Conference noted::equitation

    I have a soon to be 19 yr old mare and I have to say I have noticed no
    difference in her weight (other than always trying to have her lose!!). 
    Maybe she needs a higher protein feed.  I feed choice pellets and a 14%
    protein sweet feed, with very little hay (only 2 flakes a day).  
    
    How's her enery level?  Does she seem a little lethargic?  Do you worm
    her regularly and rotate the type of paste?  
    
    I have been thinking about finding a home for my mare, thinking she
    can't keep up with the 4 and 5 hour rides we go on.  She's only been
    ridden twice this summer.  My husband hasn't been riding so I've been
    riding his horse, whose a terrror on 4 legs (but a good challenge)! 
    Anyway, I've tried two horses, both of which cost much more than I paid
    for my mare, but aren't worth half the price.  So my decision is, to
    work her as much as possible and get her in shape and see if she can't
    keep up with the younger horses on the trail rides we go on.  Even the
    younger horses by the second day get very tired!!  So if anyone has any
    suggestions, please let me know.  
    
    Well, back to your subject.  How about a vitamin supplement? 
    I'm interested in what you find out!!!  What are you feeding her?
    
    Caryl
    

    I am surprised that at 15 year old is looking so old.  I would suspect
    that her condition would change from lack of use, but your mare sounds
    like she might need a vet check.  My old mare was put down at 26. 
    Prior to that time we were riding around 10 miles a day.  Now this mare
    was an arabian/welsh, so feeding her was not difficult.  In the
    begining when I got her she had been posioned by too much Strongid
    wormer and was skin and bones.  It took a good year to bring her back.
    She was always full of energy and in good condition after that, even 
    when she was retired from use for the final year I had her (she was 
    recovering from the hoof resection procedure)
    
    It's too bad that I didn't know enough to have blood work done on her
    when I got her (age 20), this might have prevented the founder that
    occured (age 24) from a deficient thyroid.  I look at pictures now and
    can clearly see the coat color change.  Thyroxian powder given daily
    fixed the problem.  This blood work is suggested when horses reach 15
    or 16, and done yearly.  Older horses are harder to keep in condition. 
    Once they lose it is hard to bring them back. Mashes, goodies and hay
    given nightly can help keep up condition.  Teeth are a biggie, make sure 
    the person doing them knows what they are doing (I recommend Wayne Robinson)
    
    Let's see,  I would say that from what you describe, you're seeing a
    change in body muscle.  15 shouldn't be that old to a horse, but you
    are smart to be looking towards a more sensitive approach to her care.
    
    good luck
    
    stephanie

I've been very lucky.  My Morgan is 18 and the only changes I have seen is he 
is getting gray hair and his coat may not be quite as shiny as it used to be 
even though he gets Source and Wheat germ oil every day.  Other than that he 
is fit as a fiddle.  I have seen no swaying of the back and he has never been 
lame or sick. 

I feed him 1 qrt of Strider (pellets) and 1 qrt of Rider (sweet) a day and he 
is certainly not thin, (infact, I have trouble keeping his weight down and that 
is something you must be cautious of with an aged horse because they can 
founder more easily). Both these grains are low in protein which is better for 
an older horse.

I the same as you rode just about every day in the summer and during the winter
have to cut back to weekends and that usually whittles down to once a week with 
the colder weather.  But not only is his muscle tone still very good but he is 
just in great condition over all.  I went riding a couple of weeks ago with two 
horses that are ridden almost on a daily basis throughout the year.  One is 
also 18 and the other is 10 and they both broke out in a sweat shortly after 
starting out and even after 3 hours of riding my horse didn't sweat at all and 
was ready to go out and start over again.  Infact, since I am not riding him 
as frequently, he has been a real handful.  He even managed to buck me off a 
few weeks ago.

I leave Snowy turned out during the day.  In watching him in the pasture, I do 
notice that he roams around all the time.  He very rarely stands idle and I 
don't know if that helps keep him in shape.

I keep telling him to act his age, but he refuses to listen!

