My son rides a friends welsh pony, the pony is 29yrs old and looks half his age, he scrubs up really well for shows and is so handsome(yeah I know we are biased!)
Does anyone else have an elderly pony, my 10 & 6 yrs olds worry about him getting older and dying, how much longer could he go on for?
2007-07-28 21:47:09 · 35 answers · asked by H1976 5 in Pets ➔ Horses
He lives out all summer and has 3 paddock pals aged 5,13 & 14.They all adore him, his teeth are going a bit but he still manages to eat well, sound everywhere else!
2007-07-29 07:05:08 · update #1
I got my first horse was 26 years old, I was 10.
My trainer gave her to me, but before she made the decision, she contemplated it a lot.
Fearing that I would love her and then something could happen.
She finally decided to give her to me, figuring its better to have been given the chance to love and enjoyed this horse (if even for a short time), than never haven been given the chance.
Before this my favorite lesson horse had passed and it was hard, but I was just happy that I got a chance to ride her and enjoy her, after a few days of tears.
I love the horse she gave me, it has taught me everything.
She is now 34 and still going. She gives lessons to small children who just love her.
They find a connection with her and truly enjoy even just grooming her.
My horse is an Arab, a breed that ages slowly and lives long. (mine doesn't look at all her age and has only a touch of arthritis)
Welsh ponies, along with most ponies live a long time. With proper care and love, as I am sure your pony gets, he can live until he is 40.
Not to say that bad things dont happen.
Your their parent so your the only one that can prepare them for his death, but no one can really be prepared.
I am 17 and still not ready.
Help them enjoy their time and be proud of his age and how well he does, instead of worried.
That's what I did and do, I just know that no matter what my girl leads a great life.
Good Luck and I hope this helped
2007-07-29 13:49:36 · answer #1 · answered by hickchick210 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a New Forest pony back home and he died last year at the age of 35. I showed and hunted him as a kid and he's lived out on the hillside for the past 20 years. He did good except that his back was really swayed. We also had a Dartmoor pony and he lived until 32 and his main problem was that he lost his teeth, couldn't eat properly and lost so much weight. Native breeds like Welsh, New Forest, Shetlands etc always live longer. My old TB hunter that was turned out with my pony only lived to about 26 and that was pushing it. He should have a few more years in him yet.
2007-07-29 02:45:51 · answer #2 · answered by lisa m 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One thing to bear in mind is that ponies usually outlive horses by 100 fold. As a very very gross average horses live to 20, while some breeds of pony can live to 40 or more. Modern medicine has extended these numbers, allowing horses to not only live well into their 30's, but also be useful to an extent into their 20's.
I have known many ponies, from cross-bred mutts to shetland ponies and others that have lived until 30-40 years, and had been a lesson pony until the days they died. At 29, if the pony you ride has no health issues, there is no reason he can't be a good working pony for a few more years easily.
I have a 23-24ish horse that unfortunately cannot be ridden anymore, and while he is heatlhy in all other respects, he has a very severe affliction of navicular in his feet that needs daily maintenence and careful monitoring along wiht regular vet visits and xrays. He has been seen by 8 vets over the course of the last 2 years, and every one of them has said his Xrays belong in a college study, they are amongst the worst these vets have seen. If his feet were out of the issue, I would expect him to live at least to 28-30, but when his ability to stay comfortable and walking in a pasture ceases, I will be put into a position to have to make a decision on him.
2007-07-29 03:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by AmandaL 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ponies routinely live longer than most horses and ponies into their mid to late 30's are not all that uncommon. Your's sounds like it's doing well so far, but reality is, he's getting older. The children will have to face the fact that he may get too old to ride in the near future. I've seen horses and ponies do very well all the way up to a year or so before they have to be put down. I have a 27 yr. old Arab who is doing just fine. He does trail trials, and gives a few lessons with children but for all intents and purposes is retired. With his relaxed life in the turnout with his horse friends, light riding and proper care, my horse, and your pony should keep going strong for years to come.
2007-07-29 12:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by gallianomom2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Quarter Horse Mare died at age 45 she was the poster girl for Purina Equine Senior. She passed 2 years ago.
My Appy Mare died last Feb at age 32.
I have two right now 22 and 24 sound and still showing a little.
I rode the Quarter Horse well into her 30's without any problems. You have take it easier and be more patient. I didn't show her anymore she was a gaming horse.
I rode the Appy a year after she was totally blind. My mare did really well but I had so many other horses to ride.
2007-07-29 11:20:31 · answer #5 · answered by Dixie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food many horses live beyond the age of 30 with good care. The average age is 28 + 5 years. Ponies tend to live longer with many ponies still serving as schoolmasters well into their 30's.
The oldest horse on record lived in Woolston, England & lived to be 62. Another lady in Ky. has one that's 52. So you never know.
2007-07-29 23:08:41 · answer #6 · answered by syllylou77 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My beautiful Star died last month age 29 and had been with me 20 years. She was still healthy and in work 3 times a week until March then started to go off her food and get thinner and thinner. She had liver failure, and I had to have her shot in the end before she started to suffer. My point is that horses that are healthy with no problems such as lameness go on and on being great and you think they will live for ever, but in the end their systems fail and they go quickly. So there is no way of knowing, he may be dead in 3 months or he may live another 10 years. Certainly keep riding him if he is fit and happy, and be thankful to have such an experienced pony for your children.
2007-07-29 10:42:40 · answer #7 · answered by florayg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 21 year old thoroughbred mare who still loves jumping, galloping and cross country, she is an ex racehorse who was badly neglected in the past, but she still has many years left in her. Surprising really, considering how TB's are usually weaker than most! If you are looking after your pony correctly (and it sounds like you are!), then he should go on well into his thirties. But remember, he is that bit older so you do have to look for the signs that you are doing too much with him, but he will tell you. Good luck and thank god for veteran horses and ponies, they are much more fun!!
2007-07-30 03:20:03 · answer #8 · answered by gemma_florida 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oldest horse we had was 38 when she died, and she would have lived longer if she hadn't slipped in the pasture and injured her back. My Arab/Saddlebred gelding is 21, and looks/acts like he's 8. I've never had experience with ponies, but they do tend to live longer than horses. I'd say that since the pony is healthy, he's got a fair few good years left.
2007-07-29 05:28:06 · answer #9 · answered by hockey_gal9 *Biggest Stars fan!* 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well the pony seems pretty fit and healthy. horses live to 30 normaly if they live a good life. Ponies can live to 40. So I'd say the pony has about 2-3 yrs left. but i could be wrong!
2007-07-29 00:10:19 · answer #10 · answered by Samii 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