Q: Hey Juliet,
How old do you think is too old for a horse to be jumped? Specifically, the horse I ride is 22 yrs. old, and I'm worried that I can't ride him for much longer. Can you help?
A: Every horse is different, so that means that every horse is going to need to stop being ridden at different times. I would suggest making an appointment with your vet, and talking to her about whether or not you can continue to ride your pony. What she may say is that you can't jump as high, or ride for as long as you used too. Even if your veterinarian says that you can't ride your horse anymore, it's ok! You can still have tons of fun with him. If you can't get an appointment with the vet for a while, use your good judgement while riding your horse. Is he stiff? Does he seem to be in pain? Is he really struggling with the pace at which you're riding? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then dismount, and when you need to excersise your pony, opt for the lunge line or long walks until you can see the vet. And remember-old horses are anything but useless!
-Juliet J.
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