My BIG girl is turning 17 this year and it got me wondering how many more years I would be blessed/cursed to have her.
Do the big ones normally not last as long as smaller ponies? I don’t have much experience with huge old horses other than my own who is not ancient yet.
Let’s discuss
Anecdotally I think that pony breeds and some of the smaller horse breeds (Arab for example) tend to live longer, partly because they are easier to manage and partly because they are hardier. But there are so many other things that figure in. I am most familiar with TBs and would guesstimate that of the ones we’ve had, most of those that make it to 20 years old in relatively good shape live to 25-30 without major intervention. By 30-ish they tend to need a lot more care/feed to keep them healthy.
IIRC the (Guinness Book of World Records) record for the oldest horse (62 years) was big draft horse.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com…st-horse-ever/
How big is big? There are also SO many variables in longevity. If she has been well-cared for, I wouldn’t consider 17 old at all. Although he’s not huge, there is a 35 yr old Appy living next door who worked HARD in his younger years (Prelim level eventer in long format) - he’s doing great, rules his pasture, very healthy.
She’s 17 hh super long and thick probably 1400 lbs. Never worked hard and sat in a field on and off with the previous owner. X-rays are still good. On legend injections and babied with the best hay/grain/hoof care, etc all her life.
IMHO, ponies do last longer on average. I’ve known far more ponies who hit mid-30s+ than horses.
ponies either go down hard in middle age from founder or live forever
My experience suggests that the smaller more useless and more ornery the equine, the longer it will live. That ten hand terror that was too small for adults to school and too wiley for children to ride will live to be 45.
Yes smaller lives longer. 20 yo is pretty good for a warmblood. 25 for a tb. If they get to 30yo they seem to keep going for a while.
My Pepper went into his 30s. He was a tb/stock horse cross.
I have noticed that equines in general are living longer these days. My 16.3 WB is 27 year this and barely slowing down. I’d be pretty surprised if he doesn’t make 30. My 20 year old WB is still jumping around 3’6 like it’s nothing
They absolutely live longer than they did in the 70s/80s, mostly due to improved deworming and vaccines.
Well if “orneryness” has anything to do with it she’s probably gonna make it to 40 
Yes this is where the quote the good die young comes from.
My smallest pony, a 12.2 Hackney pony, only made it to 29 due to a sinus tumor. My 15.2 Paint mare went on and on, well into her 30s, possibly close to 40 (exact age unknown). My bigger pony, 13.2 and unknown breed, also went well into his 30s. I think with horses it is just so individual.
Rebecca
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