Sue

    

    My eldest horse is 20 years old, and to be quite honest is probably
    more of a pain than the other 3 put together.  She unties herself,
    either opens her stable door, or jumps it, if left alone. Or jumps
    the rails and trys following out on a ride, if we let her! 
    
    She doesn't have any special treatment because of her age, and looks
    in peak condition. Obviously at that age, you can see changes such
    as the back slightly dipping, grey hairs appearing, and a floppy
    crest, but nothing such to worry about.
    
    She is fed twice a day with hard feed, and eats hay like theres
    no tomorrow, and of course she's wormed at regular intervals.
    Our fed suppliers also have a range of feed for older horses, which
    vary from Convalescence mixes to more fizzier stuff.
                       
    Why not try some supplements or additives in her feed?
                                                          
    
    Jayne

    Hi Linda,
    
    We currently have a 28 year old standardbred and a 25 year old
    standardbred/arab-QH cross at our place.  Both of these horses are
    really fit and seem to maintain quite well through the winter.  If it
    gets really cold, we blanket them before putting them out.  I would
    suggest like a previous reply stated to have her teeth checked, for
    the 28 year old we soak his grain in water before feeding him, its
    easier for him to eat and he maintains his weight much better.  A
    friend of mine has a 29 year old standardbred mare that she has kept
    for 20 years who looks like she's about 12.  From experience, I think
    that standardbreds generally keep quite well, you would never know that
    our old one is 28!!
    
    Linda
    
    

    Thanks everyone! I feed her 4 qts of Strider mixed with 4 qts of
    Charger daily, and she has all the hay she can eat. She is wormed
    the 1st of every other month, and I do rotate the wormers. Her
    teeth were floated in May, and have been done yearly since I've
    had her. She is on free access turnout, it's not big enough to
    be called pasture and grass never has a chance to grow, but it's
    big enough for her to run about in and she does so quite a bit.
    I haven't been blanketing her yet this year, but I will once
    it gets freezing cold, I have a New Zealand rug for her that
    she will wear full time. It's not that she lacks energy, Gawd
    Almighty has she got energy. She's always been a feisty little
    thing and that hasn't changed one bit, she'll go for hours,
    and on her favorite part of her weekend rides is galloping
    down the dirt roads. Since I've upped her grain she is regaining
    the weight she'd lost, but she is defineatly not maintaining
    muscle tone like she used to, and I am assuming the lose of
    muscle tone has caused the drop in her back?? I guess I've just
    gotten used to her being fit and sleek with a lot of hard muscle,
    and I'm concerned about her being able to get that back. I do
    hope to do some competitive trail riding with her next year, but
    I don't want to push her. Thanks again everyone, I guess I'll
    just have to take my time with her in the spring and allow for
    that fact that her age may be starting to show. I haven't considered
    retiring her yet, but when the time comes I do have the luxury
    of a standing offer of turnout in Kentucky with several other
    retired pacers and the care of her former owners, which I'm
    grateful for. 
    

    
    My Joey will be 27 soon..and he is fit a fiddle!  we do 4hr rides every
    weekend and there is no change in his looks or attitude..he keeps his
    weight in the winter and he acts like a 3yr old under saddle..I to
    am suppriesed that at 15yrold looks old..but I guess like people
    Eveyone is different
    
    l

    I certainly wouldn't consider 15 old.  My horse was still
    actively eventing at that age.
    
    Kiowa is 22 now, and was competing hunters until last year.  He thinks
    he's 2!!  I board where there's an indoor arena and ride 6 day a
    week minimum.  Older horses need to be ridden consistently.
    We jump at least 3 times a week; the fences do get lower
    every year.  
    
    I board at a place that may be a little higher than average, but
    my horse doesn't get average care (which is exactly why he's there).
    If it rains one day and the other horses don't go out, it's no
    big deal.  Ki, however, is walked in the indoor arena.  He has
    arthritis (started last year) and shouldn't be left standing. The barn
    I'm at gives each horse the attention he/she needs, which is vital
    to keep him as "young" as he thinks he is.
    
