riding an older horse

Question
QUESTION: I am trying to find out if a horse that is or may be over 20 years of age can still be rideable or is his riding days about over. I sadled up my horse whom I am guessing to be about 20 or over in age and he lost his balance and fell backwards, He did not get hurt, because only the saddle was on him I had not gotton the chance to ride him yet. I have been told by a few that he is not rideable any longer because of his age.

ANSWER: Tammy,

I think a lot of endurance folk would be surprised to hear that their horses are not considered ridable!  I did Horsemanship judging this past weekend for my saddle club at a 2-day, 60 mile competitive trail ride and knew of 1 horse that was 24, another 22, a few 20 yr. olds.  Did quite well too overall.  Animals age like people, some better than others.  A great deal depends upon how the animal was used in it's early years and how it was taken care of as it aged.  All our horses have been on joint supplements for years, long before they showed any arthritic problems so as a result they don't now.  Their feeding programs are individually taylored to their needs.  Mine get a complete vitamin mineral supplement along with some herbs.  All our horses have been kept relatively fit, out 24/7 and free to move around so they don't suffer the problems of horses kept in stalls with limited turnout at best.  Lord, my 22 yr. old horse doesn't look or act like he's 22.  I have a 23 yr. old pony who I have never told is not a horse let alone that he's getting old.  Wouldn't know it from his running and playing.  He's a piece of work!

If your horse fell down when you saddled him then you need to first get him a complete check-up from a good vet to see what's going on.  That just shouldn't happen.  There are dozens of reasons for it and you need to know why.  Address any health issues and I don't see why you don't have years of riding enjoyment with him.  Unless it's something that cannot be rectified enough to make him sound for riding.  If you have him checked out it's not fair to either of you.  I fully expect to have years with both my old guys.  So should you.

Let me know if I can offer any additional help.

Lyn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your fast response, I have had my horse for only a few months now, he is on a supplement that was recommended and i was told when i got him that he had been checked over by a vet and seemed to have no health problems. but we have heard his bones make an occasional crack and pop when he moves around he has plenty of room to move around and get excersise, however i guess because of his age he just doesn't want to go out in the field much except when he wants to graze on grass. I don't know much about his past except he was a trail horse at one time for how long I don't know he also was used on a farm also, I don't think he has ever been secluded to a small area such as a barn for any length of time. In your opion do you think if I continue to feed him his supplements an keep an eye on his health he should be good for a few years or so. even if I don't ride him much I would hate to loose him no longer than i have had him. he was made into a pet and I do tend to get attached to my pets. thanks again for your help.
Tammy
ANSWER: Tammy,

With good care and some degree of luck you could have him a long time yet.  I work on a number of geriatric horses as a massage therapist.  JD is 30 this year, Copper is 28, Dude is 28; all are still being ridden.  You don't say what supplements you have him on, I would be interested to know.  I hope one is a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement.  MSM is a necessary component for the most complete useage of the glucosamine/chondroitin by the body.  If you are only hearing an occasional snap when he moves then he's in pretty decent shape.  He's not unlike a lot of older horses in going out.  My guys are out 24/7 and Ahab (22) chomping at the bit, so to speak, when I get home in the afternoon and they get let out on the pasture for a while.  He runs out bucking and kicking every time.  He's also half-Arab so it's kind of in his blood.  And he doesn't know when to quit on the trail.  I'm going to let one of my students ride him in a 50 mi. endurance in Nov.  Take care of you friend and he should be around for a long time to come.

Lyn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Lyn, you have really given me some confendence that I need to feel better about my horse, His name is Grandpa since he has gray hair coming in around his face and main.
what I buy for him as far as supplement is in a 3.75lb containter, is says is has 600 mg/oz of chondroitin and also has 1800 mg/oz of glucosamine HCL and of course it has protien and fat and fiber. it say's to give him 2.4 oz a day because he is such a big horse, if you have any suggestions on anything else that would be good for him let me know.
I will also work on a daily thing for him that will give him some more exersise than what he is getting, cause I just don't think he is getting enough, to be honest, he seems like a lazy horse sometimes, but it could be his nature to, not sure what kind of breed he is, he looks like he has quarter horse and a bit of morgan in him and he could even be mixed with something else :) I got him not because of his breed, but because of his good nature and gentleness.
thanks again for you help, I think I have been talking a bit to much to negative thinkers, who only like the young horses. :)

Have a blessed day    Tammy

Answer
Tammy,

A brand name will help me on the supplement.  Like I said, MSM is really needed when you are feeding the glucosamine/chondroitin.  Unless you are sure of his age he may be a bit older than you think.  Gray hair usually starts coming in around 23-24.  But no matter, he's healthy and could probably use some honest work.  I would start out on a modest conditioning program.  It will greatly help to keep his mobility up as well as cardio-vascular fitness level which will help keep him good longer.  I would also get him on a good all-around vitamin/mineral supplement.  You can use Klamath Lake Blue-Green algae.  Expensive but well worth it.  Has a B-vitamin supplement which helps a lot of older horses especially.  Their guts don't work as well to manufacture it as when they were younger.  Or Source is another good choice.  Missing Link is also excellent.  There are literally dozens of them out there, these just happen to be ones I've used.  I've read about others just don't remember their names right now.  In any event they make a big difference.  I remember back in college in a course on Feeds and Feeding when Dr. Buck mentioned that most of the feeds we use today come from lands that have been farmed for hundreds of years.  They've been depleted of trace elements that are needed and not replaced with fertilizers of any type.  

Just keep an eye on him as he ages.  At some point in time you may need to consider injectable treatment for arthritis.  Adequan is IM and Legend is IV and they can make a huge difference in a horse that is not maintaining well on feed-through supplements.  

But get him fitter; enjoy him.  Give "Grandpa" a hug and a treat from me.

Bless you both,
Lyn