12 year old WWYD

J

JANANI

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 October 2007
Messages
477
Visit site
I went to look at two horses this evening. The first one I felt I would look huge on so discounted him. The second horse was nice. The horses were based on word of mouth. I knew the first one was seven but forgot to ask about the age of the second one.

She has jumped over the years and needs a wee bit of work on the flat and I really liked her. She appears sane, very well bred and moves like a dream. The disadvantage is her age. I always said I would never buy a twelve YO as it could be lame in 4 years and she is not cheap.

I don't know what to do. My hubby is currently saying no it is too old. My dad is saying yes she could be sound for another 10 years.

What do you think?
 
My lovely beautiful beloved old horse was 38 approx when he was pts due to colic. He was still sound and other than standing on a nail once never had a days lameness.
12 is nothing, if you like the horse id say go for it.
 
I am planning to do dressage with her and a wee bit of jumping. It is felt that she can go to medium easily with a bit of work.
 
I'd rather a 12 year old that's had an easy work life than a 7 year old that's been worked to an inch of his life.

Not saying that's how either of these are, but I would discount age and if I clicked with the horse, then the 12 year old is what I'd buy. If there were other reasons for discounting her, then that's fair enough.
 
12 is nothing - you have no more guarantee a 7 year old being sound tomorrow than a 12 year old. My dear old girl was pts in April at 35, she was ridden (quite happily) only a few days beforehand, and competed in showing classes till she was in her very late 20s. If she ticks every other box then go for it. :)
 
It's a gamble with any horse some of the worse luck I have had has been with young ones.
At twelve you just get a good vetting , buy if the horse passes and then crack on no waiting to mature etc etc.
Yes you have to accept that you probally be the "end user " and as such will be the one who has to deal with the horse at the end .
I have had some great fun with older purchases they have much to recommend them but you need a good vetting.
 
I have a 5 yo, unsound, he may hack but not definite yet. I have retired an 8 yo and a 6 yo and lost 2 6 yo. On the other hand in my first hunt job a mare aged 23 / 24 was given to a local lady when the current huntsman retired to hack after being a decent eventer ( couldn't get in foal so given to hunt to use ) and then a huntsmans horse' She was still alive last year at about 35. There's many horses hunting in their 20's. If the horse does the job you want and is sound I wouldn't let the age put you off is what I am trying to get at.
 
I don't think 12 is old for a horse, especially one that sounds so nice as well. I'd far rather that than one that's not so well schooled or behaved just because it's a couple of years younger.

My old horse was approx 35 at vet's best guess when he was pts and we hacked out two days before I lost him. Plenty of time there.
 
12YO is nothing!
And like another person said, the 7yo could go lame tomorrow!
I bought a 14 year old horse and I don't regret it for a second. Shes perfect for me. Shes got a fair few miles on the clock but plenty of petrol left in the tank!
 
I bought an 8 year old, who was lame 4 weeks later.

12 is no age. If you like her, buy her - although I thought your first post intimated you didn't know the age.
 
Amy May. I didn't know before I went to see if her and found out her age when I was there. I probably wouldn't have seen her if I knew her age.

If I do purchase her she will be vetted. I am aware that if I purchased her that I will be her end user as such.

I think what is putting me off is that my old mare went lame at 15. Still don't know what to do.....
 
As everyone else really, if the 12 year old gives you a good feeling choose that one. have a 24 yr old - still soundish but needing quiter life so bought a 5 yr old 2 years ago. He was PTS in september (internal abcess, inoperable), so the 24yr old dragged back into service! Limits me to hacking as he can't jump and is a bit stiff for dressage, but couple of hours ride to the pub he is very happy with. So much for buying young and it lasting.
 
I bought a 5YO, 3 months later she was lame. She is now 7 and still has soundness issues.

12 is young these days!

If you like her get her. After all no Horse is garunteed to stay sound, no matter how old.
 
I have had my pony for 17 years, and apart from slipping a shoe, and getting the toe clip in his foot, and being kicked in the hock he has never been lame. However, I bought a rising 3 year old who has been lame on and off for 10 years. If she ticks every box I would go for it, if she hasn't masses of miles on the clock its really no age.
Would you be looking to sell in a few years or do high end competing?
 
There were horses aged 19/20 competing at hickstead, I'm assuming you don't want to go to that high a level, any horse could be dead tomorrow let alone lame I'd far rather have a horse that was 12 and right for me. I personally don't see the problem.
 
I am planning to hold on to the horse so I can get my confidence back which has been dented by a homebred youngster. I plan to start affiliated dressage with her as well as a little unregistered jumping. At the moment she could do prelim although her canter needs alot of work with the aim of producing her to elementry/medium.

I think what concerns me is that I get her up to that level (it will take me a while :) ) and then she will need to be retired due to her age.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top