How Long Do Horses Live?

Below, we’ll share how long horses typically live along with some guidelines on how you can help your four-legged friend live a long, happy life.
What’s The Average Lifespan of A Horse?
It can be difficult to verify the exact age of an individual horse, especially if the full veterinary record is not available. That being said, horses typically live between 25 and 30 years. However, there are always outliers, as some horses have lived well into their 50s, though this is certainly not the norm. Ponies tend to live longer than horses, and larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than their small counterparts.
Life expectancy for horses varies greatly based on a variety of factors including, quality of life, feeding habits, exercise patterns, and breed. Here are a few of the average life expectancies of some of the more common horse breeds:
- Mustang: 20 to 25 years
- American Cream Draft: 25 to 28 years
- Thoroughbred: 25 to 28 years
- Quarter Horse: 25 to 35 years
- Arabian: 25 to 35 years
- Appaloosa: 25 to 33 years
- Miniature Horse: 25 to 35 years
- Shire: 25 to 30 years
- Clydesdale: 25 to 30 years
How Can I Help My Horse Live Longer?
Breed averages are extremely useful for helping you set realistic expectations for time spent with your horse. With that in mind, there are a couple of strategies you can utilize to help your horse live potentially long past his set average.
Keep Up To Date On Vet Visits
Just like any other pet, horses need to stay up to date on their veterinarian appointments, especially preventative care visits. Your horse’s fecal matter should be examined regularly to check for worms and other internal parasites. Vaccinations are also essential for horses, and your horse will likely need a combination of the following vaccines:
- Rabies
- Influenza
- West Nile Virus
- Botulism
- Equine viral arteritis
- Potomac horse fever
- Tetanus
- Encephalomyelitis
- Equine herpesvirus
Invest In Proper Nutrition
You’ll need to make sure that your equine companion gets plenty of clean hay or grass over the course of their lifetime. It’s best to administer small meals throughout the day since this method is usually the easiest for digestion. Horses should also be given grains sparingly. While these are important, too many grains can cause joint problems. Make sure your horse is always provided access to clean drinking water, especially throughout the hot summer months. You can also supplement your horse’s diets with electrolytes and other nutrients depending on their individual needs. Whenever you switch to a new diet, do so gradually so that your horse’s digestive system has ample time to adjust.
Make Sure Your Horse Gets Plenty of Exercise
Along with diet, it’s important to craft a comprehensive exercise plan for your horse with your veterinarian. Since horses are herd animals, it’s important that your equine has another companion. Horses encourage each other to be more active, and also play a role in emotional health. You’ll also need to adjust your riding scheduling according to the energy level of your trusty steed. Try to keep some variations in your horse’s regular exercise routine to keep him active and engaged over the years.
Understanding the average lifespan of your horse upfront can help inform best care practices, helping your trusty steed to lead a long, fulfilling life. Hopefully, these tips make it easier for you to enjoy your time with your equine companion. Enjoy spending time with these wonderful animals!