Older horses

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gypsy anna

New Member
Nov 2, 2008
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Peterborough
Hi this may sound a silly question Im looking a getting an older horse (16 years) he was so good on the test drive today and I can have him on a 10 day no money exchanged trial. Can anyone tell me if older horses need any sort of diet and what age can they really be in work till ( when i say in work i mean me building my confidence on him and kids learning to ride on him)

thanks in advance.
 
I've had Molly 17 years and she bought for that very reason too , she's done her job well and taught both my kids to ride too. Unfortunatly we love her so much she turned into a princess and rules the roost!!!!!:p
 

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i bought toby for that reason when he was 18, he is now 20 and as fit as a fiddle, worth every penny,
he has spillers senior conditioning mix,
 
I have just got the most beautiful 18 yr old mare on loan. She has flexi joint and no bute in her chaff due to arthiritus but apart from that nothing especially for her age. U have had her for the exact reasons as you have and at times she behaves like a 5 yr old. Good luck, I hope everthing goes well for you. xx
 
I bought my rising 18yo as a 15yo. He's got loads of life left in him but isn't the best doer in the world. If you're worried you could always x-ray the joints to check for any problems eg arthritis.
 
I've got a 24yo that i've had since he was 16 and have now got a rising 17yo. Feeding etc all depends on there type and how much work etc there in. I mean my rising 17yo is in hard work, hunting etc and he eats a lot but i don't think it'd be any different if he was younger - just the way he is!
 
my pony is 27 years old and does riding club activties (lessons, ride outs, jumping comps etc) and today gave my 4 year old neice her first ever lesson!

As for diet it really is different for each horse/pony. B has liver damage, is laminitic and has dodgy teeth so is on a carefully devised (by a feed specialist) feeding plan.

The only thing I'd say with older ponies/horses is that they can be more prone to ailments and medical issues. Since getting B three years ago he's been diagnosed as having liver disease (caused by eating ragwort in his youth) a tumour, badly worn teeth, colic (which is conected with both the tumour and the liver disease!) laminitis and probably has cushings!

BUT 16 is not old at all. My friends horse is 16 and she jumps 1meter 10 with ease and regulary is a loon on rides out!

best of luck!
 
16 is not old at all!! my cob is 16 and as batty today as he was when i bought him as a 3 year old. He has no special diet, just some cortaflex as a precautionary measure. He does like to be wrapped up warm over winter and i do have to watch him for losing weight but speedibeet does the job at keeping condition on him. I spent my youth competing a 25 year old pony who taught me the ropes, not to mention stickability aswell. horses often don't reach their prime til mid teens, i know mine has probably only just hit his as he's been going better than in any of the 13 previous years i've owned him. good luck!
 
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