I once received 'gift horse' who was 27 year old. That's old, right? Not if you asked her. At 27 she was still going strong. So how long do horses and ponies live? Thanks to an improved understanding of their care, just like humans, horse lifespan is increasing. Here's some information on horse's life span and comparative age that may surprise you.
There's Lots More to Read About Horse's Age:
Comments
I grew up on a Ranch in Kansas. I raise horses, I have found if you keep your horse wormed and do not overfeed to cause colic, I have many broodmares which are over 25 years old one is 33 years old. The vet recently did blood work and aside from being old they are in perfect health absolutely no worms, just healthy old mares that run out in the pasture with their friends! I have a special ground feed that they eat and it keeps their coats beautiful and shiny. One old mare was born on the ranch and she will die on the ranch. I keep horses forever and just because a horse gets past twenty I am living proof that they can live to be thirty!
that is preety old but i would love to have a horse that old
wow thanks thats some real good edvice but i no a pony that is 30 years old what about that now thats old right!
I visit a clydesdale horse and he’s 26-27 and he’s great a big softy, I just wish I owned him…………
i don’t like horses at all becasuse i can’t take good care of them at all lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
my friends used to have a pony(about 9-10hh) who was 40 and still doing pony club(well mostly only a half day) but he died a few years back at about 43. and they have an 11-12hh pony who is about 35 and is still going strong
i know a horse that is going on 36 this year his birthday is in The spring/summer
how long can horses actually live up too ? i would really like to know
The oldest pony in the world, as recorded by Guinness Book, lived to be 56. Guinness Book claims “Old Billy”, a barge horse, lived to be 62. Ponies usually live longer than horses.
AS with all living things, genes, environment, and care make huge differences. Now a days, with the improvement in feeds, medical care and owner education, horses are living longer and better lives. I know that I had one quarter horse that I got when he was 6 and I owned him until he died at 32 just 2 years ago.
Thank you all so much…my horse will be turning 20 this March (I got him the day he was born- I was 12), & my husband has asked me “How long will Pride live?”- I tell him “FOREVER!”, but I do wonder how old they can live to be. His mom was 34 at death, & I’m hoping he surpases her- right now you’d never guess he was almost 20.
mt horse is now 35 years old and still in good shape i hope
That’s good to hear!
My riding instructor told me that sh knows a 47 year old horse and it came 5th in a riding competition this year!
He’s still going strong
I own a fell pony cross. He is 14.3h and is healthy and sound. He is 35years old this year. I bought him when he was 7years old.He is as cheeky as ever!
Horses usally only live up to 25 years but with good care horses can live up to 30 years more depending on the breed. Most ponies live a little shorter then horses do, like Rats live longer then mice do.
The worlds oldest pony died at the age of 56!
And the worlds oldest horse (Billy) died at the age of 62!!!
i love horses and my dad said if he got me a horse it would a old lay,d back horse i love horses so ya.
I would love to even have a horse, there was horse riding when I went on holiday, I grew to like a horse called Harvey he’s 15 and I wanted to know how long he would live for I was worries that like dogs they lived till they were 14 and above that was pretty lucky
We have a horse named “Everythins a Bar” from the “Three Bars” line of Quarter Horse. This year he is 40, and still going strong. He looks a little rough but is well fed.
I have a horse that is at least 37. She came with the house that my parents bought over 20 years ago. She used to barrel race and lost her daughter like 5 years ago. She is pretty amazing, but i dont know her exact age.
This website is for facts,right?OR is it going to be for- mean- comments?!Don’t be mean to horses,if U dont EVEN HAVE ONE!!!
lolopez,U DON’T EVEN NO WHAT UR SAYING!! HORSES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE INSULTED!!! TRY HAVING ONE FIRST,INSTEAD OF TALKING!!
I am getting my first horse and I am looking at a thoroughbred who is 20 years old. Do you guys think this is too old to be buying? I am so excited to get my first horse and I am told she doesn’t have any previous injuries. She is also from a shelter so I am giving her a second chance at going to a good home (which I will no doubt provide as I love horses!).
As long as your horse is healthy and sound, and you understand how to look after a senior horse there is no reason you can’t enjoy a 20 year old horse! Congratulations on giving a horse a good home!
i grew up in a barn full of horses but i just cant get why i grew up there i could of grew up some where else!
