Such an indicator as the life of a horse plays an important role for the owner of the animal. Individuals valuable in terms of working qualities and origin are created conditions for the maximum possible extension of their life. Moreover, it is not the fact of the existence of an animal that matters, but its ability to bear offspring.
Average
The average life of a horse ranges from 20-40 years. This variation in numbers is explained by the conditions of detention, breed, heredity and the use of animals. Tribal ponies live up to 30 years, racehorses - up to 20, and among small ponies 40-year-olds are not uncommon, working horses can "hold out" up to 25 years. Only a few survive to such an advanced age.
| Horse breed | Life expectancy | Influencing factors |
| Sports | 7-15 | Constant exhausting workouts, competition stress |
| Workers | 18-20 | Repetitive work |
| Tribal | 20-25 | Increased care for valuable specimens |
| Pony | 40-45 | Calm measured life |
Of course, every owner of a valuable horse wants to see his pet in good physical shape as long as possible. Unfortunately, not all, even pedigree, horses kept in ideal conditions have time to grow old. Most of the livestock are simply culled due to the loss of economic value. This is due to injuries received during a sports career. Sometimes they are so serious that even young animals are euthanized.
Factors affecting lifespan
The life expectancy of a horse directly depends on the following factors:
- Containment conditions. A warm, dry, spacious stall with good clean bedding will protect the animal from many problems. Horses are afraid of dampness and drafts. Daily (at least two hours) exercise in a spacious levada will help to keep fit.
- Feeding. Constant free access to clean water, providing the animal with the necessary micro- and macroelements, vitamins, good quality feed are mandatory conditions for keeping a horse. A properly selected diet in accordance with the loads that it carries will help maintain the body in the right condition and provide energy to do the job.
- Breed. Ponies are considered centenarians. Among breeding horses, the Arabian breed holds the palm in terms of life expectancy (average). Its representatives often live up to 30 years.
- Work. The life of a horse can be significantly reduced by overwork. Too much draft effort, overstrain during training (horse racing, jumping, and others) can cause irreparable harm to the body. It is impossible to demand from a young, insufficiently prepared horse to perform tasks beyond its strength. This can lead to injuries, and they, in turn, will force the animal to be culled (sent for slaughter) as unsuitable for further use.
- Care. Daily brushing, post-workout bathing, hoof trimming and shoeing, timely preventive veterinary care and proper care in the event of illness all contribute to a comfortable and long life for the horse.
Workers
How long do horses carrying various workloads live on average (tillage, transportation of cargo, including packs), mainly depends on its owner. At home, a workhorse, as a rule, lives up to 20-25 years. The main reasons for shortening the life of an animal can be excessive stress, lack of rest, poor feeding, poor living conditions.
Heredity can also play a significant role in increasing life span. Aboriginal breeds more adapted to a particular climateenvironment, easier to tolerate physical activity and conditions of detention. Individual endurance also matters. It is the working horse that holds the record of longevity - 62 years, of which 58 years the horse carried physical activity - dragged barges along the river.
Tribal
How long breeding horses live on average depends both on the breed of animals and on their sports use. Arabian and Akhal-Teke are among the leaders, representatives of these breeds often live up to 30 years. The point is not only in the maintenance of horses, but also in genetic heredity. The endurance of animals of both breeds is legendary.
The conditions of high quality breeding horses are close to ideal. The stallions are kept individually, and the herd of mares receives the maximum possible care. The reproductive abilities of females and males can be preserved until old age. Breeders are interested in increasing the life expectancy of animals, income directly depends on this. Particularly valuable by origin, individuals are able to "get rich" of their owner.
Sporty breeding horses have a shorter age. Individual animals can live up to 30 years, but this is the exception rather than the rule. An example is the purebred Budynok, who lived for 32 years (born in 1926, fell in 1958). The famous Oryol trotter Kvadrat lived at the Moscow stud farm to the age of 30, leaving behind almost 600 heirs. A jumping mare named Halla (German horseman Hans Winkler rode on it), despite her rich steeplechase sporting career,triathlon, jumping, was able to live up to 34 years (1945-1979). After the end of her sports career, she gave birth to 8 he althy foals.
Intense training, constant stress at competitions lead to numerous injuries. The cause of death of the animal can be colic, pain syndrome, rupture of the lungs, cardiac arrest. In other equestrian sports, injuries are also not uncommon, especially in show jumping and triathlon. The average life expectancy of an athlete horse ranges from 18-20 years.
Horses that have shown outstanding results can count (if he alth permits) on a calm, secure old age. Very often, grateful owners are ready to support their pets to the end, despite significant financial expenses.
Wild
How long wild horses live in their natural environment largely depends on the climate zone. The mild and warm climate "gives" animals an extra 7-10 years of life. In the harsh northern latitudes, there is less chance of surviving a cold winter. In addition to weather conditions, predators, various diseases, accidental injuries, lack of sufficient food, wear and tear of hooves “participate” in natural selection. In nature, age horses are rarely found. The average life expectancy of "savages" does not exceed 15 years.
Determination of age
How to determine the age of a horse by the dental formula is known mainly to specialists. The number and quality of erupted teeth (milk or permanent), their degree of wear allow us to know the age of the animal with an accuracy of several months. When comparingthere may be discrepancies with horse birth documents, since January 1 is conventionally considered the date of birth for all horses all over the world. Even if the baby was born in December, from the new coming year he is considered a year old.
Visually and by external signs, you can see the venerable age of the horse:
- sagging back;
- gray hair near the eyes, in the mane, tail, on the chin;
- flabby muscles;
- presence of folds on the skin;
- thick joints;
- due to weakened muscles, the ears stand apart, and the lower lip noticeably sags;
- no vigor in motion.
By human standards
The age of horses in human terms is calculated as follows:
- first year equals 12 human years;
- second - to seven;
- third, fourth, fifth - 4 years each;
- all subsequent - 2.5 years each.
The recorded record is 62 years, which corresponds to 173.5 years of human age－a fantastic number. Horses grow up to 4-6 years old (depending on the breed), the peak of their physical abilities falls on the 9-year-old age. With the right maintenance, good working capacity is maintained until the age of 18-20.
Maintenance of older animals
The life span of a horse largely depends on the breed, purpose and conditions of detention. Compared even with the last century, the life expectancy of horses has increased markedly. According to American veterinary clinics over the past 20 years, the number of "patients"at the age of 20+ increased by almost six times. This suggests that animals are increasingly living to this age.
Most people think that old horses are necessarily thin and emaciated, but this is far from the case. Reduced physical activity and good care provoke obesity. When choosing a diet, this must be taken into account, as well as the condition of the teeth. With worn or damaged teeth, the horse is unable to chew. For such animals, a talker is prepared, roughage is excluded from the diet.
Keeping mature horses is a responsible matter. Horses need daily exercise in the fresh air. Veterinary examinations and procedures are required. If the animal is able to carry a little physical activity, it should be constant, not episodic (on weekends). The organization and operation of numerous shelters for elderly animals testifies to the displacement of exclusively consumer attitude towards them and the intention to extend the life of the horse.
