Horse Years to Human Years

Horses are typically thought to have a lifespan of around 25-30 years, while humans usually live up to around 80 years. This means that, on average, one human year is equivalent to around 3.5 horse years. However, this varies depending on the individual horse’s health and lifestyle.

Although this seems like an easy calculation Horses mature at a quicker rate than humans; this means that the first two years of the horses life are equal to 6.5 years. The third year is equivalent to 5 years and then after that each year is equivalent to 2.5 horse years.

This means that a 2 year old horse is around the same maturity as a 13 year old child and a 3 year old horse is around the same maturity as an 18 year old human.

Horses do not reach their full adult maturity until they are around 4-5 years old. Once a horse is over 15 years old they are considered to be a senior horse – equivalent to an middle-aged to elderly human.

Senior horses will generally not compete any more but will still need to be regularly exercised and have their diet monitored to prevent joint problems and digestive problems such as colitis.

Horse Years Chart