Senior competitors are magnificent creatures, and they are often some of the best horses at an event. In this podcast, we talk to Tracy Turner, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR (Equine), about senior competitors. He is the co-owner with his wife, Julia Wilson, DVM, DACVIM, of Turner Wilson Equine Consulting. Turner is also the president-elect of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Turner and Wilson are also involved with the Equitarian Initiative.

Turner’s Equestrian Competition History

Turner was in private equine practice for decades. During his tenure, he was involved as an attending veterinarian or a veterinary official and numerous U.S., North American, and international equestrian competitions.

He has worked at two Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games, one show jumping world championship, and five Pan American Games.

Senior Competitors

Turner said that many horses ages 15 and older have competed—or are still competing—at the upper levels. He said in one recent top-level show jumping competition, there were 32 horses, and five of them were older than 15.

“I’m absolutely convinced that these horses love doing this,” he said.

There have been—and are—many world-class horses still competing at age 15 and older. Turner was mostly involved with showjumping. He fondly remembers some horses he met through the years that were over 15 and became favorites of his to watch: McLain Ward’s horses Sapphire and HH Azur; Martin Fuch’s Clooney 51; Peder Fredrickson’s H&M All In; and Beezy Madden’s Cortez C. “These were all multiple medal winners and retired when at the highest level of sport,” said Turner. 

“It’s so much fun to watch them work and everything,” said Turner. “And even a few of the horses that I have known I get to check in on and ask how they are doing in retirement.”

Seniors At the Events

When asked what is different—if anything—about senior competitors compared to their younger counterparts, Turner said they are the old pros.

“I remember we were at the Olympics, and there is lots of excitement,” Turner recalled. “You can’t even walk down the shedrow without feeling the excitement around the place. And this one horse is in a stall laid out, snoozing away, going ‘Don’t bother me. Come back later.’

“To the pros, it’s just another day,” he said. “They know they don’t have to compete for a while, so ‘Leave me alone.’ They have learned to take care of themselves.

“They are tuned in to what is going on, and it’s like they are saying ‘Don’t waste your energy. Just go about your day, relax, eat.”

Turner said he has a lot of respect for the grooms. “They know every little idiosyncrasy and what mood the horse is in.

He added that often the senior horses know the routine of an event better than anyone else. “Two hours out we do this. When this starts, then the competition’s coming up,” he explained.

Senior Competitors Between Competitions

Turner said between competitions, the older competitors might get a few more massages. Or the senior horses might get the massage blanket or PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) blanket on. They also might get their feet in poultices or ice for awhile.

“Anything and everything that it takes to [make them] feel good,” said Turner. He added they might even get the therapeutic ultrasound out for some deep tissue massage.

“It’s the life of a high-class athlete,” he noted. “They get all the best treatment, and it’s all done just to make them feel better.”

Turner said that veterinarians will talk to owners, trainers, and riders to understand what the horse might need. And the older horses get examined every day. Then he said the team makes a plan for what to do to make sure the horse is healthy and happy.

The only glitch is if something happens, like a cut or colic. “Otherwise, everything should be planned out so that the pre-competition, during competition, and post-competition stuff is all figures out in advance,” he said.

He said being behind the scenes at a competition, he gets to watch the trainers, grooms, veterinarians, and therapists who work with these horses. And they know what each horse likes and doesn’t like.

Final Words

Turner said 30 is the new 20 in the horse world. He said these equine professional athletes are well cared for, know and enjoy their activities, and can stay competitive longer.

So for those of us who have seniors, we can understand that our horses often like to be active, even if they might slow down or drop in competition levels as they age.

Editor’s note: Read the article about senior horses in the 2024 Olympics.

Check out our other My Senior Horse podcasts here.

Learn more about Dr. Tracy Turner here.