Supporting Locomotion, Mobility and Flexibility in Veteran Horses
- Gillian Higgins
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Looking after and managing an older horse is a real privilege, especially when he’s one we’ve known for many years and with whom we’ve shared so many memorable experiences. As our horses age, I believe we owe it to them to do everything we possibly can to keep them happy, healthy and comfortable well into their golden years.
Caring for a horse in his twenties and beyond involves many different considerations. These include how we feed him, how he is stabled and managed, hoof and dental care, ensuring suitable companionship, and providing appropriate, regular exercise. All of these elements become increasingly important as the body changes with age.
Having a knowledgeable and supportive professional team around you and your horse as he ages is invaluable, something I’ve experienced first-hand with my wonderful horse, Freddie Fox. Working closely with your vet, therapist, farrier, dentist and coach allows issues to be identified early and managed effectively.
“Looking after an older horse is a privilege, and we owe it to them to keep them comfortable, mobile and content well into their golden years.”
Recognising the Signs of Ageing
Ageing in horses can present in a variety of ways. Physical changes may include greying hair around the eyes, ears, forehead and muzzle; hollowing of the back; loss of muscle tone or condition; and general changes in posture. Declining muscle mass, combined with a lifetime of wear and tear on joints, ligaments and tendons, can lead to pain, discomfort, stiffness and an increased risk of injury.
It’s also important to watch for changes such as reduced appetite, difficulty eating, dental issues, stiffness, reduced mobility, or hormonal and metabolic conditions such as Cushing’s disease.
The longer a horse remains inactive, the harder it becomes for him to move easily and comfortably. This is one reason why appropriate movement is so important.
The Importance of Staying Active
It’s often said that when horses retire, they go downhill because they’ve lost their purpose. In my experience, activity is just as important for older horses as it is for younger ones. Regular movement supports joint health, muscle strength, bone density and overall wellbeing.
Horses, like people, age at different rates. Exercise needs vary depending on health, fitness and life history. A 20-year-old horse that has been active throughout his life may be far fitter and more capable than an 18-year-old who has done very little work. Individual assessment is key.
"Activity is just as important for older horses as it is for younger ones — movement is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing."
As Freddie aged, he initially retired from eventing, and we enjoyed the three phases separately. Eventually he retired from competition altogether, but for many years he thoroughly enjoyed hacking and fun rides, striding out with his head held high and ears pricked. In fact, he enjoyed a gentle ride right up until the month before he died.
Regular Assessment Is Key
Regular assessment is essential when deciding the type and amount of exercise appropriate for an older horse. I recommend routinely assessing posture and taking a photograph once a month to keep a visual record of changes over time. Tack fit should also be checked regularly, as an ageing horse’s shape will continue to change.
In addition to traditional assessments such as walking and trotting up in-hand or on the lunge, simply observing your horse in the field can provide a wealth of information. Watch how he grazes, how easily he moves, how he rolls, and how he gets up and down. Does he do this smoothly, or does he struggle?
Tripping is another important red flag. If a horse is regularly tripping, it may be time to question whether ridden work is still appropriate.
"Whatever your horse’s age, understanding what is normal for him is invaluable for spotting when something isn’t quite right."
Encouraging Movement in the Older Horse
Actively encouraging your horse to keep moving is incredibly important. Some active retirees may still be happy trotting, cantering and even popping a few small logs while out hacking. When ridden work is no longer comfortable, there are still many ways to promote movement, walking out in-hand, creating a track system rather than traditional turnout, or finding creative ways to encourage extra steps each day.
Veteran horses benefit enormously from turnout, companionship, grooming, massage, gentle stretching and regular walking in-hand. Wherever possible, avoid prolonged stabling. “Bed rest” can significantly reduce mobility and increase stiffness and discomfort. Movement supports circulation, digestion, mental wellbeing and musculoskeletal health.
As a general rule, older horses that are winding down benefit from exercising at least two to three times a week. The saying “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” is particularly relevant here.
As activity levels naturally decrease with age, it becomes even more important to keep older horses alert, mobile, comfortable and as agile as is realistically possible through an appropriate, varied movement and exercise regime.
"Remember – variety really is the spice of life."
Exercise sessions don’t need to be long to be effective. In fact, 10–15 minutes a day is often far more beneficial than a single longer session once a week.
Top Tips for Maintaining Mobility in the Veteran Horse
1. Walking Never underestimate the power of walk. On a consistent surface, this low-impact gait (with no period of suspension) supports spinal mobility, rotation and lateral flexion while minimising joint concussion. Keep the walk active and interesting with serpentines, circles of different sizes and figures of eight.
Discover more about how valuable the walk can be in our on-demand recorded webinar, The Biomechanics of Walk . Full of techniques and exercises to improve the gait and top tips too.
2. Walk Poles Pole work is a simple yet highly effective way to maintain joint mobility and coordination. Poles can be used on the ground or raised, laid in a straight line or fan. At Horses Inside Out, we loved walking Freddie over logs on the way to and from the field each day – a practical and enjoyable way to keep him mobile.
3. Water Work Walking or riding through water – whether at the beach, in a river or lake, or through a cross-country water complex – provides an excellent alternative to poles. It adds variety, increases joint mobility and keeps older horses mentally engaged.
4. Equine Pilates Exercises Gentle weight-transfer exercises that encourage controlled side-to-side or front-to-back movement, along with tail-based mobility exercises, are fantastic for supporting the musculoskeletal health of the older horse.
The Complete Pilates for Horses Programme gives you everything you need to confidently start using these hugely powerful and effective exercises that will make a real difference to your horse’s comfort, performance and well-being.
5. Basic Massage and Myofascial Release Simple massage and myofascial release techniques are invaluable for keeping muscles supple and warm, particularly in colder weather. They can help maintain range of motion, reduce stiffness and improve overall comfort.
The Online Massage Course for Horse Owners is a step by step guide that will give you the confidence and skills to massage your horse with soft tissue techniques that really make a difference to equine comfort, health and performance.
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