    I've seen some differences - his winter coat comes earlier, stays
    later.  He doesn't have the stamina he had 10 years ago; but heck,
    neither do I.  His weight stays constant, but if he goes up/down
    just a little the vet is consulted immediately and changes are
    made.  His back is dropping a little, and if he has 2 days off,
    it drops more.  A little extra work and it comes back.  I make
    sure he's ridden all the time -- if I go away, I have him ridden
    He has other problems which I've discussed in other notes, so
    I have to have the pro ride him when I can't. It costs me more
    than having a friend ride him, but it's worth it to me and
    obviously to him.
    
    By the way, he's a TB/quarter horse if breed makes a difference.
    
    I love hearing all the other noters talk about older guys; it gives me
    reassurance...
    
    Good luck with your horse.
    
    Dawn

    I agree with all about regular exercise for older horses. I gave my
    older pony, 25 years, to a little girl to use for 4-H this year because
    i did not have enough time to ride him. It has been wonderful for both
    the child and the pony. They qualified for the state championships in
    jumping, and his topline has never looked better! The only change for
    his age was to use a pelleted feed because his back teeth are getting
    short and pellets are easier to chew.
    Sandy
    

    It's good to hear that excersice has helped other older horses, I
    suspect that's probably what my mare needs more than anything...it
    sure is going to be a long winter. I can't afford to board her out,
    even just through the winter, though. I will be having boriums put
    on soon and hope to ride as much as possible. With the ring coming
    in the spring I guess I'll just have to be patient. Time, too, is
    tough these days, how do you all find time for it and a full time
    job,too? I also work with the TB I showed last year, and plan to
    show again this coming year. Perhaps I should consider looking
    for someone who just wants to ride to help me keep her exersised,
    I'll have to give it some thought...she's a Standardbred who I
    broke to ride myself, she'd raced a week before I got her and had
    never been ridden at all. SHe's come a long, long way, and has
    been shown in hunters successfully, but she's a real handful
    under saddle, and few people other than myself enjoy riding her
    so that's something I'd have to take into consideration. Anyone
    up for a equine challenge?? :-) Thanks again, it's good to hear
    other peoples experiences!
    
    

    ....An inexpensive feed additive to help keep the coat looking
    nice & shiny is to add about 1/4 cup of vegetable oil (corn,
    soybean, but not olive oil!) to the morning feed.  1 gallon
    costs about $7, and lasts about 1 month.  
    A lot less expensive than those additives at $25+ a pail, and
    does the same thing!!!                         
    
    Re .9-Try wetting down the pellets with warm water into a "mash"
    type consistency if his teeth get to the point where chewing
    is poor.
    
    Lynne

    
    	My eldest horse Nashoba, is going to be 36.  He looks much younger
    	if you look past all the white that is now on his face!  He is
    	holding his weight very well, and has no dip in his back.  He is 
    	the "old type" Morgan and is 14.3 hands.
    
    	Both of my nags had a very tough summer as we moved from New
    	Hampshire to Arizona (during the 120 +++ weather we had I might
    	add!)  Nashoba made it just fine.  He did lose weight with the
    	feed change and the toll of the long trip.  But in 3 months he has
    	just about gained it all back.  I am still being careful.
    
    	Nashoba's care includes:
    
    	o  I float his teeth every 6 months as he tends to get "points" often.
    	o  He along with my other nag, get wormed every 10 weeks.
        o  He gets Source, (I started in 1979)
    	o  He gets Aloe Vera pellets twice a day
        o  One cup of Apple Cider Vinegar a day
    	o  He is on complete feed (2 different kinds)  He really can't eat
    	   hay - I do give some as a treat on the weekends.  He chews it 
    	   and spits it out.  It keeps him happy.
    	o  He is turned out all the time (I think that this is VERY
           important to him.)
    	o  He gets a special sand laxative once a week (old pipes can get
    	   clogged!)
    	o  I pony him when I ride my other for about 1-2 hours at LEAST
    	   once a week.  Sometimes only an hour because it depends if 
           the cridders are not bouncing around.  I HATE chasing Nashoba
    	   accross the desert!  heh-heh-heh...  I love him... long may he
    	   live!
    Susan 

    36 years, that's great! When non-horse people hear that my Morgan (also
    the old type) is 20 they look all concerned and ask "so, how long do
    horses live?" expecting that he must be on his deathbed. People are so
    used to the shorter lifespan of cats and dogs.
    
