22 year old pony to buy or not??

[mailme1918]

hello , I ve recently taken on a 22 year old welsh cob on lwvtb proberly through pity more than anything but shes so loving and just she pulled on my heart strings big time.
ok about me I used to ride when I was a teen had a few loan horses and thn moved to riding the naughty ones no body wanted to ride, after a 10 year break a husband and 2 kids ive returned to the saddle part loaning but then this mare kinda found me and after going to see her a few times and a a brief ride I took the loan on
she s been living ina field andhas been open stabled so comes in and goes outa s she pleases, her owner a non horsey person had her for his wife to plod around the field on bt now to ill health for the past 2 years shes just been left
shes been living off what grass there was and the occasional feel o fmollychaff onces every so often no hay accept maybe a bit I winter.
I ve just put her on molly chaff and 16 plus mix and a supplement powder (can think of the name!) plus hay which she does nt seem to be touching
I ve been spending time with her grooming and genrally bonding
shes seems depressed but likes attention.
ive had the farrier out to trim her feet and wormed her yesterday. I ve been on to the vets to see about a check up and dental check although the owner says she would nt have the gag in her mouth last time so had no dental work as he would nt pay for sedation so this is a big issue for me so far

I have no experience with older horses but just want to give this old mare a happy life I ideally want her as a happy hacker 2 possibly 3 times a week and maybe a bit of a lead rein for my elderst son whos 6.
im keeping her on the land where she is now.
I know im taking a risk with an older pony but with the right love and attention do you think I could make some thing of her or do you think im wasting my time and should walk away . I have her on loan with view to buy in 3 months ??
advice and support appreciated. thanks

 

[SillyMare]

If she is in good health now, you are prepared to potentially make a difficult decision at some point and the price is low enough then maybe.

If however you don't think you or your family could survive the potential heartache then sadly I would steer clear. Admittedly no horse at any age comes with a guarantee of future health but at that age the chances of problems get pretty high (there is a reason they are difficult / expensive to insure above their teens).

If she is a cob type and in generally good health though you could get 10 more years of light work.

 

[AmyMay]

I'd buy her. I would also do it now, and not in three months.

 

[mailme1918]

she seems in good health .. a little under weight but im sorting that, I am going to get a vet out to check also , but this is all costing more than what id be buying her for
I just thought that buying an older horse would be easier than a youngster that needs lots of exersizing and experience my aim is to pass her to my son as a lead rein in about 12-18 months and get some thing else for me
I just feel so sorry for her and think she has plenty to give I know her right leg gets a tad stiff if stood to long that is why I would like to keep her open stabled then she can move about as she wishes
im hoping once she gets used to having attention on a daily basis and the right feed she,ll bounce back she is so layed back and after not being ridden for 8-9 months did nt bat an eyelid when I tacked her up and had a gental ride on her on my second visit to her
I have nt ridden her since as I want to gain trust and a bond and gain a little weight although she has a belly shes quite thin on top so was thinking lunging for short periods to bring her back ?

 

[mailme1918]

I'd buy her. I would also do it now, and not in three months.

hello ... dont you think I should loan first?
also this is also a test for me as I work part time have just started a diploma, and have 2 young children my life is hectic so I wanted to see how I manage at the moment I have the full 6 acres and 3 stables to myself and a paddock so im kinda on my own maybe eventually some one may move on and we can help each other at the moment its a 7 day commitment even though the horse is nt used to a 7 day human contact more like a 7 day drive past the field thing!

 

[AmyMay]

Personally no. If you can commit to her for three months, then I wouldn't wait to go ahead with the purchase. As you say, you have quite a bit of money to spend on her by the sounds of it. Better to spend it on your horse, rather than someone else's.

Does she have company?

 

[YasandCrystal]

She sounds lovely. If she is a bit stiff due to age related changes i would steer away from lunging her. I am not a great fan of lunging - it's too easy to do it wrong and have an adverse affect on the horse. Long reining is much gentler and more fun imo. You can simulate ridden work through long reins and go for walks rather than round and round in circles which may affect her stiff joints.
A vet/dentist doesn't necessarily need to use a gag if the teeth only need a little attention and filing.

