OLD AGE

Ponies don’t all age at the same rate. Some of this is due to genetics, and some to the care they have received throughout their lifetime. Ponies are, generally speaking, labelled as ‘senior’ when they reach the age of 15, but this is a massive generalisation, as many ponies remain youthful well into their mid-20s.

However, whatever the age, it is always worth checking your pony for signs of ageing, as the signs you see outside are usually mirroring changes that are happening on the inside, and these changes need to be thought of when planning your pony’s work schedule. Signs of ageing do not mean that your pony needs to retire, but just that he needs specific types of care for his stage in life. With proper care, attention, and consideration of your pony’s requirements and needs, many ponies can continue competing, even at an ‘old’ age.

Signs of ageing

Signs your pony is ageing include the growing of grey hair around the eyes and muzzle. This is much more obvious in ponies with a dark coat colour. Older ponies also lose some skin tone, and the skin almost feels ‘loose’. The hair may also become rougher, and the skin may feel thickened and dry under his coat. Skin wounds often also take longer to heal in the senior pony.

Some senior ponies develop a ‘choppy’ gait, resulting from weaker muscles and arthritic joints. In these ponies, maintaining a reasonable exercise regime is more important than ever. Another key sign of ageing is a dipped back. This is due to slack musculature in the area and is called lordosis or ‘sway back’. Some ponies suffer from it early on in life, so a dipped back is not a sign of old age on its own. However, newly developed dipped backs are generally caused by old age. In many ponies, the depression above the eye also becomes deeper. This is again caused by slack muscles. In older ponies, you can also expect energy levels to be lower, and warm-ups will definitely need to be longer, workouts more gentle, and aftercare will need to include joint care and maintenance.

A change in appetite can also develop with age, and older ponies can become very picky and attached to their routine. An older pony may need more food for energy, but we need to make sure they don’t become overweight. Teeth are an issue in ageing ponies – an older pony tends to have longer front teeth and may sometimes have worn or missing back teeth. A pony’s diet may need changing to make up for his poor teeth. By the time a pony reaches the age of 15, the groove on the outside of the teeth (Galvayne’s Groove) will almost wholly have grown out, and the teeth will look more sloped and slanted.

Final thoughts

Even if your pony doesn’t look old, there can still be changes happening inside. Pay close attention to your pony and make sure you spot the signs when they occur so that they can be managed. Managing your pony’s ageing process can give the two of you much more quality time together, and at least, in our opinion, there isn’t anything more important than that.