Positivity needed..!! Anyone competing an older horse??

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GeorgieD

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So 5 years ago I bought a fantastic horse with a great show jumping record- super talented and super confident in himself!

Unfortunately from then until now I haven't managed to take him to a singe SJ show! :( a series of unfortunate events is the best way to describe his life.. I was moving around a bit and he had numerous incidents which resulted in lameness. we forever tried to restart with him but to no avail. We once gave him 4 months off over winter to grow his feet out.. once bought back into work he was diagnosed with bone spavin..!

That was 2 years ago. Last January things started to look up! We moved to an amazing yard with an amazingly supportive trainer and he was on great form - we expected to have to inject his hocks every 3 months but its been over a year since the last one!! However, he isn't as confident as he used to be, and I have hardly ridden these past few years..

Now hes 12, he does feel great!!, but it only feels like yesterday I bought a competitive 7 year old! I'm very aware of all these years wasted.. and the effect it has had on his mentality which I think will take a while to get back..

Basically I'd love to hear if anyone has bought a 12 year (or around that age) back into a competitive career? Or is anyone competing an older horse that had a bit of a break? I really love this horse and am desperate to get a season out of the fantastic horse I know I bought!!

Thanks :)
 
I think if he has lameness issues you need to seriously consider if it is fair to ask him to compete seriously.
He is unlikely to have more than 1-2 years of jumping in him given the history of problems, especially without being medicated (And is that ethical to do so regularly? ) frequently.
So by the time you have him fit, is it worth having him go through traumativ medical treatment to do that? It depends what you are considering serious mind - 70/80cm shouldn't cause much straing but 1m + is going to strain the hocks and he doesn't sound like a robust horse! Might be better enjoying at a lower level
 
I have the physio out regularly to check him (who is in contact with the vet) and they're both very happy with his progress! My trainer is also competing at 4* level and rides him regularly and hes happy with him! I totally agree with what you're saying - and if he shows any sign of unhappiness of course I wont carry on - but we jumped up to 1.10 the other day and hes doing 10m circles in canter very well! hes a horse that loves being in work and a year in work with no recurring issues from his hocks is enough for me to at least give it a go!! :)
 
I am bringing a 17 year old ex-dressage horse back into work and competition after she's had 6 years off!! Her owner had a bad fall from her and never rode again. In that time she had a foal, who is now rising 6 and is beginning his own journey in eventing. My horse had competed up to medium level dressage very successfully. Now I'm hoping to do hunter trials, showjumping and maybe some low level eventing. She has been a challenge to say the least! She is great at the flat schooling side of things, but struggles with the excitement of jumping and thinks everything must be done at gallop! We have worked very hard to slow her down and think about what she's doing. We are going to our first xc open day next month and I'm very excited. I have been asked many times, why am I bothering with such an old horse? But really, she's not old at 17 and 12 certainly isn't old! As long as they are happy and healthy.....Why not?? My horse has bags of talent and just because she's older doesn't mean she can't be successful. There is a 30 year old ex eventer who my horse lives with and he is in daily work and loves it. He is so much happier plodding about than wasting away in a field. Good luck!! xx
 
Why would you ask a horse with known hock issues to do 10m circlesin canter? It is just asking to break down imo... You could let him compete at a lower level and give him many years (and equally good being in work if he enjoys it) or try and push him and my bet is given the history he will break down before he's 14. But I don't know the horse . I just know the typical story of these older not qutie sound horses.
 
Cortez said:
12 is not old.
Click to expand...

^^ this. Taking the OP at their word and the horse is passed as fit and sound for work... if spavins have settled then he should be OK and especially if he's doing well without any medication.

My little cob came into work at 9 years old, having done basically nothing for 3 years. She's 11 this year and really only just beginning her competition career.
Older horse in sig is 19 this year and feeling better than ever. Plenty of life in the old girl. Just play it by ear, OP. Your vet, physio and trainer will be able to advise better than any of us, but I really wouldn't give his AGE a second thought, as long as his body continues to feel well :)
 
12 is nowhere near old! My 19yo was competing at ODE's last year until he was injured (so he was 18 then). He is currently coming back into work and we are aiming to get back to the same level of work we were at before the injury!
 
12 is no age at all! I didn't buy my horse until she was 14, sheWill be 20 this year , she competes successfully and would happily compete every weekend. Definitely depends on the individual horse though. if your horse has lameness issues, that's an issue itself – not necessarily anything to do with age.
 
My 23 yr old came back into work last year. Qualified for the Riding Clubs DTM Champs, made the 12 hour journey down there, and came 2nd!
24 this year and loving work.
 
12 is no where near old, however in this case I personally would be more concerned about the lameness issues and maybe have a vet check to see just what level of work the horse is upto. My mare is 15 this year and as competitive as ever, I think she's the best she's ever been.
 
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