World's Oldest Pony Dies At Age 56
By melanie652
@melanie652 (2524)
United States
June 1, 2007 11:46am CST
I had no idea ponies could live that long? Horses usually live around 25 years or so. I knew ponies lived longer than horses, but wow!
Here's what that article said:
Sugar Puff, the world's oldest living pony as declared by the Guinness Book of Records, has died at age 56, Horse & Hound reported.
The 10 hand high Shetland-Exmoor was euthanatized May 25. The pony lived with owner Sally Botting in West Sussex, U.K. for more than 25 years. Botting told Horse & Hound the pony was fine in the morning but collapsed suddenly.
"He was a safe, reliable pony--we used to teach children to ride on him at school fetes," Botting told the magazine. "He was also an old hand at gymkhana and Pony Club ... He was a fun pony--he used to come into the house at Christmas."
Botting is awaiting results of a postmortem exam.
I would imagine he probably died of a heart attack to go so suddenly. Obviously he had a long, good life?
What is the oldest horse you know of?
2 people like this
9 responses
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
2 Jun 07
What a sweet mare! Those kids horses are absolutely worth their weight in gold. I understand why everyone was so upset.
1 person likes this
@jolenegreen (1209)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Im not too much into horses. I think they are a beautiful animal but dont have any or have never known any. Sugar Puff ios a cute name though
2 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
10 Jun 07
I have heard of horses living around 30 years in general. A lot has to do with it's genes, and it's care. For a pony, I heard 35 to 45 in general. So 56 is really a long well cared and loved pony for sure.
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Yes, I think he was a loved and well cared for pony too!
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
5 Jun 07
That's great on your horse! You obviously take good care of him?
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Wow! That's pretty old. We have a 20 year old right now and he's in great health. I expect him to be around for a long time!
1 person likes this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I personally know a pony that is 39 this year.He still carries the little ones around and is a great lesson horse for the grandchildren of the woman that has him..He also went to the shows with the kids as their first show horse and will now be their children's first show horse.He is a wonderful little guy and I expect he will live another 15 to 20 years..He doesn't seem to age at all.
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
7 Jun 07
He sounds like a wonderful boy! That's the first kind of horse or pony everyone should have!
@targetgirl (44)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I used to ride when I was a child and the barn I took lessons at had a pony that was in her mid thirties when she had to be put down. Who knows how long she would have lived but she caught her leg in the fence and broke it so she had to be put down.
I sold the horse I had when he was 21 and he was still going strong, showing in jumping classes(and winning!)against horses half his age. About 2 years ago I heard he was still alive which would have made him 34 at the time. I don't know if he is still alive today but it is very possible.
I believe that if horses know they are loved they tend to live longer lives.
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
4 Jun 07
That's great on the horse you used to own! I agree. Horses that are loved thrive and live longer.
@mehale (2200)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I also was aware that ponies live longer than horses, but I didn't know that they lived that long either. The oldest horse that I personally know of is my retired race horse. She is almost 30 years old. We don't ride her anymore as her back is not so great anymore and she is blind in her right eye, but she is still full of spunk and can often be seen running and playing with the other horses in the pasture.
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Sounds like she has a great life with you? You mentioned she's an ex-race horse - is she a Thoroughbred?
@beccacoward (525)
•
3 Jun 07
Thats incredible! Whats the average age? Its something like 30, isn't it? My friends are around horses and ponies a lot, as they do equestrian studies at university, but I've never heard anything like this before. Bless! x
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I really don't know what the average age is? I know ponies usually live longer than horses. 30 might be the average age for ponies and 25 for horses? That's just a guess.
