ridden hacks, walking over poles for strength (or fallen branches as I used to do!!), simple things like backing up and turn on the forehead from the ground - all of these things are easily done yourself, don’t require an arena and do tonnes to build strength and fitness.
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I do think she is relatively fit for a unridden horse.
I am fortunate enough to have her turned out into a 40 acre field which isn’t completely flat either, she wizzes around it a lot and doesn’t ever seem tired compared to my other horse.
Vet said her condition was very good, not only for an older horse but a TB.
Really excited for her next chapter xx
 
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