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  Discussion on Life expectancy of horses
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Member:
Apcohrs

Posted on Monday, Dec 30, 2002 - 4:18 pm:

Is there anyplace where I could find out the average life expectancy of various breeds, occupations, and lifestyles of horses?

I know as a general rule of thumb that a pony lives longer than a horse, who in turn should live longer than draft horse.

I know modern worming practices has increased lifespan drastically. I think I know being out on good pasture increases lifespan (decreases colic).

Any statistics out there on these topics?
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Monday, Dec 30, 2002 - 5:54 pm:

Hi, Ann,
I can't give you any official statistics. I'm sure there are people who can, but I can tell you that I read a few years ago, that the oldest documented age of a horse was 62 years of age. Also, in talking with the Budweiser folks in New Hampshire and with the Hallamore Clydesdale people, it seems that the draft breeds live until their late teens or twenties.
Of course, many, many horses never get a chance to live until their respective "old ages," due to their owners sending them off to auction. I have a 40 year old Appy who was almost dead when I got him and who was on his way to the butcher . . . . he made the most amazing recovery and is my best lesson horse . . . . he has smooth mouth (no grinding surfaces on his molars) so eats complete feed pellets soaked in water . . . . and pumpkins . . . he LOVES pumpkins . . . . and he quids the hay . . . gets it started for the other guys :-)
My personal guess would be that race horses and jumpers would break down first, then maybe reiners with all their sliding stops and spins, but I have also seen many dressage horses with hock/stifle/hip lamenesses. . . . I attribute it more to the intensity and repetition of the movements that are drilled and drilled for show purposes rather than to the movements themselves.
And, yes, I think that ponies must live the longest . . . . probably because of their orneriness . . . . just kidding. I have a cutest little POA . . . smart as a whip . . . and just as cocky now as they day I got him . . . . I imagine he'll outlive me!
Interesting question, Ann. I will be looking for the input of our fellow HA subscribers.
Holly
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Monday, Dec 30, 2002 - 6:56 pm:

A very dear friend of mine has a QH, Whitey that is approx. 42 years old. Her father gave him to her when she was in her early 20s. He doesn't see or hear too well, but his eating is fine. The other "youngsters" at her ranch show him a lot of respect. He does, however have the body of a tall cow;)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002 - 3:05 pm:

I do not know anywhere that it is broken down by breed but read recently that the average life span of light full size horses has risen to 27 years. My experience suggests that ponies live longer and drafts less on average.
DrO
Member:
Apcohrs

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002 - 3:20 pm:

Reason I asked is that I recently ran into two statements that made my jaw DrOp:

Some idjit said that feral horses lived twice as long as domesticated horses (course if you bought her potion, your horse might live as long as wild horsies, too!) To the best of my feeble memory, feral mares live about 6 years!

THEN I ran into a statement on a rather knowledgable forum that german sport horses had an average lifespan of about 7!!!! IF true, perhaps lack of turnout in Europe is a contributing factor?? But I find it hard to believe.
Member:
1sally

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 1, 2003 - 7:02 am:

I read a couple of years ago, that full size light breeds live to be 28 with stallions the longest lived, mares came in 2nd and geldings last. Additionally, Arabs were the longest lived probably because they are amongst the smallest of the full size breeds.
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 1, 2003 - 10:08 am:

An interesting question. I have two neighbors, one lost a horse recently that he believed was in his early forties, another was told by her vet that her mare was in her late thirties.

Regarding the German sporthorse. I have a hard time believing that statement. I know of several famous sporthorses that competed successfully in their late teens, before being retired from competition. Most recently, Ludger Beerbaum's Retina Z, who was retired at age 17. I had German instructors when I first started to ride, and they always put the horse's welfare first.
Lilo
Member:
Chrism

Posted on Thursday, Jan 2, 2003 - 10:58 am:

I started riding in Germany in the '60s. Most of our school horses were all in their 20s and some nearly 30. We did dressage and jumping and trail riding. We competed on them. Most were worked 2 lessons a day and had at least Monday if not a second day off each week. Some were more talented and much more student friendly. Others were quite a handful and only for the better riders.

We had all breeds in the stable, including TB, Arab as well as the conventional European WBs.

One of the best lesson horses was a 25+ yo Lipizzan(sp? my spelling is terrible) gelding. He also had a capriole he'd offer at times on a nice out door ride in the spring. You'd better be ready! I won several ribbons on him. He was of the Maestoso (again, my spelling is lacking)lineage.

