Faith N Friends offers active, healthy senior horses in need of good homes, yet older horses are often the last to be considered for adoption.  Yes, colts and fillies are cute.  However, older horses have a lot to offer on their own merits.  They have training and experience that are naturally lacking in younger horses.  They have better focus, are generally calmer, and they know their way around a herd and humans.  They are even capable of being serious competitors in the arena.  Parzival rode to an individual bronze medal in dressage at the 2012 Olympics.   Most of them have been well-cared for and loved throughout their lives until their owners became unable to care for them, life circumstances changed, young riders moved away from home, or simply tired of caring for them.  Even well-bred, expensive horses often end up homeless in their golden years.  It usually has nothing to do with the horse’s behavior or temperament.  

The average lifespan of a horse is 35 years.  The oldest horse on record, Old Billy, lived to be 62 years old.  With advances in veterinary care and food science, horses are living longer, healthier lives.  A young horse is a long-term commitment.  Owning an older horse is an equally serious commitment, but it may be a shorter one.  

A seasoned older horse is more predictable than a younger, greener horse, making it a better choice for less experienced riders.  Newer riders generally don’t have the skills needed to handle energetic, green horses safely.  It’s not as exciting when you have a horse you can’t simply hop on and ride.  When new owners encounter problems with less experienced horses, those horses often end up at auction or at a rescue.   

Senior horses need forever homes just as badly as the younger horses do.  Like wine, cheese, and most people, they get better with age.