how can you tell how old a horse is??

Answer 1

Most vets will look at the teeth- although I must warn you that this isn't always the most accurate way to check for age. This is because every horse ages at different rates and are cared for differently. I've gotten rescues in with teeth that were in horrible condition- most of them came with papers and before I even had a chance to look at their foaling date I would estimate their age for their coggins. A lot of the horses were a lot younger than what their teeth were "saying".
Other ways people and vets tell the horses age is bone density and bone length. As most horse's age their joints and bones will wear down. By measuring the length of the bones and wearing of the joints you can most of the time get an accurate age for a horse. But results vary just like if you checked the teeth.

If your horse doesn't have papers I would consult a vet- he'll give you the approximate age and depending on change of health and behavior you could add or minus years depending on your opinion.

Answer 2

Look at the horses teeth. The older the horse or pony, the more worn the teeth will be. Proffesionals or vets are very good at this and can tell how old the horse is pretty good.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

generally by it's teeth but horse have different growing stages so this can be an inaccurate method. Other than that (providing your horse was branded correctly and not dodgily- and if he or she HAS a brand) you could check up on his or her brand generally (depending on the breed of horse) the Brand will consist of some numbering which will in most cases be the last 2 numbers of a year and those should generally be the year in which said horse was born. However, sometimes horses will be branded inaccurately or they may have no brand at all. If this is the case the use of their spine when determining their age can be used but most commonly their teeth.

Answer 4

The teeth tell all. When a horse is young, their teeth are vertical. As they get older, their teeth go more horizontal. When we had to euthanize our 38 year old mare, her teeth were almost completely horizontal. Looking at the sway of a horse's spine isn't always the best way, since a lot of heavy riding can give a horse swayback early, but it's another good way.

Answer 5

Well it's teeth are a big help and maby the color around their face. Also if the horse is not very fast and just kind-a laid back and board. Even it's back, usually if a hose is old it has a sway back. ( i'm sure you know what it is ) But if you don't I'll tell you... a sway back is when the horses back is not the most even and it has a deeper dip in the back then it should. You can really tell this in Quarter Horses.

Answer 6

You judge a horses' age by the appearance of it's teeth. But, that is not always 100% reliable. If the horse has received bad care and nutrition in the past, he's teeth will be altered. The technique however, has been used for hundred of years and is pretty accurate.

Answer 7

You tell the age of a horse by It's teeth. For more help on this matter, you can look at www.petcaretips.net/horses_age_teeth.html This page has no pics or drawings of the horses teeth, which can be helpful.

Answer 8

You can have a vet estimate the age of your horse by looking at it's teeth.

Answer 9

You can tell how old a horse is by its teeth...

Answer 10

Umm. . .im not really sure. They may be a little more lazy and slow. But it doesn't matter how old they are. I take riding lessons and have an old horse, he is the best!!!