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Re: [RC] Conditioning an older horse??? - martha merriam

You definitely should give the limited distance rides a shot.  We have "old"
(21 and 25  year old) geldings we use for endurance; started both a year
ago. Last year Duncan did 5 out of 5 fifties and one twenty-five.  He went
56 miles on the Tevis but, 90 percent because of me, we were overtime.  We
have plans for a similar schedule this year.  Incidentally he is a big
Hanoverian, not your typical endurance horse.  

Spot is 25 and completed fewer rides (two out of 5 fifties and one
twenty-five) partly because he is a hyper sort of horse and has drinking and
eating issues, and partly because he has some lameness issues as well.  We
have him on glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, and did an Adequan series
recently and he seems quite sound now.  We are learning to deal with these
things and plan on trying limited distance rides this year.  We will
probably retire him soon (we have another horse in the wings) but Spot loves
to go so we will try a few more. 

Both these horses were athletes (Duncan in dressage and Spotty in speed
jumping) until their mid teens when they did very little until last year.  I
think this history may make a difference, although overuse in their youth
would obviously have been a drawback.  At any rate, we and our vet feel
trail riding is very good for maintaining good health.  In turn, they are a
joy to us to handle and ride in their golden years.  

Martha



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Replies
[RC] Conditioning an older horse???, Chris Paus