Bettyboo222
Well-Known Member
Now that is the best laugh of the night.
I really did wonder!
When signing in for a show a few weeks ago I acidently wrote '****land' instead of 'shetland'
Why do people let 'oldies' slow down?
- Thread starter Moomin1
- Start date
When signing in for a show a few weeks ago I acidently wrote '****land' instead of 'shetland'
Ladydragon
Well-Known Member
I just find it strange that people post things about their 'oldies' doing well for their age at the age of 19, 20, etc etc and then commenting that they are on bute, partially retired for the last five years and the owners are considering fully retiring them!! I can understand that it depends on each individual horse and previous injury etc etc - but so many people seem to think that just because their horse has reached an older age that they must be semi or fully retired, which IMO is the worst thing for them.
Surely everyone (animals included) is an individual and where some will be like spring chickens in their dotage, others will have needed to slow down substantially whilst still being able to maintain a good quality of life... Plenty of us are on daily cocktails of medications and less physically able than we'd like to be at a given age but can still have a blast and enjoy living... I don't see that competing up until the last breath is necessarily better or healthier than a retirement...
hula
Well-Known Member
Mr Cob is as fit as a fiddle. We know he has been
Passed around from travellers, rs and trekking centres in the past. He's 21 (ish) but we reckon in the
Past he has been left to get away with murder! He's naughty and a huge character, he's also taught me how to ride (properly) again, tested all the boundaries, improved my seat and even brought out my oh secret love of cobby types lol! I wouldn't trade him for the world and he will not be slowing down anytime soon, unless he tells us or he develops a health issue which requires him to do so.
Passed around from travellers, rs and trekking centres in the past. He's 21 (ish) but we reckon in the
Past he has been left to get away with murder! He's naughty and a huge character, he's also taught me how to ride (properly) again, tested all the boundaries, improved my seat and even brought out my oh secret love of cobby types lol! I wouldn't trade him for the world and he will not be slowing down anytime soon, unless he tells us or he develops a health issue which requires him to do so.
Moomin1
Well-Known Member
As I put in my OP - I understand every horse is an individual and some will have health issues which restricts them and means they have to slow down.
I was talking about healthy old horses which have no issues being retired 'just' because they are getting older. IMO it is the worst thing that can be done for a horse and I see so many older horses who deteriorate when they get retired.
JennBags
HHOSS Wonder Woman
I do think it depends on the horse, and can only really be assessed by the rider/owner.
My old boy is 29 this year. He had most of last year off due to a couple of injuries, but I started him back in work a couple of months ago. He loves going out, and would like nothing better than to go xc or for a good gallop, but I'm not letting him do it, I'd worry that he would drop down dead
He told me when he'd had enough of competitive jumping - he was always a "point & shoot" horse jumping, and he started stopping.
I've had a few comments from people about retiring him, and I do consider it, but all the time he's enjoying hacking out, and us sound, then I won't fully retire him. It's a very difficult decision to make either way, as the horse's welfare is paramount, and you just have to really listen to what they're trying to tell you.
My old boy is 29 this year. He had most of last year off due to a couple of injuries, but I started him back in work a couple of months ago. He loves going out, and would like nothing better than to go xc or for a good gallop, but I'm not letting him do it, I'd worry that he would drop down dead
He told me when he'd had enough of competitive jumping - he was always a "point & shoot" horse jumping, and he started stopping.
I've had a few comments from people about retiring him, and I do consider it, but all the time he's enjoying hacking out, and us sound, then I won't fully retire him. It's a very difficult decision to make either way, as the horse's welfare is paramount, and you just have to really listen to what they're trying to tell you.
kerrieberry2
Well-Known Member
my mare is 27 now and i still ride her every week, i think i have slowed down more than she has! she still drags me around the country side and i won't slow down unless i make her!
heres a pic of her the other day, shes a giant fluff ball, malting like mad!!
heres a pic of her the other day, shes a giant fluff ball, malting like mad!!
Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
but surely that is the individual owners choice? perhaps the horse has told them in other ways that they are not happy doing the level of work required, a horse doesn't always have to be hanging lame to find work hard
I think i would rather see a sound elderly horse retired in a field than an unsound elderly horse buted up to the eyeballs just so it can carry on working.
Moomin1
Well-Known Member
but surely that is the individual owners choice? perhaps the horse has told them in other ways that they are not happy doing the level of work required, a horse doesn't always have to be hanging lame to find work hard
I think i would rather see a sound elderly horse retired in a field than an unsound elderly horse buted up to the eyeballs just so it can carry on working.
I haven't said it's not up to the owner - clearly it is because it is their horse!!
As for seeing an unsound elderly horse buted up to the eyeballs so it can carry on working - I repeat - I said HEALTHY old horses with no problems.
I suppose people aren't getting my meaning here - I will try to clarify - if someone has a 15 year old horse who is perfectly healthy and sound, no issues and has been in full work - be that competing or just hacking - why would someone just decide to suddenly retire them?
I have heard so many people say that they must start slowing their horse's work down and retire them soon simply because they are '19', or 'in their twenties', yet there is nothing wrong with the horse whatsoever.
Each to their own - I just think it's a kin to old people who sit in a chair day after day and do nothing 'just because they are old'. It's far better for them to get exercise and keep moving.
Ibblebibble
Well-Known Member
I've never come across someone who has retired a horse purely on age rather than health, most people i know like to keep their horses 'ticking over' in old age rather than just retiring them completely. i do know of 2 who are kept on part livery who have never done a days work in their life, allegedly both are over 10 years old now and the closest they've come to being backed is the owner put a saddle on the fence for them to get used to and that was as far as it went
now that i find odd but hey ho, 
indie999
Well-Known Member
Agree. Mine is retired as he has arthritis and was stumbling. Tried doing just walking to keep him ticking over but he went down. Is happy to munch and just started bute. Will have new career as companion as he so easy to do etc. Will PTS when he is suffering etc ie bute doesnt work..He is about 24 years, seems quite happy old soul(he looks really well).
Another old boy was 36 years and ridden lightly from age 30 onwards until PTS.
So no rhyme or reason, they are all different. I take view it gave me a good service and I will retire horse for some field enjoyment prior to PTS. Least I can do!