When to 'retire'?

[lovely_ponies]

Looking for some advice or people who have had similar experiences!

I have a pony who is 22 - until this year had been in full work, but after last winter, started to feel her heart wasn't in her schooling anymore, so slowed things down to a couple of short hacks a week.
Over the last couple of months she just seems a bit "flat" when she's in her stable and not as sparky as she used to be. She also looks stiff all over after periods of stabling. We are still light hacking, which she seems fine with but I try and keep it to an hour or less. She's been stabled her whole life (out overnight in summer, out in the day in winter), but I'm worried that winter routine soon and being in for 14hrs a day might not be good for her physically or mentally, so thinking about letting her retire out 24/7 instead.

I'm struggling with the idea of giving up her stable - she's always been a pampered princess and I don't like the idea of her being out in the wet and cold, but she is a hardy type, and I don't want to put my own feelings onto it!

Does anyone else have experience with this? Do older horses cope with a change to living out? Struggling to separate my own emotions from the decision!

(I am going to increase her joint supplement and have a cushings test done for what it's worth, although she doesn't have any clear symptoms)

 

[Highmileagecob]

You are probably right to think about winding down the work, given the changes you are seeing. My old boy went on to a mild NSAID around ten years ago, which keeps him comfortable and maintains his usual routine. I fully retired him from hacking over two years ago, and he can still have a good roll and bounce to his feet. He is rising 30.

 

[nagblagger]

Do you have to give her stable up or could you keep it for emergencies or when the weather is bad?

 

[Orangehorse]

If she has been used to being in a stable at night in the winter I would hesitate to alter that. If there is shelter and company and they really like being out then they might be OK.

Don't take any notice of age, it is your own gut feeling and how you know your horse that matters. Good idea to get the Cushings Test and up the supplements but it is down to the individual horse.

Some are old at 15, some go into late 20s, but early to mid 20s is average.

 

[Arzada]

so thinking about letting her retire out 24/7 instead.

I'm struggling with the idea of giving up her stable - she's always been a pampered princess and I don't like the idea of her being out in the wet and cold, but she is a hardy type, and I don't want to put my own feelings onto it!

I'd go for out 24/7 but I'd keep the stable because there are times eg heavy rain with strong winds when it's good to have the option to stable. Especially when the heavy rain and high winds go on for days. Mine has lived out pretty much always but when we were somewhere without a run in barn then I stabled in the really bad weather. Nowadays with my horse so much older and with the weather we've had last year and this year then I would stable at times.

 

[Arzada]

Don't take any notice of age, it is your own gut feeling and how you know your horse that matters.

This is a good point about your own feelings. It's pretty horrible being at home in foul weather thinking and worrying about your horse who is out in it. I really would keep the stable if that's possible for you.

 

[lovely_ponies]

Do you have to give her stable up or could you keep it for emergencies or when the weather is bad?

I would keep it for a least a month or two to see how we got on, but I'm on full livery and it's a flat rate, so paying for full care/bedding/hay/bring in turnout when I'd not be using it doesn't feel like it makes much sense long term (and then I would be able to set that saved money aside for vets/osteo/physio etc). There is a spare stable on the yard kept free for emergencies, so would have that as a backup!

 

[SantaVera]

Keep the stable for this winter at least,horse can always have time in there if the weather is bad

 

[Spotherisk]

Perhaps it would work for you both if she moved to a dedicated retirement livery?

 

[Auslander]

I have a 23yr old starting his first winter out. He had never had a night out in his life before he came here, and I've worked him up to living out overnight this summer, which he has thoroughly enjoyed. I've kept a careful eye on him in the recent disgusting weather, and he's absolutely fine. Very cheerful in himself, maintaining weight, and feeling much looser and more supple to ride than he did when he was coming in overnight.
He is well fed, has a lot of haylage, and an extensive wardrobe of rugs - and his owner is paying to reserve his stable in case he starts looking miserable.
I've been having extensive work done to half my land at the moment, so he and his mate are coming in during the day so the two stabled horses can go out. By teatime, he is absolutely desperate to go out and be free again!

 

[Lady Jane]

I would start over night in the summer as @Auslander did, this time of year is not ideal for acclimatisation but it depends on your horse, My retired boys have ad lib barm access and one of them nevr stays out in the rain. The other will unless its bad

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

I wouldn’t necessarily think she needed to completely give up a stable… if she has spent a lot of time in she might not appreciate the sudden change. My boy is 25 and I was in the same boat. I have the best of both worlds though having him at home so can stable him when the weather is bad and he is out the rest of the time. Like you, I have recently found him a little bit ‘flat’ so have reduced his work to 2-3 hacks per week and I am completely led by him. If he wants to walk that’s fine, but if he wants to trot or have a little canter that’s fine too! I set off and see how he is feeling and if he is feeling well we go a bit further but if he isn’t i know the mood then I keep it shorter. It takes a good 20 mins walking for him to loosen up but is quite forward going after that. I also made the decision to start him on 1 Danilon per day in September just to keep him comfortable as he had arthritis. I don’t need to keep him fit any more for anything (he’s been hunting fit in the Autumn for years) and I’m learning to set off with no expectations, I was struggling to come to terms with the fact he might be slowing down as he is my horse of a lifetime but I have started to accept it and am finding I am enjoying him more again now there is no pressure. He even had a cheeky little buck the other day! My Vet has said to not completely retire him for as long as possible as it is keeping his joints moving, he still has plenty of muscle and mentally it is keeping him younger.

 

[holeymoley]

My oldie is 22 too. He’s been stabled at night all his life and out during the day. At this time of year if he’s out to even 6/7pm he’s desperate to come in. It might be a hard adjustment for her.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Might be worth having a chat with the yard owner to see if you can reduce the livery options and keep the stable. Paying a nominal rent for minimal work for the groom may be attractive.