Dr. Chris Mortensen, delves into the significant
considerations around retiring horses, influenced by the story of Al Jabal, an Arabian who won a graded stakes race at 19, reinforcing the idea that age can
sometimes be just a number.
Dr. Mortensen discusses factors leading to horse retirement, including health care, nutrition, and the physiological challenges of aging. The podcast covers various disciplines and their typical retirement ages,
highlighting studies on racehorses and performance horses, and addresses alternative careers for retired horses, such as therapy programs.
Additionally, Dr. Mortensen explores the importance of
planning for a horse's retirement, touching on options like retirement farms and sanctuaries while emphasizing responsible ownership till the end-of-life
decisions.
 
Podcast Timeline
 
00:00 Introduction to Aging and Retirement in Horses
00:37 The Legendary Tale of Al Jabal: A Champion Beyond Age
03:42 Meet Dr. Chris Mortensen: Unveiling Equine Legends and Science
04:19 Understanding Horse Retirement: Factors and Second Careers
09:15 The Science of Aging in Horses: From Physiology to
Care
17:24 Retirement and Beyond: The Fate of Racehorses
21:00 Exploring Post-Racing Careers for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds
24:20 Age and Performance in English Disciplines: A Detailed Analysis
25:42 Exploring the Longevity and Retirement of Sport Horses
26:02 Insights from a Dutch Study on Horse Retirement
28:11 Analyzing Career Lengths and Retirement Causes in
Horses
31:52 Understanding the Impact of Age and Discipline on
Horse Retirement
33:56 Retirement Options and Quality of Life for Aging
Horses
36:57 The Role of Therapy Riding in Horse Retirement
40:57 Considering Nonprofit Rescues and Retirement Farms
46:38 Concluding Thoughts on Horse Retirement and Care
48:14 Engagement and Resources for Horse Enthusiasts

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
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