Is it true that cantering an older horse will break limbs?
I am loaning a gelding who is in his late teens/early twenties. He is a very good doer, but when i mentioned to someone at my riding school about him they said i couldn't do any canter work with him as he'd break his legs. This sounds slightly silly to me as i have no intention of running him into the ground and was only going to do five or ten minutes of canter per day. Is this true or just rubbish?
2008-03-12T19:08:44Z
He has been vetted and is fine except mild mud fever which is mostly healed. And she meant break like snap bones. And fortunately she's not an instructor or employee but she says she's been riding since she was ten so 11 years, and she said she's owned seven different horses and ponies. I did think it was strange as my 12.2 mare was jumping 90cms at 26 years.
Anonymous2008-03-12T07:38:32Z
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Has this gelding been vetted? Unless he has some exotic bone deficiency or disease going on that this "expert" knows about, then I wold think that the breaking of the "limbs he/she was referring to might be low hanging ones. Just a joke folks...Just be extra attentive when you try new or strenuous activity and make sure that he is fine before going on to the next phase in his training. When you do try something new with him, wait a couple of days for anything to show up before adding a new task...that way, if he does develop any issues, they will be isolated and easier to treat.
This is likely redundant of someone's answer because there are so many! Either way, I have two things to say. First, i have a horse who is in his mid-twenties (used to be a huge eventer, is now a schoolie) but he still LOVES to jump, never mind just cantering. He has way more energy than lots of horses one quarter his age, I think he would be really sad to retire, the minute you get on him he is pumped and ready to run, you need to really hold him back! Which leads up to pint number two; when you canter you horse does it feel like he is going to break under you? probably not. Use your judgment, if he is doing fine and is healthy and happy, why fear he is made of glass?
I have a 25 year old Arab/quarterhorse mare that I still canter. I don't gallop her and I don't canter her for long spells but I do ride her quite a bit at walk/trot and canter. I've never been concerned about her bones. I think that I'll know when she needs to slow down more. Horses are like people - if they have always done it, then they can continue with few worries as they age - use common sense.
The person at your riding school is an idiot. I hope she isn't an instructor! The level, speed and type of work you do with your horse is down to his own condition not just his age. My horses are kept at a rescue centre where we have horses well into their 20s who still compete over jumps including cross country. Our vet knows this and has no issues with it as they are in good health and thoroughly enjoy themselves. We have a pony there who is in his late 40s and can still manage a canter now and again with a small light rider.
It isn't true. I have a 22 year old PercheronxMorgan and I canter even gallop him sometimes. I use him for some light competitive trail. My main competitive trial horse is 11. Some of the people I compete against horses are about 21 and they are right up there with me! So who ever told you that doesn't know what they are talking about.