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Member
Posts: 14
| I'm looking for a back up horse and a friend of mine says she has someone looking to lease her 23 year old gelding. They sent me pictures and he doesn't look old at all...they said he is an automatic horse consistent in the 2d and has hit 1d. What's everyone's opinions on running an old horse? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
 
Location: SE KS | I wouldn't run one that old, there are so many horses out there that I surely could find one. (Just my opinion)
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I don't have a problem with it, as long as their body can handle it. I've done it before, and would do it again, with the right horse! |
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| Not that old. I couldn't do it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I'm not against running older horses, and I'm not against leasing horses. But I would be a little leery of leasing one to compete at that level that old. If you decide to do it, just make sure you get in writing what all of his maintenance you would be responsible for and what they would be responsible for. |
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 Midget Lover
 
Location: Kentucky | I ran an older horse, and he was fun because he knew his job and helpled me with my confidence, but I probably wouldn't run one that old again. If he is back up only, you still have to keep him legged up and keep up on the maintenance. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I guess if he is properly cared for maintence wise then it shouldn't be an issue.
Myself personally....No. He would be retired. A friend of mine ran her gelding up until he had a heart attack at a barrel race, he was 25....sad thing to see them roll him onto a panel and drag him out of the arena. I couldn't handle that. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
| hoofs_in_motion - 2013-12-19 2:53 PM
I guess if he is properly cared for maintence wise then it shouldn't be an issue.
Myself personally....No. He would be retired. A friend of mine ran her gelding up until he had a heart attack at a barrel race, he was 25....sad thing to see them roll him onto a panel and drag him out of the arena. I couldn't handle that.
I would not, for the very reason stated. I have seen two horses in their early twenties die of heart attacks in competition. I don't know what their maintenance and routines were but I would still be hesitant.
The pole horse started his run, set for the end pole, stumbled turned the first pole and then ran off to the gate and dropped dead. It was at a High School rodeo state rodeo during the short round. I think the girl running him was sitting 2nd or 3rd going into the short.
The other was a heel horse, owned by a NFR heeler. The horse was fine when he entered the box, they made their run and when the horse stopped he popped way up in the front end, he immediately left the arena because the horse didn't feel right. The horse fell dead right outside the arena gate.
We can do a lot of preventative care for their bones, and tendons and ligaments but we can only guess what's happening their their heart, lungs and brain.
ETA: One a less somber note, I have seen far more of that age do just fine. I just wouldn't want all that heart break at a public event if something were to happen.
Edited by cyount2009 2013-12-19 3:21 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| What's he backing up for?
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | cyount2009 - 2013-12-19 3:19 PM hoofs_in_motion - 2013-12-19 2:53 PM I guess if he is properly cared for maintence wise then it shouldn't be an issue.
Myself personally....No. He would be retired. A friend of mine ran her gelding up until he had a heart attack at a barrel race, he was 25....sad thing to see them roll him onto a panel and drag him out of the arena. I couldn't handle that. I would not, for the very reason stated. I have seen two horses in their early twenties die of heart attacks in competition. I don't know what their maintenance and routines were but I would still be hesitant. The pole horse started his run, set for the end pole, stumbled turned the first pole and then ran off to the gate and dropped dead. It was at a High School rodeo state rodeo during the short round. I think the girl running him was sitting 2nd or 3rd going into the short. The other was a heel horse, owned by a NFR heeler. The horse was fine when he entered the box, they made their run and when the horse stopped he popped way up in the front end, he immediately left the arena because the horse didn't feel right. The horse fell dead right outside the arena gate. We can do a lot of preventative care for their bones, and tendons and ligaments but we can only guess what's happening their their heart, lungs and brain. ETA: One a less somber note, I have seen far more of that age do just fine. I just wouldn't want all that heart break at a public event if something were to happen.
And not only that, then you have to call the owner and tell them, because it's not even your horse. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 902
Location: Qld Australia | Unfortunately, I have seen quite a few young horses have heart attacks and die at shows so I don't think just age is a factor for this.
I would have to really look at the horse as an individual for this. Each older horse is different. I had one mare that as a thirty year old looked and acted like a 12 yo. She was still shown very lightly but not speed events at 32. She was retired and then put to sleep at 38.
Another mare at 20 also was a very young twenty. She also looked about 10. She never lost shape, she always acted really like a 5yo. Just a stunning mare. Ran and ran hard as a 20 yo. Only retired to the broodmare band as I had others needing more time and as long as I was riding/showing her, the younger ones missed out.
I have a 20 yo right now for my 5yo son. She looks like a late teen and I would never consider using her for anything but being a safe plodder for him. She looks pretty much her age and is wonderful for what I want.
So all three mares I have mentioned were different. So I really think you need to look at him, ride him and make your decision based on him as an individual.
I know a lot of performance people who ride and show horses in their very late teens/early 20's with no issues at all. |
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Member
Posts: 14
| The horse looks young. When she told me his age I was shocked. She said he hasn't had his legs ran off and she also said she only gives him next level joint supplement. His legs look clean, his back isn't even swayed! He really looks like a 10 year old. |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | There is a girl in our district that is running a gelding that is 26 I think. He LOVES his job. She runs in the 3d, 4d, but she still holds him back. I would bet he could bust a move and hit in the 2d at least once in a while.
However, she runs him about once every other month maybe once a month. He also looks amazing, but I would have to spend extra money on maintenance no matter what they say. Somewhere along the line, his age will hit him. It may be just slowing down, or it may be sudden. He won't come back as quick if he does get hurt and I would not pay much just because of his age.
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | I wouldn't. Mainly because I would feel really really really bad if something happened to him under my care. I'm wary of leasing anyway, and if the horse is older than it would have a higher probability of something happening. Also, for a backup and it being older, I'd think (but could very well be wrong) that it would need more work to stay in shape than a younger horse. But number 1 is enough for me to say no. |
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