‘Rising 5’ - what does this mean?

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Abacus

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I’ve seen a few ads recently (FB rather than proper ads, and in the last 2 weeks) describing horses as ‘rising 5’.

As far as I’m aware (it’s currently December) a 4 year old (born 2021) is a 4 year old. Rising 5 means s/he is 5 by the end of this year. Not many horses are born in December. Can anyone explain? Have I got this wrong? Are people trying to sell their 4.5 year old horses as ‘5’ year olds?

I have a 4 year old, born March 2021. I’m not saying he is rising 5 until January.
 
Most horses are classed as a year older on 1st Jan. Even if their actual birthday is in June. As its late in the year, rising 5 is correct as the horse will 'turn 5' next month. Competitions also use this structure so for instance if your horse turns 4 in June, you could not enter a youngstock class after the 1st Jan of the same year, as that horse is now technically 4.
 
I didn't realise adverts worked like this and bought a 4 year old who was 3 for several months after. Confused my friends no end.
"Aw this is babypony's new 4 year old."
"No she's 3 again now."
 
follysienna said:
Most horses are classed as a year older on 1st Jan. Even if their actual birthday is in June. As its late in the year, rising 5 is correct as the horse will 'turn 5' next month. Competitions also use this structure so for instance if your horse turns 4 in June, you could not enter a youngstock class after the 1st Jan of the same year, as that horse is now technically 4.
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I understand the 1st Jan thing. But I wouldn’t be calling a horse rising 5 until January. My understanding of ‘rising X’ is that from 1st Jan until their birthday, they are ‘rising’ that age (current year - birth year). After their birthday, they are then that age until the next 1st Jan.
 
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Drove me nuts when I was looking for youngsters. You have its bloody passport. Just state its actual age, FFS. "Turns 4 in June." You don't need a degree in astrophysics to work this out.

I was trying to not buy a two year old (failed...nevermind), so got really pissed off when I'd see a promising 'three year old,' only to find out that it only turns three in bloody July. There is a world of difference between a horse who is two, turning three in the summer, and who is actually three, turning four in the summer.

I knew my horse was two; the breeder had her actual birthday on the advert.
 
“rising 5” seems an odd thing to put in anyway, though i suppose it depends on the horse/its “career path”.

rising 3/4 i get, make it sound a bit older and therefore going to be doing a job sooner, but rising 5 seems random as most people expect a 4 year old to be ready to start anyway?

this time of year i would assume its birthday was anywhere from january - july next year honestly.
 
Agree with above- advertised as 4 year old, does that mean 4 now or rising 4 or rising 5...? Bearing in mind all are a year older on 1st January
 
I use 'rising' to cover that awkward time between Jan 1st when TBs are considered to move to their next age and May 1st, when non TBs move to their next age.

For example, Rigs is 20 now. Soon, on 1st Jan, he will be rising 21. On May 1st, he will become 21. I have no idea when his birthday is (although it will be in his passport).

I would not use 'rising' other then between 1 Jan and 1 May.
 
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It amuses me somewhat how much discussion this can cause.

As of 1st Jan I consider the horse either 5 (or I don’t mind rising 5 either). Now in December for the purpose of an advert, rising 5 makes it very clear to me the horse is 4 approaching the 5th year.

The only thing I don’t like is if someone were to advertise the horse as 4 after 1st Jan and prior to birthdate, that imo is incorrect for horse selling.
 
Abacus said:
I’ve seen a few ads recently (FB rather than proper ads, and in the last 2 weeks) describing horses as ‘rising 5’.

As far as I’m aware (it’s currently December) a 4 year old (born 2021) is a 4 year old. Rising 5 means s/he is 5 by the end of this year. Not many horses are born in December. Can anyone explain? Have I got this wrong? Are people trying to sell their 4.5 year old horses as ‘5’ year olds?

I have a 4 year old, born March 2021. I’m not saying he is rising 5 until January.
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Actually your horse will be 5 on 1st January so if you say he is rising 5 in February you are incorrect. All horses 'official' birthday is on 1st January irrespective of the actual date of birth.
 
It's for people trying to sell a four year old but who are trying to not mentioned the fact that its the (less desirable) 4 but imply the (more desirable) 5
It's psychological. When someone sees something advertised at 9.99, they read the 9 and (most) dont think that the item is £10.
 
Surely the "1st Jan" Rule only applies to TBs? My pony was foaled in November! That would mean he would be "rising 5" when he was 4 years and 1 and a bit months old.
It is a bit like those children who start school whose birthday is on 31st August, almost a year behind those children whose birthdays are a week or two later.

I agree with Ime above, if I saw 'rising 5' on an advert, I'd also assume a 4yo who is now closer to 5 than 4. So at this time of year, they would be 5 some time in the spring.
 
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