How Much Should You Ride an Older Horse?

Many people wonder what workload an older horse can maintain. Can it be ridden the way it always has been, should you give it a less-rigorous workload, or should an older horse be ridden at all? Chances are unless your horse is very frail and elderly, your horse will benefit from light work regularly.

Exercise With Your Senior Horse

Regular light exercise will help your horse maintain its health.1 Your horse might not be as agile, nor as supple, as in its younger days, so keep this in mind. A horse that has worked all of its life, however, may not benefit from becoming a complete pasture potato either.

Sliding stops, all-day trail ride/drives, or jumping may have to go by the wayside, but regular light riding may be beneficial. Just as with human seniors, exercise can help keep its muscles strong and its joints flexible.

Many people are only able to ride our horses on the weekends, but your senior horse would probably be