People riding horses that are to old

[Celtic Jewel]

A few people I know are competing in jumping/ showing/ dressage tests shows on horses that are 25+ the oldest I have seen a 31 year old horse compete in a show jumping competition. Not going to lie though it annoys me because they are giving these horses a workload of a 10 year old horse. I completely fine if it’s just a hacking or bit of arena work but I genuinely don’t think a horse that old should be allowed to compete. What is your opinion on this.

 

[blitznbobs]

If they are sound and happy why not

 

[Fjord]

Keeping active can keep them fit. If they are still healthy and the rider isn't too heavy, then why stop?

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Old pony was still storming round xc at 28. He adored it, he was still than capable physically, and it kept him mobile.
Plenty of older people still out there doing sport and running marathons. Should we be stopping them too?

 

[AmyMay]

If you have a genuine concern about the welfare of any of these animals then obviously you’ve spoken to the relevant show secretary.

 

[stormox]

If they are able, and enjoy it, let them enjoy themselves!

 

[Vodkagirly]

Depends on the horse, as long as they are up for it I don't think it's a problem. Some love getting out and about.
I reckon half the average pony club is over 20+

 

[Zoeypxo]

I think its great if a horse is still sound enough to compete at an older age

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

The longer you can keep them going the healthier they are likely to remain. I don't see a problem if the horse or pony is sound and healthy and still enjoying their discipline then work away.

I know I've gone down hill rapidly since I can no longer keep active riding, I suspect it's the same for them.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Competing my 26yr old. He had a good buck in the ridden veteran class. That was the last time we competed. I continued riding him for another year until he fractured his pastern playing in the field. I think keeping him fit and muscled helped keep him healthy for longer.

 

[SantaVera]

I don't like seeing very old horses competing or being ridden I'd rather retire them.

 

[Timelyattraction]

There was a 33 year old pony competing at the pony club show at the weekend and you wouldnt have known it was that old. Pony looked happy and healthy!

 

[Abacus]

They all age differently and for every older one you see out there are several in a field and more that haven’t made it. They don’t know how old they are and it’s all about how they feel and if they are physically able. Agree with others that they are better kept moving, and some just thrive mentally on being active regardless of age.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I think if they are fit healthy and enjoying it then why not

 

[ester]

I've seen some that should be having an easier time of it and some that are still having an absolute ball so depends on the individual

 

[gallopingby]

Age is just a number!> How old are you Celtic Jewel? Perhaps you think OAPs should hang up their boots once they reach 67 or whatever the current pension age is. Plenty older people out competing especially in dressage so why not horses as long as they are fit and well and enjoy going out.

 

[Britestar]

A week before she was pts (due to an accident), my friends 29yr old horse totally carted me across a stubble field.

My own 27 yr old decided in Feb this year he wanted to retire. Up until then he was still game for hoon across a field.

Depends entirely on the horse.

 

[catembi]

I took my mare jumping when she was 27/28 as my 'main' horse was off sick. I had to stop warming up as she got so excited that I couldn't hold her, then she won two classes & was actually in the lead for ages in the scurry, but luckily there were some speedy ones at the end (I was getting embarrassed that we looked like we were pot hunting) so we ended up 4th out of 19.

A friend was hacking out with me on xmas day when the mare was 34/35, accompanying me on whatever 4 yo I had at the time. The mare decided she had the need for speed, stuck her head between her legs, put in a few bucks & shot off in canter leaving me & 4 yo in disarray.

I agree that some oldies wouldn't want to be charging about, but for those that do...why not let them?

ETA...I have just remembered that she stood in for me at a jumping clinic with her sharer when she was 29 as mine was lame/lost a shoe/whatever & I'd already paid. The (reasonably famous) instructor actually was interested in buying her until she found out how old she was!

 

[Mosh]

My mare is 30 and until this week was loving being ridden. She regularly looked for mischief when being ridden if I didn't keep her mind busy.
She will have some minor investigations to see if there is an issue with being ridden but if its because she has had enough than that is okay too. She regularly tries to climb in people's trailers for a day out.

