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Retired & Pastured

Horse jumping in a horse show.
How Old Is Too Old for a Horse to Compete?
July 2, 2026
⎯ Christa Lesté-Lasserre
Consider your individual horse's behavior, health, and riding discipline when deciding if and how often to keep showing.
Women grooming her horse in the stable.
How Are Owners Caring for Senior Horses? German Survey Offers Insights
June 8, 2026
⎯ Christa Lesté-Lasserre
The survey results reveal patterns in management practices and might inform future research or discussions on care strategies for older horses.
pasture horses grazing
Is Your Horse's Pasture Safe?
April 29, 2026
⎯ Nancy S. Loving, DVM
Pasture turnout is good for horses, but owners must take precautions to ensure turnout areas are safe.
Pferd sucht frisches Gras
6 Senior Horse Myths
April 17, 2026
⎯ Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS
The equine aging process is sometimes misunderstood. In this article, we debunk six common myths about senior horses.
Haflinger Pferd in der Natur, Senior , isoliert HQ 300 DPI
When Is a Horse Considered Old?  
March 31, 2026
⎯ My Senior Horse Editors
Various factors influence how horses age, including their breed and individual health status.
Visibility age 16
Giving Older Horses a Second Chance
March 18, 2026
⎯ Alexandra Beckstett
Inside the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center’s work with senior and companion horses.
older horse retired in field mountains
Planning Retirement for an Older Horse
January 14, 2026
⎯ Merry Smith, MA, VetMB, PhD, DipECVS, AECVDI, MRCVS
It is essential to plan for what your older horse's life will look like when he needs to step down from ridden work.
Eating hay in the snow
Understanding Horses’ 3 Fs: Friends, Forage, and Freedom
January 9, 2026
⎯ Nic de Brauwere, MRCVS
An easy way to remember our horses’ priorities is with the Three Fs: Friends, Forage, and Freedom. Here's how Redwings Horse Sanctuary meets these needs for their herd.
as horses get old they show specific signs
When Do Owners Consider Horses Old?
December 18, 2025
⎯ My Senior Horse Editors
Survey results shed light on when owners consider their horses ‘old’ and how that affects management. 
older horse management and care autumn herd
Assessing Quality of Life in the Older Horse
November 13, 2025
⎯ Merry Smith, MA, VetMB, PhD, DipECVS, AECVDI, MRCVS
Check out these tips for assessing quality of life in older horses and determining when it might be time to say goodbye.
horses and ponies manage PPID
Developing a Feeding Plan for Your PPID Horse or Pony
November 4, 2025
⎯ Patricia A. Harris, MA, PhD, VetMB, DipECVCN, MRCVS
Use these tips when setting up a feeding and management plan for a horse or pony with PPID, also known as Cushing's disease.
retirement horse grazing autumn in article about equine retirement tips
5 Considerations for Equine Retirement
October 7, 2025
⎯ Clare Barfoot, RNutr
Just as we plan for our own retirement, we should consider when it is time for our beloved horses to do less or retire completely.
gray senior horse woman girl in barn
When Is a Horse Considered ‘Senior’?  
September 16, 2025
⎯ Clare Barfoot, RNutr
Treat senior horses as individuals, and monitor them for signs of physical or social issues. 
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How to Throw a Retirement Party for Your Horse
July 22, 2025
⎯ Alexandra Beckstett
When 28-year-old Scotty retired from his long-held position as a saintly lesson horse, his owner threw a celebration. Here’s how to honor the special horses in your life when it’s time for them to retire....
sleep deprivation REM sleep horse laying down
My Senior Horse Podcast: Equine Sleep Deprivation
July 1, 2025
⎯ Kimberly S. Brown
Dr. Amy Polkes helps us understand sleep deprivation and narcolepsy and how they can affect senior horses.
aged gray donkey how long horse donkey mule live
How Long Can a Horse, Pony, Donkey, or Mule Live?
June 30, 2025
⎯ Kimberly S. Brown
In this article, we take a look at the records, and the averages, for how long the normal horse, donkey, or mule can live.
herd feeding separate dominate horses
Feeding a Horse Herd to Avoid Fights
June 3, 2025
⎯ Nancy S. Loving, DVM
Here are tips to help you keep the food fights at a minimum during feeding time for your horse herd.
senior horse rider looking in horse mouth
Clinical Challenges for Senior Horses: Perspectives from an Equine Practitioner in Denmark
January 3, 2025
⎯ Nanna Luthersson, DVM
An equine practitioner from Denmark discusses the issues she sees in senior horses and offers tips for managing older equids.
older horse with woman
The Complexities of Caring for Our Older Horses
December 23, 2024
⎯ Coby Bolger
There is a lot that goes into keeping older horses happy and healthy through their active years and into retirement.
31-year-oldsenior horse in pasture
My Senior Horse Podcast: Senior Horse study
November 16, 2024
⎯ Kimberly S. Brown
About 40% of senior horses in the U.S. study were retired, and two-thirds were affected by a medical condition.
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How Long Can a Horse, Pony, Donkey, or Mule Live?
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