    I've found that my horse sometimes gets semi-diarrhea now that he's older.
    It happens when the weather is unseasonably warm, like today. The vet
    said it's just a condition of age, and unless it's severe it's not a
    problem.
    
    The only other noticable change is his winter coat--comes in earlier
    and stays on later. He has free choice between his stall and a small
    paddock 24 hours a day. I'll only shut him in when we get bitter winter
    nights. He doesn't get blanketed unless I have to kick him our in bad
    weather to clean his stall.
    
    Except for a case of heaves a few years ago (which three years of
    Horsehage and constant turn-out from now on has cured) he's had no
    health problems in the 15 years I've had him. I hope to have him for
    another 15.

    
    
    I really i have enjoyed all the stories , I had a retired GRA
    (barrel horse) that was my first horse she was 28 when i sold her..
    
    now I have a question that is sort of on the same lines.... sorta
    I have had this mare since she was a two year old and afraid that
    she will go to the wrong home, so i'm keeping her until she passes
    on.. what raises my question... how do you handle the time
    when she/he does pass on?? and needs to be done if this even happens
    (trucks to move the animal, headstone, place of rest.. etc..
    
    	wendy o'
    
    	wendy o'
    

    re: .12    WOW! I thought my Morgan was old at 30 !!
    
    Linda,
    
    	You shouldn't feel that your mare is old at 15. My Trakhener
    stallion is worked quite heavily at age 18 and loving it! However, 
    you should seek veterinary help if she has lost so much condition in 
    a short amount of time, especially if she has alot of energy.
    
    	You mentioned she gets her teeth floated often. But does the vet
    check the premolars and molars with his fingers to make sure she is
    not LOOSING her teeth? Floating will not do much good if the teeth are
    loose and maybe causing her pain. Although she may be eating well, she
    may not be mastisizing (mashing) her grain enough. This will pass
    through into the manure and she will not actually be getting enough
    nutrients from the grain causing the muscle loss. Check her manure for
    whole pieces of grain.
    
    	secrets to my Morgan's longevity are:
    
    	-24 hour turnout with a run in shed. Being able to exercise himself
         will help keep his arthritis in check especially in the cold
         weather. It also occupies his mind!
    	-Strider pellets (low protein for older horses)
    	-1 cup bran each day to keep the plumbing working!
    	-1 tsp red salt each day to give him trace minerals he may lack and
         to make him thirsty therefore keeping him from getting dehydrated.
    	-turnout with other horses, they chase each other all day long
         playing halter tag and keep each other fit.
    	-no hay, with loosing his teeth, he can't chew well and there is a 
         chance of choking or colic. He can have limited grass since it is
         short and moist it is palatable.
    	-his winter coat does not shed out easily on those warm spring
         days, so he gets body clipped in the spring.
     	-trail rides at least once a week, even in the winter. My vet said
         once that as long as a horse feels useful and not bored with
         looking at the same things every day, they will have a will to
         live. (same with older people too!) 
	-longeing in the winter when the footing is not good for trail
         rides. (not this particular horse because he hates it!) As long
         as there is not ice, a horse being longed without a rider has 
         very good balance.
    
    I could go on and on....
    
    Tina_with_the_geriatric_unit

    re .14
    
    Yes, that's a problem, isn't it?  I've had to deal with this several
    times over the past few years, unfortunately.  A horse that had the
    nerve in his foreleg destroyed from a bite, then twin premature foals,
    then a broodmare who had a heart attack.  
    
    For the first, who had to be put down, I had to find someone with a
    backhoe who would be willing to come out at the same time the vet
    would be there.  Obviously this means you have to have enough land so
    that you can bury the horse on your property.  The others were also
    buried on the farm.  With the broodmare, there was added difficulty
    in that she died in her stall.  We had to tear down the wall to get
    her out.  Gruesome.
    
