|
|
Regular
Posts: 93
| I'm looking for a new barrel horse and with my budget and confidence, I've been looking at some older guys. This one in particular is a 17 year old gelding, been on 24/7 turnout for as long as he can remember, no maintenance, still looks and acts 6. I'm in college and therefore I board. How would I transition this guy to a big foaling stall at night and turnout on most days? Would he be okay?
Also! What do you guys give to your seniors to keep them running? Supplements, routines, exercise plans? Thanks! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1273
 
Location: South Dakota | I'd say say the benefits of enjoying yourself and gaining confidence outway the age part. And I don't think 17 is too old at all. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | I run a 21 year old and I do keep him in my biggest stalls. I have one that is 12 x 18 and one that is 10 x 20. I try to keep him out as much as possible and only stalled during bad weather. But during the winter he is in side for 12 hours almost every night. supplements would just depend on the horse honestly if he has no issues then its just like any other horse.
Your biggest problem will be if he will happily adjust to stall life and that is going to be just based on that particular horse. If he has been hauled a bunch and stalled at weekend shows then being in for half a day and out the other half will probably be just fine with him. If he has never been stalled for any length of time your not going to know until you try it.
I LOVE my old man. He is just easy. Nothing to worry about just go and do our job. I highly recommend the older been there done that horse if you want easy and fun. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | abrad12 - 2016-10-18 8:19 AM
I'm looking for a new barrel horse and with my budget and confidence, I've been looking at some older guys. This one in particular is a 17 year old gelding, been on 24/7 turnout for as long as he can remember, no maintenance, still looks and acts 6. I'm in college and therefore I board. How would I transition this guy to a big foaling stall at night and turnout on most days? Would he be okay?
Also! What do you guys give to your seniors to keep them running? Supplements, routines, exercise plans? Thanks!
17 is definitely not too old as long as they are taken care of. Look at Lisa's Chisum, he's 18 this year and still killing it. I believe she has a history of running horses into their late teens/early 20's. Or Rachel Myllymaki's Mr. Wonderful, ran pro into his early 20's. Those are just the 2 NFR horses I can think of off the top of my head. But I know several legit 1D horses from my region that ran 1D into their late teens/early 20's, then instead of being retired, brought up a youth rider through the lower divisions for another couple of years.
I think he'll be fine with the daily turnout option. Keeping him in top physical shape before you run him. Considering adding a preventative joint care at his age, to keep him feeling good. And addressing any issues as soon as they occur.
|
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | June Holeman was running her great horse Sparky at the good old age of 21.. Awesome team they were  |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | We just got an 18 year old mare that I used to run wayyyy back in the day from a friend that needed to give her away! She's not in running shape so after a couple months of legging her back up I'm just going to use her as a back up and my boyfriend even wants to try her! /)3: a gentle 3/4D confidence builder! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Oh heck no 17 years isn't too old. Those confidence building horses didn't get that way by accident. They had years of experience and life lessons to get them where they are today. Those horses are worth their weight in gold
I'd suggest getting a good vet check just to make sure any underlying issues are identified. As for stalling does the boarding facility require that they come in at night or is that your preference? If it's not a requirement leave him outside. That's where he's happiest and it will help prevent stiffness from standing in a stall all night.
If it is a requirement ask that he be brought in last and turned out first. This way he's in as little as possible.
|
|
| |
|
 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | My 23 year old is still running (though on a pretty limited schedule) and loving his job! I don't run him much in the summer because heat is tough on him, but in the fall, he's a ton of fun. I took him last weekend to a 2-day family rodeo event and ran poles and barrels on him both days. He shocked me by running a 23.4 in poles the first day to place second (behind my boyfriend and his horse named Joker), then finished 10th out of 57 in barrels, right at .5 off the winner. On day 2, we had a bobble in poles but were a 24.0 and just out of the money, and we ran an almost identical time in barrels to place around 10th. His barrel times were 15.159 and 15.141. Sure wish it had been a target race! LOL.
Here's his Sunday barrel run - you can tell he enjoys his job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOpJF4O4dDQ |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | 17 is a great age! I don't think it will be hard to transition considering he will be out during the day. I have a 20 year old that get THE FlamOxide and THE JointFLEX. She feels and looks great! Also still has a lot of sass! Just keep her legged up and you should be good!  |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 93
| Thanks guys. My boarding facility is kind of....dumb. I have a 12x24' stall (two stalls with center taken out). We have to share turnouts and horses are only allowed out for 12 hr and up for 12 hrs or 24 hrs then up for 24 hrs. Just a 1 acre turnout and I will probably find another horse he gets along with so he will have a buddy. I dont want to move though because we have a lit arena, half mile track, and walkers. Plus it is across the street from where I live.
VET CHECK. I've always gotten a vet check but this lady I know pretty well. If she says hes never needed injections, only shoes, I pretty well trust her. Would you still do the vet check? I'm going to try him Friday to make sure he's a good fit and was planning on bringing cash and trailer. If I do vet check I would probably have to put deposit down and find a way to get him to the vet next week. Opinions? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | It really is up to you how much you trust the woman. I personally would still do a vet check, not a major, super extensive one. But maybe some flexes to see what could possibly be an issue in the future, I would ask to see the vet records. This will tell you how maintained the horse is or any previous issues it did have. |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I would still do the vet check because something may be brewing, but not symptomatic at this time. It will save hurt feeling in the future if something does pop up down the road.
Edited by GLP 2016-10-18 12:15 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Mine is 17. He's in a 16x16 stall and he gets turned out overnight 2-3 days a week. I make sure I get him out the other days that he's not turned out--whether it be just letting him loose in the arena, trail ride, exercise, lunge, roundpen--usually a combination of some of those things. I keep him on a joint supplement and incorporate stretching into his daily routine (legs & neck). Stretching is definitely a key component to him feeling good. He also gets chiropractic work done around 4x a year. |
|
| |
|
 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I can tell you, as an old person, I can definitely relate to older horses. The #1 thing to remember is to always keep him in excellent physical shape. Exercise staves off the stiffness and injuries. That's why turn out is usually better for them. If you can't ride, maybe ask that he be put on the walker daily....that will also help, as older horses tend to not move much in just a turnout. I love the older guys. If they made it to that age and are still sound, it probably won't be hard to keep them that way. Good dental work is imperative for these older guys, as well. Good luck! |
|
| |
|
 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | I wish my horse was 17 she's 20 but still really awesome and competitive. Plenty of turnout and Legend IV has been a key to her success. Good luck! |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| 17 is definitely not too old! My gelding is 18 and consistently in the 1D, 2D if I make a goof, locally. Big shows 2D-3D.
Turnout and consistent riding are your best friends for older horses. I would still have a basic vet check done. Even if there are no current issues, the vet may be able to give you insight on what may develop down the road. I use BOT quick wraps and hock wraps before I run him and overnight after runs and hard workouts. I also run him on Previcox. I do a loading dose of Adequan every spring and keep him on Pentosan year round. He gets a check up and flexed every 6 months or sooner if I notice something is off. I also make sure to stretch him after every workout and before every run (after I've warmed him up). Keep on top of hoof maintenance, because poor angles will contribute to joint issues.
I love my old man...I don't know what I'll do when I have to retire him! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I would absolutely still do the vet check. Just because she isn't aware of any soundness issues doesn't mean there isn't an underlying problem that could pop up maybe a week from now, maybe not another several years from now. |
|
| |
Folks on-line