How Long Is an Average Equine's Life Span?

Surviving members of the Equidae family, equines, include horses, asses and zebras, as well as offspring created by cross breeding them, such as mules, hinnies and zebra mixes. Equines range from approximately 300 pounds to more than 4,000 pounds with life spans typically between 25 and 35 years, according to Animal Diversity Web contributors Liz Ballenger and Phil Myers. Differences in life spans vary according to species and other factors.

  1. Zebras

    • Zebras weigh between 400 to more than 900 pounds.

      Wild zebras typically live about 25 years. In zoos, Grevy's and mountain zebras both live about 30 years, while plains zebras often live 40 years, according to the University of California at San Diego. Animals living in the wild face factors that frequently shorten life spans, including poachers, animal predators, diseases and food scarcity.

    Donkeys

    • Some people call small donkeys "burros."

      Asses, often called donkeys or burros, generally live longer than horses. Donkeys typically live between 30 and 50 years. Miniature donkeys, with adequate care, have an average life span of 30 to 35 years, according to Oklahoma State University. Parasite control, an important part of equine care, helps increase the life spans by avoiding intestinal damage and other effects of infestation.

    Horses

    • Improvements in the average life expectancy for horses in the United States come from improved care, especially in areas related to parasite control and owners keeping aged horses on the farm, according to veterinarian Bruce Connally, assistant professor at Colorado State University. Horses generally live between 20 and 25 years, according to Oklahoma State University Extension. Many horses live 30 years or more, aided by special food for geriatric animals to help them obtain adequate nutrition, says Connally.

    Small Horses

    • Although ponies genetically belong to the horse family, differences other than size and physical characteristics exist. Ponies often live longer, many living up to their early forties, according to Connally. Although miniature horses generally live 25 to 35 years, some live as long as 50 years, according to the Pueblo Zoo. Some organizations train ponies and miniature horses for service animals due to their life spans often reaching three times more than a canine service animal.