It’s no secret that we love senior horses here on HorseChannel. Some of them are safe, reliable teachers for beginning or nervous riders. Some are a calming presence in the barn. Others inspire us by remaining active and energetic (and sometimes very cheeky) well into their golden years.
You love senior horses, too, as indicated by the huge response we got when we asked you to share photos of your older ponies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Here are a few of our favorites.
“Meet Honey! She is 27 this year and still competes in and wins barrel classes! This was taken 4/30/2016.” – Mary Jo Singleton via Facebook
“My 20 yr old Quarab, Doc Holladay” – Katie Kyriazis via Facebook
“This is my horse Blaze on 4/22/2016, his 27th birthday. He was my Christmas present in 1995 when I was 10 years old! We have made a ton of memories in the 21 years I have had him with hopefully more to make in the years to come.” – Meagan Gore via Facebook
“This is my 26 year young Mustang named Rocket Man! He has been my best friend for 25 years now! He cattle sorts, trail rides and puts up with my daughter hanging off of him and doing whatever she wants!” – Meagan Gore via Facebook
“29 year old Quarter Horse gelding Snicklefritz Dell, or Calypso as he is known. My hunter, and best friend for 18 years!” – Janette Zeisig-Martin via Facebook
“Meet Max, my handsome 23 yo appendix #seniorhorse. He taught me the ropes and still teaches little kids the basics. He was my first best trail horse, and he’ll be with me for life.” – Abigail Smith via Facebook
“Don’t tell rainy she is 33. She plans on living forever. This photo taken just a couple of days ago on the trails. When she let a young rider ride Off the lead for the first time.” – Faith Oliver via Facebook
“Cinnamon will be 27 this year. We have been partners since we were both 9 years old. He’s always my old trusty.” – Brittany Green via Facebook
“Curly is our 25 year old Bashkir Curly Pony. He is a great therapy horse for kidos like Dakota who suffers from SPD and Autism.” – Bri Tarbell via Facebook
“Ricky is 28 this year, retired at 26. A wonderful gelding who tolerated all the love this little girl could give him” – Lisa Ross Christensen via Facebook
“Dino is 26. I still ride him no longer in competition but on the trail and in the arena!” – Sherry Koroknay Isom via Facebook
“My daughter’s former gymkhana horse. 25 year old STB Ozzy. Now my trail horse extrodinare!!” – Terry Lee Keynton via Facebook
“These 3 are all retired senior citizens (Silver, Profit and Jester). The bay (Profit) was my lesson horse when I was 12-15. I reconnected with him when I was 28 years old. He is in his 30s and is a happy OTTB” – Kristen Spendlove via Facebook
“My beautiful red boy. RIP Lil Caucasus stay 28 years young” – Sarah Greer via Facebook
“His name is Bo and he is 34. Love of my life!” – Bonnie McDaniel via Facebook
“Joe is a 23 year old tb gelding who is hands down the barn favorite!” – Sara Pifer via Facebook
“This is my borrow-horse, the ever so gorgeous 24year old Farika of Sweden.” – Karolina Sandgren via Facebook
“Gigolo Killean. My 21 year old standardbred. Most amazing horse I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing” – Kori MacCabe via Facebook
“Still winning ribbons at 22 years young! APHA (Appendix) Rapid Hit.” – Samantha Powell via Facebook