am i too old

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NEWHAND

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CANVEY ISLAND ESSEX, HOPEING TO MOVE SOON TO WISBE
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hi everyone i'm 52 years old and would like anyone's opinion about owing my own horse at this age, i have never owend one whatsoever and havent a clue how to look after one. i am willing to lean and am prepared to put the hours in. i am looking to move to wisbech in cambridgeshire shortly, everybody owns horse's there! while my husband continues to travel to essex to run our business maybe three times a week, i will be left alone with no hobbies or work to keep me busy!
i have always wanted to own my own pony, but only now when i'm this age do i find i have enough time and money to do it!
is my age against me?.
 
No age is certainly not against you, but I would say go for a livery yard, where there is good back up and help so that you can get advice on things you are unsure of.
And in the meantime, read every horsecare/management book you can lay your hands on!
 
I can't speak from experience being 19.... but i have only been around horses for 2 years now so it wasn't from when i was really young. i don't think anyone is ever too old to learn. horses are a great hobby to have and will defo fill the time. is there any riding schools near where you are going that you could maybe volunteer at so you can learn the basics of care and things, then mayb a share horse and then one of your own? it's maybe not the best idea just to jump straight into owning a horse without any knowledge or experience allthough i'm sure some people have done it! hoep that helps:D
 
No you're not too old!! But as this would be your first horse why not look around to see if anyone wants a sharer for their horse, that way you could ease yourself into it with a 2/3 day a week arrangement so you can see what level of commitment you'll need to make and also hopefully make new friends in your new area.

It can be quite overwhelming getting a new horse even when you've had horses before (see all the "help my new pony has completely changed personality since I first got him" threads on here) so starting off as a sharer could help you find a support network ready for when you get your own.

Hope this doesn't sound patronising, go for it and good luck :)
 
It not your age as much as your lack of experience. How are you planning to keep the horse? Full livery/part livery/DIY? If full livery this is less of a worry as will have the back up/support if DIY I think you need to do some homework/help out at stables 1st so you know what is involved.
 
Only do it if you are properly funded.

You can't afford to find out too much from experience at this age - a couple of falls and your confidence is shattered, so you need to be able to buy in as much help as you need so a minor problem never turns into a major problem.

I like the suggestion about sharing to begin with - also why not contact your local riding club and offer to help out at events - they always want stewards, dressage writers, jump judges, etc. That way you will quickly get to know lots of the local people, build up a lots of supportive contacts and be in the know if a brilliant horse comes up for loan/sale/share!!

Also, as a older rider myself, it is ever so important to keep fit in other ways. You loose muscle strength as you get older, which affects balance and reactions, so to really need to have a fitness plan that runs alongside the riding!!

Apart from that GO FOR IT - its amazing!
 
Hi, I'd say that your age is irrelevant (I'm 54 and I have 7, couldn't imagine life without them)

You don't say if you have ever ridden or have any experience handling horses. If that's a no and no answer, then you need to find a good riding school, have some lessons and find out if that's what you really want to do. You could then take the sharing option, and learn more about the care of a horse, without all the responsibility of owning.

Owning is a massive commitment, you need to put in a lot of hours every day, whatever the weather or however you are feeling. Read as much as you can about the daily care and management of a horse, be aware that this varies tremendously from breed to breed.

Maybe when you move, you will make some horsey pals, who will be willing to let you groom, muck out, pick out feet etc.

So, no, you are not too old at all. Just don't rush into buying a horse. Good luck! :)
 
I'm only asking as you don't mention it - can you ride? Do you wish to ride this horse you want to own? A lot of people don't! Cos if you want to ride it and don't know how to ride, I'd suggest starting off with riding lessons at a riding school.
 
I see riders of all ages at competitions. You are defo not too old lol. If youve got the time
and the money then go for it.
 
Age is certainly not a barrier :) you are only 52 after all :cool:

Sharing is an excellent way to start, also contact your local riding club and help out at shows, this way you will get to know the local folk. Also look out for local horse care/instruction evenings or courses. My vet runs seminars, laminitis, basic first aid etc.

