After a nationwide search by Purina Mills in 1994, Flicka was declared the oldest horse in America. Five years later at age 52, he is still owner Sara Spanial’s best friend.

As a rough rule of thumb, horsemen figure one year in a horse’s life is equivalent to about three in human terms. That would make Flicka 150 years old, give or take, as humans go. Although arthritis has slowed his steps, his teeth aren’t what they once were, and his back sags a tad, Flicka’s soft coat still gleams with good health. There’s a sparkle in his eye, and, according to his family, he hasn’t forgotten how to flirt with the ladies when an opportunity presents itself.

When the Spanials researched Flicka’s history for the Purina contest, former owner Albert Brandiff did not recall how old the little 14.3-hand Cracker gelding was when he started wrangling cattle with him on a central Florida ranch. Brandiff did calculate, however, that he rode the horse for 37 years before they both retired to lives of service. Brandiff entered the seminary. Flicka entered a therapeutic riding program where he developed a reputation as a trustworthy, unflappable mount.

When the riding program disbanded 7 years later, the owners called Nancy Spanial. They had heard she was looking for a bombproof horse for then 6-year-old Sara to ride. Though warned that the horse was elderly, Nancy agreed sight unseen that Flicka sounded just like the horse they needed