    At that time, I lived on the south shore (Massachusetts) and there is
    a fellow I know there who will handle it all if you have a horse who
    has to be put down.  He has a backhoe, knows the vet, and coordinates
    it all.  Again, this all assumes you have room at your place for the
    burial.  I don't know what you would do if that's not the case.  
    
    It's sad, but something we have to face sooner or later.  I have a
    36-year old now, and I deliberate each fall over what to do.  He has
    a slight case of founder, and I worry that he'll get really bad and be
    in pain, and what do I *do* if the ground is frozen solid??
    
    -ellie

    Mr. Tuddy is 38 yrs old.  I don't own him, two young children have that 
    honor.  I am not real sure about the technicalities of his care, but
    I do know he is turned out with the big guyes all the time.  The kids
    love him, and it shows.
    
    FWIW, Mr Tuddy is on the cover of this months (December) Pedlar.
    

    
    
    A good book on the subject of older horses and their care is:
    
    THE OLDER HORSE.  A complete guide to care and conditioning for horses
    10 and up by Eleanor M. Kellon, D.V.M.  ISBN number 0-914327-11-9.
    
    The book is published by Breakthrough Press Millwood , New York.  I 
    believe it is also available in most tack shops that have a book
    section.  I think I have seen it at State Line and Dover.  
    
    This book covers medical problems special to older horses as well as
    nutrition and daily care.
    
    I got my copy when the two old troopers from my high school days turned
    16 and 26 and found it to be a very good source on how to keep them fit
    and healthy
    
    Pat.

    
    
    One other thing.  When a horse at the barn I board at slipped on ice
    and broke a front leg the vet came out and put him down.  The owner
    then had to call a livestock disposal service to come and get the
    horse as the owner of the boarding stable did not want to have the
    horse buried there. 
    
    
    Livestock disposal services can be found in the yellow pages and I have
    seen their cards up at different veterinarians offices here in
    Colorado.  
    
    
    Pat.
    

    I thought that my horse would live to the ripe old age of 30+ years
    old. Unfortunately I had to put him down three weeks ago. It turns out
    that his rectum ruptured during a case of colic and there was nothing
    the vet could do for him. 
    
    I never really thought of Jasper as being old - just middle aged.
    Actually he had given me more trouble on the last trail ride, than the
    other horse gave his rider. 
    
    Getting back to the original subject at hand, there is a premium food
    for older horses which Jasper started getting after his incident with
    typing up during the fall of last year. He was on Vit. E/Selelium (I
    think I spelled that wrong) and Clovite. I'm not sure the Vit. E did
    anything for his muscles but it didn't seem to hurt.
    
    Definitely have the vet come out and check your horse. I doubt that
    would have helped Jasper out, but if you feel that something isn't
    right, it's better to know now.
    			Cindy
    

    re. last
    
    i'm sorry to hear about your loss.. I guess i what to know as much as
    i can so i can make the right choices..I just want to make sure i have the
    proper place for her.... If i remeber right about the livestock disp.
    (i had forgotten all about that) arent too gentle.. anyways i want to
    be semi prepared in case i'm ever faced with all that.. 
    (espec if cillie couldnt be on the farm , where I board her..)
    
    	wendy o'
    
    

    
    
     I agree that you should have the vet check him out. I have a 15 yr.
    old mare that two yrs. ago was looking old come winter. I thought she
    was getting old before her time, but I guess she just didn't winter
    well that year. There was nothing wrong with her. She hasn't been a
    riding horse for a few years due to feet problems, so her excercise
    didn't change. She came back fine in the spring and has looked great
    the last cuple of winters, and looks great this year. I just figured
    that winter was a little tufter on her that year for some unknown
    reason.
    
    Gina
    

    
    Friday, we said goodbye to an old friend at the stable I work for...
    He was 30, and tried till the very end to stay with us..  He was
    finally put down..  We will miss him alot...    You would never
    had known he had major colic surgery 5 years ago...   
    
