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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
  
| I haven’t ridden in about 5 years since I had my kids and I’m dying to start riding/running again. I can’t afford to buy a new horse any time in the near future. I have my retired 26 year old in my pasture that my husband is telling me to leg up and start running again but I just don’t know if that would be fair to him or not. A little background… he did not start running until he was 12 years old when I put him on a pattern (he was a western pleasure horse his whole life before that). During those years I would only run him 2-3 times per month and exercised 1-2 times per week so he was definitely not ran hard and put up wet. In 2012 (at 20 years old) he was running strong until he had colic surgery. At the time, my mom was going through cancer treatment so I stayed extremely busy helping her so I never started running him again. Before that he was completely sound. Never been injected, no injuries, nothing at all. He always loved his job and loves to be ridden. I have gotten on him a couple of times over the past few years and he still loves it. Rides just like he did back in his younger prime. I just know that since I have gotten older my body hurts worse and I don’t exactly want to move the way I used to when I was younger so I can imagine that’s how it would feel to a horse lol. I’m not talking rodeoing hard every single weekend or anything. Maybe twice a month to a barrel race with light exercise during the week. Part of me wants to run him again because I know I will never have another horse like him and I’m losing precious time but then again I’m afraid to start running him and something happen to him due to his age and I would never forgive myself for hurting him. HELP!!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Montgomery TX | I am in the same boat - my old man is 25 - well, he was my dad's horse. My dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago and he's been sitting in the pasture. I pulled him out of the pasture a couple weeks ago - started legging him up and feeding him a little more. He is blossoming with the extra feed and exercise! He is so much happier than just sitting in the pasture. So i figure I'll start looking/saving my pennies and ride him til he says he's done. The first day I pulled up with the trailer - his ears perked up and trotted to the gate and was ready to go. It made me sad but warmed my heart at the same time.
I'm not planning on hauling hard - a playday here and there maybe a jackpot once a month or so.... just to get back in the game. And I figure 'ol steady eddy will help me get my seat and confidence back.
Edited by bten 2018-07-12 4:02 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I would leg him up and pick where you go, good arenas, ground etc. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
| bten - 2018-07-13 12:58 PM
I am in the same boat - my old man is 25 - well, he was my dad's horse. My dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago and he's been sitting in the pasture. I pulled him out of the pasture a couple weeks ago - started legging him up and feeding him a little more. He is blossoming with the extra feed and exercise! He is so much happier than just sitting in the pasture. So i figure I'll start looking/saving my pennies and ride him til he says he's done. The first day I pulled up with the trailer - his ears perked up and trotted to the gate and was ready to go. It made me sad but warmed my heart at the same time.
I'm not planning on hauling hard - a playday here and there maybe a jackpot once a month or so.... just to get back in the game. And I figure 'ol steady eddy will help me get my seat and confidence back.
That's exactly what I need too, a confidence boost and to learn how to ride again with the weight that I have put on over the past few years.  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
| rodeomom3 - 2018-07-13 1:08 PM
I would leg him up and pick where you go, good arenas, ground etc.
Anywhere that I go would be covered arenas with decent ground. I'm more of a jackpot type than rodeos and pretty much all of our jackpots are in nice covered arenas. That is a great thought thanks for the suggestion. |
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Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Montgomery TX | runnin.on.dreams - 2018-07-12 4:11 PM
bten - 2018-07-13 12:58 PM
I am in the same boat - my old man is 25 - well, he was my dad's horse. My dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago and he's been sitting in the pasture. I pulled him out of the pasture a couple weeks ago - started legging him up and feeding him a little more. He is blossoming with the extra feed and exercise! He is so much happier than just sitting in the pasture. So i figure I'll start looking/saving my pennies and ride him til he says he's done. The first day I pulled up with the trailer - his ears perked up and trotted to the gate and was ready to go. It made me sad but warmed my heart at the same time.
I'm not planning on hauling hard - a playday here and there maybe a jackpot once a month or so.... just to get back in the game. And I figure 'ol steady eddy will help me get my seat and confidence back.
