Almost three years ago I retired my now almost 18 year old APHA gelding from the show ring after a long career traveling all over the country to attend shows chasing year end points and competing in everything from trail to western pleasure to halter. When I made the decision to retire him it wasn’t because he had health issues, it simply came to a point where it was time for a change of pace and my life shifted some so I couldn’t chase points every weekend like I had been doing. I was concerned about my adjustment to the ‘retired’ status as it was really a way of life for Rocki and I March-November every year, but I was also worried that the smart, inquisitive gelding that I owned would be bored out of his mind. He was one of those horses who loved to travel and show so I knew it would be an adjustment for both of us.
The first season was rough, but I eventually found other outlets for my horse activities that frankly didn’t cost as much as it did to show. We found ourselves going out on more trail rides at the barn (which he loved) and it gave him something new to be stimulated by rather than just being worked in a ring every day. I also found that it was still important to keep him in shape, even if he wasn’t competing so I tried to ride as regularly as I could (usually 2-3 times per week) to keep his muscle tone and to keep him from getting so bored in his pasture that he got himself into trouble. In addition to riding I would also lunge and brush him as often as I could get to the barn so that he had the human interaction too. This seemed to really benefit him rather than just tossing him out in a field and not interacting with him at all (who am I kidding, it also helped me not miss showing so much!).
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In addition to the new casual, trail riding and occasional ring work that I have been doing these past few years, I have also realized that in order for him to stay engaged was to also make sure his health stayed in check. I could see him start to slow down at times, where in the past he would have maybe thrown me a buck or two on a lungeline, but now you could see he was a bit more laid back and thoughtful about overdoing himself. I have re-visited his supplement program several times and recently I switched him to SmartCombo Senior and SmartDigest Ultra. Rocki was previously getting SmartFlex Senior and SmartDigest Ultra after I retired him, but the added benefit of Omega 3’s and hoof support just made sense with his age and what I was seeing from him.
There are times when I wonder if I made the right decision to retire Rocki when I did from showing, but I have to admit when I am able to just throw my work saddle on him and not worry about dressing in a dreadfully hot show shirt and chaps in the middle of the summer and just ride around without a care in the world, that has become just as exciting to me. I can’t say that I will never go back to showing, but I am glad I have been able to take a hiatus for a while and enjoy my gelding in a totally different way.
I love that you’re spending “quality” time with your boy. My daughter’s TB gelding Monty is 33 and has been retired for 4 years now. Yes, you read that right. She still rides/lunges him on a regular basis. He too is on the Smart Senior Combo and a few additional things we add to the mix. He is very healthy and no one believes his age! He is slowly slowing down. He looks and feels very young, so we’ll enjoy it as long we can. We’ll let Monty keep his youthful stride as long as possible. Enjoy your sweet baby!
This is so nice to read. I retired, my now 30 year old gelding at the age of 22 from showing. I was on the same page where he needed a change of pace and he was no longer happy showing as much as I wanted to and I purchased a younger horse to take the pressure off of him. I see so many people that just toss their retired horses in fields and they end of passing away at what I feel is an early age. People are always surprised when I tell them that I ride my gelding 2-3 times a week. I always I ask, unless your horse was retired due to lameness, why wouldn’t you still be riding them? It keeps them so happy. I am glad to see there are other horse people that feel the same way I do!
I have a 14 year old Haflinger gelding that I enjoy trail riding and driving. I hope to enjoy him for many years. I have been using SmartPak SmartFlex maintenance and SmartShine Ultra. I want to do the right things to keep him healthy and looking and feeling good. I always get compliments on how well my horse looks. With SmartPaks help and a good diet and exercise I hope we won’t have to think of retirement for many many years.
Thanx for a great story. My 32 year old gelding competed in hunter/jumper shows most of his life, had a very competitive spirit and was eager to show his stuff. At 27 years we did our last show. He was ready for a change…no longer an eager competitor. I ride him about twice a week in the arena and gentle, non-physically taxing trails and I think in addition to spending quality personal time with him, it helps keep him healthy mentally and physically. He has some arthritis issues and his teeth are pretty worn down, but I’ve been able to keep him comfortable and his tummy full with nutra cea rice bran and safe choice senior feed, and a beet pulp mixture and he gets pentosan injections monthly. In addition to my riding him, he gets plenty of turnout with another older gelding and he has a stall with a run next to other horses with stalls and runs. A social guy, he also enjoys having other horses nearby. As a fellow blogger put it, I will enjoy my sweet baby as long as possible.
My 16 year old Connemara/Shire gelding Aramis is the love of my life. I’ve owned horses for the majority of my 53 years but he is truly a wonderful guy. Aramis has been evented, driven, foxhunted, been Pony Clubbed, shown Eng/Wes, trail ridden, done everything. He’s rehabbing from a check ligament injury so is on small paddock confinement until spring with my mini donkey as a companion. I spend a lot of evenings in the barn grooming Aramis which helps keep us connected.
Aramis is on Smart Digest Ultra, Smart Calm Ultra and Smart Tendon (I think that’s the name…) He is a SmartPaker for sure having been on MANY of the SmartPak supplemnts over the years.
My plan is to introduce friends and their children to riding in the arena when Aramis gets the green light from the vet. He will no longer event and do the many activities he used to but will do lighter work with lots of new friends. I am even planning to try Horse Agility. Aramis is so kind. I would NEVER thrown him out in the pasture to be ignored!
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing your (and Rocki’s) story. I adopted a gelding from a place I boarded my horses before I built my own place. He had a long career as a jump and lesson horse. My vet estimates he’s +/-25 years old, so I want to make sure I’m providing him not only the proper nutrition but also a good exercise program for his age. He gets his daily grooming, but he still likes to get out and work 2-3 times a week. I let him tell me what he’s up for on any given day. We’ll start in the arena to warm up his joints and muscles. If he feels like a little trot, we trot. If he feels up for a short canter we do a little of that. Keeping his mind engaged with simple dressage patterns for 20-30 minutes is one way we like to start. Then we’ll head out for a little trail ride. He’s a joy to have around.
Non-horse people always inquire as to the lifespan of horses. My response has always been that it depends on the care they receive. I raised my 19 year old mare from a yearling and she’s been on SmartPak supplements about 10 years. We no longer compete, but we still ride about 4x a week. Several weeks ago, my vet gave her a checkup for her mortality insurance renewal. He said she was in great shape and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she could easily live at least another 10 years. He made special note of the fact that her eyes were crystal clear, with no signs of degeneration or cloudiness that is often seen in horses her age. She’s never had a systemic illness, and I believe that SmartPak supplements have contributed to her good health and body condition. When visitors to the barn see us ride, they are astounded to learn that she’s 19 years old because she looks and moves like a much younger horse. My new horse is an 11 year old American Warmblood gelding who is also getting SmartPak supplements, and I look forward to many years of enjoyment with both of my equine partners.