When do you know to start slowing down?

[Ally_F]

I have a 18 year old ex-racer TB, who has currently been off work for 3 months due to a pulled muscle. I took him out for the first time yesterday and he was just ... slow!

He used to be one of those horse that if you didn't ride him for a week or two he would be rushing around, jigging on the spot - you know the type. But yesterday he was just boring, didn't want to do anything but walk. I know he is unfit, and it was quite warm, but something in the back of my head thinks, well he is getting older now.

Last summer we were doing Endurance rides and 2 hours + hacks, so he was pretty fit but even at the end of that season I did start thinking he had slowed quite a bit.

I'm considering changing his food to give him a bit more energy, but before I do, does anyone think it might be best just to let him slow down? Is 18 really getting old or am I writing him off a bit quickly?

Thanks!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I think it is a little to soon to write him off after just one ride. The weather does not help. Assess him over 6 months.

 

[splashgirl45]

think how you would be if you had 3 months off, he is probably just feeling tired due to the heat, you may find on a cooler day he is more like his old self. it takes quite a while for them to get fit again so walking for a while may be best and intoduce a short trot after about a week to assess how he is, and progress accordingly. although 18 is getting old there are lots of horses still competing into their 20's and as long as he has healed completely you should still be able to have some fun with him....