People riding horses that are to old

[ycbm]

So here is a second dilemma, when a horse is rather old and creaky and stiff, certainly beyond competing. To what extent should we exercise them through this, assuming it is wholly for their good to keep moving and not for our riding pleasure?

I'll use the horse above as an example. 27, arthritis, apparently sound in trot, perfectly capable of bombing around the field when he chooses. He certainly appears to be happy in his general life (which is mostly lounging about in a field). When he has warmed up a little he is still fabulously forward going. Does he sometimes walk out a bit stiff? - yes absolutely, and I take no pleasure in this part of riding him; however by the time we are halfway down the lane (maybe 100 yards) he loosens up. Then, he will outstride any horse on the yard and does so, as much as one can tell, with pleasure and interest - no leg needed. At the moment I take the view that by doing this a few times a week he is kept supple and more comfortable, and that a hack of maybe an hour justifies the first 2 minutes of stiffness. Genuinely interested in whether others agree.

I genuinely don't know. I think it's a horrible dilemma and one I'm glad I never had to face. You obviously have his needs uppermost in your mind and he's lucky to be with you.
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[Mrs. Jingle]

I'll use the horse above as an example. 27, arthritis, apparently sound in trot, perfectly capable of bombing around the field when he chooses. He certainly appears to be happy in his general life (which is mostly lounging about in a field). When he has warmed up a little he is still fabulously forward going. Does he sometimes walk out a bit stiff? - yes absolutely, and I take no pleasure in this part of riding him; however by the time we are halfway down the lane (maybe 100 yards) he loosens up.

For me this would be one instance where I could not justify riding my older horse. I personally don't believe you can actually 'work through' something that is causing a visible unsoundness, I agree it might appear as you proceed further that the horse has loosened up somewhat, but it would not indicate to me that the horse was anymore sound, and the horse's adrenaline and excitement might just be masking that discomfort. But as I stated before, I would think most owners would know their own horse well enough to recognise that. Plus the underlying issue hasn't been addressed and I would never bute a horse purely to ride it under any circumstances.

My old mare throws some beautiful shapes and high stepping silly'ness out in the field, does that mean she is fit to be ridden still, absolutely not. But I am sure with a good dose of bute she would love a quick whizz up to the forestry and so would I! I am very fortunate that I have the facilities to allow her to live out 24/7 in retirement, and for her, that is the optimum amount of exercise to keep her as comfortable as she can be. The moment that is not the case she will be PTS.

Having said all that, I have had several old horses that I have happily been able to ride and even take to shows for many years past the usual sort of retirement age. And a few more that have become pasture ornaments long before old age sets in. It is very variable IMO, depending on both horse, owner and the sort of riding you hope to continue in their old age.

 

[Tiddlypom]

So here is a second dilemma, when a horse is rather old and creaky and stiff, certainly beyond competing. To what extent should we exercise them through this, assuming it is wholly for their good to keep moving and not for our riding pleasure?

Can you tack him up but walk him out in hand for a few minutes before mounting? That way he can loosen up without a rider’s weight to contend with.

My retired 23 yo benefits hugely from in hand walks over scattered raised walk poles, she flexes her joints much better than without the poles. Just 10 minutes two or three times a week .

 

[blitznbobs]

For me this would be one instance where I could not justify riding my older horse. I personally don't believe you can actually 'work through' something that is causing a visible unsoundness, I agree it might appear as you proceed further that the horse has loosened up somewhat, but it would not indicate to me that the horse was anymore sound, and the horse's adrenaline and excitement might just be masking that discomfort. But as I stated before, I would think most owners would know their own horse well enough to recognise that. Plus the underlying issue hasn't been addressed and I would never bute a horse purely to ride it under any circumstances.

My old mare throws some beautiful shapes and high stepping silly'ness out in the field, does that mean she is fit to be ridden still, absolutely not. But I am sure with a good dose of bute she would love a quick whizz up to the forestry and so would I! I am very fortunate that I have the facilities to allow her to live out 24/7 in retirement, and for her, that is the optimum amount of exercise to keep her as comfortable as she can be. The moment that is not the case she will be PTS.

