Very Confused :(

[NatalieS]

I have had 'Honey' for nearly a year now on full loan and I love her to bits she is an amazing little horse I only have her for hacking and local shows but people keep telling me she is to old for local shows.

So is 20 to old for local shows, am I expecting to much? I only want to do some showing classes and maybe the old little jumping class. I have put her over a few jumps at home and she loves it

I had the vet out last week to do a flexion test on her and she was fine on three legs, but went of lame on one of the front legs but she isn't lame generally just after he did the test and asked her to trot straight away, he thinks it might just be a bit of artheritis nothing major to worry about.

I would just like to know whether 'horsey' people think she is told old for what I want her to do?

 

[Montyforever]

Thats what veteran classes are for

A few jumps wouldnt hurt either as long as shes sound and capable of what your asking

 

[rhino]

My horse had just had some time off as I have been too busy with my postgrad studies. I will shortly be bringing him back into (full) work and fully expect to be competing xc and trec. He's 19! He does need careful warming up but thoroughly enjoys his work!

Your vet seems happy for you to work Honey so go ahead, you obviously know the pony well enough to know when she is happy. I actually find with arthritis it helps to keep the horse or pony working..

 

[finkle]

My daughters pony is 28 and we took her to a show this year, only for the in-hand classes. We had lovely day and came back with rosettes!

 

[sychnant]

My horse is 31 and only stopped competing last year. She was 6th in a small Combined Training, 2nd in two TREC classes, and 8th at a Winter Series TREC.

All depends on the horse, if yours is happy, ignore what other people say

 

[NatalieS]

Thank you for your replies, she seems completely capable and she loves to go fast rather than plod around!

Think im just going to have to go to a show and see how she gets along knowing Honey she will get highly excited and be a nightmare to control but I still love her to bits.

 

[Umbongo]

Horse at my yard retired from eventing a couple of years ago due to arthritis in both hocks. He is managed carefully and he is now showing a few riders the ropes of hunter trials and showjumping....he is 25! My friends horse is 20 now and just won a one day event a couple of days ago.

I would go by how you think your horse is doing and what you think they are capable of, not what others say. 20 is not too old for shows.