Is 15 yrs old, old for a horse??

Question

Would a 15 yr old irish draft need a quieter life? Would he need more care? Should you start to slow down his work?

is weeekly hunting too much?

Should he be doing crosscountry?

He has been vetted, totally sound fit and healthy, just a bit of puffyness/fluid below his hocks on the backs of his hind legs, apparently this is normal for a horse over 12.

Im a teenager that wants to have some fun... should he be used for anything more than a hack/occasional hunt?

Is he likely to go lame.?

thanks

Answer 1

coulld be, not really though, just if the horse is active then no!

Answer 2

I think fifteen is a good age. If he is swelling a lttle ...or fluid below his hocks are you anywhere around a creek that you could walk him in after riding him?

Answer 3

he is fine just take care of his legs and you can ride him like a normal horse if you take care of a horse correctly they can like to be in there thirty's my friend has a horse that is 36 and still has her teeth and acts like shes 6. theres always that possiblility that  he could go lame but if you take care of him he will be fine (get some oitment to put on his hocks and when your riding him consider putting wraps or boots on him to protect his hocks

good luck hope this helps

Answer 4

15 years old is not that old for a horse. The typical life expectancy for a horse is about 25 years, but I have seen a horse live up to 50 before. You should give your horse a break from riding at least twice a week. Weekly hunting should not be too much for him considering that he's not that old, I think he'd be able to do a little cross country but not too much whether he should do it or not is up to you. He could be used for much more than an occasional hunt/hack....I wouldn't wear him out too much though. Hope I helped :)

Answer 5

Take a look at some of the show jumpers... the horse that won the puissance wall last year was 18 years old... now THAT is not exactly a gentle hack, now is it??!!

Provided that he is kept fit, then he will be fine - rest him if he looks to be suffering from the work - Each horse is different!!

I work at a trekking centre, and we have a 26 year old horse there, that REFUSES to behave!!  A couple of years ago, we thought that he should cut down on his workload, but we could not put a novice rider on him!!

This year, he has 'retired' from trekking, and is now living the life of luxury with a light weight, experienced adult, who is thoroughly enjoying hacking him out!!

As far as the lameness worry goes, then if he has passed a vetting as totally sound, then there is no reason for him to gfo lame - but like with EVERY horse.... take it as it comes!!!

Good luck!! :o)

Answer 6

Most horses live to be 25-30 years old. I personally know of a 33 year old horse who jumps 3 feet, still shows, and is ridden twice a day. I'd have a vet check him out to make sure he has no signs of arthritis, but otherwise 15 should be fine for what you do

Answer 7

Fifteeen is a wonderful age in my book!  I bought a 20 yr old TWH mare for my 13 yr old daughter last fall.  They're showing in 4H this summer and she's thrilled to have a horse that is quiet, has done it all, can teach my daughter and build her confidence!  If the horses health has been maintained, he's well fed (a senior feed?), and his teeth are kept up with he should be a wonderful teacher for you.

Answer 8

15 is not old for a horse but you have to consider what he has done for these first 15 years.  Did he hang out in a pasture mostly or was he a lesson horse that was ridden every day all day?  If he is having swelling and fluid collection in his hocks, I would not recommend weekly hunting, jumping and cross country.  I think that would be too hard on him.  He is a big heavy horse and he is already showing obvious signs of inflammatory joint problems.  If you want to accomplish the  goals you describe, I would say pass on him and find a horse that is more physically fit.

Answer 9

mayb give him a break every couple of days and take extra care of his legs. i have a 15 year old draft quarter horse mix and he is still runnin barrels, trail ridin, doin it all!

he is healthy and everythin but 15 is not old at all! as long as he is healthy, fit, and happy, then he is good.

