Is my horse too old for liberty?

I often get asked the question if you can start liberty with an older horse, and the answer is HECK YES!!

Liberty can be AMAZING for older horses, and it's super rewarding to work with them in this way. Here's why:

1. It keeps them physically active without pushing them past their limit

Liberty provides older horses with the CHOICE of whether to participate and how much effort to put in. This means that our senior friends, who have arthritis or other ailments, can stay active but not be pushed over their limit.

[I think it’s prudent to emphasize here that I am talking about the type of liberty that is actually based on choice… not the type that is based on obedience where the horse is pressured if he tries to leave you or say no. If you would like to know more about this, I discuss it in the recently released free masterclass! You can watch it here ]

2. Some older horses have never experienced this type of training with humans

Many horses go through their lives doing as they are told and never feeling truly in control over what happens to them. This can be an incredible way to give back to our older horses that have spent their lives serving us. Go into each session and ask your horse, “What do YOU want to do today?” … and watch them come alive!! It is truly heartwarming to see the spark in their eyes.

However, it can take a little while to convince them that they actually do have a choice, but it's so worth it!

3. It keeps them mentally stimulated

Horses are pretty happy just being horses, particularly if they have forage, freedom, and friends in their daily lives and they are not stabled 24/7 or in any discomfort or ongoing stress. However, giving them little puzzles to do during your interactions together is not only fun for both of you, but it can help keep their minds active and fresh.

4. It’s a way for you to continue to “do” things together

When your horse retires from being a ridden horse, there are still ways that you can spend time together that are fun and engaging! Liberty is a fantastic way to do that.

And yes, you CAN teach an older horse new things! Just because they are older does not mean they are stuck in their ways. Older horses are still fully capable of learning.

However, the exercises that you choose for your horse will vary depending on their physical health. If you are unsure, ask your veterinarian and equine physiotherapist for advice as to what exercises would be okay and what to avoid for your individual senior friend.

Here are some exercises that I find to be generally “safe” for most older horses:

• Initiation of contact exercise
• Introduction to food rewards (giving space and finding stillness)
• Moving together at the walk - gentle curves, gentle/wide changes of direction, and gentle weaving through markers on the ground
• Walking over ground poles
• Front foot or both feet on a mat/mark on the ground
• Target of the front leg to raise and then develop into a low, gentle Spanish walk
• Little tricks like smile, touch, pick up an object and bring it over etc.

However, if your horse is doing well for their age and has minimal physical issues, he/she may be happy and able to do more!

My beautiful thoroughbred mare, Calli, is 20 years old this year, and we have been together for 16 years! She used to be a racehorse, so unfortunately, she is riddled with arthritis, but her mind is still bright, active, and happy! When she was younger, her forte was jumping, and she could soar over 1.4m at liberty!

These days, we walk around the jumps… but she still gets so excited whenever it’s her turn for her session, and she is always nickering non-stop as we go through some gentle exercises to keep her mind and body happy! On the day of this photo, we were doing some gentle in-hand exercises to keep her strong and supple in her body. Then I took the cavesson off and let her have a roll in the sand, which she LOVES!

I hope that gives you some inspiration and ideas :)

Have a wonderful week and see you in the academy soon!

- Nadine & Calli (Equus Empeiria's Senior Supervisor)