How long do horses live?
Horses have a relatively long lifespan compared to other animals, with an average life expectancy of 25-30 years. However, this number varies widely depending on the breed of horse. Clydesdales, for instance, tend to live around 18 years, while Mustangs have been known to live up to 40 years in the wild.
While the lifespan of a horse is determined largely by its breed, there are a number of other factors that can affect how long a horse lives. For instance, horses that are well-cared-for and have access to good nutrition and veterinary care tend to live longer than those that do not. Additionally, horses that are used for racing or other high-intensity activities tend to have shorter lifespans than those that are used for leisurely activities such as trail riding.
So, how long do horses live? It depends on a variety of factors, but the average lifespan for a horse is 25-30 years.
Other factors that affect horse lifespan include:
-The level of care the horse receives
-The horse's diet
-The horse's exercise regimen
-The horse's exposure to diseases and parasites-
The horse's genetic makeup All of these factors can play a role in determining how long a horse lives. For instance, a horse that is well-cared-for and has a healthy diet is likely to live longer than a horse that is neglected and does not have access to good nutrition. Similarly, a horse that is used for high-intensity activities such as racing is likely to have a shorter lifespan than a horse that is used for leisurely activities such as trail riding.
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Horse Life Expectancy |
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Breed |
Average life expectancy |
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Wild horse |
15 years |
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Domestic horse |
25 to 33 years |
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Horse Life Expectancy |
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Breed |
Average life expectancy |
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Mustang |
15 to 20 years |
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Friesian |
16 to 18 years |
|
Gypsy Horse |
20 to 25 years |
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American Quarter Horse |
20 to 25 years |
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Clydesdale Horse |
20 to 25 years |
|
Norwegian Fjord |
20 to 25 years |
|
Thoroughbred |
25 to 28 years |
|
Belgian Draft Horse |
25 to 30 years |
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Clydesdale |
25 to 30 years |
|
Percheron |
25 to 30 years |
|
Shire |
25 to 30 years |
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Icelandic Horse |
25 to 30 years |
|
Arabian Horse |
25 to 35 years |
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Quarter Horse |
25 to 35 years |
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Miniature Horse |
25 to 35 years |
|
Tennessee Walking Horse |
28 to 30 years |
|
Appaloosa |
29 to 33 years |
|
American Paint Horse |
30 to 31 years |
The Oldest Horses Ever Lived
Old Billy, a huge Shire-type horse, worked admirably even in its late years. This amazing 62-year-old animal worked as a barge horse in the 18th century, carrying ships through river canals. During its existence, it rose to fame and was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest horse.
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The Oldest Horses Worldwide |
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Breed |
Name |
Age |
Period |
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Shire Stallion |
Old Billy |
62 years |
1760 to 1822 |
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Shetland-Exmor pony cross |
Sugar Puff |
56 years |
1951 to 2007 |
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Arab-Welsh cross |
Badger |
51 years |
1953 to 2004 |
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Irish Draught |
Shayne |
51 years |
1962 to 2013 |
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Unknown pony |
Scribbles |
51 years |
1958 to 2009 |
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Thoroughbred-Arabian cross |
Orchid |
50 years |
1965 to 2015 |
|
Polish-Arabian cross |
Magic |
46 years |
1969 to 2015 |
|
Thoroughbred |
Prospect Point |
38 years |
1978 to 2016 |