Answer 10

when you consider that a horse is considered to be in the prime of life at aged 8-12 then no 15 years isnt old and Id treat this horse like any other aged horse - if you feel he needs a bit of a break or a rest then grant it to him - horses are very well able to tell us how they're feeling if you pay enough attention!! Be it  5 or 25 - understand your horses needs and they'll live a long and happy life and give you hours of pleasure and enjoyment!!

xx

Answer 11

15 years old is not old for a horse these days.  If he has been well cared for and continues to be so, then you should have lots of fun with him.  Some of the top eventers are in their twenties and they do work hard!

Keep him fit, take advice on feeding and fitness and you should have a lot of fun with him.  I want him!!!!!!

Answer 12

I honeslty think that even if he is fit and in good health now, you'd both be better off if you chose a younger animal. He probably hasn't got too many years left, and you'd feel bad if his health failed. He'd be a better horse for someone like a mum getting back into horses.

Edit; Also, bear in mind that a heavier breed is going to be more prone to joint problems and impact injury than a lighter weight.

The stories of other older horses are heartwarming but irrelevant as each case is individual.

Answer 13

it's not young but should have at least 10 years left in him...

Answer 14

15s not old!

its sorta the horse equivalent to an adult

lots of people have told me horses are at they're very best between the ages of 12 - 16 or something like that!

my horse is 15, she is ridden every day for 30 mins- 1 hour. im always jumping on her, and it hasnt done her any harm- in fact she's in brilliant form, really fit and healthy, much better than when we got her (she was only being walked / trotted up a lane once a day with her old owner)

weekly hunting should be fine as long as you arent working him really hard in between. and as long as he doesnt have any joint problems or arthritus or anything like that! he should be able to do cross country without a problem - i knew a horse who was 30 years old, just before he retired he did cross country, and he came 1st!

Answer 15

No, 15 isn't old.

I would start doing mainly Classical Dressage with him. It will help him become more flexible, improve his joints, and be something fun to work on.

You can occassionally jump, and you can go on nice, walk/trot hacks after your Dressage Lessons.

Answer 16

I would be guided by your vet... if he's fit and healthy there's no reason why he should not be in full work. As many others have said, I knew a horse of 36 which was still being taken out on fast hacks.

You may need to consider

a) Veteran food (if his teeth are worn and/or he struggles to maintain his weight)

b) Feed glucosamine if he shows signs of arthritis

c) Consider the ground you are riding over and not ride fast over very hard or very soft ground in order to maintain his joints.

There have been horses competing at top level in their 20s so be guided by the health of your horse rather than the number of his age!

Answer 17

15 years old, isnt that old at all for a horse, he is just slightly past his prime. It is the sort of wear and tear that a horse has endured makes it possable for certain tasks to be preformed. Because he is fit and in fairly good condition i would continue to ride him as previously, though due to his legs you will have to be more thourgh with your warm ups and cool downs.

Hope this helps.

Answer 18

no about 20

Answer 19

There are horses much older than that competing at top level. It is not especially old and he should be able to do a bit of everything. Fifteen is certainly much too young to live a semi-retired life.

It would be a good idea to have the legs checked out a bit to find out what the fluid problem is, especially if you like jumping and I would also advise checking out his fitness levels before you do too much, work on improving it slowly.

Otherwise, give him breaks between bouts of hard work and have fun.

Answer 20

Hehe.

I own a 26 yr old appy and he's healthier than most older horses I see and hes the best horse ever...but of coarse thats him.

It depends on what he looks like. He's a draft and if he's worked alot in his life than he's prbably in great shape, but if he hasn't he probably cant take much.

Answer 21

I would consult the vet about the fluid in the hocks is it due to lack of exercise due to the horse standing around too much or a more serious condition.

A 15 year old horse is equivalent to a 30 year old person, 20 year old horse would be equivalent horse to a 40, a 30 year old horse is equivalent horse to a 60 year old. As you can see a horse ages approximately every two years for every one persons year. As you get older your recovery time is longer just like a horse is longer.

A 15 year old horse that is active and in good condition can pretty much do anything you want as often as you want. But I do stress diet, hay is not enough as some people will tell you. A horse just like people need a variety of foods to maintain proper health.