Tag: Senior Horse

We post a lot of content every year on YourDressage, and sometimes stories may fly under the radar simply due to the volume of...

The pain of saying goodbye to a beloved horse By Allison Fonke Blough Photos courtesy of Allison Fonke Blough Anyone who has cared for a senior horse...

But he was kind and gentle, and didn’t take advantage of the fact that I had only 6 months of riding under my belt when I tried him out.  He must have had a good feeling too, because he hung out with me at his stall when the rescue director and I were talking particulars. “Funny, he must like you, he typically stands in the stall with his butt facing the door.”  So home he came with me.

Those of us who have been bitten by the horse bug know that our partnerships with these wonderful creatures are as essential as breathing. All of them have their own special qualities and lessons to teach us, and having any opportunity to ride is a tremendous privilege. That said, once in a very long while, if you are extremely lucky, you get a partnership with a horse that will change the trajectory of your life.  Spree is one of those magic horses.

We are celebrating the special horses in our lives that are ages 20 & up all month long through October. We recently asked our...

Practically Perfect Tigger would never inconvenience anyone, therefore, I am certain he was born at a very civilized hour.  He would have immediately started gathering admirers with his flashy knee-high socks, beautiful chestnut coat, and his adorable blaze that accentuates his soft, expressive chocolate brown eyes.

Don’t discount senior horses just for their age; senior horses have a lot to give. Barring any serious health concerns there’s no reason a horse can’t happily work well into their twenties, and even thirties, with careful management.

My love affair with Arabians and Half Arabians started when I was in kindergarten and taking lessons at a local program. Arabians are known for being spirited horses, with great athleticism. Arabians are also prized for their wisdom, kindness, and generosity. As a teen, I had plenty of athleticism of my own, but I lacked a few key things that I would need as an adult to be successful and happy.

If I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t begin Ginger’s dressage career earlier on. I am a petite adult, but riding a 12.2hh pony, so you can imagine the looks I get sometimes. I used to let this get in the way of taking ourselves seriously as competitors, but my little pony has more heart and try than any horse I have ever sat on.

Legatto is such a gentle old soul, working with anyone from beginners to experienced riders. In September of 2019, Legatto and I started training at Fourth Level, a level I could never have dreamed of riding. Both Legatto and I loved the new challenges, and as such, signed up for our first sanctioned show at Fourth Level, in October, only a month into riding together.