Most people focus exclusively on the horses they are currently working and showing rather than their senior horses in retirement. This is a natural shift in energy, but retired horses need attention and exercise as well. In fact, the senior horse will live longer if he maintains adequate nutrition and muscle mass.
Of course, horses in retirement are not ridden, so their owners must be creative in coming up with exercises and activities for the senior horse. There are several ways to do this, but it is important to keep their health in mind. Watch out for signs of:
- Soreness
- Irritability
- Increased/decreased respiration and heart rate
- Aggressive behavior
- Separation anxiety from other horses
- Colic
These may indicate that the horse is forced into too much activity, which can have a negative impact on his overall health. However, the following suggestions are usually safe for horses in retirement and give owners a chance to re-connect with their senior horses.
Kiddie Rides
It is usually best to keep adult riders off horses in retirement, but children are another story. Because they are much lighter, kiddie rides are rarely a problem for senior horses, and many animals enjoy connecting with kids.
Owners should set a weight limit for retired horses and minimize high-impact rides. The best riders are beginners who will do nothing more than walk and perhaps trot; for much older horses, outings should be limited to lead line rides.
Grazing
Although senior horses are perfectly capable of grazing on their own in the pasture, this does not have to be a solitary activity. Owners can walk them out into the yard or field in a halter or lead rope and let their horses graze on the end. This is often a welcome alternative for retired horses.
When owners notice swelling in the legs of horses in retirement, long walks are also beneficial. Simply hand-walking the horse up and down the barn aisle ten or twelve times can reduce swelling and increase circulation to the legs.
Lunging
If a retired horse seems like he needs to put on more muscle, lunging is also a viable alternative to riding. Lunging retired horses for fifteen or twenty minutes at the trot can inspire muscle development and increase circulation. This is one of the most important aspects of caring for retired horses; without exercise, their health can quickly deteriorate.
When lunging senior horses, however, it is important to keep tendons and ligaments in mind. They are not as flexible as they were in their youth, and turning too sharply can be disastrous. Owners should make sure they are lunging on a flat, cushioned surface, and in a circle of at least 60 meters.
Retirement Farms
Sometimes retirement farms are the best places for senior horses. These are equestrian facilities created specifically for horses in retirement. They include socialization and exercise regimens to prolong the lives of the horses.
There are retirement farms in all corners of the country, and many have large herds that ensure their horses are never lonely. The board is sometimes less expensive because they don't have all the amenities of a traditional riding stable: arenas, wash stalls, tack rooms, etc.
Horses in retirement deserve the best for all the years of hard work they have given their owners. Riders can give back to them by finding a safe, energetic, caring environment where they can live out their last years.
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