Good luck with her.

 

[mailme1918]

nope she is alone which is so sad too
gosh I could cry for her but I think she s used to it but as there is a spare stable there is room for another one to come on which im looking into not for me but see if a friend wants to come on

 

[YasandCrystal]

nope she is alone which is so sad too
gosh I could cry for her but I think she s used to it but as there is a spare stable there is room for another one to come on which im looking into not for me but see if a friend wants to come on

If you can have a friend's horse at the land then at least you can share chores and cover for each other - it's never easy when you have young children and good to have a back up.

 

[mailme1918]

yes that's what im hoping for.
I know the owner has nt ever taken her out on hacks or anything so im gonna see whats shes like on roads ect need to sort insurance out first and gain trust
according to the owner her previous owner rode her out and had her for any years so hopfully all she needs is love and attention and I just need a bit of support im so scared of taking on to much than I can chew and letting this poor old girl down... but one thing for sure If I dont buy her for personal reasons I will make sure she is cared for until the right owner comes along im going to make a diary with lots of pictures of her progress hopfully it wont come to that though

 

[Pink_Lady]

Got to say I agree with Amymay - if you like spending time with her and are keen to do the right things for her, far better to spend money on your own horse than someone else's.

With the right care and exercise regime you could have a lovely enjoyable time with her.

Good luck

 

[mailme1918]

I only got her in Tuesday im scared to buy now incase after a vet has been he says some thing like... she needs retiring and is not ridable and needs X amount of medicine!
im usually a terrible impulse buyer and I think I will buy her but I need to be sure and sensible

 

[AmyMay]

I only got her in Tuesday im scared to buy now incase after a vet has been he says some thing like... she needs retiring and is not ridable and needs X amount of medicine!
im usually a terrible impulse buyer and I think I will buy her but I need to be sure and sensible

Well have the vet look at her, give his opinion and go from there. If he gives the all clear, then go straight ahead with the purchase.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

 

[hnmisty]

We thought my pony was 17 when we first got her. I traced an old owner and found that she was actually 23ish. Had two fab years on her galavanting all over the place before I grew out of her. Aged 35 we would go for gentle strolls and she would take off with me still (albeit a bit slower than in her "younger" years).

We didn't bother with insurance for her (had 3rd party liability through the Pony Club and then the BHS) as insurance would pretty much only cover being PTS. Since my dad is a vet, when the time came, he did that. Wouldn't have ever put her through an operation at that age even if I had been covered for it.

Golden oldies make fab friends, and can give you years of fun

 

[mailme1918]

We thought my pony was 17 when we first got her. I traced an old owner and found that she was actually 23ish. Had two fab years on her galavanting all over the place before I grew out of her. Aged 35 we would go for gentle strolls and she would take off with me still (albeit a bit slower than in her "younger" years).

We didn't bother with insurance for her (had 3rd party liability through the Pony Club and then the BHS) as insurance would pretty much only cover being PTS. Since my dad is a vet, when the time came, he did that. Wouldn't have ever put her through an operation at that age even if I had been covered for it.

Golden oldies make fab friends, and can give you years of fun

thankyou im just really nervous of buying my first horse for her to become poorly and me stuck with bill after bill.
I ve had a lot of negative feedback of some people not of here but people I know saying she,ll be a money pit ect but I honestly think she deserves some love today when I went up I shouted her she came trotting over to greet me which is lovely I think im just scared of getting it wrong
I gave notice today on the part shire I part loan and have had lots of tears today cause im gonna miss him so much,
I know im not the most experienced horsey person but everyone starts some where, eh! I will try and upload some pics as I would like some feed back on her weight and general condition

 

[mailme1918]

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a529/tember18/IMG-20130424-WA0005_zpsb578a220.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I have a 22yr old welsh x and he has more zazz than my 6yr old welshXdales lol

 

[Elsiecat]

Heres the picture for you OP



I really hope you find some company for her. Perhaps someone on here is local and has a low maintenence friend you could loan off them?
I'd buy her personally, OP. Pay a nominal amount eg £50 pounds.
She sounds like she needs a lot of money and time sorting out and I personally wouldn't want to do that on a horse that wasn't my own

I am looking after a 22 year old horse at the moment and he's got plenty of life left in him. He's full of beans. Ok, I wouldn't fly around a jump course with him but for hacking and showing he'd be ideal.

