Oldest horse still being ‘ridden’

[Caol Ila]

Yeah, I'm here. My Shire-TBX is 27 and she keeps going. As she's got some osteoarthritis in her hocks, I've backed off a lot on the dressage, although she schooled very nicely the other day. She just started Prascend. But she still enjoys long hacks and she's still keen to go fast.

I think I have her on every joint supplement known to man. I've lost my mind a bit.

 

[zandp]

I'm bringing my 26 year old back into work - light hacking and some gentle schooling and she's loving it.

 

[BBP]

My old girl learned half pass for the first time at the age of 30.

 

[Mule]

It is in America, so I don't know if it counts, but a friend had a 36 year old horse still in hacking work. I queried the accuracy f that, but she had documentation.

While I was teaching a clinic there, her other 28 year old horse learned to jump, for the first time. She was exploring her horsemanship and the same horse went to a dressage show and also a versatility class. That horse was a champion, started off as a quarter horse race horse, then was a ranch horse (able to work cows), then a trail riding horse. He was bought for her husband, but was so versatile and such a wonderful temperament.

They considered anything under 20 as still young. It made me sit up and take notice as I wondered what they do differently. The area they are in has regular big snow for extended periods, I did wonder if it was because they had a couple or more months off a year? Or that they have access to a dry lot rather than a stable?

The horses certainly worked hard, using a small round pen or baked hard ground for work.

The difference in longevity is an interesting one. Would be well worth figuring out if possible.

 

[Highflinger]

Still hack my welsh D who will be thirty in April. According to my riding app his average speed is faster than my 8 year old pony!!!

Last year on a hack he (14.2) caught up with and cruised past ( in walk) a couple of 16.2 race horses.

 

[KEK]

Our loan Standy, whom we were told was 17, is apparently actually 21. We found out when she had to have a GA to fix her trapped epiglottis. I'm hoping she will go for much longer yet, she is such a star (is teaching my husband to ride) and he adores her.

 

[teddypops]

Still hack my welsh D who will be thirty in April. According to my riding app his average speed is faster than my 8 year old pony!!!

Last year on a hack he (14.2) caught up with and cruised past ( in walk) a couple of 16.2 race horses.

Ha ha! That’s like my girl. She power walks past anyone we catch up with!

 

[NightStock]

My Dutch Warmblood is still doing light hacking at 25, we did have enormous fun at riding club camp when she was 22yrs old. She is only 15.3hh and I do think being smaller than average WB helps?

 

[Fleece Navidad]

My friend is still hacking her ID x who is now a very spritely 32 year old. He does have Cushings and has to be carefully managed but he's full of energy and she still has to be ready to rein him back when they turn for home on hacks Earlier this year, before Lock down regulations, she took him to the beach and has a super video of him cantering along the sands.

I know a horse who is the same age, and I love seeing his through the ears photos on fb, he always has a happy head ?

 

[doodle]

Sultan was 30 when still wining veteran showing classes. We won riding horse classes till about 27. We did a couple of in hand classes when he was 31 but it bored me. He died at 38.

 

[SpotsandBays]

My Approx 30yr old was still doing lessons once a week with a little girl (basically semi retired for the past 10 years!), and also did the odd lead rein session with family friends up until the end of this summer. She gave me a look when I was tacking her up and I agreed that that would be enough. She’s given so much, so I gave notice to her little rider (although covid got in the way a lot anyway) and have sold her little saddle.

 

[TheresaW]

Me and Dolly, 28 next year. We only hack now and then, down to me, not her.

 

[mini_b]

Anyone here have big horses going strong? (16.3+ ID IDX types)

my friends WB is 29 - only just packed in the dressage and schooling. Still hacks. Still a tank ?

 

[Kat]

I was out for a hack with my friend on her 27yr old WB today. He's pretty high mileage having spent years field mastering before she got him, but he still has a spring in his step and was still hunting until he was 25, full days with bloodhounds, and still incapable of standing still for more than 5 minutes at the meet.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Anyone here have big horses going strong? (16.3+ ID IDX types)

my friends WB is 29 - only just packed in the dressage and schooling. Still hacks. Still a tank ?

I'd like to know this too. My boy is only 11 but I have the constant ticking clock in the back of my mind even now due to his size. I would love for him to reach the ages discussed on here, ridden or otherwise, but I'm just not sure it will happen unfortunately

 

[GreyMane]

One of the local magazines had a lovely piece in November.
Local lady rides a horse age 25. Rider is an awe inspiring 83 - and looks fit as a fiddle.

 

[mini_b]

I'd like to know this too. My boy is only 11 but I have the constant ticking clock in the back of my mind even now due to his size. I would love for him to reach the ages discussed on here, ridden or otherwise, but I'm just not sure it will happen unfortunately

this is why asked!
mine is 14 next year, he’s low mileage but he’s starting all over again ?
Never done a thing but is very sweet and enthusiastic. spent the last 12 months not doing much other than revisiting all basics in ground manners and flatwork.
We want 2021 to be the year we have some fun...
...maybe I need to just enjoy every day I have with him.

The home he came from had their other bigger IDx (17.3hh) was hunted until 16 then hacking for miles until he was 22ish. His shoulder went and he’s now field sound and looking very well at 27.

 

[pansymouse]

My Welsh D x Tb (chestnut pictured) will be 30 in January and still in full work. She’s not at all stiff and she hasn’t slowed down at all. She’s a very fast and feisty girl who power walks everywhere and loves a good gallop and jumping logs in the woods, brakes are a bit of an issue. She’s the boss in the field and takes no nonsense from anyone!

You beat me; my D x TB mare is only 27 but in every other respect just the same as yours.

 

[TheSpottyCobby]

At my yard (Riding School and livery yard) we always joke that there’s something in the water! Oldest horse currently still in work is 34 and does the odd half our kiddies lesson to keep her ticking over (most are too scared to ride her as she’s still wild ?)
Oldest was 38 and was still in light work until she was 36. We regularly have horses and ponies live into their 30’s and still in work. Lockdown was really rough for a lot of them and sadly we lost three (all in their 30’s) during the first lockdown. Every time they announce a new lockdown or restrictions I get very worried for the oldies, especially at this time of year. So hard for them to get their muscle tone and fitness back - with 60 horses but only minimal staff every time it’s shut down it’s impossible to keep them all in work.
Hoping my 7yo goes on as long - oldest livery is 29 and still loving his hacking

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hunt on for the oldest active HHO horse and what do you do together?
The horse has to be over 20 to qualify.
I did the briefest hack on my 24 yo retired horse today (it was amazing) .... can you beat that?!!

One of my liveries is 30, previous livery 35

 

[welshpony216]

I still ride my 29 year old a few times a week. I fall off him more than I fall off my pony! It really depends on the horse, and what they have done in their younger days.

 

[SO1]

I have an 18 year old new forest gelding. What sort of routine is your pony on and what supplement? Any tips?

My nf mare is 27; 28 in March and in as full work as possible given the short days. I give her an all round supplement, chaff and a bit of linseed mash. She looks brilliant and is as keen on a stubble field as ever!

 

[Chocoholic]

Love this thread. I’m loaning a 28 year old gelding who is still full of life. We are enjoying hacking and schooling together and often keeps me on my toes with his cheeky behaviour