Demographics and health of U.S. senior horses used in competitions.
Authors: Herbst Alisa C, Coleman Michelle C, Macon Erica L, Harris Patricia A, Adams Amanda A
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Demographics and Health of Competing Senior Horses Whilst senior horses (≥15 years) represent a niche within competitive equestrian sport, little has been documented about their demographics, management practices or health profiles. This 2025 analysis surveyed 246 U.S. owners of competing senior horses, finding that the typical individual is a 15–20-year-old gelding (73.4% and 69.5% respectively), often a Quarter Horse (33.5%), competing at medium level in dressage (32.0%), and housed in a stall with ≥12 hours daily pasture access. Osteoarthritis dominated the disease landscape, affecting approximately one-third of competing seniors (32.6%), with stiffness and reduced joint flexibility the most frequently owner-reported clinical sign (29.2%); gastric ulcers (8.0%) and lameness (7.6%) were also prevalent, though notably 43.3% had no veterinary-diagnosed condition at survey time. The findings underscore a complexity in managing competing seniors—they experience the degenerative conditions typical of ageing populations alongside performance-related conditions (such as gastric ulcers) more commonly seen in younger athletes, demanding integrated approaches to nutrition, farriery, physiotherapy and training that address both age-related and competition-specific challenges. Although very few horses exceeded 20 years of age in competition, some competed internationally, suggesting that with appropriate management, soundness and longevity in sport are achievable in this demographic.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Senior horses competing successfully into their late teens/early twenties commonly present with osteoarthritis and gastric ulcers; practitioners should anticipate managing these concurrent conditions in aging athletes
- •Nearly half of competing seniors show no diagnosed medical conditions, suggesting selective breeding/management practices or that many aging horses remain athletically viable with appropriate care strategies
- •Stiffness and joint flexibility loss are the most frequently reported clinical signs by owners, indicating this should be a key focus area for preventive management, conditioning, and therapeutic interventions in senior competitors
Key Findings
- •Senior competing horses (≥15 years) were predominantly 15-20 years old (73.4%), geldings (69.5%), and Quarter Horses (33.5%), with dressage being the most common discipline (32.0%)
- •Osteoarthritis was the most common veterinary-diagnosed condition (32.6%), followed by gastric ulcers (8.0%) and lameness (7.6%), while stiffness/reduced leg-joint flexibility was the most common owner-reported clinical sign (29.2%)
- •43.3% of competing senior horses had no veterinary-diagnosed medical condition at survey time, and 3% competed at the highest international level despite advanced age
- •Most competing senior horses were kept at owner facilities with ≥12 hours daily pasture access, primarily in stall housing with about half training/competing at medium level