What are your older horses doing?

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I have an 18 year old who I have competed grassroots level at SJ, DR, HT and ODE. We haven't got going this season what with the weather, a stubborn abscess and a house move. I'm now thinking it's time to back him off. He's been sound the 6 years I've had him but he's just started to show a bit of stiffness in his hocks so I had them injected last week. He is a good hack but loves going out in the lorry. He owes me nothing and doesn't need to do clinics as he knows his job. I know every horse is different but want to know how much other people do with older horses competition wise or does it just feel self indulgent to keep running them? TIA

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My 28 yo is completely retired. My 18 yo is still in full work. I havnt jumped for a few years now as we decided to concentrate on dressage. Last year, I had weekly lessons, did clinics or a comp at the weekend. I decided at the end of last year that I would back off the lessons and only do just enough in the school to keep him ticking over for the odd comp. We mainly hack now as I would like him to last a few more years and I've lost my competition mojo!! As you say they are all different.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

You are doing a similar level of work with your 18 year old as I am. That’s reassuring

 

[MagicMelon]

I think it depends on the horse as you know if a horse enjoys being worked or if they do it just because they're being asked to. My last horse was like that (she wasnt old), absolutely lovely temp and did do everything I asked of her competition wise but I never really felt her heart was fully in it, like she didnt mind doing it but she'd probably have preferred to graze in the field. Whereas my veteran absolutely loved competing and thrived on work, he was too intelligent to sit around in the field. Only reason he was retired was due to a field injury which sadly ended his eventing and showjump career. He still looks jealous when I take my other horse out Had he not hurt himself Id likely still be riding him at his age of 26 as he's still flexible as they come!

 

[Pidgeon]

I have an 18 year old who I have competed grassroots level at SJ, DR, HT and ODE. We haven't got going this season what with the weather, a stubborn abscess and a house move. I'm now thinking it's time to back him off. He's been sound the 6 years I've had him but he's just started to show a bit of stiffness in his hocks so I had them injected last week. He is a good hack but loves going out in the lorry. He owes me nothing and doesn't need to do clinics as he knows his job. I know every horse is different but want to know how much other people do with older horses competition wise or does it just feel self indulgent to keep running them? TIA

My just turned 27yo ISH, was still jumping up to 2 1/2 years ago. We competed up till 5 years ago, and thereafter just went and had fun. Occasionally popped some fences a bit bigger at 90cms which kept him happy. He's got arthritis in his hocks and fetlocks, and has danilon in a morning, and all work done with vet on board as he is better kept ticking over. Listen to what your horse tells you he is happy doing. Pidge made it quite clear he was happy going out in the lorry one day, but not two days on the trot. Whilst he is still happy being ridden I'll continue to do so.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I think it depends on the horse as you know if a horse enjoys being worked or if they do it just because they're being asked to. My last horse was like that (she wasnt old), absolutely lovely temp and did do everything I asked of her competition wise but I never really felt her heart was fully in it, like she didnt mind doing it but she'd probably have preferred to graze in the field. Whereas my veteran absolutely loved competing and thrived on work, he was too intelligent to sit around in the field. Only reason he was retired was due to a field injury which sadly ended his eventing and showjump career. He still looks jealous when I take my other horse out Had he not hurt himself Id likely still be riding him at his age of 26 as he's still flexible as they come!

My 18 year old will follow us down the field as we drive out with the horse box with one of the younger ones in it. One of his nicknames is FOMO

 

[Ladybird L]

Hunting my 20yo till she got hurt she was that fittest best horse in the field!

 

[Britestar]

32 yr old stopped work at around 28yrs old.
28yr old retired at 14
27yr old last ridden in Feb, but had lost weight and didn't seem to enjoy himself, so thought retirement was appropriate. Up to them, having regularly and loving a whizz around a field. However, had really done well now the grass is through, so may try him on a hack to see how he feels.
Other 27yr old hacks every couple of weeks

 

[Accidental Eventer]

My 21yo is going to do our first endurance ride in a few weeks! We did 10km of hills yesterday and he finished brighter than he started, he thought we were doing the same old boring hack. He thrives off variety. He has hock arthritis and is stiffer than he was at 15, but he gets vetted yearly and I figure long slow km will be beneficial to him. he is sound and happy and will very clearly tell me when he isn't (though sometimes you have to decipher if he is just bored and needs a change of scenery!).

I thought I would retire him years ago but he keeps volunteering to come out and I have found what works for him though trial and error. I decided this year to stop jumping, I felt that although he felt keen, he was struggling with it for the first time and I don't need to jump him.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Mine is in her mid 20s, we just potter about when we feel like it, hacking or in the school.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

My 21yo is going to do our first endurance ride in a few weeks! We did 10km of hills yesterday and he finished brighter than he started, he thought we were doing the same old boring hack. He thrives off variety. He has hock arthritis and is stiffer than he was at 15, but he gets vetted yearly and I figure long slow km will be beneficial to him. he is sound and happy and will very clearly tell me when he isn't (though sometimes you have to decipher if he is just bored and needs a change of scenery!).

I thought I would retire him years ago but he keeps volunteering to come out and I have found what works for him though trial and error. I decided this year to stop jumping, I felt that although he felt keen, he was struggling with it for the first time and I don't need to jump him.

That’s interesting to hear about you turning to endurance as I’ve considered that for my boy. I guess it’s non jumping, no circles so less stress on the joints if you just go for a fun day out and not go crazy. Has he had injections for his arthritis?