Senior Superstars - Eventing the Senior

[LadyB]

Hello Hive,

I’m here to talk myself off the ledge as we head into another season of Eventing—wahoo! Today, I want to chat about our older boys and girls.

My heart horse turns 22 in May, and while that number sounds old on paper (and back in the day, it was old), this guy certainly doesn’t look or act his age. He’s staying well-muscled and is fitting up nicely after a few setbacks this winter. We pulled his front shoes after losing 10 shoes in 4 months ( ), and gave his hooves time to heal/grow over the colder months. Throw in three knee bonks for extra excitement, but we’re finally on the upswing now.

I’d like to still tinker at Training Level this year. I know they’ll tell us when they’re done, but I guess I’m here for some reassurance—it’s okay to keep going as long as he’s happy and not struggling, right?

Tell me your senior stories! How do you cope with your older horses who are still eager to work and show no signs of slowing down? I’m happy to step down whenever he’s ready, but for now, he just doesn’t feel ready.

Would love to hear your experiences!

[HeartsDesireEventing]

I would agree that as long as he’s comfortable and willing to work, you’re not hurting him. Keeping him fit is good for him in general.

That being said, my senior just retired last fall - not because he didn’t want to do his job, but because we couldn’t actually keep him comfortable, even if he wasn’t really telling us that. The last several years in particular he was getting performance exams a minimum of twice a year to keep an eye on where we were at, as well as regular bodywork, PEMF, etc. to keep him comfortable as long as we could. He turned up lame at his fall performance exam (despite an excellent dressage test that morning, under my trainer’s eye, with no unevenness in his lateral work or extensions, an 8 on a flying change, etc.), got two weeks off to try to let things settle, but stayed lame and is officially retired.

I would say you know your horse - pay attention to subtle changes, and know if he’s likely to tell you when he’s done or if you’re going to have to make that call for him. My guy is an overachieving workaholic, and very stoic, so we knew we were going to have to call it, not him. I’ve been using the example of the Knights who say Ni for those who get the reference - it’s just a flesh wound! or, more likely, it’s just a close nail! it’s just a splint! I can jump, let’s go! If you have a more extroverted or communicative horse, this might be less of a concern

[hopashore1]

In general yes, they let you know, but I will also say that the “maintenance creep” can make it hard to really see how uncomfortable they may be, even if they still seem totally game. I would do a solid assessment of what maintenance you’re already doing or considering doing and be objective in total, not just compared to last year.

It’s easy to write off “hmm, joint injections don’t seem to last quite as long, we’ll do them a month or two earlier this year” and “hmm, seems a little more stiff, let’s re-vamp our warm-up” and “hmm, he feels so much better after PEMF/chiro/massage, let’s do some extra sessions to keep him more comfortable” and “hmm, let’s do a bit of bute after each jump school” and “hmm, he’s a little footsore, let’s do special pads” and “hmm, he seems to cough a little more during the summer, let’s add x/y/z” Individually, none of these would be a flag. But I would be honest how much change may have happened as he’s gotten older.

I TOTALLY am an advocate for keeping older guys in work. Mine is much sounder when he’s in regular work and moving his body. But, it took needing to step back for other reasons to really see how much patchwork was being done to keep him at the level I wanted to (straight dressage now, he retired from eventing for other soundness reasons) and stepping down was much easier on his body.

[anonevent]

Have you read the Geriatric Eventing Club article? https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/jollybo-is-taking-grand-prix-rider-lauren-chumley-on-a-grand-adventure/

[2DogsFarm]

My TB was 22 when I moved him home.
I’d set jumps at 2’ out of respect for his age.
We’d competed Hunter at 3’ & schooled XC Training for fun, but that was 5+yrs in his past by then.
He’d clear the teeny jumps I set by a foot
Still in great shape at 27, when I took him to a Dressage clinic & clinician refused to believe his age.
Sadly lost to a trailer accident the following year

Not competitive, but my Hackney Pony turns 25 next month.
He’s a pasture ornament & companion to my other 2.
Until he gets close, & you can see how gray his face has gone, you’d never guess his age.
He’s in great shape, moves like a 3yo.
This is him last Summer:

Sorry to ramble, but you know your horse best.
Agreed, he’ll let you know when he’s done.
Until then, Grab mane & kick on!

[DGEventing]

My pony was going prelim at 21. He now goes starter at 28. Kick on!

[Janet]

@DGEventing

My pony was going prelim at 21. He now goes starter at 28. Kick on!

My sister’s horse MOVED UP to Prelim at 21.

[Jealoushe]

Since I know you and this horse, I believe you are totally fine to keep going.

My first event horse evented Training level at 23.

[TooManyTBs]

My horse turned 26 last week and assuming he wants to he’ll be out running Starter this year. He was my jumper and he and I both did our first event when he was 23, at starter. Moved up to BN when he was 24. He’s the type of horse that will go until his legs fall off, so I have to set the limits. I moved him back to starter last year but did a full season. I decided this year he’ll only go to venues he really enjoys and not to venues he dislikes (he loves Groton House so we’ll go there, he hates showjumping warmup at another local place, we won’t go there.) I’ll also only show him on good footing and good weather.

I had decided last season that it was his last year showing over fences because he started to feel a bit blah. He was jumping clear and looked sound but I was having to use leg, which is not something I’m used to on him. Then he blew the biggest access I’ve ever seen, lost his entire sole, and he’s back to his old self.

I have asked both my vet and my trainer to tell me if he’s looking like he needs to back down in case I don’t notice since I’m with him daily. He’s getting a lameness workup this week before we start ramping up for the season.

[LadyB]

Thank you all who have chimed in!

His maintenance is minimal, he does better when he stays in work (don’t we all?). I can’t say I am substituting anything, changing anything to accommodate any changes he may have physically had. With it being winter, the rides are short and consistent but not as into the work as we are in the summer.

Sounds like we just keep kicking on until he doesn’t want to anymore. I definitely hear those who are saying if I am needing to up things to keep him put together, then it is time. Luckily all signs show we just keep kicking on! <3