That's exactly what I need too, a confidence boost and to learn how to ride again with the weight that I have put on over the past few years.
yep - got 30lbs that need to go. but just getting back riding, I'm down 7 already, sooooo....   |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
 
Location: sunny california | I would not ride if it was too hot |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 885
| JMHO at his age, let him be retired. Pasture or trail riding is one thing but to leg him up for barrels, if he were mine, I wouldn't. That is just me.
Edited by okhorselover 2018-07-12 7:08 PM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Just let him be retired, hes 26, I would just do trail riding on him, I would not want to be putting any strain on him at this age and not been rode in the last 6 years that to me would not be the right thing to start him on barrels again I would just enjoy the trail rides. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I’d ride him again, but I wouldn’t run barrels on him again.
The old guy has been retired. Enjoy your horse without causing harm. You both deserve that. There’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | Bear - 2018-07-12 5:32 PM I’d ride him again, but I wouldn’t run barrels on him again. The old guy has been retired. Enjoy your horse without causing harm. You both deserve that. There’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.
This!!!! |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | okhorselover - 2018-07-12 5:06 PM JMHO at his age, let him be retired. Pasture or trail riding is one thing but to leg him up for barrels, if he were mine, I wouldn't. That is just me.
.....and I agree 100%. You can think they look happy and want to go do things but what goes on in those bones and joints you can't feel, but that horse can.
You also run the risk of him falling with you.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | I just want to step in here and say that one of my pet peeves is folks recommending that a person "just trail ride" if it's a lame or older horse or one that has possible soundness/physical issues. Trail riding is and can be very taxing on a horse. The varied terrain conditions, and hours on trail can sure be a lot harder on one than just an easy lope around a pattern for 20-30 seconds. I prefer to just say "light riding"...period.
Light riding...on good ground is where I would start. See how he feels and if nothing else that will get you back in the saddle and enjoying time with your horse again. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | runnin.on.dreams - 2018-07-12 4:12 PM rodeomom3 - 2018-07-13 1:08 PM I would leg him up and pick where you go, good arenas, ground etc. Anywhere that I go would be covered arenas with decent ground. I'm more of a jackpot type than rodeos and pretty much all of our jackpots are in nice covered arenas. That is a great thought thanks for the suggestion.
I agree. Especially if you let him pick his own speed. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | I remember at a large barrel race a small girl riding a 25-year-old barrel horse, making nice runs, and the announcer bragging on this combination. Forgot to mention they were "literally" pushing and shoving this horse into the arena to start his run.
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| I’m thinking if you take care of him (joints, leg him up correctly etc) and let him go his own pace, I don’t see a problem with it. You’ll know if he doesn’t enjoy it. Just make sure he’s painless.
No one here knows that horse like you do. Read him as you go.
Edited by RoaniePonie11 2018-07-13 9:23 AM
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | TrailGirl - 2018-07-13 8:31 AM
I just want to step in here and say that one of my pet peeves is folks recommending that a person "just trail ride" if it's a lame or older horse or one that has possible soundness/physical issues. Trail riding is and can be very taxing on a horse. The varied terrain conditions, and hours on trail can sure be a lot harder on one than just an easy lope around a pattern for 20-30 seconds. I prefer to just say "light riding"...period.
Light riding...on good ground is where I would start. See how he feels and if nothing else that will get you back in the saddle and enjoying time with your horse again.
You can obviously disagree, but to say it’s a “pet peeve” when people render such a harmless opinion has me scratching my head. I don’t think people were suggesting extreme trail riding. It’s not a very complcated dilemma. She asked for opinions, and people took the time to try to be helpful and offer theirs. If that’s a pet peeve, I’m guessing you have a lot of them. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | *Sigh*...Bear...it's not just the way it was harmlessly presented here... If I had a dollar for every sale Ad I see that mentions soundness issues etc and then says "good for trail riding only"...I'd have a wallet full of cash. Just wanting to put it out there that "trail riding" can mean many things...and is certainly more taxing than many must think.