    Binni, to you, in horsey heaven ....

    Nancy
    

    
    
      Nancy,
    
    
    Please tell Joyce I very sorry to hear about Binni, I know how much
    she loved him. I was there the night he coliced. We didn't think at 
    his age he'd make but he was a tough old guy. I'll miss him too.
    
    Gina
    

    HE WILL BE MISSED...HE WAS A GRAND OLD GENTLEMAN.  Please let Joyce
    know that I feel for her....
    
    Kathie
    

    
    
    I was reading in last Sunday's paper that Gene Autry sold the last 10 
    acres of his Melody Ranch in California this year after his horse, 
    Champion III, died at the age of 42.   
    
    Pat

    
    Gina/Kathie..... thanks I've passed the message on to Joyce and I'm sure
    she will greatly appreciate it...  
    
    I often wonder, is it that some horses just possess strong
    personalities, and character OR is it something gained throught
    the many years of life ????   The few "Older" horses I have gotten
    to know in my life have all seemed to possess such strong
    personalities.
    
    Nancy
    
    

    Nancy- please add my sympathies for Joyce's loss. I remember Binni
    from my tour of the farm last spring.
    Pat
     

    
    	THE OLDER HORSE by Eleanor Kellon, VMD is available from 
    	World Champion Horse Equipment for 17.50. 800-251-3490.
    
    		" A distinguished vet presents the latest medical 
    		  advances on the special care and conditioning for
    		  horses 10 and up that can add healthy, vigorous 
    		  years to competitive life."
    

    My 1/2 Arab mare will turn 27 this year, but no one believes it!  Per
    my vet's recommendation I keep her on as low a protein grain ration as
    possible and soak the bran and alfalfa pellets which I add to whole
    oats.  This winter I started adding soaked Beet Pulp and it has really 
    help keep the meat on her ribs.  Two years ago I put her on Micro-vet 
    vitamins due to anemia.  I give her soaked bran daily and Equi-lax
    weekly (a sand laxative) and have not encountered any digestive
    problems. She can have all the hay she wants as I don't have any pasture.  
    She has free access to a paddock and spends a great portion of her
    day bossing my other mare around, so she keeps moving.  I have not had
    a problem with her legs filling up.  She has always been somewhat
    "cresty", but in the past year has gotten very large in the neck and
    crest.  She appears to have developed "hypothyroidism", and with the
    vets okay, we elected to wait until spring before treating it as I didn't 
    want her to have a reaction by dropping too much weight in the winter.   
    
    Other than more grey hairs popping through, I can't see any difference
    in her.  Her back has not dropped.  I have ridden her for 23 years and
    I have always been under 130 pounds.  I now use her on weekends for a
    lesson and her little rider is around 60 pounds.  When the Florida
    humidty gets unbearable, we handwalk the horses on the trail. 
    
    I remember when she turned 16 debating on whether to spend the money on
    a new bridle as I didn't think I would still be able to ride her this
    long.  Personally, I would consider "age" as a plus when looking to buy
    a horse.  My husband and I feel very lucky to be able to take care of
    her. 

    What is the average life span of a horse?    At what age do horses
    require special care?  If an older horse needs special care, what does
    this usually consist of?
    
    The reason I ask, is that I have been offered a free lease of a
    seventeen year old horse.   I have been told (and I haven't seen this
    horse yet) that this horse has been very well taken care of.   That it
    doesn't look 17 years old.   This horse has been used as a lesson horse
    for younger children.
    
    My concern, is I don't know what type of medical problems that I might
    face with an older horse!    I don't know for how long I can expect to
    be able to ride an older horse.  One positive aspect of getting an
    older horse is that my daughter is interested in learning to ride and
    she would definitely need a horse that will not spook easily and is
    used to being around children.
    
    Just Wondering....
    
