As you might know from previous blogs I’m absolutely dreading the day Dorado, now nearly 18, retires. We’ve been through so much together already, and sitting on himÑeven after riding more cooperative, experienced, or quiet horsesÑis like cozying down in my favorite chairÉI never want to get up (or off, as the case may be). But when you own or ride aging horses, retirementÑbe it from competition, high-performance work, or riding altogetherÑis a reality that we have to face.

Last month when I learned that my friend Krista’s reining horse, a cute Quarter Horse mare named Texas, needed to be retired due to an injury at just 9 years old, I was completely gutted for her. Texas has so much potential that would never be tapped as a result of an avulsion fracture in her right hock, and suspensory ligament desmitis in the same leg. Despite excellent veterinary care and more than a year of rest, the effects of Texas’ injury just wouldn’t subside.