Should a 32 year old horse still be rideable?

Question

He is my friend's horse, he's 32, and his name is Moe. Moe was taken very good care of his entire life, and he's still kickin' at 32 (: So I've been told, they still ride Moe...but I'm a bit nervous to ride him because of his age! Would it be hard on his joints or anything? How old do horses usually live to be? (I don't have much experience with horses, I'm just beginning.) Thanks! :D

Answer 1

If Moe is still in good health and not moving with difficulty,yes, you should ride him a little bit, but go slow.It is very hot outside and just like people, senior citizens and the very young are the most at risk for heat related complications.At that age Moe likely already has some arthritis, so if you see him having any kind of problem (short of breath, starting to get tired or overheat) just stop and lead him back to the barn.Keeping active actually helps with arthritis: you just need to go slow.Some horses live to be well into the late 30's but I believe 50 was the oldest on record.Secretariat, the 1972 or 73 triple crown winner (and still holding the fastest win ever for the Kentucky Derby at 1:59.9) lived to be 21, but he got a problem called laminitis and went lame.He died and is buried at Churchill Downs in Ky.I watched this horse win the triple crown that year and in the third race,the Belmont, he was the winner by 18 lengths....he was almost an eighth of a mile ahead of the other horses.That video is on the internet all these years later and it still gives me chills to see that horse just "take off" when he made his move and start to open the distance between him and the rest of the field.You should watch that, it was an amazing race.

Answer 2

If he is healthy, active, and not slowing down, he should be fine. 32 is an old age, to me. But horses are very strong, Moe must be a strong horse.

Horses in the wild can live to about 20 or older, domesticated horses can live up to 30 or older.

You should only be worried if Moe is acting weak or if he is slowing down. Then your friends would have to be easy on him so no damage is done.

Answer 3

He should NOT be ridden. Even thought Moe is in good shape, it is time to retire him to the pasture. Im suprised hes still alive, horses live to be 25-30 years old. But you are worsening his joints/reducing his lifespan by riding an elderly horse. You could possibly share information with your friends, but it isnt a good idea to ride him.

Answer 4

I'm not an expert, but two of the lesson horses at my old barn were 29 and they got around fine. One was an Arabian mare, and she had SPIRIT! She loved to canter and tried to gallop every chance she got. So, yeah, the horse should be fine. And horses usually live to be 25-30, but can live past 30. Hope I helped!

Answer 5

If he is sound you can ride him. I wouldn't go galloping around, but a slow hack should be fine. A former riding pal of mine rode had a mare that dropped dead at 36 yrs. She was on the trail just days before. She would go slow and we would stop after going up hills so she could rest. BTW at the time the owner was in her 80s and had the mare since it was 5 yrs old. She used to be a jumper.

Answer 6

HOLY ****. 32? WHAT THE ****. PUT IT DOWN