The Sun-Herald
Lime Springs, Howard County, Iowa
Thursday, February 14, 1929

Des Moines - "A white mare which was 39 years old last September and owned by Walter F. LEE of Knoxville, Iowa, has smashed all known records for the 'Oldest Horse' in Iowa and probably has established a record that will stand for all time unless she lives to break it," states Carl N. KENNEDY, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who has been collecting records in regard to the length of usefulness of horses. "The dam of this white mare was a Kentucky saddle mare and the sire was a pure bred Percheron. She has not had the harness on for two years but is still very active." "Another mare which is 36 years old and still retains some of her meanness, is owned by J. W. ZEZEK of Diagonal. She has been on a pension for a year. This mare holds second place in Iowa records. There are three 35-year old horses reported," states Mr. Kennedy. "One of these is Barney, which is owned by Claus EHRP of Holstein. He is still used for a saddle horse by the children. Mr. J. R. SHACKELTON of Boone has another 35-year old hourse that he has raised and still owns, while Henry WALER of Garden Grove reports that he chloroformed his 35-year old mare Queen on January 4th in order that she would not suffer on account of a recent decline in condition."

SOURCE: Iowa Old Press, an IAGenWeb Special Project. Transcribed by S.F., February 2007