Western Pleasure....How Old Is Too Old?

horses-n-greyhoundz · 07-10-2006, 11:12 PM

For those of you who do WP, would you consider an 11 year old mare too old to train...at least in order to compete competitively? My mare, Coocita, has the most wonderful slow jog and fairly natural low head set. I am wondering though, if her 11 year old frame is simply too old to condition properly. Thanks.

**taelesean** · 07-10-2006, 11:21 PM

I wouldn't think 11 was really too old for a horse to start anything new. At 11, she's just hitting her stride.

I'd say go for it, she might have fun.

joustinggirl · 07-11-2006, 05:03 AM

Go for it!

ToveroMom · 07-11-2006, 06:42 AM

Agree completely-Mighte is going in for the same training as soon as a slot opens up at my trainer.

czykittin · 07-11-2006, 08:08 AM

Yes you CAN teach an old horse new tricks!

ThorArb · 07-11-2006, 09:14 AM

Go for it. She'll do great.

Brittany

horses-n-greyhoundz · 07-11-2006, 11:04 AM

I'm glad to get these positive responses. I am VERY excited about her progress so far. Apparently, she has a most fabulous 2 beat gait and extended trot, and generally moves like a dream ....according to my instuctor. (Yes, this is a halter horse!!!). This feels so good to hear after all I have been through with her. This time last year, I was being bucked off her due to her spookiness. I know do not worry about that that much anymore....even though I always ride prepared.

ron · 07-11-2006, 11:19 AM

just a little word.

Please don't get completely hung up on WP

Halter bred horses ussually do great in pattern classes, non rail stuff

break it up and give her a break.

All around, not just the WP stuff, is much more fun, and your mare will enjoy the different activities, and your mare will have a much better handle on her instead of walk jog reverse lope.....

Really, I do like WP and enjoy watching a naturally great moving horse, but it is as exciting as watching paint dry.

Patterns and trail, western eq, and later western riding really shows off a good horse.

horses-n-greyhoundz · 07-11-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron

just a little word.

Please don't get completely hung up on WP

Halter bred horses ussually do great in pattern classes, non rail stuff

break it up and give her a break.

All around, not just the WP stuff, is much more fun, and your mare will enjoy the different activities, and your mare will have a much better handle on her instead of walk jog reverse lope.....

Really, I do like WP and enjoy watching a naturally great moving horse, but it is as exciting as watching paint dry.

Patterns and trail, western eq, and later western riding really shows off a good horse.

I do hear what you are saying. Actually, what I would like to do more than anything with her is patterns. Not only does she have nice movement, but she is soft and sensitive...generally a "pleasure" to ride.

**gbarmranch** · 07-11-2006, 01:54 PM

Can we get some pictures - she sounds like a doll!!!

horses-n-greyhoundz · 07-11-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

Can we get some pictures - she sounds like a doll!!!

gbarmranch....she is the mare in the first two pics of this post:
http://forum.horsetopia.com/viewtopic.php?t=13009

**gbarmranch** · 07-11-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horses-n-greyhoundz

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

Can we get some pictures - she sounds like a doll!!!

gbarmranch....she is the mare in the first two pics of this post:
http://forum.horsetopia.com/viewtopic.php?t=13009

I would like to blame missing this on some Tn moonshine, but since I am not drinking, it will have to be chaulked up to just plain ole getting old - sigh - She is absolutely lovely...what a kind eye she has...no wonder you really like her!!!

horses-n-greyhoundz · 07-11-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

I would like to blame missing this on some Tn moonshine, but since I am not drinking, it will have to be chaulked up to just plain ole getting old - sigh - She is absolutely lovely...what a kind eye she has...no wonder you really like her!!!

I'm right there with ya!!!

skipper 1 · 07-11-2006, 07:22 PM

By all means no 11 is not too old. I never showed my mare western pleasure for the first time till she was 12. We actually did very well . She too had all the natural gaits and headset. She had never been rode in the show ring before then. Do not let her age fool you. She may be 11 in years but she can strut her stuff just like any young thing. I say go for it and enjoy!

07-10-2006, 11:12 PM
horses-n-greyhoundz Long Yearling Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 1,121	Western Pleasure....How Old Is Too Old? For those of you who do WP, would you consider an 11 year old mare too old to train...at least in order to compete competitively? My mare, Coocita, has the most wonderful slow jog and fairly natural low head set. I am wondering though, if her 11 year old frame is simply too old to condition properly. Thanks. __________________ If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. My house is where I live, but I'm at home in the saddle.

07-10-2006, 11:21 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,756	I wouldn't think 11 was really too old for a horse to start anything new. At 11, she's just hitting her stride. I'd say go for it, she might have fun. __________________

07-11-2006, 05:03 AM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,392	Go for it! __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

07-11-2006, 06:42 AM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,784	Agree completely-Mighte is going in for the same training as soon as a slot opens up at my trainer. __________________ In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. Aaron Rose

07-11-2006, 08:08 AM
czykittin Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Dakota (yee haw!) Posts: 292	Yes you CAN teach an old horse new tricks!

07-11-2006, 09:14 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,787	Go for it. She'll do great. Brittany __________________ Grab life by the Horns!

07-11-2006, 11:04 AM
horses-n-greyhoundz Long Yearling Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 1,121	I'm glad to get these positive responses. I am VERY excited about her progress so far. Apparently, she has a most fabulous 2 beat gait and extended trot, and generally moves like a dream ....according to my instuctor. (Yes, this is a halter horse!!!). This feels so good to hear after all I have been through with her. This time last year, I was being bucked off her due to her spookiness. I know do not worry about that that much anymore....even though I always ride prepared. __________________ If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. My house is where I live, but I'm at home in the saddle.

07-11-2006, 11:19 AM
ron Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 2,649	just a little word. Please don't get completely hung up on WP Halter bred horses ussually do great in pattern classes, non rail stuff break it up and give her a break. All around, not just the WP stuff, is much more fun, and your mare will enjoy the different activities, and your mare will have a much better handle on her instead of walk jog reverse lope..... Really, I do like WP and enjoy watching a naturally great moving horse, but it is as exciting as watching paint dry. Patterns and trail, western eq, and later western riding really shows off a good horse.

07-11-2006, 01:54 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	Can we get some pictures - she sounds like a doll!!! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

07-11-2006, 07:22 PM
skipper 1 Newborn Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ontario canada Posts: 16	By all means no 11 is not too old. I never showed my mare western pleasure for the first time till she was 12. We actually did very well . She too had all the natural gaits and headset. She had never been rode in the show ring before then. Do not let her age fool you. She may be 11 in years but she can strut her stuff just like any young thing. I say go for it and enjoy!