Retraining a 24-Year-Old Racehorse: Addressing Excessive Sweating

Question
Hi Stephanie
I asked you the question about retraining the 24yearold race horse,just want to let you know she is doing great but she sweats so bad from the first 15 minutes of ridding is that normal or is it because she has not been excersized for many years?She was in a 12X12 stall for over 10years i think.Last time i rode her she went on the ground because she sweated so much and wated to itch her back with me on her i thought she was having a hart attack,do you think the more i ride her the stronger she will be or do you think i should just give her back and get me a different horse?
Thank you
Emil  

Answer
Emil,
If she is getting that sweaty from only 15 minutes of gentle trail riding, there is definately something wrong. Call a vet and have her checked out. Trail riding to me is just a slow walk, which shouldn't tax even an older horse's strength.  
If you are asking her to do anything more strenuous than a slow walk, you are probably asking too much of her at her age, and maybe you should consider a different horse.

Stephanie Frost
www.AlchemyBloodstcok.com