Sorry you took issue with my statement. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | TrailGirl - 2018-07-13 8:31 AM I just want to step in here and say that one of my pet peeves is folks recommending that a person "just trail ride" if it's a lame or older horse or one that has possible soundness/physical issues. Trail riding is and can be very taxing on a horse. The varied terrain conditions, and hours on trail can sure be a lot harder on one than just an easy lope around a pattern for 20-30 seconds. I prefer to just say "light riding"...period. Light riding...on good ground is where I would start. See how he feels and if nothing else that will get you back in the saddle and enjoying time with your horse again.
Did'nt say go climb a mountain, jump a few ravines while trail riding, LOL Just go have a quiet trail ride, I dont know what kind of trail riding you do but I like a nice quiet ride.. Gave my opinion on thoughts about a 26 year old retired horse that has not seen a barrel for 6 years just pasture, I think trail riding would be a good thing for him. I have one that is 25 { hes in my avatar, picture} retired from barrels no health issues and I want to keep him that way too so if I feel like he needs rode then I will hit the trails on him why risk it at that age. My Pet Peeves is someone that feels like being a {blip blip} to others that are giving their honest opinion.. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | What the absolute hell. My comment was hardly inflammatory. Read it again maybe. You have your opinion...I have mine.
Just wanted to put that out there in part because as a former vet tech I have seen SO many horses that were injured or otherwise became unsound for speed events etc that were then marketed or told they would still be good for "Trail riding" as if the uneven ground and miles wouldn't be a problem for a sore horse. That's all I was saying. That "light riding" and Trail riding are not one in the same. period.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Frodo - 2018-07-13 8:45 AM I remember at a large barrel race a small girl riding a 25-year-old barrel horse, making nice runs, and the announcer bragging on this combination. Forgot to mention they were "literally" pushing and shoving this horse into the arena to start his run.
Poor fella |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | I think leg him up. I have known older horses that LIVE for the rush that competing give them and I have known others that would much rather be left alone. Only you know your horse.
My suggestion would be to leg him up carefully like you would a horse coming off an injury, feed him appropriately to maintain good weight, have him evaluated by the vet for any underlying conditions that may prevent him from competing and once in shape take him to some jackpots with good safe footing and see how it goes.
It doesn't sound like your planning to try to make the NFR on this horse but instead looking to get back into the swing, have some fun and get your groove back. This may be the perfect horse to do it with just be sure to listen to him.
Good luck.
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Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24952
Location: WYOMING | At that age NO I would never run him again. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13502
Location: OH. IO | Bear - 2018-07-12 6:32 PM
I’d ride him again, but I wouldn’t run barrels on him again.
The old guy has been retired. Enjoy your horse without causing harm. You both deserve that. There’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.
I agree |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | So much drama. Nobody that answers this post can truly know what the right answer is. Only your horse and you will know the truth. Go and enjoy life with him to what he is capable of. He will let you know what level. I have a 25year old gelding that has never had a lame step in his life. He still keeps up with my 5 year olds. Nobody but you knows what kind of shape you're horse is in. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: New York | I'm running a 24 year old that just ran in the 1d at a supershow last month, if he's sound and still wants to go, I'd go |
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Location: my piece of paradise | I would leave him be and let him enjoy retirement. If you can't afford to buy right now maybe find a lease option? The best ones to find are the situation where the kid is going to college and the horse will sit for a few years. This may give you time to save up for your own.
Edited by inittowinit 2018-07-16 7:53 AM
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 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | At that age, not being used at all for the last 5 years or more and the last thing was colic surgery- Id leave him be. Most horses pass on in their early 30s so why risk a stroke, heart attack or soreness. Riding around the house at a walk, maybe. For me, id just go out and love on him everyday and save up for a much younger horse :) |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Spark572 - 2018-07-15 4:39 PM
I'm running a 24 year old that just ran in the 1d at a supershow last month, if he's sound and still wants to go, I'd go
Good for you! This horse hasn’t been ridden in 5 years. Your experience is the exception, not the rule. |
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| Just a FYI. Your horse in human years is around 75 years old. So you may take that into consideration. I've twice seen people decide to leg up their old horse and run them or let their kids run them, both times the horse flipped over backwards and died from a heart attack. One event was with a little girl, horse flipped over and saddle horn went thru her thigh. Horses are just like people, their hearts are not what they used to be. Just my personal experience, it's not fair to the horse nor safe for you. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I would say no to legging him up. Riding in general yes, but not racing. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 542
| The old ones go down fast if they don't have a job. A local lady ponies her 25 yr old through the week and lets kiddos at the local shows lope him through. I have friends that throw their old guys in the equicsier just to keep them fit and healthy. |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Frodo - 2018-07-13 8:45 AM
I remember at a large barrel race a small girl riding a 25-year-old barrel horse, making nice runs, and the announcer bragging on this combination. Forgot to mention they were "literally" pushing and shoving this horse into the arena to start his run.
