Too Old?

floradora09

floradora09

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I have the most fantastic 20 yr old new forest pony. Last summer I did a lot on him, and he coped fine (we were XC, 3ft jumping, etc etc), but then I overdid it. We took him XC schooling, but didn't spend a long time warming up. Then didn't cool down enough. Then he spent an hour on the lorry going home. Then he had farrier out that night. Next day, he felt fine so took him out for a canter. Came home lame. This happened last October. We finially discovered that he'd pulled a shoulder ligament, which should heal over while of rest. He's been rested for ages, and he's now coming back into jumping and stuff, and we went to our first showjumping (2'3) about two weeks ago, we came fourth out of 48 and he stayed sound!

But the thing is, I'd really like to do some more XC, poss 2'6-2'9 SJ and maybe take him to PC camp, but would all of this be too much? His owner (I have him on full/permanent loan) says to go for it, but I just would hate it if I hurt him again? Do you think I would be able to if I took into account his age and gave him rests after comps, and warmed up and cooled down well? Please let me know what you think!

Oh, and please don't think of me as cruel for making him go lame, I didn't know much better at the time, and I love him to pieces and will never do that to him again!

Thanks, and well done if you got this far- I will love you forever if you let me know your thoughts!

xxx
 
it sounds like you love him very much!
i am not the most knowledgeable but a friend at my yard did pc camp on a 22 year old, she just had to take his fitness campaign slowly and make sure he was fit enough to cope and if he looked tired not do both activities in one day. he loved at and the last i heard has been sold to a 8 year old girl to do it all again with - and that was 2 years ago so now hes 24!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I think you should still be able to do what you want to with him, you just have to bear in mind his age and what happened last summer and so be more carefull with him. Make sure he is as fit as he can be (fitter than you would for a younger horse), to give him every chance of coping but equally build the fitness up gradually so you don't push him too much. And be very strict with yourself about warming up and cooling down properly. I have an older horse who is prone to tying up so I also walk him on a long rein for 10 mins at the beginning and end of every ride to loosen him up thoroughly. My horse is 21 and still goes hunting, jumping, endurance riding etc and loves it and is normally the fittest (and craziest!) one there. So there is no reason age should hold you back.

Do you do any loose jumping with your boy? I use this as a good indicator to see how high my horses are happy to jump by themselves (old man cleared 4ft last summer), if they won't do it loose I wont attempt it on them.

Also it is probably worth feeding your boy a joint supplement if you don't already. Look for something high in HA as this is great for repairing any damage that may already have happened aswell as helping to prevent any further problems.

Good luck with your boy, let us know how you get on
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Thanks, that sounds very encouraging! He's currently on EquiFlex by VetVits, to prevent his joints from getting worse- they're not bad, he can just be a little stiff sometimes. Sounds like I really need to fitten him up then!! I don't really loose school him, not sure if we are allowed at the yard where I keep him. So probably I'll gradually increase the height I jump him but if he keeps refusing take the hint that it's too much!

I'm really excited now, as the mare I was going to take to camp has some serious rearing issues. =S
 
He should be fine but you really really need to get him properly warmed up and cooled down as lots of exercise takes alot more out of older horses
 
i agree, i ride a horse for someone which is 34 and still takes off with me more than my own horses!

But you need to remember to warm him up properly and cool him off a lot more than you would with a younger horse just to be safe and as everyone else has said make sure hes as fit as he should be

I hope you have fun, my sis goes on pc camp and loves it! as does our pony, so im sure hel enjoy it just as much as you xx
 
I would say that if all he did was pull a muscle then so long as you prepare him properly then he will be fine.

The fittest and youngest of horses can pull muscles so i would not say it was because of his age.

Go on and enjoy your pony..... 20 is really not that old these days
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I think he'll be fine. You just have to remember that they need a bit more warming up and cooling down when they're older.
Have a lovely summer on him!
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As others have said re. warming up and cooling down
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Also, when you increase the heigh remember that a course of jumps is different to doing one or two. If he's a kind old lad you don't really want him to start refusing, or worse and coming a cropper.
 
agree just plenty of preperation and warm up cool down.its probably better for him to be in work than not and these ponies are fab ,hes not really old
 
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