Let Your Senior Shine

Mindful management can extend your senior performance horse’s career and enjoyment of his life.

- Bob Avila & Jennifer Paulson

Take a look at the gelding in these photos. How old would you guess he is? The title of the article gives away that he’s an older performance horse, but he looks like he’s about 7 years old, in the prime of his performance career.

So how old is he? Juarez Whiz turns 16 this year. He’s amassed more than 270 points in AQHA competition, has more than $70,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings, and continues to be a competitive entry in both amateur/ non-pro and open classes. To what do I attribute his longevity, ongoing success, and youthful appearance? Read on to find out.

Focus on Feed

Think of your horse like a vehicle: Feed is his fuel. If you have a fancy sports car and fill the tank with regular gasoline, you can’t expect premium performance. All of my horses—including JW, shown here—get high-quality forage and grain and supplements as needed. The key phrases are high-quality—we never sacrifice quality for price or any other reason—and as needed, because we tailor our feeding program to each horse’s requirements.