how old.....?

[Edurne]

I hear that pasos can live to a great old age...... how old are your oldersters still in "work"? What are the criteria that you usually use to "retire" your horses, or lower their status to "light riding(!)"? Thanks, I appreciate all responses.

[Mellifluous]

My old gal is 23 this year. She still has lots of get up and go even though others percieve her to be "on her last leg" simply because of her age. Don't tell her how old she is! She is ready to go if she is needed for a trail ride, parade, or babysitting kids. Lexi is also alpha of my "herd" of 4.

[Brigitte]

We have one mare that is 23, still gets used for lessons, isn't showing any problems other then she may stumble now and then . There's a 22 year old stallion who still gets showed, he is incredible, they would ride him 4 times a day and he would still have brio to show the same day. There was a 35 year old too, he didn't look to good but was still getting ridden, only he stumbled a bit too much on rocky areas but he didnt stay here long

[Abejita]

well Susan Data Samtak and her husband have two geldings they still use for parades and trail rides..if I am correct one just celebrated his 32 or 33 birthday..I think the other is just a year or two younger

[Linda Y]

Tario is 28 and still very useable. And still as full of get up and go as a youngster!

[CarolU]

Well, my oldest Pasos are 18 and 19, still very usable although Baby gets arthritis in the winter in a joint she injured as a yearling. Both are very gentle and I use them as kids horses, they will walk, walk, walk with no kicking for hours, great for kids.

I did have Tina (Arab/Welsh/QH cross) until she was 33. I retired her at 25 although she was still very healthy and could be riden really until she was 32. Her problem was that her heart and go were still 3, but her reaction time was 25 and she'd stumble and trip. We had a couple bad accidents and I said ENOUGH.

But, my good freind Jen has a 24 year old, she still trail rides, shows, and parades on. He loves to get out and go, just like always.

[GeorgeGuns]

I think the decision to retire a horse is individual to the horse and its present health, its history, and its attitude. Things to consider:
-Will letting the horse become a pasture potato do more harm or more good? ie: arthritic horses actually benefit from exercise, but if its too far gone it may be too painful and all the exercise they can tolerate is poopin about the pasture.
- Will retirement take away the luster for a horse - some horses aren't happy if they don't have a job no matter what condition they are in, some would be happy to retire at 3!
- Are there soundness issues that would make the horse dangerous to ride?
- How does it tolerate exercise overall - many older horses develop trouble absorbing nutrients and feeding to keep up with an exercise program that otherwise might not be a problem may be too much to do.
Lots to think about.

[jodiTowne]

My gelding was doing 4-6 hour trail rides at age 24. We went stride for stride 4 hours with a 4 yo stallion. After a 1 1/2 year lay off (my pregnancy) he never got it back. By then I had moved to a very hilly area and I could tell the hills were too much( due to arthritis). He did fine on flat surfaces so we did light riding until this year (age 28). He is happy being a couch potato now. I could just tell he was not happy on the trail anymore. Before he was very willing to explore any and all trails. Just before retirement he was constantly wanting to go home and would stop going uphill. You will know when the time comes.

[Edurne]

Thanks everyone - it seems that may be the common demoninator is "tripping" - something we see even in young horses that are "sleeping" on the trail. We've got pretty good hills here - but I will take care not to let Primero lose condition .....once again thanks.

[lisa l aka marci]

Lucy foaled by herself (again!) at 24, was ridden up to @28.......is retired now, probsably won't see next spring due to arthritis etc.....

[Edurne]

I had been interested in hearing from people who use their horses for "sports riding" either endurance or some extended kind of conditioned work. Any old "sports" horses still going out there. I suppose that show horses might fall into the category..... I assume they are very conditioned.