 

[mailme1918]

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[cptrayes]

Just a quick point that although she is obviously worth something to you, in the current market this little mare is not actually worth anything, especially if her passport has been marked as not for human consumption. I know you will probably pay what you have to now that you have taken her on and love her, but I hope that you can bargain the current owner down to a very small sum. Most people would be looking to try to give away a horse as old as her in her current condition, not sell it.

You sound like you will care for her so well, and I really wish you luck.

 

[mailme1918]

what does op mean ?
also what di you think of her condition thin?
he wants £100 for her and £150 for tack and all accessories
im nervous about getting a dentist out as her owner says she wont have a gag in and I don't want her sedated really but saying that he also said she wont lift her back feet but was fine for the farrier a but reluctant with her right but I think she may have a bit or arthritis hence the reason ive put her on suppiments
I only want her for hacking really x

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I would offer the 150 for her stuff and that's it personally. OP means original poster IE you lol

 

[mailme1918]

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I doubt he,ll drop in price now as that's what we agreed on I may go in a £200 for her and tack .

 

[Elsiecat]

what does op mean ?
also what di you think of her condition thin?
he wants £100 for her and £150 for tack and all accessories
im nervous about getting a dentist out as her owner says she wont have a gag in and I don't want her sedated really but saying that he also said she wont lift her back feet but was fine for the farrier a but reluctant with her right but I think she may have a bit or arthritis hence the reason ive put her on suppiments
I only want her for hacking really x

I'd give him 100 pounds inc tack maximum.
I sold a 8yo pony last year inc. tack and rugs for £380 as she had no showing history. I can't understand how he is asking for that price for an elderly horse in need of lots of TLC.
Saying that, she's your girl and if you're happy to part with that then do so. Put saying that I doubt the saddle will have been fitted so you may end up starting from scratch with the tack anyway! Although you could always sell tack on if ill-fitting for her.

Sorry, I may have missed it, but why do you need her sedating for the dentist?

 

[mailme1918]

the owner said that when the vet tried to check her teeth she would nt have the gag in so they said she needing sedating but the owner did nt want to spend and thought they were just making money out of him so never did anything about it.

oh god what am I doing im being diddled on are,nt I!!! but ive accepted the loan now and feel like I cant start dropping in price
the only thing I can think of doing is asking him to drop the price if I pay for dental but as harsh as it sounds I want to make sure she can be ridden out as he has only ridden her around the field occasionally last year

 

[Meowy Catkin]

If she's the right pony for you, don't lose her over £50 which is a drop in the ocean compared to the costs of looking after a pony.

 

[Elsiecat]

the owner said that when the vet tried to check her teeth she would nt have the gag in so they said she needing sedating but the owner did nt want to spend and thought they were just making money out of him so never did anything about it.

oh god what am I doing im being diddled on are,nt I!!! but ive accepted the loan now and feel like I cant start dropping in price
the only thing I can think of doing is asking him to drop the price if I pay for dental but as harsh as it sounds I want to make sure she can be ridden out as he has only ridden her around the field occasionally last year

Why don't you find out cost of things that should already have been done that may have not been? eg. teeth, feet, vaccinations, worming etc. Anything that is really overdue. Work out the total cost. Explain to him that you are going to have to do a big pay out to get her up to date on everything that should have been sorted previously and ask him if he'd drop the price?

 

[SillyMare]

If she's the right pony for you, don't lose her over £50 which is a drop in the ocean compared to the costs of looking after a pony.

This.

I wouldn't loose sleep over it - those sums of money are nothing compared to the wider costs. If you love her and are prepared to deal with whatever the future holds for her then go for it.

She looks well enough in those pics.

 

[s4sugar]

Does she actually have a passport -some older horses still don't?

 

[AmyMay]

Little mare looks ok actually - although she may feel differently when you get your hands on her.

Take a risk - buy the mare.