How Old are You in Horse Years
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A horse’s average lifespan is around 28 years. A human’s average lifespan in North America is around 77 years. Horse’s don't live as long as humans. And, they age at very different rates, making it difficult to compare horse years to human years. Even in infancy, horses are quite different from humans. Horses can run within hours of birth, but of course humans start walking around their first birthday. So the first year of a foal’s life is equivalent to the first six or seven years of a child’s life. Even then, a yearling can feed itself, recognize danger and socialize well with its herd mates, which may not be something a young child can do.
A two-year-old horse is somewhat like an adolescent human, and a three-year-old is like a teenager. Both horse and human are spending a lot of time growing and learning. When a horse reaches four years of age, it is considered a young adult, similar to a human in their early twenties—they are still growing and ‘filling out’ physically and mentally, and by that age, it’s time to go to work. By the time a horse is five it’s considered fully grown. For humans this means they’ve started their careers and perhaps started a family. Likewise, a horse will have started its career, and be fully grown to produce foals.
By the time a horse reaches thirteen years of age, it has entered middle age. This is roughly equivalent to a human in their early forties. At this age, both human and horse should be well established in their careers, although, as many of us know this isn’t always the case! That’s not caused by age—but a lack of training or responsibility.
Horses are considered senior citizens by the time they are twenty, although internally, signs of aging have been occurring since the horse was about fifteen. Humans are considered senior citizens when they reach their mid-sixties. However, we all know horses and humans that defy the averages and remain youthful beyond their chronological years. At this age, the workload and care of a horse may have to be adjusted. Likewise, humans aren’t expected to work the same way they did in their youth, and may have to adjust their personal care as well.
At thirty, a horse has reached extreme old age. This is about the same as the mid-eighties are for humans. Joints may be stiffer, bones a bit more brittle and digestive systems may be a bit more finicky. Some horses and humans may feel their age, others like my eighty two year old father, who still splits and stacks his own firewood, may still be quite youthful and active. They may not be able to work hard or long, but they still are active participants in life.
A horse in its late thirties is about the same age as a one hundred-year-old human. Both have earned respect and a comfortable, peaceful retirement.
Horse Age | Horse Life Stage | Human Age | Human Life Stage |
1 | Foal, Weanling, Yearling | 6.5 | Infancy, Baby, Toddler, Preschooler | 2 | Two Year Old | 13 | Adolescent | 3 | Three Year Old | 18 | Teenager | 4 | Four Year Old | 20.5 | Young Adult | 5 | Physical Maturity | 24.5 | Adulthood | 13 | Middle Aged | 43.5 | Middle Aged | 20 | Senior | 60 | Senior Citizen | 30 | Old Age | 85.5 | Octogenarian | 36 | Extreme Old Age | 100.5 | Centenarian | |
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May 28, 2013
• 3,944 views
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IggyPogo
I'm three, and Pogo is the bachelor with no career... YET. >:D
I'm three, and Pogo is the bachelor with no career... YET. >:D
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May 28, 2013
• 3,884 views
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Winniefield Park
My horse and I are the same age!
My horse and I are the same age!
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May 28, 2013
• 4,424 views
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May 28, 2013
• 3,861 views
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Unique
Meeeppp. I'm 3.
Meeeppp. I'm 3.
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May 28, 2013
• 3,835 views
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May 29, 2013
• 3,827 views
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Just A Rainbow Seaweed
I am 2 and a half! (15) Mobey is a senior LOL 19 horsey hears! 20 soon!
I am 2 and a half! (15) Mobey is a senior LOL 19 horsey hears! 20 soon!
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May 29, 2013
• 3,801 views
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May 29, 2013
• 3,916 views
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Emmurr
Only just three!
This really does put into perspective our maturity, makes me feel like a kid again :P
Only just three!
This really does put into perspective our maturity, makes me feel like a kid again :P
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May 29, 2013
• 3,717 views
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May 29, 2013
• 3,791 views
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May 29, 2013
• 3,845 views
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BffHorse
Guess what... I'm not even 2 yet, I'm still 1!
Guess what... I'm not even 2 yet, I'm still 1!
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May 31, 2013
• 3,777 views
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Jun 1, 2013
• 3,810 views
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Jun 2, 2013
• 3,874 views
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Copper711
Woo Hooo!!!!!! I am a two year old!!!! Get to go off to the two year old races today!Lol XD
Woo Hooo!!!!!! I am a two year old!!!! Get to go off to the two year old races today!Lol XD
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Jun 4, 2013
• 3,577 views
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RodeoLover
I loved this article
I loved this article
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Jun 8, 2013
• 3,553 views
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Jun 8, 2013
• 3,552 views
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ponybox01
i'm a 2 year old horse
i'm a 2 year old horse
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Jul 6, 2013
• 3,535 views
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9 days ago
• 3,217 views
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