Dr. Chris Mortensen, delves into the significant considerations around retiring horses, influenced by the story of Al Jabal, an Arabian who won a graded stakes race at 19, reinforcing the idea that age can sometimes be just a number. Dr. Mortensen discusses factors leading to horse retirement, including health care, nutrition, and the physiological challenges of aging. The podcast covers various disciplines and their typical retirement ages, highlighting studies on racehorses and performance horses, and addresses alternative careers for retired horses, such as therapy programs. Additionally, Dr. Mortensen explores the importance of planning for a horse's retirement, touching on options like retirement farms and sanctuaries while emphasizing responsible ownership till the end-of-life decisions.   Podcast Timeline   00:00 Introduction to Aging and Retirement in Horses 00:37 The Legendary Tale of Al Jabal: A Champion Beyond Age 03:42 Meet Dr. Chris Mortensen: Unveiling Equine Legends and Science 04:19 Understanding Horse Retirement: Factors and Second Careers 09:15 The Science of Aging in Horses: From Physiology to Care 17:24 Retirement and Beyond: The Fate of Racehorses 21:00 Exploring Post-Racing Careers for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds 24:20 Age and Performance in English Disciplines: A Detailed Analysis 25:42 Exploring the Longevity and Retirement of Sport Horses 26:02 Insights from a Dutch Study on Horse Retirement 28:11 Analyzing Career Lengths and Retirement Causes in Horses 31:52 Understanding the Impact of Age and Discipline on Horse Retirement 33:56 Retirement Options and Quality of Life for Aging Horses 36:57 The Role of Therapy Riding in Horse Retirement 40:57 Considering Nonprofit Rescues and Retirement Farms 46:38 Concluding Thoughts on Horse Retirement and Care 48:14 Engagement and Resources for Horse Enthusiasts Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]