On show days, we'd get up very early and ride the horses about 5 mi to the show grounds around a beautiful old castle! Each horse would be shown by 2 juniors in two classes, at a minimum. When not being ridden, they were tied on a line, like western horses. Finally the 2nd riders would ride them home that night or the next day after showing again if it was a 2 day show!

So, perhaps the comment is out of context, or relative to the "competition" life at the uppermost levels?

My own mare turns 20 this year and is going strong. She is currently doing a few steps of piaffe reliably, improving her mediums, and working on counter canter, hopefully leading to flying changes. She is worked 4-5 days a week for an hour and loves her job. There is no doubt in my mind she is miffed if we miss a few days due to weather, etc. 1 or 2 of those weekly rides are as a school mistress in a lesson.

She is not as competitive in the show ring as she once was, but we are often in the hunt when I decide to show. My love is not really showing, but the daily riding and learning.

Age and experience has made her infinitely more reliable as a ride. Perhaps the same combination has made me a better rider!

I love my "older mare" and enjoy every moment we have together. She has been my teacher horse - I had to learn to be a better rider to be able to ride her! It has been a slow, educational road.

Cheers.

Member:
Equus

Posted on Thursday, Jan 2, 2003 - 1:19 pm:

I agree with Christine that the quip your read about German sport horses probably referred to the performance lifespan of the horse rather than the actual lifespan of the horse. On average European warmbloods are started late and retired early. So competing at age seven and retiring in the early teens is normal...a seven year span.

If it referred to the actual lifespan the German imports would never gain the incredible prices they command and would never have time to train enough to compete as successfully as they do.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 - 9:55 pm:

A friend was discussing with his co-workers the subject of horse years in comparison to people years. It seems that I have heard it repeatedly said that "One dog year is equal to 7 people years." Is there a "rule of thumb" for horse years?

Thank you.
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 1:50 am:

I believe the "rule of thumb is one horse year is equal to 4 people years. EO
Member:
Rjbraun

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 8:50 am:

For all my years I was told 1year equal 3years to people checked with my Vet. he said the same.Bob
Member:
Christos

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 9:17 am:

Holly,
You just divide the life expectancy of the person in mind with the life expectancy of the horse in mind. That will give you an average of 3,5-4 years.
However, different horses mature and live in very different ways. I believe that there's great benefit from treating and understanding each horse as an individual, rather than thinking on a rule of thumb basis.
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 9:58 am:

Check out this web site (it's long):

https://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:k3jBvDye5gcJ:www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/as dsvm/Beef%2520cattle/2003MarApr.pdf++horse+human+equivalent+years&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 11:45 am:

Thank you to all who contributed here, especially to you, Nadia, for the web-site. Very interesting breakdown of horse years to people years. I was thinking my 40 year old must have been near 100+ in people years . . .
Thank you.
Member:
Paix

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 12:12 pm:

Its relative - as most things - for dogs:

An example of "rule":

A 5 year old giant breed dog would be:
(5-1) x 7 +16 = 44

A 5 year old small breed dog would be:
(5-1) x 4 + 16 = 32 in human terms

Mixed breeds live longer - (rescue a mix!)

https://www.metpet.com/Reference/Dogs/Basics/dog_vs_human_ages.htm

Horses, again, its relative - the link given by Nadia is a good reference tool.

My horses have lived to their mid-thirties. Some still chompin at the bit til their last days and others left to graze and do as they please.

Most of the horses Ive had have been 16hh or above, 12-1400lbs.

Today I have a 24 y/o 16hh 12-1300Lb QH - On the health continuum - hes very hi (healthy) - never a colic or even a bad cold since Ive had him in 13 years. I am the second owner and he was a little girls first colt to raise and learn to ride.

I know he will go 10+ more yrs!

I have my first DraftX, Ill be interested to see his life span. He had a very rough abusive first 3 years and is a PMU rescue - which we know are lucky to get mother's milk for maybe 2 months.

With all his verve and brio, I think he has a good chance for a long life - at the same time, I cant take away the lack of good nutrition and extreme stress of his first 3 years and how that will affect longevity.

Horses are living longer on average bc of better medical intervention, more knowledge of nutrition, etc. All for the same reasons we are living longer.


Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquillity to troubled souls - they
give us hope!
- Toni Robinson
Member:
Caroltd

Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2004 - 12:34 pm:

Toni: You couldn't have said it better, especially the peace and tranquillity..even for the relatively non troubled. Thanks. Carol
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