It was only last September, she was reserve champion at a show in hand and entirely bute free.

 

[blitznbobs]

My Grand Prix horse stopped competing at 22 but he quite often came to competitions for the ride… he loved going and would sulk if he didn’t get taken, his ears went up the second the lorry ramp went down… he was 18 hh but would leap onto the little sliver of space at the back just to come along. If he had been completely sound I would’ve competed him longer but at Grand Prix being a bit off is very noticeable and he had hock arthritis which meant he couldn’t push the same but he still loved going just for the atmosphere.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

When I worked on the riding school my favourite lead horse when I took a hack was a 24 year old Arab, she was mainly used only for staff or people that could really ride as she was not for the faint hearted.

She went on being lead horse until she was 30 bless her and she still hated anything coming past her I loved that horse.

 

[Snowfilly]

Why on earth would you stop riding them if they’re fit and well? A good pony club pony can have years left at 25!

I’d much rather they were out and being active and keeping supple than stiffening up in a field.

 

[scats]

My mare did her last showjumping class at 27 (won). The previous summer she did an 11 mile charity ride and finished jogging sideways (we had passed many tired looking horses- hot summers day).
She lived for her job. When I made the decision to retire her, due to seeing her have a seizure, she was dead within 2 months. We never witnessed another seizure, but she just faded away once we stopped her work.

 

[LEC]

I took my older horse a few years ago sjing for a bit of fun when he was 24 at 2’6 and he jumped clear but it was without his normal enjoyment and spark so I didn’t do the jump off and didn’t take him out again. You know when they have had enough as they tell you. I don’t see any issues if horse is still wanting to do it and is happy and sound.

 

[Pedantic]

It all depends on the health of horse/pony/rider, different breeds etc, if the animal is obviously healthy and happy in its job, then why not, if it's not, then time to call it a day.

 

[Smogul]

I don't like seeing very old horses competing or being ridden I'd rather retire them.

Why? OH took on a retired Highland who was bored out of his mind and totally disruptive in the field. Horse was delighted and came running to the gate whenever he saw OH. Vet's advice to me is to keep arthritic 21 year old going as long as possible as he will stiffen up if he stops.

 

[mini-eventer]

If it is sound, enthusiastic and enjoying itself why is it a problem? I only hope I am as active in my elder years

 

[Rowreach]

But what if it isn't fit/healthy/happy and it's just that the owner still wants to ride or can't bear the thought of retiring it?

What if it's a stoic type that puts up with pain and discomfort, or masks it with adrenaline because of the excitement of going out with friends or being at a show or fun ride?I

And I don't think it's fair to compare an older horse with older humans who can make their own choices, self medicate, or choose to cause themselves extra discomfort and injury.

No, I don't think all elderly horses should stop work at a particular point, but I've seen far too many weak, unsound and frankly miserable looking animals still being ridden because the human has decided it's a good idea.

 

[Glitter's fun]

A few people I know are competing in jumping/ showing/ dressage tests shows on horses that are 25+ the oldest I have seen a 31 year old horse compete in a show jumping competition. Not going to lie though it annoys me because they are giving these horses a workload of a 10 year old horse. I completely fine if it’s just a hacking or bit of arena work but I genuinely don’t think a horse that old should be allowed to compete. What is your opinion on this.

I think a horse of any age that's unfit, unwell or in pain should not be allowed to compete. Drawing an arbitrary line above which you presume all horses will be in that category shows ignorance of how ageing works.

 

[mini-eventer]

But what if it isn't fit/healthy/happy and it's just that the owner still wants to ride or can't bear the thought of retiring it?

What if it's a stoic type that puts up with pain and discomfort, or masks it with adrenaline because of the excitement of going out with friends or being at a show or fun ride?I

And I don't think it's fair to compare an older horse with older humans who can make their own choices, self medicate, or choose to cause themselves extra discomfort and injury.

No, I don't think all elderly horses should stop work at a particular point, but I've seen far too many weak, unsound and frankly miserable looking animals still being ridden because the human has decided it's a good idea.

This could be any horse - not just old horses the OP stated old horses - not unsound/unhealthy which is different IMO