24 year old Arabian

Question
I saw an answer you supplied about going ahead with training a 9-year old that had never been ridden.  We had a trainer successfully break and train a wonderful 8 year old quarter horse gelding.  I liked your answer.  
My question:  I am about 10 years out of working with horses, but still have my 24 year old Arabian (I've had her since she was 3 yrs old).  She never got past "green-broke" but is very sweet and compliant, I have been ground working her lately only for her excercise.  She is almost completely recovered from some mild laminitis and has to stay in a paddock for now (field is not currently suitable due to star thistle & fire danger).  She also has not been ridden in about 10 years.  What would be your advice as far as starting up with her again?  
Thank you!
Karen

Answer
Karen -
Riding a horse up until it is thirty is one thing, starting a horse past 20 is another.  I'm not saying it can't be done, it's just that certain health issues come into the equation.
With ten years off, she may let you back on with no problems.  However, she may not be too happy about it.  If she is not happy about it, she may cause injury to herself as a result.  Unfortunately her age will predispose her to injury.  Besides the physical stress, the mental and psychological stress that can come with training may cause the laminitis to return.  Although I think it can be done, I would be very apprehensive about doing it.  Certainly talk to the vet about the possibility first.
If you do start training her again, I would recommend working multiple times in a day for short durations.  That will help keep the stress - both physical and mental - to a minimum.  I would also suggest using a bosal rather that a bit.  Older horses' mouths tend to be more sensitive so a bit may not get you the best or safest results.  And I would try to work her on soft ground.  I would try not to put her in sand because it can be hard on the tendons and ligaments of the legs, and hard ground can be very painful on the joints.  I would also recomend only working her for three days, then off one, then three more, then off one etc...
I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything works out well.  Please let me know if you have more questions, or just to let me know how your horse does.
Good Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs