Owners of larger types ie 16.3hh+

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WelshRareBit

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Do you worry about when your horse gets older, and the ammount of stress he'll be putting on old joints?

I worry terribly about Murphy which isnt helped by the fact that one of his back legs is a bit wonky.

Also it always seems to me that the big ones dont live half as long as the little ponies etc!!
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So what are your plans when your biggies get older and if you have an older biggie how do you manage them?
 
My boy is just shy of 17hh, he, like yours, has one slightly wonky leg and had a pretty rubbish start in life, so yes I do worry about how he'll cope with old age.
He's 14 and has been on cortaflex for the past 4 years, in the hope it might help to keep his joints supple and I always feed him excellent quality hay and feed.
Due to his conformation he's not terribly strong over his back but I work as hard as I can on keeping him soft and supple and over the back to try and keep his muscles as strong as I can to support his frame.
I guess in the end there is only so much we can do and in the end they all get taken away from us.
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i've had 2 of 16.3 who both lived well into their 20s. their joints were never a problem, tbh, and they'd both done a fair amount of eventing in their prime. they both lived out, in really good rugs with shelters, unlimited hay, and 2 feeds a day.
as long as they're not overweight, i don't think that their size is a problem for their joints... it's not as if short people always live longer than tall people, for instance.
 
Have a 17.2hh Id/TB Gelding, he is 19 retired, was retired at 8 with Degenerative Bone Disease in both front cannon, he has been nanny to one of mine, he is companion to whoever gets left behind on show days, he's cheeky, plays like a 2 year old and looks really well. I do worry about him and always make sure he is warm and comfy in himself.........................
 
One of the gee gees I ride, Eric, is 17.3hh and 14 years old and he is showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever, in fact I am hoping his old age may mellow him a bit hehe. I hope he lives until he's 50! He had tendon problems as a youngster and was so crippled he was close to be pts at one point but with a lot of hard work he's now very strong behind and recently scored 67% in a novice dressage test so I think there's always hope.
 
I give both Beau and Lance glucosamine as I think prevention is better than cure, Lance is almost 19 and is showing signs of age but nothing bad!

Most people cant believe how old he is.

TBH size doesnt make me worry about them getting old, I worry anyway!
 
My old boy who at 17.2 was still bouncing around at 22 yrs of age! He suffered from serious tendon problems which eventually led to retirement from eventing but even though several vets wrote him off he remained sound and active until i sadly lost him last year. His joints were never an issue.
 
I think Id worry about my horses getting old even if he was 14.1, hes 17.1 btw. Up until he tore his cruciate ligament I hadnt thought about joint suppliments but hes started having them now and will do forever now and hes 10. I think its best to start youngish but I also believe if u keep them fit and well it must also help joints/heart etc just like people.
 
my boy is 17.1hh and 15 years now, he isnt showing any signs of age I would say, I wouldnt worry specially because of his size, but I would worry about him getting old generally
 
George is 16.3 and only 8, I have already started giving him superflex in the hope that it will help in the long run. I don't really worry about his size, but I don't want him to get old.
 
I have a IDx Clydesdale, he's 17h and quite a heavyweight. As far as I know he is about 25 but could be older. He is still ridden lightly a few times a week and is a bit stiff for the first 20minutes until he warms up. He lives out and I think this helps his mobility although I would bring him in if the weather was really foul. I think I will put him on Superflex even though he seems very well for his size and age, I just want him to be comfitable. He is an ex military police horse and has probably had the best of care throughout his life and I think that is why he looks so good for his age. I'm currently trying to find out his true age through his military records as he was sold to me aged 30!!
 
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