Would it be fair to restart an old horsey?

T

TequilaMist

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 March 2006
Messages
1,733
Visit site
I have a 22 yr old welsh cob who has basically been retired for at least 5 yrs (he was on loan to a friend as a companion for a couple of those).
Others have mentioned I should just ride him (as want to return to riding more regularly).
Part of me thinks would be ok other part of me think bloody shame at his age having to start all over again (can be a bit soft where this horseys concerned).
He is healthy apart from ever so slight stiffmess in hind leg.
Any thoughts helpful.
Thanks
 
Go for it, you can only give him a try.

I retired my cob at 26 and he was fine for a year. He then made it pretty obvious that he wasnt ready for retirement so I started him off again very gradually and eventually I was back riding him gently in the arena. He loved it.

As long as you do everything very slowly and dont expect too much from them Im sure it would only benefit your horse to have a job and some regular gentle exercise.
 
Light exercise would probably be good for his stiffness, as well as keeping him a bit interested in things
smile.gif
 
I think its best to keep horses in work where possible. If you follow a sensible and sensitive fitness programme eg. weeks of walking and take it easy theres no reason why not, assuming he remains basically sound.

I have just (last week) brought my cob back into work after nearly 2 years mostly off work (due to my pregnancy and his injuries/lameness). And to be honest he was only ridden twice a week the year before I got pregnant because I was concentrating on doing up my house (and trying to get pregnant, LOL!!) He is 18, we are just walking and will walk for 6 weeks at least. He appears to be loving it so far (and so am I!!)

Good luck!
Cassandra
 
I loan a 26 yr old who was retired for a year or so - but he got expelled from his retirement home as he got soo naughty!! (retirement didn't suit his active mind we think!!) He then had a nasty accident which left his knee shredded to pieces and they thought never to be ridden again, as he couldn't bend it! He had 4 ops in as many days at the age of 23 so just to come through that was a miracle they said, but he taught himself to bend it again and has been sound ever since. He was determined to remain in work despite what ever happened to him!

I took him on part loan 17 months ago to plod around on and now do him full time - he's now back in full time work, only light work but 5/6 days a week, light schooling and hacking and Sunday we went out in the trailer to some lovely off road riding where we had a fab canter. He's much happier in himself being in work, mentally he is much more settled - he is blooming in himself and he loves having me as his special person to boss around!

Depends on the personality of your horse and why you retired her in the first place? You have to think of what would suit your horse best - not just what you want out of it. In general though I am one of those golden oldie lovers that believes the longer you can keep them in work the better - just be prepared to work to their limitations. And build up slowly, don't push it too hard too fast.

Good luck whatever you decide xx
 
I agree it would most probably be beneficial for him to be in appropriate / light exercise. It would add interest to his life and keep his joints moving. If he is in good health otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to bring him back into work slowly.
 
Go fot it 22 isn't that old, our first pony was still doing Pony club rallies at 31, 6 months before she passed away. Im sure that the regular work was what kept her so healthy and helped her live until 32 without having the vet to her at all other than for injections in the 12 years we had her!

Go on and enjoy him, im sure he will love it too!
 
I have a 22 yr old welsh cob which I have on loan as a companion from the local rescue centre.

He was an RDA pony, and got passed around from centre to centre until he got so fed up he refused to move, and they couldn't get him out of halt!

So, he ended up in a rescue centre, and I was looking for a little companion. The rescue centre said he could be ridden, but they would like him to have a good long time being a horse out in the field first.

He had a year off, and I was going to leave him just as a companion (I'm 5ft 10, he's 13.2!) but a 16 yr old pony mad girl from the village asked if she could ride him.

A month later, he's hacking round the village and doing a bit in the school, and loving it. So, we decided to see if it jumps! I put some poles on the ground, which he trotted over, so far so good. I then put up a cross pole, which he jumped so big the poor girl got jumped off!!

She hopped back on, took a stronger grip on the neck strap, and away they went.

She's now going to start taking him to Pony Club rallies!

I wrote an email to the rescue centre telling them what he's been up to, and got a very emotional letter back from them saying how pleased they were that he's getting a new lease of life, and could they come and see him jumping as most of the time he was planted to the ground when he was with them!

It made all of us cry, actually!

So, in answer to your question, I would say 22 is no age for these tough, sturdy cobs, and he would probably love to have a little job to do. Mine is also a little stiff behind, but it loosens up with work, and it doesn't seem to bother him at all.

I do believe most horses enjoy having a job to do, and a change of scene from their field!
 
If he's healthy then there's no reason why you couldnt bring him back in to work. It does have to be done more sympathetically with older horses though.

Ive brought my 22yo TB back in to work after a year off. He schools & hacks he's also got his first dressage test in 6 years on Sunday its only a Prelim he did used to compete Medium so he may think its beneath him lol. My boy tends to go downhill fast when not in work. So he does 5-6 days a week of mixed schooling & hacking. I make sure i dont over do anything with him though & he's only ever schooled on surfaces. The way i warm him up is totally different to my young horses. Plus he isnt jumped at all any more.
 
Thank you so much for these replies.It really lifted my spirits no end.
I was diagnosed with MS this year and thought sod it need to get back riding whilst I stil can.This had been put on hold til daghter had finished/or supporting her own competeing which takes up most of spare time but now shes in seniors more shows are local.
He sort of just drifted into retirement plus he was the most ungenerous ungiving horse I'd met.We never got moved him on because always felt he had a 'stuff the human race attitude' when we got him and def didn't like men.But saying that I trust him,I know what he is going to do if you know what I mean.
Thanks again Big smiles now
grin.gif
grin.gif
 
I'd definitely get him going again. I brought my oldie back into work after a year off. I had him checked by my vet and by the physio as he has arthritis and they both said he would be better lightly ridden. He seems to really enjoy going out for our little walks - I think he feels quite important again! But I agree with previous posts, you must bring him back very gently. Enjoy
smile.gif
 
try him and see, he'll let you know if he doesnt want to be bothered, im sure
- my horse was retired for four years when i was at uni, he had a miserable time and i started riding him again at 19, he was pathetically pleased to be back in work.
he's 20 now and just had 12 weeks off from a field injury and he was upset about it too, face like thunder when he saw me getting on other horses and stopped eating his food (unheard of), only started eating properly again when i rode him again.
 
It will probably do him the world of goog to be kept ticking along.And will keep his joints alot more supple.Some of these older horses do not enjoy being field ornaments.Have fun with him.
grin.gif
 
Do it!! retired our old pony for 18 months he was 28, he was bored stiff and miserable and was actually asking to go out when others went, brought him back into work 6 months ago with ffriends daughter and he is loving it, especially as he can get away with pissing off with her at times
tongue.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top