I need some advise. My 30 year old Arab is not wanting to chew the grass alfalfa anymore. I’ve switched him to the cubed alfalfa and then the Elk Grove pellet form. He developed a rash and I believe it is from the concentrated alfalfa. What are you gals feeding these old horses without spending 18 dollars for a fifty pound bag of food that lasts only a few days? He does have 40 acres of pasture but he needs more this time of year (winter).
Hi! Have you had his teeth checked? At age 30, dental problems become an issue. In the past, I have used cubes, but always soaked them. I found many of the cubes very compact and hard–possibly too hard for a senior to crunch through. I’d also consider soaked beet pulp along with a senior feed. I’m not fussy about pellets unless they’re soaked as well. Check into the forum, as many of the readers there will have ideas for you– http://horses.about.com/mpboards.htm.
i just lost my horse last night! he was neglected for 8 years i got him when i was 5 years old and we made tons of storys though the years. he was 37 years old and still going storng up untill a night ago and he could not stand up and didnt eat for 3 days. anyays i love him so much! and i will miss him forever! i love you KAZ!!
So sorry to learn of this Shelby. Maybe you’d like to write a memorial? http://horses.about.com/u/sty/firsthorsephotogallery/horsememorials/
Aw…I’m sorry 2 hear about ur horse. But he is in a better place now. At least he is not suffering.
My mom got married 6 months ago to this guy named Steven and his daughter (now my stepsis) she is 11 and rides horses in competitions and all that. She has a horse named Eli. I love him so much he is so adorable. Idk how old he is but he is so sweet. He is light colored with a darker color b/c in the winter he gets a darker colored fur. And he’s just now shedding it off. But he is to cute. I have always thought horses were cute and stuff but I would never go near them b/c when I was lil I was always getting kicked in the stomach and shins. And after a while it gets just a wee lil bit old! Lol! But I love horses more then ever now. Eli is a great horse. I really want one of my own. I love Paints
one of my horses is 38 beat that! hahahaaa and sttill full of personality! but it has been a long time since he last ahd a saddle on his back of course!
That’s great. The oldest horse I know of personally was 36, so that beats it by two years.
I just got a old mare her name is Harley.. she just turned 21 and im hoping she will live to at least 30 or more. Shes a solid sorrel color with a blaze, but pure bred Appaloosa. I Love Her! She is still in great shape! Way Bigger than my Uncles Paint/Quater Horse, Fortune. =)
I rescued my Palomino mare 8 years ago who had been severely neglected. She is now 26, i hack out 3 times a week on her & she still has the spirit of an 8 year old! Honey is my life & will live forever!
or bless then i have got lots of horses if people did not let the stav then there will not be dead x
I really like horses but i’ve never owned one. It’s really amazing how long they live and how healthy they are even in old age. I’m only 17 so i hope that i can own a horse befor my life is over. It’s ever girls dream to own her own horse !
where i do horse riding horses live up to 50 or over there is a horse there named judge and he is 52 and he has been probably cared for
wow thats a long time….for a horse to be living well nothing more to say later:)
I heard horse go till 45 odd
my pony is 29 years old and still going strong!! shes a great big softy you dont need head collars or lead ropes to lead her a brilliant pony
I have a 29 year old Paint mare. She has been on many a high mountain rescue, ridden many a parade and has excelled in the poles and barrels. She is not swaybacked and other than some weight loss she looks good. She will be 30 in March of 2011. Were hoping she winters well.
My uncle owns a horse who is 43 yrs old. He’s completely healthy and active. I’m not to sure about the breed of horse though. I just thought it was amazing that he’s made it this long, and hopefully he’ll still have a few more years to enjoy.
That’s amazing!
yea,i have ponies i ride to, i mash up duck and chicken
eggs in my horses feed it makes his coat shiny.
fact did you know horses with big eyes
are naturly more bad tempered than horses with small
eyes can i say hi to my horse mad best friend ciara
from bennekerry co carlow lots of love roisin
There is a horse on our yard that is 44 years old
i have always wanted a horse. i dont know how old they get to be. people say 44, 43, 29, & 52. i wanna know what the longest anyhorse has ever lived… if you can help please reply.
