Exercise physiology of the older horse
Authors: McKeever Kenneth Harrington
Journal: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice
Summary
# Exercise physiology of the older horse: Editorial Summary Up to 15% of the US equine population exceeds 20 years of age, with many remaining athletically active throughout their later years; however, McKeever's 2002 review reveals a critical gap between equine and human sports science, as training protocols for older horses are largely adapted from younger animal research despite evidence that aging substantially alters exercise physiology. The author conducted a comprehensive literature review examining age-related changes in aerobic capacity and exercise tolerance, drawing parallels to human geriatric athlete research where noticeable physiological decline typically appears between 40–50 years of age. Key findings highlight three unresolved questions fundamental to equine practice: the specific age at which physiologic decline first manifests in horses, which safe exercise intensities optimise health in aged athletes, and the underlying mechanisms driving age-related performance loss. Farriers, veterinarians, and coaches working with mature competition and leisure horses should recognise that conventional training programmes may overload ageing animals, potentially causing injury or systemic stress; evidence-based exercise prescription tailored to individual physiological status—rather than chronological age or historical training templates—represents best practice for this growing demographic. Further research quantifying exercise capacity thresholds in older horses would enable more nuanced, safer training guidelines and extend healthy athletic longevity across the equine lifespan.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Don't assume that training protocols effective for younger horses are appropriate for horses over 20 years old—consider age-adjusted exercise prescription
- •Many older horses can continue athletic work, but this requires individualized assessment of their exercise capacity and physiologic status
- •Until better data are available, base older horse training decisions on principles from human geriatric exercise science and careful observation of individual response to work
Key Findings
- •Up to 15% of the US equine population is older than 20 years and many continue athletic performance into their 20s
- •Current exercise training protocols for older horses are often based on younger animal guidelines and may be inappropriate for aged athletes
- •Limited published data exist on exercise capacity and physiologic function decline in aged horses
- •Research is needed to identify the age at which physiologic decline begins in horses and to establish safe exercise prescriptions for older athletes