I would advise against leaping into horse ownership unprepared (nothing to do with your age) because it can be expensive and stressful even when you get it right!

Biggest piece of advice is to plan to get a horse next spring and use the time until then for preparation. Make your first few months of horse ownership the spring ones when the grass is coming and the weather is warming up :)
 
Age has little to do with owning or caring for a horse, providing you have your health, don't mind hard work in all weathers and have a genuine compassion for horses. Owning or caring for a horse (unless in full livery) is 90% hard work and 10% pleasure. Also to care for a horse correctly is not cheap...far from it. Before you begin looking for the right horse, do the math, which includes horse insurance, imo A MUST, not only for the horse but to cover any eventuality which may occur. Gaining knowledge about how to care correctly for a horse is a must, we see all to often horses neglected through ignorance.

Personally to begin with and to get an idea of what is involved. I would see if you could share with some one, or even befriend someone with a horse and offer free help. (You do not say if you can ride, so for the benefit of doubt, I will assume you cannot...apologises if you can)In the meantime, you will need riding lessons again not a cheap thing. Once you realise what is involved, if you still feel you wish to own a horse, you will need to find the right type of horse and size for a novice, many will suggest a cob, which is a good idea, but not all cobs are quiet and laid back. Be very careful in your choice, you do not want to be over horsed, nor end up with one which frightens you and you most certainly do not want to lose your confidence before you have even started.

There is lots of basis things you will need to learn to care for the horse, like ensuring it has FRESH water everyday, that it is warm enough in the winter and cool in the summer, the list goes on and on. One would think common sense would prevail, but with respect, some people just do not seem to have any at all regarding caring or riding horses.

So my advice (for what's it is worth) is
Work/ride/help with another horse.
Have riding lessons
Learn as much as you can either online or by reading books
Join a forum such as this and ask as many questions as you like, no matter how silly you may think they are.
Choose your new horse VERY CAREFULLY, do NOT believe everything a seller says, try the horse several times and ensure the words BOMBPROOF and Novice Ride is in the advert, that way if it is not, you will have some comeback at a later date. (bombproof being the seller considers this horse to be extremely quiet, yet always be mindful, horses are animals with free wills)
Do not by a TB or ex-racehorse, these horses are fine, but imo not for a novice to either ride or care for. TB's need a lot of attention and some lose condition easily.
Learn how to tack up safely
Learn about food and nutrition
Learn learn learn for a happy partnership.

I am sure there is a thousand things I have forgotten to mention, but someone will add it on. And lastly never ever be afraid to ask for help!

Good Luck
 
Of course you're not too old BUT if you know nothing about owning a horse I would recommend that you go and do the BHS Horse Owner's Certificate at least at Level 1 and preferably Level 2 as well.
I started riding aged 6 (at riding schools) and didn't get my own horse until I was 45. Just before I got him I did a basic horse owner's course as I had realised that I knew nothing about worming and shoeing etc. From then on you never stop learning ;)
 
Lots of good advice and I agree with Honestly's list, except for the comment about tbs. A novice friend of mine bought an ex racehorse who has turned out to be the most laid-back, willing and forgiving bomb proof horse ever. He was recommended to her after she completley lost her confidence on a cob who bolted on several occasions with her!

So go for temperament/suitability not type or breed!

Don't forget to take either your riding instructor or a knowledgeable friend who knows your ability when you do start looking for a horse.

Good luck!
 
Tammytoo said:
Lots of good advice and I agree with Honestly's list, except for the comment about tbs. A novice friend of mine bought an ex racehorse who has turned out to be the most laid-back, willing and forgiving bomb proof horse ever. He was recommended to her after she completley lost her confidence on a cob who bolted on several occasions with her!

So go for temperament/suitability not type or breed!

Don't forget to take either your riding instructor or a knowledgeable friend who knows your ability when you do start looking for a horse.

