Will I know when to stop?

[jayvee]

Ok, this may seem a daft question but here goes..
I have an 'older' mare grand age of 18 1/2. Owned since she was 10.
I will keep her til the very end but I have never owned an aging horse. She is still very active, (as if she was still 10) in regular work and will go hunting occasionally. But I notice these days she is sometimes abit stiff, not lame just stiff when setting off ridden, but once warmed up absolutely fine. Doesn't seem to have the 'umpff' when cantering or galloping these days yet will happily go and have the mind to want to go! (which is actually quite nice) lol.
She has never suffered any concerning injuries past or present and has clean legs.
I have always given her new market joint supplement (99% pure glucosamine) for the last 8yrs.
But should I be also adding or starting to give something else to her feed to keep her mobile longer? I'd love her to go on for ever.
And the biggest question is.. will I know when to slow down the work or stop altogether?? I start questioning myself these days as time goes by.

sorry for the long winded dribble x
Advice please, thanks.

 

[air78]

I don't feed to any joint supplemnets to my horse.......but, my elderly dog has bad legs and hips. she has got increasingly worse- to the point where we had to carry her home,if she went on a walk- and we were starting to think that she might not have long left.

I got her some feline cortaflex and she is like a new dog! she plays with our other dog all the time again, and is actually pulling at the lead when we take her out!

I would try some mobility supplements on your horse- they are worth a go, and you might be suprised by the results.
i'm sure when the time comes to think about the end, or just reducing the work load, you will know, you clearly pay attention to how your horse is feeling, and will make decisions when needed.

 

[Llwyncwn]

My old boy died in August at 43! He was still being ridden occasionally at 40. She will let you know if she is slowing down - just go at her pace and enjoy. Sounds to me as if you are doing just fine.

 

[jayvee]

Wow thats amazing! 43! I hope she goes on for that long, even if only my buddy in the field.

 

[Fiona]

I thought my 24yo welsh cob was starting to slow down. This summer he was v lazy out hacking, and even an SJ comp didn't really spark his interest, though he jumped well.
However when we got to the opening meet and he saw the hounds getting out of the trailer, well I knew by the 2nd jump that he didn't want to retire just yet.

I think you will probably know when the time comes.

Fiona

 

[jayvee]

lol, she will become a live wire when hunting. But it's like the loony labrador, they never know when to stop.
Thanks guys, I guess I was looking for reasurance more than anything. x

 

[Bert&Maud]

Kept my old horse going until he was 25, in full work. He didn't really ever have any time off (just the odd day) and was schooled and hacked out. Eventually he got so he found walking up hills that he used to trot or canter up really difficult, and then I knew that it was time to stop riding him. Still looked like he was about 10 though!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Everyone gets a little stiff as they get older....I think that half the people on the forum can vouch for that! Keep working your horse, when you stop working them they seem to go down hill quickly, especially if they've been very active.

It may be worth you emailing one of the feed firms, Dodson & Horrell, Spillers, Allen & Paige etc regarding feeding. They will be able to advise you about how to look after the feeding of an older animal.

Keep enjoying her, she'll tell you when she's had enough.

 

[Theresa_F]

Breeze was still hunting at 29 - only half day as I couldn't hang on for longer. My dartmoor was still doing pony club at 34.

Cairo now 20, is getting more lively as he gets older

- Chancer has transformed him by making him play all the time.

They tend to let you know when they are wanting to slow up.

With OAPs I always take longer to warm up and cool down, keep their backs warm and dry in bad weather, ditto the lower leg joints and Cairo gets cortaflex and linseed to help with stiffness. Plenty of turnout and regular exercise also helps keep them young.

 

[Chex]

this is something I worry about a lot too. I find Chex (24) slows down a bit in the winter, especially with having stiff legs. I still do the odd xc and long rides with him. This is the first winter he actually seems a bit unhappy. I think its better to keep them working, than retiring them if they're ok. Its a tough thing, but I hope I'll just "know" when he doesn't want to work anymore.