You're only as old as you feel--- and that goes for your horse as well!

And that's not all; one of these record-breaking animals was an Arabian/Quarter Horse cross named Elmer Bandit, who is 37 years old! WOW!

This may surprise many readers, horse-owners and others alike. All too often, horses over 20 are considered "past" any kind of performance events, or even past being ridden, but that is far from the case. My own daughters all learned to ride on an old black gelding who was over 25 when we got him. He was going strong well into his thirties. A friend of my daughter's, who was a serious barrel rider (and who later went on to become New Mexico State Fair Queen) was busy turning in some blazingly fast times in barrel racing on a horse who was well up into his 20's. And there was another 4H project horse, or pony, really,  who was pretty much legendary in our Bosque Farms 4H horse community. "Gentie," as he was called, spent over a dozen years as the first competition horse for our neighbors' four daughters. After they were all grown, Gentie was sold to another neighbor, who competed with him, outgrew him, and passed him on to yet another young 4H member. Last time I saw Gentie, he was about 45 years old, and still happily competing in 4H classes with a whole new generation of young riders!

So think again about whether "Old Dobbin" is really ready to be put out to pasture. If he's in good health, he may be good for many years of enjoyment yet, at your discipline of choice! 

For more information on the Albuquerque area horse scene, horse-friendly areas,  and a great MLS IDX search for specifically horse properties, visit my website at www.LauraWarden.com , or give me a call any time at (505)-239-4796

 (Not in New Mexico? Check out horse properties anywhere in the US on a great new site, www.RuralHomes.com !)