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  • Horse & Rider

    IS MY HORSE ‘TOO OLD’?

    Nov 08, 2021 5 minutes
    BY BARBE CRABBE, DVM

    Wait, I’m thinking, what? Just because he’s getting older doesn’t mean it’s time to quit. In fact, in recent years we’ve seen 21-year-old horses compete successfully in World Cup jumping. Besides, why not consider letting the horse step down to a less demanding job rather than retiring him completely?

    Then there’s the other type of owner.

    “There’s something wrong with my horse,” she’ll say. “He’s only 24, and he’s having a hard time keeping up with my friends’ horses on trail rides. I don’t understand it. Is there anything we can give him to up his energy?”

    “Hmmmmm,” I say. “Twenty-four. Maybe he’s just feeling his age?” After all, given that every year of a horse’s life translates into roughly 3 or 4 human years, that means your 24-year-old horse is akin to a 72-to 96-year-old human. Imagine

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