February
17
How many more dressage riding years are left on my horse?
Hi Everyone!!
Well at the end of the month, I am going to buy a 20 year old appaloosa gelding. We are currently learning beginning dressage.He is in really good shape for his age, and if you didnt know his age, you would say he is 10 LOL. Anyways i was wondering :
How many more dressage riding years will he have left, just as an estimate of course?
How many riding years in general will he probably have?
I am 16 now, and would love to ride him through my college years, do you think i could do dressage and trail riding?
thanks
Well we arent comepeting yet, and probably not. I would just love to ride my horse for many more years to come.
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o267/boribear/?action=view¤t=S7300024.jpg
That is a picture of him, if the pic link works.
I think you have LOTS of time left with him. Give him good vet and farrier care, make sure he gets good quality hay and the proper feed in the correct amounts, and he’ll do very well for you.
I used to ride a 32 year old QH gelding several times per week, and he was as limber and balanced as a young horse. My friend rode her 34 yo QH/pony a mile nearly every day, and he did wonderfully as well. 20 isn’t that old – in fact, it’s a great age for him to teach you things that a younger horse probably couldn’t.
Don’t ever be afraid to consult your vet if you have concerns about him and his intended use. They can advise you as to exercise, supplements and treatments you can use to help him out.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Find a good vet and have regular checkups. Every horse is different, and they will physically tell you when enough is enough.
Personally, I believe that it is good to continue giving elderly horses regular LIGHT exersize.
Just be aware of his energy levels. He sounds like a good canidate for the trails- just don’t expect exciting rides by the time you are in college
Best wishes!
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February 17th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
To be honest if you take care of your horse properly and to the best standards, your horse will have the rest of his life to ride. As with older horses there is some degenerative joint disease and arthritis that comes about but it can be managed and some horses don’t develop it. I had a 26 year old Thoroughbred that was doing dressage and loves it, he still hasn’t taken a lame step and he’s still going strong. It really depends on the conformation and history of the horse. Also if you stay in the lower levels probably no higher than second level it won’t be too stressful.
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horse trainer 20+ years
February 17th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
It’s so hard to answer this because any horse can have an injury or develop arthritis at any time which will limit what you can do. I have known horses in their 30s which are still being ridden – schooling and hacking although not competing. However, some 20 year olds are still being competed at a high level.
As your horse is in good shape, there is no reason why you couldn’t compete in dressage. If you are only just starting, you won’t be hitting the high demanding levels anyway. Just be guided by his reactions – both physical and in terms of whether he is enjoying his work…
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February 18th, 2010 at 12:15 am
my sisters horse that she used to lease was about 24 or 25 years old. he still acted like a 7 year old. he was the funnest horse to that i have ever ridden. as a quarter horse he should have a nice smooth jog, but instead as soon as you asked for a jog he would go straight into the extended trot. if you asked him to canter, he would put all his heart into it and it felt as though i was flying when i would get a chance to ride him. he was really good on trails and loved every minute of it. except for a case of sand colic he never had any health problems while we took care of him. he was always sound.
personally i would have gotten a younger horse for dressage. but what is done is done. i would say you have more of a trail horse than a dressage horse. but if taken care of properly and given the proper feed, he can live for years and be ridden however u want to ride him for years
happy trails
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February 18th, 2010 at 12:24 am
I think you have LOTS of time left with him. Give him good vet and farrier care, make sure he gets good quality hay and the proper feed in the correct amounts, and he’ll do very well for you.
I used to ride a 32 year old QH gelding several times per week, and he was as limber and balanced as a young horse. My friend rode her 34 yo QH/pony a mile nearly every day, and he did wonderfully as well. 20 isn’t that old – in fact, it’s a great age for him to teach you things that a younger horse probably couldn’t.
Don’t ever be afraid to consult your vet if you have concerns about him and his intended use. They can advise you as to exercise, supplements and treatments you can use to help him out.
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February 18th, 2010 at 12:39 am
…at least ten more and possibly twenty.
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February 18th, 2010 at 1:25 am
I personally know of MANY dressage horses well into their thirties. Dressage keeps a horse fit and a fit horse can live a long time. You could expect another 10 years or even more from this guy, barring any unforseen stuff, which can affect any horse at any age [ask AmandaL]. I certainly think he’d be around for your college years and would be good fun for you. Good luck!!
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February 18th, 2010 at 1:50 am
the question isnt how long he will do dressage, its what level he can do. For begining He’ll be fine, and he will likly love trails, its as relaxing for them as for us. I rode my OTT standard bred till a month before I had to put him down, due to choking and he was 28 years old. My mom rode her anglo into his 30’s on trails and walks.
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February 18th, 2010 at 1:59 am
if you take good care of him you can probably get six or eight more years of riding out of him….according to how hard you ride him ….how far and how long…good luck
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February 18th, 2010 at 2:24 am
Right now I know of a horse that is schooling upper level dressage, and he’s 25! Dressage is great for older horses and really encourages them into their old ages. Appies I think also live a long time. I knew of a 33 year old Appy mare that I rode once. She had the softest mouth ever and the smoothest gait I ever sat on! But as long as he’s sound and comfortable with his work, he could on and on with the work that you’re talking about.
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February 18th, 2010 at 2:35 am
I’d guess you’ll have 7 – 12 years if she’s showing no signs of arthritis yet. As long as she is sound and healthy, you can keep riding her and she’ll stay healthier with regular exercise. You just never know when things could start to go downhill, though.
I have a 27 year old pony who has gotten past laminitis and Cushings disease and is sound and healthy now and ridden by my son (although he requires senior feed and won’t eat coarse hay). I expect a few more years out of him at least.
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