that is pretty old if you ask me. most people say that horses will only live to be 20 so your horse did live alot longer than most horses do,and for your horse to still be strong thats amazing i am thinking you took pretty darn good of it
thanks for caring for horses lol
i cant believe that a horse would live that long i just wanna say god will give you lots of love in the future for you taking care of a horse that well i hope you will continue to take good care of all of your animals not just horses but all of your animals they all deserve good homes and people that will take care of them and please if you EVER see a stray animal please take them in and at least see if any one wants them than if they dont take it to a shelter home thats very sweet to all animals and i know at first we were talking about horses but come on people think about all the other animals out there in the world that need people and homes think about if you were an animal and no one wanted you what and how would you feel. let all the animals have a good life and if you know your not going to give them a good home do not take it home because there will be better chances if you let it have a good nice warm and where they will have a home i love animals have a great life every one and like i say have a good life now while your living. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL THE ANIMAL LOVERS
some one should writ a new comment telling me rather they likes my long speech lol
Hey! Don’t feel bad! My horse is 25 and woah does he not act like it!!! I have currently been doing drill team with him for this year is the 4th year and he’s doing better than some of our young horses! We also go to show… nothing can stop my beast!
As long as your horse is healthy, the proper wieght, and gets excersise (not too much though!) he should live a long and happy life <3
i know a horse that is 42 he lives at my stables he acts like hes 8
I have a Standardbred Mare that turns 32 this year and I still ride her about every 3 days or so… I take her on trail rides and on rode rides she is in very good shape and got most all of her teeth!
I just pickup a 51/2 year old TB 15 hh, who is about 200lb under weight. She has been neglected, having a lot of bad habits. biting, rearing, very temperamental I believe its a trust issue
. I plain on working with her in the fall. starting from scratch. I hope I can give her the love she needs to live a long and healthy life.
not really a comment but where can i find my horse a new home she is only about nine years old and has foundered twice and we lost our barn in a tornado in 2008 and have not been able to rebuild .she has a hard time walking and bad feet and not sure what is wrong with her and dont have money to take her to the vet and she needs to have someone that can take care of her the way she needs to be taken care of i love her and i have had her since she was born.she is friendly and pretty but she needs to be where she has someone to give her care as needed that i cant.can anyone tell me what to do?
Ive had my pony since he was 5 and I was 11. Im now 44 and he’s 38 and still going strong.
my horse is 30 and is still heathy and strong i think they can live much longer than 30 cause my horse is really heathy and fit
I have had a Draft Pony who I just layed to rest last year at the grand old age of 43.
I bought him home when he was 12 years old and promised him he would never leave and I kept that promise to him for 31 years whie all my girls learned to ride on him and then my grand children. he was every ones special pony…I buried him last December on my property . He is gone but will never be forgotten .
I love all your story I have a lovely cob how is 22 years young which my oldest girl rides and a new forest how is 28 year that my little girls rides a few times a week a him love going out .I do love the old guys they have so much love to give.
i had a barrel horse i was 4 when i got he was 29 when he died
I Know how it feels to loose a horse you love really much!!!!!!
I have 3 horses and one of them is 35 years old and they are tennessee walker horses
I have a horses and it is a Tennessee Walker horse and she is 36 years old!!!! thats a long time livin’.
My soon to be loan pony is 35
. Acts like a 2 year old full of life! He’s good to jump and all. I’m not putting him through shows or anything and he loves hacking out and just being ridden! A real sweet heart with loads of character!
I just purchased my first horse today. He’s an appaloosa. He’s only 2 years old. I hope I’m so lucky to have him here for another 20+ years! I have had a horse on lease in the past but never owned. I’m so scared and excited all at once! Does anyone have some advice on breaking? I know the basics and plan on beginning some light saddle breaking. It is a HUGE debate on whether or not 2 is too young for a horse to begin saddle break. After doing some through research, I have decided only to start him on light saddle training, without a rider for at least a solid year. Depending on how he handles that, I may allow my 5 year old to ride him while i lead him.
I have experience with horses, but not a whole lot from the training aspect. Only what i’ve learned from a friend of mine who raises horses. Does anyone know where I can find some good training information so I can boost my confidence a bit on this whole thing?
My T/B gelding will be 26 years old this year, he is just amazing, he roams the property as he wishes. Still loves his feeds, loves the beach and the odd jumping session. We ride out around 2-4 times a week. He makes me work hard on our bush rides and still likes to be the horse out front. He loves carrotts and apples, of which I cut into small pieces and also loves hie licorice. He IS MY BEST FRIEND. Oh and he enjoys listening to the radio and watching TV in the stables, he’s a very amazing boy, sent to me straight from god.
