when to retire ? thoughts , older competition horses

[racebuddy]

i know everyone has different opionions on this , my eventer is 19 now , full of joys of springs , sound and happy , loves his work , lives for his days out on the lorry , never overjumped , careful what ground he goes on , has legs clayed , massagers , treadmill physio , regualr vet and teeth checks every 3three months , hates having a day off , lots of turnout for downtime , i think if i chose to retire i would cause more issues and he would become very sad and depressed ,

my 26 year old was still in full work untl he was 25 ,

thought of people who still jump and compete theres in late teens

 

[ihatework]

I think some older competition horses can go downhill very quickly when they retire. It’s about knowing your horse. As long as they are sound and happy in the job keep going. Drop down the level(s) if needed or slightly change the job. Give them the opportunity to teach someone else if they aren’t quite meeting your Adrenalin needs via a loan or share.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I dropped my horse out of work two years ago due to a terrible adder bite. I wish I'd picked her up sooner but she wasnt ready really. Ive just picked her up in to gentle work now at 19 and she's very slow and stiff but I hope that will work out over time.

I would definitely say keep them working for as long as they are sound and happy.

 

[Annagain]

Mine was a happy hacker, not a competition horse, but the worst thing I did was stop riding during lockdown. He's had issues for years but was ticking over hacking twice or three times a week. After 7 weeks off at the start of lockdown I started to ride again - only 10 minutes in walk to start with and he just couldn't do it any more. He's now retired, field sound (on no drugs), fat and filthy. He's officially 24 but both vet and dentist think he's older.

 

[paddi22]

I am in the same boat with a 19 year old eventer. he still feels good in himself so I'\m just going to play it by ear and keep him going. I think he would totally go downhill once he stopped having a job.

 

[TGM]

Our eventer will be 18 next year so we will see how he feels. He only managed one event this year due to Covid and the fact that he needed an Open Novice class on a weekend! But he performed really well with a top ten finish in a very competitive class, so he will hunt over the winter and we shall see how he feels next spring. When the time does come to retire from competition we will try and keep him hacking and hunting.

 

[J&S]

I have been riding the big old horse for his owners for four and a half years. He will be 27 next year. He was a BE eventer, and Pony Club SJ champion. Both his riders grew up and left home but for a while he went with one of them to hunt in N.Devon. His previous careers meant he was chosen for the Hunt Relay team, first of all when he was 22, then 23 and 24. I started riding him to get him fit when he was 23. That year, as in the past and later years he jumped clear and also took on the extra rounds needed when another member couldn't/wouldn't start! During my first year with him I introduced him to Trec, we didn't do the long rides, just the PTV/MA and indoor arena trec. His previous competition experience and training stood him in great stead for this and he has been a real star. Between us we have 100 years, so this rather leisurely form of competition really suits us. He hacks out with me a couple of times a week and until last year went to the occasional meet. I did a 70cm HT with him a couple of years ago and we do jump the odd jump for Trec. He really goes for it! He is still fully clipped out each winter and this always gives him a real bounce in his step. So as far as complete retirement is concerned it hasn't quite happened, not sure which one of us will give up first! We are very careful of how far we take him in the trailer as he can feel a bit stiff after travelling. My feelings are to keep them "entertained" by work but not stressed by it.

 

[Britestar]

Mine is 23yr and I decided to stop long journeys and championships last year. This year he's going better than ever, so I would maybe reconsider it.
He also has been doing a fair bit of TREC , live and online. Hoping to do a local championship with him next year at TREC

 

[Annagain]

Well after being sent this video of my 25+ retired, arthritic, can't manage 10 minutes round the block old man a couple of days ago, I'm reconsidering!

https://imgur.com/4yFmfTq

 

[racebuddy]

I am in the same boat with a 19 year old eventer. he still feels good in himself so I'\m just going to play it by ear and keep him going. I think he would totally go downhill once he stopped having a job.

Hi yes definitely ive had him since he was 5 so know him inside out , he feels so well and fresh and loves his trips in the lorry , we is loving his work , hes given me so much experience with eventing , we dropped him down a level jumping but he just wants to get to the bigger tracks ???? we have schooled him the 100 fences and he is just pinging over them ?? xx

 

[pansymouse]

Mine is a retired eventer - she's 27 and absolutely full of it and loves work. We do what I call active hacking i.e. lots of trot and canter and jumping logs etc when we can. We both have a lot of fun and both the vet and the physio say she's in remarkable condition for her age. I would never entirely retire her; if she couldn't be ridden I would take her out in hand or long line her; she'd shut down without the stimulation of some sort of work.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

You know what they say, use it or lose it. Keep him going, just be aware that he is getting older and be sensitive to what his capabilities are. He is a baby yet compared to some horses still working. Like people who keep going into old age, horses are better kept in work for as long as they are fit enough.

 

[racebuddy]

You know what they say, use it or lose it. Keep him going, just be aware that he is getting older and be sensitive to what his capabilities are. He is a baby yet compared to some horses still working. Like people who keep going into old age, horses are better kept in work for as long as they are fit enough.

Thanks for all your replies, and i agree he definitely would shut down with no work , i absolutely adore him xx

 

[Equi]

It is entirely individual and what the horse needs. My 20 yo big man is still in light work...i retired him last year after a spat of issues the last being lymphangitis and the vet said he actually needs to be moved...he literally needed his blood to get pumping. So he came back into walks about and when he got too fresh to the point i struggled to lead him i got on him and he was almost back to normal work (for us..which is not a lot tbf!) but no jumping/tight circles etc which was a wonderful excuse for me during weekly yard lessons as i hate jumping haha. We're in an OAP lesson which is a lot of walking/flexing but to keep the oldies using their bodies, but im learning so much about my own riding/body which i will be able to put into practice on another horse. So he could almost be classed as semi-retired but unable to retire fully for his own benefit.

 

[Winters100]

I just let mine slow down gradually but keep them fit and in work for as long as they are enjoying it. I bought my schoolmistress from someone who was competing at high level, and although she is very fit I think she has appreciated being able to take a step down and not be pushed. She is an angel who gave be back the confidence that I had lost, so as far as I am concerned she owes me nothing. As long as I still feel the spring in her step and see her bouncing up the ramp we will continue. When she no longer wants to compete we will just hack, and when se does not want to be ridden she can come along in hand. I think she has some more years in her, but of course you never know. For me the most important is to listen to her.