When do you stop riding your horses?

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Crazylittlemaisey

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I have a pony on loan who is old and a little on the small side too so I am conscious of riding him. I hack out 2 or 3 times a week, mostly plodding so I'm not asking a lot of him. He is 14hh chunky-ish connie and I'm 10.5 stone so at the boundary for sure.

He suits me well at the mo as I have a 7 month old baby and we are trying for another baby so any time soon I could stop riding. He is what I have to ride next few years, I won't be getting anything else for perhaps 2 years when family is complete.

So... When and how would you decide the horse is not longer happy carrying you? What would the cue be for you? My boy is spritely and loves going out so I have no reason to think he's struggling...

I'll be gutted when I have to stop as I love our little hacks (usually 45 mins, max 3 hours but probably once a month).
 
A chunky 14 hander should be more than happy carrying 10.5 stone doing the work you are doing, even if he is getting on a bit, as long as you keep him fit, going out regularly to maintain the level not necessarily getting him fitter but not picking him up just once in a while, he should be fine, they tend to let you know if it is getting too much and start to slow down a little or become a bit stiffer, I would keep enjoying him while you can if anything get out another day or two if you can fit it in.
 
I think that you will see a change in him of you know him well. However most horses who are healthy are better kept active than retired. We have a 30yr old pony on our yard who goes on about 4 steady 2hr hacks a week and still loves it. I ride a 22yr old pony (when I am not riding my horse) she smaller than yours, i am larger than you and it is very clear that she loves to go out and has no trouble with what we ask of her, she loves the extra outings. Most oldies are best in regular light work.
 
Thank you for your replies :) I'm a bit of a worrier it seems!

He's 18 yo, I take him out 3/4 times a week for 45 (hilly) mins a go and the occasional long hack. (Just re-read my first post and i meant the 3 hour hacks are only once or twice a month!)

He does graze on a steep slope and I track graze sometimes to keep him and his geriatric field mate moving.

He can be a little clicky and stiff but eases off after a short while. He's still full of it and pulls like a train in a snaffle.

I know him very well and I'm sure if he would let me know.

Thanks again :)
 
How old is getting on a bit. A conni at my local riding school was semi retired at thirty. She wasn't happy being "ignored" so would still do an occasional Saturday lesson or go off for a walk with the wobblies. She was finally pts last winter at 34! I think most horse and ponies like a bit of work. It keeps their minds as well as their bodies active.
 
I'm a fair bit heavier than you and my pony is a middle weight (New forest/Connie build) 13.3. He's 16 but unless I get well over 12 stone I'm not going to become to heavy for him!
 
Thank you all. He's 18 yo so not ancient but his back is very slightly dipped or at least his wither is slightly prominent. He was a fairly high mileage SJ pony before I took him on. So he just looks a little older than his years!

I'm so happy that ive had a positive response here, I was nervous to ask. I'd struggle to look after more than 2 (him and companion) so if I can get a few more years out of him, health permitting, he does exactly what I want atm.

Fab! Thanks all ☺️
 
If you think he's looking older than his years get a Cushing's test done on him. Otherwise just keep going. I have a 26yo who can still run with the best of them and loves going out.
 
I had exactly the weight conversation last weekend with my instructor. My lad is 23 yrs and and Arab x Welsh, so more towards the finer side, and I'm just pushing over 10.5st. He did start to show signs of discomfort earlier this year but I knew him well enough to know that all other signs were ok, so we eventually found the saddle was the issue (after 3 different saddlers!) and now after physio he's like a spring chicken! Hence the lesson last weekend - first lesson he's had in nearly 10 years!
He hacks 2 -3 times a week and lives out 24/7 on a sloping field. Instructors verdict was that I was fine weight-wise for him for hacking, but if I wanted to step up the schooling I should loose a little, just to help him balance us both.
Keep him going while you can, joints are better when kept moving, and second getting a Cushings test if he shows any signs. Hope you have many more happy hacking years!
 
18 is not old just keep him fit and active!

I'm also around 10 stone, pony 14.2 and 24 and we are fine so don't worry!!

He's ridden around 4 times a week, usually hacking but we still do flat work, jumping and XC schooling and he loves nothing more than a good gallop round the woods.

I will keep it up until he tells me he doesn't want to do it any more but for now I know he's still loving life 😄
 
I have a 24yr old TB who I retired 2 yrs ago. She had always tripped but she she got older she wasn't as quick to recover so I decided one day that I did want to end our riding days because of a bad fall and quit whilst we were ahead. She's still sound and happily wandering around her field and she lost muscle tone much quicker once retired but I felt it was the right time for her.
I also have a 20 yr old ID mare who is although no longer competes (dressage) or jumps she is still hacking out and doing light schooling work. She needs the work to keep her weight off and to stop her stiffening up so I plan to keep her in work for as long as possible. I'm assuming like the other horse I will just know when the time is right to stop riding her.
I also have a 13.3 highland companion pony, I'm between 10 and 10 and a half stone and she very easily carries my weight and her excess. I work to keep her weight and mine down but I suspect she could easily carry more.
 
I have a couple of horses, the eldest is 16h1" & is 17 years old. He is fine, he loves hacking out, schooling in the arena & going out to shows for both dressage & show jumping. His ears are pricked, he jumps up the ramp to get on the lorry to go to a show & to be honest he's always in the ribbons. A horse will tell you when they've had enough & your pony at 18 years old should be alright for a good few years yet. I believe that when a horse has been in regular work & then they are retired & do nothing they seem to go downhill quickly. It's always good to keep them doing something even if it's less than they used to do. At 18 your pony isn't iold so keep enjoying your hacks with him. :)
 
I have a 25 year old TB x mare, who is basically retired now. She let me know the other day that she had enough for a very light schooling session (10-15 minutes). She's incredibly fizzy, but wasn't having fun. She is in great health as confirmed by regular checkups from Vet etc. She is happy to have a hack once or twice a month, or for you to hop on bareback for a little walk or trot. She enjoys retired life, she's given me everything and owes me absolutely nothing. xx

(Edited to add, she is 15 hands, very podgy and I weigh 12 stone which is her maximum to carry)
 
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