The Age of a Horse

"How old can horses live?" and "Why are older horses referred to as long in the tooth?" These are frequently-asked questions.

The oldest pony was reported as being a 66 year old Gaelic pony on a farm on the Gower Peninsula in Wales. There was no sure proof of its age. However, there is proof that a pony stallion was 54 years old when it died in Central France in 1919.

The oldest horse was a 53 year old mare from Danville, Missouri. The oldest draft horse was named Monty and died in New South Wales, Australia, at the age of 52 years.

How old is the oldest horse in Ontario?

Since asking if anyone had a horse older than Togo, my 31 year old quarter horse, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Every call has come with a story about the love and enjoyment their old friends have given them. These are their stories:

The oldest living pony reported to us is Tawney, a 44 year old, from Thorold, Ontario. Tawney is still going strong and is still capable of bucking. Several horse owners in the area can verify the age.

Molly Craig, was a 45 year old Welsh pony living in the Tottenham area until her death three years ago. Molly was an orphan foal but this didn’t seem to hamper her in any way.

From the Woodstock area is a pony named Dusty who is approximately 42 years of age. Dusty was a teenager when his current owner obtained him. That was 29 years ago.

The Georgian Riding School for the Disabled reports that George is a 40 year old Irish hunter who was evented by Stuart Black. A relative youngster in the barn is Joe, a Morgan, at age 35 years.

Aged 33 and still going strong are:

• Cheri, a bay mare, who was purchased when she was three months old. She resides in the Fergus area and still takes people for rides.
• Harlee Bar, a grandson of the famous quarter horse sire, Sugar Bars.
• Mystic Kaye, a quarter horse from Wellandport.
• Valiant, a Standardbred race horse, and used for riding in later years.
• Rambler Rosshire, a Welsh-Arab from Fergus.
• Saugeen Babe, a Standardbred mare, born in 1966 and raised as an orphan. She has been ridden under saddle for many years.

 Aged 32

• Emar Centenialla (Penny), an Arabian born in the centennial year.

 Aged 31

• Black Beauty is a registered Welsh pony mare from Paisley. She was given to her owner when he was three years old. She has raised three foals and was used for barrel racing. Now she is teaching the second generation of the family to ride.
• Togo was a ranch horse in Western Canada until he arrived in Hearst. He has taught three families to ride and was still doing roll backs last summer.

The message was clear. There are lots of old horses who are still living useful lives. Many of these old horses are training first time riders.

Why are older horses referred to as long in the tooth?

If you compare the profile diagrams below, you will see that the shape of the mouth has changed. The teeth are no longer upright or vertical but become longer and more inclined as the horse ages.

Reference: Official Guide for Determining the Age of the Horse, American Association of Equine Practitioners.

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