There's younger horses that will have the same issue so you cant completely blame it on age. 26 years old been sitting around but sound? I think the only one who can answer your question is you, since hes your horse and you know him the best, all you can do is try and see how he takes being legged up.. not all horses enjoy retirement and not all horses are up to making a big comeback either. If my daughters older gelding wasn't recently diagnosed with ringbone I'd definitely be legging him up and let some of the younger kids run him, hes safe, sane but unfortunately crippled so I have no choice but to let him sit, unless we start injecting him and put on daily medication... no thanks ... hes roughly 24 |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | You're the only one who knows your horse. I say start riding him (not strenuous exercising) and see how he does with light work. Then build from there. If he seems happy and stays sound, increase the work load a little. I know a lot of people are telling you to let him enjoy his retirement, and while that's all fine and good, some horses decline very quickly if they don't have a purpose. If he's already been sitting for five years and still seems content, then I don't think retirement will hurt him.
Obviously the safest choice is don't do it, but you just have to go with your gut and don't overdo it. |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | I also have a 26 year old retired barrel horse (granted mine does have some health & soundness issues) but there is no way, even with maintenance, that I'd ever consider running mine again. Yours sounds like he's still healthy so absolutely, I'd ride him lightly & enjoy him while you can. But I wouldn't want the risk of running him. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | Dash4KJ - 2018-07-16 8:18 PM
At that age, not being used at all for the last 5 years or more and the last thing was colic surgery- Id leave him be. Most horses pass on in their early 30s so why risk a stroke, heart attack or soreness. Riding around the house at a walk, maybe. For me, id just go out and love on him everyday and save up for a much younger horse :)
This.. I wouldn't be scared to light ride but he better look amazing and you will have to watch him like a hawk.
Let me also explain where I come from on this, lol. I was roping on a 20+ grade gelding. We honestly feel like he was probably 26-28 and looked like a champ and wore brands from one end to the next - he had been around the block a few times.. Big, strong, solid gelding he had a heart attack about 15min after I got him home from roping 10 light steers on him. I knew something was going on but there wasn't enough time to even do anything. It was awful. I know he loved doing his job until the very end but still to have that memory isn't real fun.. The outcome for me could have been very different if it had happened in the box, running down the pen, dragging a steer, or in the trailer going home or even in the pasture that night.
Edited by abrooks 2018-07-18 3:29 PM
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| It would take the whole year to really get him in shape for the stress/demands of barrel racing. I, myself, would not take the chance of a heart attack while I was running him.
I've got one that is 22-23 and still runs around the pasture like an idiot and certainly does not look his age. Haven't ridden in about 5 years. Would like to get back to it really a lot, but not on the old guy. He's done me good his whole life and now I'm doing him good.
I realize there are exceptions and everyone does things differently. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | abrooks - 2018-07-18 3:20 PM Dash4KJ - 2018-07-16 8:18 PM At that age, not being used at all for the last 5 years or more and the last thing was colic surgery- Id leave him be. Most horses pass on in their early 30s so why risk a stroke, heart attack or soreness. Riding around the house at a walk, maybe. For me, id just go out and love on him everyday and save up for a much younger horse :) This..
Edited by Frodo 2018-07-18 3:33 PM
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 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
I would definitely leave him in retirement.
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 Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24138
Location: Carpenter, WY | personally, I'd retire him JMO |
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26 year old… leg him back up or keep him retired??