When to retire?

[Champion1969]

In the summer I took on loan a lovely 15'2 IDX for my 13 year old as we was having a few confidence issues with one of our other horses. I was told he was 22 but low milage, so I wasn't phased but as time as gone on keep having a gut feeling that he's not enjoying being ridden, he's sound if just a little stiff to begin with, but he just seems half hearted. This week I had my dentist and he's aged him at min 25, so its go me thinking again. Maybe I get my physio over, but what other signs would you go for, or maybe I'm just being ridiculosly soft?

If he is to be retired I will let the owners keep him at mine and I will look after him.

 

[JackFrost]

Personally, I think your gut feeling is the best thing to go on in knowing when your horse is ready to retire. If he's 25+ he's more than done his job.I don't think it's just about his physical condition. IMO, part of giving a horse a good life is knowing when it just needs to have some years for itself. After years of them giving themselves willinglyfor us, sometimes it's time for us to give back to them.

 

[milliepops]

it's a tricky one when you start to have doubts, because you interpret any slight quietness as the horse not wanting to do it any more, when it might not be that at all.. but on balance, I personally feel that we are lucky that we have these wonderful animals in our lives so when they start to feel like they aren't up for it any more, I tend to think it's time to wind down.

however, if he's been doing well up until fairly recently then before making any decisions, maybe give him a bit of a once-over in general management, perhaps consider his feed, physio is a good call, general comfort and - for want of a better word, "wellness". it may just be that the change in weather etc is having an impact, or it may be as you feel that he's just ready to stop.

My 23yo is retired through reoccuring injury, otherwise she would still be in full work, so i don't think age in itself is the decider, it's more about the individual.

 

[Champion1969]

My 22 year old is still in work and still acts like a 4 year old, yes its a tricky one. He's just so chilled out and its as if he's programmed to do what is expected of him.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would speak to the owner about having a Cushing's test and possibly putting him on Prascend. Lethargy is one of the common symptoms of Cushings and at 25 he is a prime candidate. Very often they get a whole new lease of life when the Prascend gets into the system

 

[w1bbler]

A once over by a physio is a good idea, it's a 2nd set of eyes to see if he is up to doing the work you want, well worth the cost.

 

[L&M]

I would speak to the owner about having a Cushing's test and possibly putting him on Prascend. Lethargy is one of the common symptoms of Cushings and at 25 he is a prime candidate. Very often they get a whole new lease of life when the Prascend gets into the system

Ditto - our old pony had a new lease of life on prascend after a cushing's diagnosis.