How to teach my 16 year old horse gelding to run?

[Sassysarah123]

Hello!
I need some advice to get My gelding to run.
My 16 year old gelding, Cash, is very slow and hard to even get to trot while riding him, and if I do get him to trot he will stop in a second or two. But he does get into a canter if I am lunging him with a whip.
He does have arthritis though... But I have seen him gallop before without any problems! When I keep him in our small field over night then open the gate to our large field he gallops at full speed down a steep hill. Once I saw him jump over a huge puddle of water. So I do not believe he is slow because his arthritis. We also have a 24 palomino gelding that loves to run! He used to barrel race, so I guess that is why he likes to run. But Cash has bucked before... Once my sister galloped on Danny, our 24 year old palomino gelding up a steep hill, Cash followed him but I usually don't go up that Hill with him because of his arthritis so I tried to turn him around. He just shook his head around so he wouldn't feel the bit and followed Danny up the hill. Then started cantering and bucked a couple times... But I did not fall off... Sometimes I fear asking him to gallop because of him bucking.
Any advice to get him to gallop?

 

[Bunnylady]

A horse with a rider has to deal with a significant amount of weight in the middle of his back, which is something he was never designed to carry. Imagine you have a 50 lb backpack strapped to your back. While you probably could learn to run with that there, it wouldn't be anywhere near as easy as running without it.

This horse has arthritis, so he is in pain, all the time. Put a person on him, and he is in more pain than usual. If he chooses to run on his own, he will stop when it hurts too much. But if you insist that he run, you can't be sure just how badly he is hurting, so how can you know how much is "too much?"

 

[Sassysarah123]

A horse with a rider has to deal with a significant amount of weight in the middle of his back, which is something he was never designed to carry. Imagine you have a 50 lb backpack strapped to your back. While you probably could learn to run with that there, it wouldn't be anywhere near as easy as running without it.

This horse has arthritis, so he is in pain, all the time. Put a person on him, and he is in more pain than usual. If he chooses to run on his own, he will stop when it hurts too much. But if you insist that he run, you can't be sure just how badly he is hurting, so how can you know how much is "too much?"

A horse with a rider has to deal with a significant amount of weight in the middle of his back, which is something he was never designed to carry. Imagine you have a 50 lb backpack strapped to your back. While you probably could learn to run with that there, it wouldn't be anywhere near as easy as running without it.

This horse has arthritis, so he is in pain, all the time. Put a person on him, and he is in more pain than usual. If he chooses to run on his own, he will stop when it hurts too much. But if you insist that he run, you can't be sure just how badly he is hurting, so how can you know how much is "too much?"

So, I should never ask him to gallop?

 

[Sassysarah123]

Would it be best if I sold him and got a younger horse?

 

[Bunnylady]

^sigh* Somebody (who may not have known any better) asked this horse to do more than his body should have been asked to do, so his joints got damaged, and now he lives with pain every day of his life, and you are asking should you throw him away and start the cycle again with another horse?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I agree with Bunnylady in theory...I hate to see a horse discarded. But, on the other hand, if he cannot meet your needs I think it would be better to retire him or find him a GOOD new home rather than keep asking something of him that he can't do for you. It's really not fair to him to be pushed beyond his capabilities at this point. BL is also right that he will self limit his running when he is on his own. He might be perfect for doing lead line for a young child. You might contact some reputable training stables in your area to see if they know someone who can give him a good home.

 

[promiseacres]

If you haven't I would have his arthritis evaluated by a vet,it's possible medication could help.
And secondly have a good trainer evaluate him on why her is refusing to run.

Agree if he's that bad then yes he's going to refuse or buck. Very sad as a 16 year old can have many riding years left if taken care of.

 

[Sassysarah123]

I would not get rid of him. I don't even know why I asked... I just wanted your opinion. I've got little sisters that love him! I ride him everyday... Oh, he will gallop on his way back to the gate where I take off his saddle. But never anywhere else. Do you think his arthritis will get worse?
When he gets older would it be okay to do tricks with him instead of riding?

 

[promiseacres]

Most of the time arthritis does get worse as they age. Keeping him at a good healthy weight and keeping him exercised in a way he can handle will help. You riding him daily at his pace is good.

 

[Alexa009]

Would it be best if I sold him and got a younger horse?

Yes, getting rid of him is certainly out of the question.He sounds like a very nice horse who just needs some love.