From Katherine Blocksdorf,
Your Guide to Horses.
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What can you do with a horse over the age of fifteen? What can your senior horse do? Here's an overview of what you can expect from a senior horse.

A. For a beginner rider a well trained and handled horse over the age of fifteen can be the perfect first horse. Many performance horses can continue with their careers well beyond the age of fifteen. The time comes 'slow down' a bit will depend on the individual. The intensity of competition may have to be reduced as time goes on.

A little care can ensure that your senior horse has many comfortable and serviceable years left. Careful monitoring of the horse's soundness is necessary to avoid or treat problems. Pleasure horses can continue their careers well into their twenties. The amount of work a horse can continue to do varies from horse to horse.

Regular exercise is important for an older horse so muscles and joints don't start stiffening up. Massage and stretches can also help an older horse stay limber and comfortable. A veterinarian may suggest supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, yucca or hyaluronic acid.

Provide the very best hay or pasture and have teeth checked frequently. Pain from overgrown teeth can make a horse loose condition very quickly. Aged horses may have missing teeth and easy to chew feeds may have to be provided. There are many 'senior' formula concentrates on the markets.

Shelter from wind and wet is important for horses of any age. Your older horse might benefit from a warm winter turn-out blanket during cold, windy or very wet weather. Back to FAQ Index Page