    Sarah
    
    

    Sarah,
    
    Many horses continue to be 'rideable' well into their 20's, and some
    into their 30's.  It depends on a variety of factors: conditioning,
    overall health, and individual care.  At 17, I see no reason why this
    horse should not be a useful, enjoyable companion for your daughter
    based on just age alone.  Have a vet check him and give an honest
    evaluation.  Ask the vet to pay particular attention to the condition
    of the horse's teeth, which can give older horse's problems if not
    properly cared for throughout the horse's life.  
    
    Most feed companies are now making 'senior' feed for older horses; I
    feed the Blue Seal Vintage Senior mixed with Trotter pellets to my
    mare.  She does well on it, although my vet tells me that it's really
    not neccessary until a horse begins showing signs of not maintaining
    well on 'regular' rations.  The senior feeds are more easily
    digestable and easier to chew, but many horses are finding them
    less than palatable.  My mare won't eat it by itself.
    
    My mare, btw, is 20 and still going strong.  She regularly completes
    20 - 25 mile trail rides (almost every weekend) from spring to fall,
    and is in excellent health, condition, and spirits.  She will
    finish this year with over 300 NHHTA miles! You'd never realize her age 
    by looking at her - no one ever guesses it right! - and although she 
    requires a tad more maintenance now than she did 10 years ago, I still 
    expect many more years to come with her!
    
    Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do!
    
    

    
    I totally agree with the last noter.  I had two older horses, one was
    24 and the last one was 34!  Both were very ridable and very very
    active.  My 34 yr old could do a 25mi trail ride and still be ready
    for more (I had to rest - but not him).
    
    He was on pasture and I gave him a mix of Pellets and Sweet feed.  I
    also put bran in there too.
    
    other then that - I have done nothing dif' for my younger horses.
    
    Louisa
    
    

    
    I have had a lot of 'older' horses over the years.  
    
    Like folks earlier said, it depends on the individual and if they 
    are in good condition now.  And like Kathy said, just because they 
    have a little age doesn't necessarily mean they are automatically 
    good for beginners.
    
    One thing I have found--once they get to 15 or so and older, you need
    to be much more careful about keeping them in condition.  Once they 
    are that age, getting them back into condition takes more time and 
    effort (kind of like us as we age).  The older ones I have had I 
    have made sure they are worked regularly to keep them at least 
    somewhat fit.
    

    Now that I'm back from vacation, I'll add a "me too" to nearly all the
    preceding notes. Our youngest horse is now 19. All are still going
    strong. Age however is no guarantee of suitability for a beginner. My
    21 YO mare is not now and never has been a beginner's horse. You should
    ride an older horse to see if it's suitable for you.
    
    Yes, older horses do require regular work to keep fit and careful 
    reconditioning after a long layoff. Otherwise, they get stiff and sore 
    the same as I do if I go out and dig 30 post holes after sitting at a 
    desk for 10 years. ;-) On the other hand, once they are fit, they are 
    the equal of young horses. About 10 years ago, I subscribed to a sport 
    science publication. The editor's 15 YO son got his previously unfit 
    17 YO gelding fit enough to win regional championship in a
    rodeo/cowhorse type event(I forget exactly which one but I
    remember it required quite a bit of speed). 
    
    The most common problem you'll see in an older horse(especially if it
    is kept in a stall) is a slight swelling or "puffiness" around the
    fetlocks. This is generally not a problem and the "puffiness" reduces
    or goes away after a few minutes walking around. 
    
    I'm a little more cautious about cooling out after a ride or getting
    them wet in a cold rain than I was 10 years ago Other than that, we 
    don't treat them any different than when they were 5 YOs(yes, they've 
    all been with us a *long* time ;-).
    
    
    John

I've been riding for over 20 years and am pretty competent now.  I had a
30 year old horse run away with me during a lesson!

The horse that I had for 22 years, started out with me when I was 12 and 
he was a 3 year old, but he was child safe then.  So old age is no 
guarantee that they've automatically slowed down.

    I forgot to mention this yesterday...
    
    A good book on the care and conditioning of older horses is Dr. Eleanor
    Kellon's "The Older Horse" subtitled "A Complete Guide" ... lots of the
    care of an older horse is "common sense" but IMHO there's very little
    "common sense" in the world today.