Having said all that, I have had several old horses that I have happily been able to ride and even take to shows for many years past the usual sort of retirement age. And a few more that have become pasture ornaments long before old age sets in. It is very variable IMO, depending on both horse, owner and the sort of riding you hope to continue in their old age.

It’s a really difficult one. I have really dodgy ankles… I really can’t walk when I get out of a car after an hour or so but after a hundred yards or so I am literally in no pain and could walk all day and would be much worse if I never pushed through it - I have had my vet tell me that not working a horse with mild arthritis will severely worsen the deterioration of their symptoms… sometimes it’s a case of being cruel to be kind but where the line is who knows.

 

[Auslander]

So here is a second dilemma, when a horse is rather old and creaky and stiff, certainly beyond competing. To what extent should we exercise them through this, assuming it is wholly for their good to keep moving and not for our riding pleasure?

I'll use the horse above as an example. 27, arthritis, apparently sound in trot, perfectly capable of bombing around the field when he chooses. He certainly appears to be happy in his general life (which is mostly lounging about in a field). When he has warmed up a little he is still fabulously forward going. Does he sometimes walk out a bit stiff? - yes absolutely, and I take no pleasure in this part of riding him; however by the time we are halfway down the lane (maybe 100 yards) he loosens up. Then, he will outstride any horse on the yard and does so, as much as one can tell, with pleasure and interest - no leg needed. At the moment I take the view that by doing this a few times a week he is kept supple and more comfortable, and that a hack of maybe an hour justifies the first 2 minutes of stiffness. Genuinely interested in whether others agree.

You could be talking about Alf here. I have lost count of the times I thought "I can't do this any more" when he set off on a hack feeling stiff and slow, and then 5 minutes later, he'd loosen up, and march along with his ears pricked, surveying the scenery, and periodically spooking at something ridiculous
He was in light work until the end, and I know he enjoyed it, but if anyone wants to come at me for riding a 27yr old horse who was stiff at the start - fill your boots!

 

[Wishfilly]

I do think there is a bit of a difference between ponies (especially the smaller native types) and horses- which is not to say older horses can't keep going for a long time, but I think it's "normal" for some types of ponies to be in work and sound well into their 20s, and genuinely look well with it!

I agree that I can think of a few older horses who should probably be allowed to step back, semi retire or even retire, but they are stoic and honest and keep going with what is asked of them. I also agree there are some which are genuinely healthy into their older age, and with improved knowledge and care more horses are likely to stay sound for longer.

I don't think you can put a specific age on it, because it depends on so many factors, but I do think we should be honest with ourselves as to what point it's fair to keep horses going, and especially competing when people sometimes do push things further than they might in a lesson at home?

 

[MuddyMonster]

It's something that I've started to have more in my mind with a native pony that is fast approaching their age start with a 2 ..

We have twice monthly lessons with a biomechanical/classical instructor who is clued up on recognising pain and discomfort. All our work is based on schooling for soundness through correct work rather than to be competitive. To be honest, my flatwork ambitions don't need twice monthly lessons but I like having regular, trained eyes on him to pick up and discuss any changes.

He also has regular body work (every 6-8 weeks) and see's our vet every 6 months as he's on a small dose of prascend, so lot's of people see him regularly and I'm always asking how he feels etc - I even trot him up for my barefoot trimmer each time, just in cases!

Every single person tells me he doesn't look or feel his age - apparently he feels better than some 9 or 10 year old - and when I discuss whether his work load is appropiate, all the people that know him tell me to keep going and only to step down if he seems to be struggling. And everyone that knows him, reminds me he's not quiet when something is wrong!

Although we mainly hack, we still compete on a small level semi-regularly - Trec and low level dressage - and do things like polework clinics or jumping arena hire but all very laid back, low key. He owes me nothing so I'd happily step him down or retire if need be.

Other people might take different approaches but I'm comfortable with my approach thus far.

 

[gallopingby]

MM not sure what age you’re referring to but I really don’t think 20 is old for a native pony unless they’ve had a hard life living somewhere bleak in which case they probably have had to contend with weather condition rather than ridden or driven work.