29 August 2008 15:36
I have always been told that the bigger the horse, the less likely he is to live to an old age. My 16.3hh, 22-year-old TB gelding is in very good health but, although he is doing well, I am getting paranoid about asking him to do ridden work. Every time he as much as coughs, trips or gets excited, I’m convinced he is going to go down with a heart attack.
How can I get over this? It is ruining everything for both of us as he is not happy just standing out in the field and I am scared in case I cause him to die.
I lost my 28-year-old, 14hh pony earlier in the year. He had adegenerative bone disease so I had plenty of warning and it was obvious when he had to be retired. What signs should I look for in my elderly, but apparently healthy, TB?
Answer
By Your Horse
Vet Gayle Hallowell replies:
Horses are rather like people – they age at different rates. So, although TBs don’t usually live as long as ponies, they can.
If your TB looks good for his age, is not noticeably lame and likes work, then you should continue to ride him. It’s always very hard to predict what will be the thing a horse doesn’t recover from but equines very rarely die of heart attacks.
If you are worried, get your vet to do a health check and trot up your horse to make sure all is well.
Enjoy your horse. While he is happy and loving his work, ride him. You know your horse better than anyone else, you will know when he changes or slows down.