Good luck!
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TammyToo ^^^^ Totally agree with you regards TB's I have known a couple whom were as you say. I was speaking generally about TB's and the fact that too keep them in good condition, could be difficult for a novice. Temperament is most definitely the way to go, but again for a novice what appears to be laid back in it's own surroundings could/can change once moved to a new yard and owner, so judging again could be difficult for a novice. I one 100 per cent agree with you, that any novice must take an experienced person with them when buying a horse, not only for temp but for condition/conformation etc. Will need an experienced eye to point out things like cow hocked etc.

But there seems to be plenty of good advice on hand, just keep asking questions and you will get there in the end. Research via google horses/seller names and telephone numbers, this does/can bring to light if the seller is a dealer or has sold horses before. Some dealers portray to be private sellers when there are not. Also if a person sells more than three horses a year, the tax man as does the law, deems them as dealers, so know your rights regarding buying a horse and also remember `Caveat emptor, the old adage 'Buyer Beware'!

But I think I am getting ahead of myself now regards buying, if you cannot ride first things first, take lessons and see how you go. Love the idea FaithKat put forward on here about obtaining a BHS cert level 1 (and 2) In my opinion every horse owner/carer should have these by law, before owning/caring for a horse. Not only for the horse's welfare, but for the safety of the owner/rider. Great Stuff!
 
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I would second the suggestion of riding lessons (if you intend to ride the horse) and doing the horse owners certificate.

To help get yourself some experience of caring for a horse even if you don't intend to ride you could try your local riding school, many will allow you to work there one or two days a week for experience. Some pay, some offer lessons in exchange for work, others will let you help out just for the experience.

I would also say several first time owners I know who are of your sort of age have their horses on working livery at a riding school (two different ones) this can be a big help if you are inexperienced as there is lots of back-up, it keeps costs down and your horse is cared for even if you aren't there, it also gets ridden by more experienced riders. Worth looking into.
 
I am a wee bit older than you, so age is not a problem, but you might consider whether it is the riding or the animals, so you could have ponies just as fun things, or a riding horse, or a driving pony, it all depends on your ambitions!
 
Get in there :) age is just a number ive got 3.
You need to get some things in place first, and you need to be committed to hard work, rain hail sleet or snow.
Do you know the basics of riding ?
If not i suggest some lessons until you get the basics in place.
While doing this get some good stable management books and enrol for some horse owner certificate courses or BHS stage 1 training which will give you the practical basics in providing care.
Im not so sure about the share thing, but thats just me, its not a route id take.
Look around and research for the best yard around you to meet your needs, eg, full part or DIY livery where there are experienced qualified people who are willing to help you.
While youre doing all this keep an eye out for a good horse, and if you know experienced horse folks ask them to help you look, if possible buy from word of mouth, most importantly, be honest with yourself about the type of horse you can manage, theres no point Over horsing yourself or it could be doomed
from the start. TAKE YOUR TIME LOOKING, IF POSSIBLE LOAN FIRST.
Have the horse vetted saying its to be suitable for a complete novice
Get a really good instructor, and build in funding for weekly lessons if you can, which incorporate some further stable management.
LET THE FUN BEGIN AND GOOD LUCK
 
Hah - never to old. Sounds like you will need a hobby. Why dont you enquire if World Horse Welfare are running any horse owner courses ATM, I did my NVQ 1 & 2 there a fer
w years ago, but they stopped because they were thinking about running horse owners courses instead.

Only problem is that you would probaly end up loaning from them, cos you just cant help but fall for the little blighters, and if you have your own land you could end up with a creaky ned collection.
 
I got my first horse at 52, fell off and broke my back at 54 and am just about feeling enthusiastic again now, 14 months later. I'd go for it, you only get one life and you have to make the most of it. I'd advise riding and horsemanship lessons before you take the plunge, ride as many times per week as you possibly can. Ask your instructor to help you choose a horse because finding the right one is a nightmare and whilst many people are honest a lot want to get rid of the horse asap and are prepared to tell you anything to get a sale. Once you get the horse I'd keep it on part or full livery because that will give you plenty of support and help if anything goes wrong.
 
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