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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
  
| There's a thread going right now about older horses. I've got a gelding that is 20 this year. He's been a pasture ornament for the last 18 months. I got all his maintenance done in February, put him on previcox and joint supplements, and started riding him the first of March.
I've made a few runs on him and he's working good, but I don't think he's back to his full respiratory capacity yet. I've started to do some galloping for a minute or 2 this week to put a little more umph into cardio. Also, he had a case of pneumonia about 3 years ago and the vet suggested that I run him on ventipumin which we have since then.
Any other suggestions on bringing this guy back up to speed. He's a been there, done that great guy. In his day he was 2D/3D at big shows with an old lady. He'd be 1D/2D with a real jockey. I ordered him some flair strips today, and was thinking of taking him to the vet to have them just give him a specific respiratory check.
Suggestions from folks that own these older jewels are very welcome..... |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | Following. I might be given a 18 yr old paint that runs an awesome set of barrels/poles. She's had some time off, so would love to hear what everyone has to say about running their oldies! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| OK, guys that have experience or expertise or just plain 'ol personal opinion, please share with us..... |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
 
Location: Jersey Girl | Just take it slow. The older ones take longer to leg up then the younger ones. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | He's an unconditional horse. Start at the begining. This is for young and old walk for a 1/4 to 1/2 mile pick up long trot 1/2 to 1 mile pick up canter for half mile to 1 mile in left lead come back same distance in right lead back to walk to cool out.You should know and be able to feel if your horse has enough lung capacity for the short or long distance with out him heaving heavily in the ribs. As he builds muscle and lung you could speed up the canter to roll. not a gallop. If you do this daily. You wont over expand his lungs. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I've been bringing back my 17 yo that's been sitting for the last 3 years. We literally trail rode from December to February. I've had hell bringing him back and have been dealing with sore hocks, sore feet...did some easy trotting and loping in March and April, and now dealing with his knee and the cactus incident. He seems a lot more in shape than I would expect and I think it has to do with the trail riding. We would go on 2 hour rides. At the beginning, he was sweating and we were WALKING. Now he doesn't break a sweat and it's like 80-90 out. I also do work in the wash once a week. 2 months seems like too short of time to be running but that's just me! :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| I took this horse to the vet today to evaluate his respiratory capacity. She did the usual test and scoped him. Turns out he's good. He took a good amount of time to respond to the lack of oxygen AND recovered well after it was removed. Hubby said I needed this exam more than the horse, Ha! I hate when he's right. Appreciate the feedback, it's all helpful.
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Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Glad to here it is working for you. Sometimes to much to soon can set a horse back when trying to condition. I thought I had corrected my spelling it was suppose to be ed not al. Lol. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | If I were in your situation and could afford it, i would look into sending him somewhere with an aquatred, supposed to be low impact and they can work the horse as hard or as gradual as needed. IMO older horses loose muscle tone, especially around their backs/hips because they don't do the hills anymore, if he isn't on pasture where he can run/play everyday see if you can get that worked out too. I swear my 5 head keep themselves in better shape than any type of riding I do. Usually sprinting/chasing/bucking and kicking for at least 15 minutes two or three times a day. I would try to do some type of hill climb everyday, just don't overdo it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| LMS - 2015-05-15 10:30 AM
If I were in your situation and could afford it, i would look into sending him somewhere with an aquatred, supposed to be low impact and they can work the horse as hard or as gradual as needed. IMO older horses loose muscle tone, especially around their backs/hips because they don't do the hills anymore, if he isn't on pasture where he can run/play everyday see if you can get that worked out too. I swear my 5 head keep themselves in better shape than any type of riding I do. Usually sprinting/chasing/bucking and kicking for at least 15 minutes two or three times a day. I would try to do some type of hill climb everyday, just don't overdo it.
I think this is what helped him. He was always turned out, with a run-in stall but basically out 24/7 with his pasture mate. And they would run and play, so that's probably what helped him stay with some muscle tone and respiratory capacity. Now he's out at night, and in a stall/run during the day because he's a jerk and is mean to other horses.....I noticed he didn't seem to have any respiratory problems when he was chasing down this one poor gelding that we tried to put him with.
He is an own son of Bully Bullion and looks a lot like his sire. He was a little soft, but still has a good topline and a big 'ol BB rear end.
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