My palomino quarter, Avalanch turned 31 this month. I got him at appx 5 1/2 months just weaned in 1981! He’s a good trail horse and not fine tuned but dependable. Just had his teeth floated as he was having big trouble eating hay. Also, a year ago he got under a hot fence (that was not turned on) and was kicked by a mare and it took 3 front teeth and a little bit of the palate. The vet truly save him although has a huge gap where is tongue hangs out some on the side. I still ride him occasionally but he has gotten quite swayback and I mostly lead him on trails. He loves getting out and is very healthy. Consistency is key. There are 2 horses in our area that just turned 40! I don’t know their status.
My baby, a quarter horse I have had for 36 years just turned 37 on May 1st. She is doing great kicks up her heals at the deer grazing in her field and loves people only thing is she is loosing her teeth.
Hey thanks for that great advice have fun with your healthy old horses
I just got a horse and were thinking about putting it in our 2-3 acres so thanks alot for the advice 
Glad you’re enjoying the information. Good luck with your new horse.
good job you must love your horse.
Oh shame that’s a long time . My husband pays more to house and care for his new girlfriends horse than he does for his 3 children. Hopefully the horse will die soon then maybe the girlfriend will feel a tiny bit of the heartbreak we felt when she took my husband and my childrens father
i want a horse! alway dream to be a horse rider.
I had a horse that lived to 87, he was older than my dad. My dad bought him when he was a baby. My dad is 40. I LOVE HIM HE GIVES ME RIDES.
your dad bought a horse when he was a baby ! meaning your dad was a baby when he bought the horse ?! ! so how come he bought a horse !
and if the horse was a baby when your dad bought it how come now it is 87 years old ! ? and your dad still 40 !
am I missing something in the story
My Arabian Mare is 39 years old and still going strong . . . I no longer ride her . . she’s enjoying the retirement she earned . . . She has free range of 80 acres and a huge barn where she can come and go as she pleases . .. .
I have a horse that is 37 years old and look great
I have a 33 year old Standardbred and she is really starting to show her age, In the past year she has lost a lot of weight. I got her when she was 3 and she raced for 4 years. I then retired her and she has had a great retirement on my farm with her son. She will be greatly missed.
We have a pony who was born on 17 September 1975
We bred the pony and can prove she is 37 years old.
I am going to look at a horse I might be loaning this afternoon! I’m so exited, I couldn’t sleep! Lol!
Have fun!
My neighbor has a 39 year old male. He is lame, but has been since age 15. He was acquired as a companion horse to one that has long since died. He’s a bit slow moving, and his teeth are showing signs of age…he can’t eat hay anymore, but he’s content and loved, and seems to know it.
They usually live to about 25-35 years.
I have a highland pony and its 10years old and it getting stronger every year I feed her 3 times a day and I going to get a mustang horse and I don’t know if to keep them in a same stable or in different ones can some one answer me!!!!
my horse is a stunning chestnut and coming up to 30, still going strong.
my daughter is 9 and has never been around horses. we were looking at a healthy 28 year old and i like how mellow she is.. but i am afraid to get a horse that my daughter will get super attached and we don’t have very long. any thoughts
the barn I work at we had a horse over 40. He passed away last year from a parasite and they told us it wouldn’t have made a difference if he was 4. Sometimes I wonder how long he would have lived if not for that parasite. We still have 2 old horses, one 41 and one 37. Both Morgan horses. I hope to see them reach 50.
We have a warmblood gelding who is 33, I believe, and still in excellent shape, he is “semi-retired” because he loves dressage and always wants to be out in the arena. I can imagine him going strong well into his late 40′s – isn’t it wonderful what training, exercise and modern veterinary medicine can do? It seems that most of the referenced sources for the lifespan of a horse were written over twenty years ago, and need to be updated. Here’s hoping their lives keep getting longer and longer!
I have a 35 year old Quater Horse, she is still so healthy. she has only
a couple of teeth left, when I got her 2 years ago she was at a stage 1, according to the vet. Almost dead. Today she is bright eyed, a retired barrel racer and champion. She is on: beet pulp, equine senior, alpha cubes all soaked. In the winter I add chaffhay. I also keep a #250lb crystal lick in the field. Hopefully she will live to 87! (I beleive in miracles) I also worm her (4) times a year!