Results of a U.S. senior horse survey showed about 10% are used in competitions. Most U.S. senior horses (15+ years) are used for pleasure riding or are fully retired.1

The survey was undertaken by Dr. Amanda Adams (University of Kentucky), Dr. Michelle Coleman (University of Georgia), Dr. Patricia Harris (WALTHAM Equine Studies Group), Dr. Erica Macon (Texas A & M University), and Dr. Alisa Herbst (Rutgers University Equine Science Center).

Researchers took a closer look at senior horses still in competition in order to better understand their characteristics and needs. You can find the main points from this aspect of a larger senior horse study1 summarized below.

Characteristics of Competing Senior Horses and Their Owners

Competing senior horses were typically owned by equestrians whose horse ownership experience exceeded 10 years.2 About two-thirds of the owners of competing senior horses were hobby equestrians, while about one-third were equine professions who had earned over 50% of their wage from the equine industry at some point in their lives.2 

The majority of competing senior horses were between 15 and 20 years of age.2 Only 27% of horses older than 20 years were used in competition.2 That might be related to the decline in exercise capacity that has been reported to start in horses around 20 years of age.3,4

Most competing senior horses were geldings.2 This is in line with the general survey of the U.S. senior horse population. In that survey, geldings were also more common than mares.1

Quarter Horses were the most common breed still in competition. Thoroughbreds and Paints were next highest.2 The high representation of Quarter Horses could be a reflection of the Quarter Horse being the most common U.S. horse breed. 

Management and Competition Details

Competing senior horses were found to exercise more frequently and more intensely than senior horses used for pleasure riding.2 The average exercise frequency in competing seniors was about 4 times a week. The most common intensities were moderate (walk, trot, and canter) or high (galloping, high level competition training).2

When asked about the highest level of competition of their senior horses, nearly one-half of owners reported that their horse had competed at a “medium” level. About one-fourth competed at “lower” levels, and one-fourth at “higher” levels.2

A small group of horses (3%) was competing at the “highest/international” level, according to their owners. These horses ranged in age from 16 to 25 years.2

Overall, there was no significant difference in horse ages between the different competition levels. Dressage was the most common competition discipline for senior horses. This agrees with previous reports from other countries.

Health Care and Status

Competing senior horses were found to have a lower risk of receiving inadequate preventive veterinary care compared to senior horses used for pleasure riding or retirees.5

Similarly, competing senior horses were found to be at a lower risk of inadequate farrier attendance compared to retired or pleasure horses.

According to their owners, about one-half of competing senior horses were affected by a veterinary-diagnosed medical condition at the time of the survey.2 The most common condition was osteoarthritis, followed by gastric ulcers.

Osteoarthritis also appears to be the most common medical condition in U.S. senior horses in general.5 This highlights that this condition is a major issue in senior horses irrespective of their primary use.

No matter their age, horses in competition are often exposed to a variety of risk factors for gastric ulcers. This which might explain why gastric ulcers were the second-most-common medical condition.2

Final Words

Overall, this study found that the medical conditions reported in competing senior horses were a mix of those commonly seen in senior horses in general as well ass in younger competing horses. The researchers speculated that this could increase the complexity of their management.2

References

  1. Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass in US senior horses. Alisa C. Herbst, Michelle C. Coleman, Erica L. Macon, Aviv Brokman, Arnold J. Stromberg, Pat A. Harris, Amanda A. Adams. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2023.
  2. Demographics and health of US senior horses used in competitions. Alisa C. Herbst, Michelle C. Coleman, Erica L. Macon, Patricia A. Harris, Amanda A. Adams. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2024.
  3. Owner‐reported health and disease in US senior horses. Alisa C. Herbst, Michelle C. Coleman, Erica L. Macon, Patricia A. Harris, Amanda A. Adams. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2024.
  4. Effects of ageing and training on maximal heart rate and VO2max. C.L. Betros, K.H. McKeever, C.F. Kearns, and K. Malinowski. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2002. 34(S34): p. 100-105.
  5. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) in horses: a retrospective study to identify the age-related decline. A. Walker, S.M. Arent, and K.H. McKeever. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2009. 6(4): p. 177-181.

Further Scientific Reading

Further Content

senior horse competition infographic
  • Alisa Herbst, PhD
    Alisa Herbst, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Associate at Rutgers University. She earned her Phd from the University of Kentucky with her dissertation Muscle Mass and Immune Function in the Senior Horse.
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