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Average life expectancy?

5K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Poseidon 
#1 ·
I'm just wondering what everyone thinks the average life expectancy of the horse is?
I often see people talk about the possibility of their horses dying at 20-25 years old, to me that seems middle age as my oldest is between 33-38 years old and my youngest is 14 this June..

How long do you think the normal horse lives? I always thought 35-40 was average:-p lol
 
#2 ·
I would probably gestimate about 25 - 35 but I suppose it depends on how hard they were worked, how well cared for they are wtihout any unexpected illnesses coming up
 
#3 ·
So much depends on what breed the horse is, what kind of diet the horse has had, veterinary care, etc. I also believe that having one owner for a lifetime or very few has an impact on certain horses as well. There are emotional reasons for this, if you want to get airy fairy :) which I am to a degree, as well as the simple fact of consistency. Horses do well with consistency - diet, routine, home, person. I think that promotes good health as well.

I think for an average horse, that's had average care, maybe quite a few homes, perhaps a few dropped balls here and there nutritionally/teeth care/vet care wise along the way - twenties is average. For horses that have had exceptional and consistent care, your expectations of wellness into their thirties are not unfounded AT ALL!

I fully look forward to looking my guy in the eye when he's in his thirties. And knowing I did my best by him along the way. :) Cheers to that!
 
#5 ·
When people ask me, I say 25-30 is average but that it's not uncommon for horses to live to be 40.
I think it has a lot to do with how the horse has been cared for throughout his/her life, genetics, and just plain luck (ie, escaping "Murphy" - "what can go wrong, will").
 
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