What Age to Stop?

[MagicStar]

Ok, my DutchX trainee, Magic, is 2 years old I think.....*recalls.* Yup, and his "birthday" (I made it for him, is June 6th...) is this upcoming June which will make him about 3 years old.

So I was wondering, what age should I stop him from competing in rabbit hopping? If he's still active, and all at the age of 5 could I continue with his training, or should I consult a veterinarian at that age to see what they have to say? (This subject could make a great poster for fair, hehe!)

So, what age do you/have you (whether done, or heard of) retiring bunnies from rabbit hopping? I'd really like to continue his career until the very last point, and if I must consult my vet (who I plan on teaching everything about it, so he and I both can research it's effects on rabbit's health/muscles/bones, etc) about it, then I will.

Thank you!

[abjerner]

Hello
Here we can put the rabbits into veteran class when they are 4 years old and let them hop about 30 - 35 cm. in the competitions. We seldom do it because they can go on in their normal class much longer.
I have had a rabbit hopping till it died at the age of 8½ and my son has had one who hopped in elite class till it died at the age of 7½ years.
We never went to the vet to have them checked, because they were very healthy till last moment.
Some of our rabbits have had their best hopping time when they were 4 - 7 years old.
Aase Bjerner, Denmark

[MagicStar]

Okay thanks Aase! Wow that's really great about their best hopping time at such an age. I have to totally retrain Magic, so hopefully he'll still be hopping for years to come!
Emily

[MIKOLI. =)]

As Aase said, rabbit hopping can continue for pretty much all their lives. However, when your rabbit gets to around 4 years old, you have to step back and evaluate whether he is still in good enough condition to continue. If he's getting a little bit sore in his joints, or is more prone to sickness, then forcing him to jump 60cm high isn't really good for him. But if he's still going strong, and seems fit, I see no reason why you can't continue.

Even if your rabbit is a little bit tender in the joints, doing small jumps, like 10 to 20cm high, in tight courses and grids every now and then could really help him. They have to be kept agile, and it could help to keep them strong.

Seeing a vet would be a good idea anyway when they are getting old, so when you go to get him checked up you can talk to the vet about it. Unless you are seeing a lot of sore legs, or your rabbits struggling, then there's no reason to make a special trip to the vet about it.

Rachel.

[MagicStar]

Alright, thanks Mikoli.