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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | We just got a horse in 2 days ago he's 17 yrs old excellent running blood. We don't know much about him was told he was a pasture kids horse but before that he was a barrel horse. Researched him back to canada and working on getting a history from previous owners. He has clean legs no blemishes/scars feet are rough but seems sound has ridden him twice. I can tell he was trained very well but still has that I'm a kid horse mentality. He has all the buttons just rusty. So my question: is he too old to get back in shape and work the pattern? He is not in shape at all. He seems to have a good demenor when cued no attitude no sign of pain. Seems to want to please but I've never had a horse this old. What should I know about gettin an old man in shape for barrels? |
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 No Name Nancy
Posts: 2715
 
Location: never in the right place | I will probably just take a little longer to get him back in shape. If he is sound and has a good mind when you start on the partern go for it. Have fun on him. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | Thanks I'm hoping he already knows the pattern and a I have to do is get him in shape and a refresher that will be nice! Never had to get an older horse in shape |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
 
Location: Kansas | No I don't believe so, just keep up on his maintenance since he is an old guy :) |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Mine is 17- very low maitenance (Pentosan and daily MSM only). I'm still running him.
Take it slow and get him back into shape. Lots of long trotting. Just put miles on him for now and get the rust off his buttons. Start out slow- frequent, easy excercise at first. Light work done frequently is actually good for arthritis and preventing soreness.
Keep on eye out for any signs of soreness and handle them accordingly before they create issues. He is by no means too old- horses these days (if well cared for) can run and win into their early 20s. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | No I sure don't think so. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Have his legs checked out. My old mare is 27 and wasn't getting around like I like her to. I took her in and the vet and I agreed that doing the injections that we did when she was still running would help her out. She hasn't been ridden at all since 2012. So we injected her inside top hock joints and now you wouldn't believe the difference. She's babysitting weanlings and runs and plays with them bucking and cutting around in the pasture. Definitely brought her back to her sassy self. Her joints were all but dry since we hadn't injected her in over two years. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
Location: Knoxville, TN | Take is slower with him but I have seen a 28 yr old horse with the TX State Youth NBHA (tough competition). |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | If he's gentle and not a danger to you, I'd be looking forward to seeing if maybe I'd lucked into an old campaigner. 17 doesn't seem old to me at all. They've gone to the NFR with that much age on them.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | My gelding is 18 and honestly has more energy then my 6 yr old some days. he still runs with my mom, and actually this year ran one of his fastest times ever!
Just take it slower and you should be fine. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| barrelracr131 - 2014-10-31 8:26 AM
Mine is 17- very low maitenance (Pentosan and daily MSM only). I'm still running him.
Take it slow and get him back into shape. Lots of long trotting. Just put miles on him for now and get the rust off his buttons. Start out slow- frequent, easy excercise at first. Light work done frequently is actually good for arthritis and preventing soreness.
Keep on eye out for any signs of soreness and handle them accordingly before they create issues. He is by no means too old- horses these days (if well cared for) can run and win into their early 20s.
This is good advice. My vet says the key to longevity in horses is keeping up on their teeth. He checks all mine 2x/year and we float whenever necessary. 17 is the new 10 for horses nowadays LOL! |
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Absolutely not. Just take your time getting him back in shape. |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | Frodo - 2014-11-02 9:20 AM If he's gentle and not a danger to you, I'd be looking forward to seeing if maybe I'd lucked into an old campaigner. 17 doesn't seem old to me at all. They've gone to the NFR with that much age on them.
I agree.. Saddle up and have fun!!! |
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| I am running a 20 year old. She shows no signs of slowing down! But I do take good care of her. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I gave my oldy to a little girl to ride because yes, he could run the pattern, no he wouldn't hesitate. But he had navicular. And it would only Somethimes show up at the vet. Thus, he could pass a vet exam. With flying colors. He also had arthritis. So I knew it hurt him to run. And run he did, ears pinned hauling butt and all. That's why I gave him to a girl I knew would baby him and would keep him in retirement. He gave me 10 great years and was only 15 when I retired him. But as the sole rider, I knew he would be much happier as a little girls best friend. Rather than me running his legs off. He could've taken me far, but I stand by my decision because he had earned the right to rest.
In my opinion: If they owner sold him as a kid horse, they had a very good reason. Keep him in retirement.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2014-11-03 12:54 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | We had one that competed until she was 25 but we did a lot of extra stuff for her. She was put on Animal Element detox loading dose and kept on it and we also kept her on Product X which kept her feeling good and full of energy. She was hauled in soft rides and back on track from head to toe but she loved to work and she loved my daughter and they did good in the youth and even when they got bumped in to the open. But she was a Jet of Honor that was all heart, and she was only a weekend warrior. I don't think she would have been able to handle being hauled daily. |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| Man I don't think 17 is old at all. I agree just take good care of him and be will be great. I have a friend that was running a mare that was 15 she got a Check on her all the time and she quit running her said she was too old. I was like what! She's sound and sane and runs her heart out why stop. I have a 18 gelding that is running tough and not slowing down. Guess everyone's definition of old is different |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | I've been working him and keeping an eye on him soundness wise and he's doing great he has so much energy now I know he does know barrels so I'm excited to get him in shape. Thanks for all the input! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | Btw Irunonfaith the horse belonged to a family member w kids who gave us this horse they didn't sell him to us they aren't horse people |
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