Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Essential Facts About Horse Retirement Farms

Essential Facts About Horse Retirement Farms



Essential Facts About Horse Retirement Farms



By Marla Mills

Horses can live up to thirty-five years, but some horse owners are not prepared to take care of elderly horses. For this reason, they may decide to retire the animal to a farm. Horse retirement farms specialize in caring for aging horses so that they can live out the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort.

Horses are considered retired when they are no longer trained, raced, ridden, or used for work. There is no universal retirement age for such animals. This timeframe will depend on various factors, such as the purpose the horse served, how well it was cared for during its active life, and its breed. However, there are some general signs that such an animal will display when it is reaching retirement age.


Some indications that it may be time to retire such an animal include reduced vitality. Although even younger horses need to relax between training sessions to avoid injury and prevent exhaustion, older horses sometimes require extra days off or they cannot regain their previous energy. Animals should be allowed to retire when their owners noticed that they continuously need additional rest prior to being able to engage in their normal activities.


Most horses require a warm-up before engaging in strenuous activities. The typical time allocated for a warm-up for healthy horses is usually 15 to 20 minutes. Horses that require a forty-five minute warm-up or longer before they can run or engage in exercise should be retired.


Individuals who own such animals are wise to evaluate them for changes in behavior. For instance, horses appearing to have no enthusiasm for activities they previously enjoyed, such as work or training, may be trying to tell their masters that they are tiring. Fatigue and general lethargy are also indications that the animal needs to slow down.


Observing horses for signs of failing endurance is another essential task. Horses that are ready to be retired often display additional signs, such as weakness and poor coordination. For instance, if upon being mounted, the animal stumbles or experiences a loss of balance, riding the horse is no longer appropriate. If one continues to do so when such a pattern has been exhibited, the horse and the rider are both at risk for injury.


When the decision has been made to retire such an animal, one must choose a farm with care. It is best to select an establishment that has a positive reputation in the local area and has been in business for a considerable length of time. It is also wise to ask the owner of the farm which veterinarian he or she uses for horses that become ill or experience injuries.


Going to see any horse retirement farms in which one is considering placing an animal is also a good idea. This is because a person can get a good idea of how well the farm is run when he or she visits the area in person. Ultimately, such animals can have happier, healthier lives in their old age when they are allowed to retire and relax in their final years.




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Essential Facts About Horse Retirement Farms



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Essential Facts About Horse Retirement Farms



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