Would you hunt a 19 year old horse?

lizijj

lizijj

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Hi, we have recently bought a 19 year old schoolmaster for the 'mother in law'. He is still full of life, forward going and pretty low mileage for his age. Our Hunting country in Four Burrow so not too demanding. He is reasonably fit and faced with the stress of taking my very green horses out on New Years, would like to take this old boy out for an enjoyable hour or two. Does anyone else hunt any old horses? Any advice welcome. Thanks.
 
If I hunted ;) I would, as long as the horse is 'fully' fit! This is my boy at 19 when he was regularly hunter trialling and teamchasing :)

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I have also done a couple of common rides this summer - all day rides with lots of fast work, one horse was 21 and the other 19. They were both still full of running at the end of the day :D
 
Thanks, great to see pics of fit 'older' horses! This one is only hacked out for a couple of hours a couple of times a week. He is turned out everyday. I have two weeks of seasonal holiday to ride up until the NY meet. Do you think this could improve his fitness for an hour or two hunting?
 
Our 13.2 and 14.2 geldings were both hunting at 26 years old, though it's not fast around here and there's very little to jump.

Age is far less relevant than how well he is.
 
I would deffinately take him hunting there isn't any reason not to. You don't have to be out all day on him either, and if the hunt is to fast or to long you can always leave the field early. Just be mindful of his energy levels and if he begins to struggle/slow then he is telling you its time to go home regardless of which way his ears are pointing and how big the paddy is about going home!

I would also make sure I did extra stretching and cooling off and spend a couple of days after the hunt loosening him up again and asking him to stretch as it is an activity he isn't normally participating in he is likely to be a little bit stiff the following day.

Most of all make sure you both enjoy it!
 
Our old pony was still hunting every week up till about 25/26 and was loving it. In fact she was the one leading the younger horses over banks etc, and was usually the one causing the most trouble lol. :)
 
lizijj said:
Thanks, great to see pics of fit 'older' horses! This one is only hacked out for a couple of hours a couple of times a week. He is turned out everyday. I have two weeks of seasonal holiday to ride up until the NY meet. Do you think this could improve his fitness for an hour or two hunting?
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No, IMO oldies take a little more work to get them fit.
 
Yes to hunting a 19yo horse who is reasonably fit, tho not to being out all day.

No to hunting this one, because he isnt really being even ridden very much !and two weeks isnt enough to address that given the needs of a 19 yo. If you said he was ridden 5/6/7 days a week for a few months that would make all the difference.

So I would get him fitter and then hunt him, even if he's 20 then. Better a fit 20 yo than an unfit 19yo.
 
Mine did his first ever hunt, the opening meet, at the grand age of 19! Had a wonderful time and was up the front (his choice) nearly the whole time he was out (about 3 hours). The following day, he was totally fine, full of beans, unlike his younger counterparts who looked like they had had a day's hunting!
You can just see his cobby nose behind the fieldmaster!
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There is no reason why a 19 year old shouldn't hunt if he is fit, sound and in regular hardish work.

I would question the fitness of this particular horse I must admit but if you make a concerted effort to do more work with him over the next few weeks and are prepared to pull him up early and go home (I'd say 2 hours in) I see no problem in you going to the meet.

Have fun!
 
Yes if you think its up to the job go for it. Our old boy was still going strong at 30 and PTS 36!

My current old boy is 23 and knackered! Horses for courses. Hope you enjoy!
 
Mine hunted till he was 29 - the reason he didn't hunt at 30 was because I couldn't get him fit enough, with work & children. An older horse does need to be properly fit.
Much like myself, when I was at uni I'd spend all term not riding and then hunt all day in the holidays, without the slightest twinge. Now I ride regularly, but ached after half a day hunting a fit horse.

Agree with everyone else it's not the age I have an 18 yr old, hunted all his life and now retired, he's barely up to a gentle hack.
 
As long as he is fit then yes, I would.

My old mare - then 24 and retired jumped out of the field with three 2 years old following her, jumped a hunt fence off our land and followed for about 3 miles before we could catch her!
The youngsters were caught by members of the hunt and led back with hunting whips around their necks but the old girl was not going to fall for that trick! She was fine the next day but peed off when she was caught!
 
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