am thinking of buying a older horse ...

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swade

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Hi,
I am thinking of buying a older horse and seen a 17yr old and 18yr old i like. Do you think that is a good age? or too old?
I lost my own horse last year and was heartbroken but would love a horse again.
I only want to gently hack out and about and just generally love and spoil a horse so thought a older horse would be just fine.
Thank you
 
I bought my cob mare when she was 16 and have had over 5 years of fun and safe hacking on her, she keeps up with all my mates horses from young TB,s to WB,s. I did get my own vet to give her the once over before I bought her and have not regretted a thing, infact she is my horse of a life time.
 
I think that buying an older horse would be absolutely fine. Lots of horses now can be ridden into thir late 20s. By their late teens they have a lot of life experience generally :)
 
Older horses have a lot to give and I dont think you will go far wrong with one. Just watch for the obvious health risks and I wouldnt want to pay lots for one.

Good luck with it if you go ahead.
 
I got my horse when he was 17, and he is just fab! We do everything - jumping, XC, shows, hacks, TREC - and he doesn't bother at all. As Izzwizz says, you don't want to pay a lot for them though.
 
I still have my now 33 year old mare, and I've had her since she was 10.
She still jumps and goes for trail rides (around five hours a day for three or four days) but now has manners and isn't spooky. I'd say go for it, if you look after a horse it can go on for years and years!
 
I would say go for it. Veterans have a lot to give and tons of life experience. People always talk about how you'll have a younger horse for longer, but if its wrong for you, you won't want to keep it five minutes.
 
And under 20 yo you can still get full vet fees cover on them now. :)

That was always my fear when buying one over 15 was that I wouldn't be able to insure them for vets fees.
 
Mine is now 17.

my only reservation of buying one at that sort of age is that it took me a while to get to grips with him (age 12) so I might be worried that by the time I did they would need to be slowing down.

fwiw mine hasn't slowed down at all, hunted for my first time last winter ;) :D
 
I lost my old horse about 3 years ago now but looking back having spoken to people who used to know him many years ago he was at least 20 when i got him i then had him about 18 brilliant years!

I maybe wouldnt buy an old TB who had raced due to wear and tear but then again i may be missing out on another amazing horse!

Go for it as long as they are healthy
 
my lad is 23 and still going strong, (infact he has more energy than my friends 5yr old competition horse) we do dressage, XC (over the course on the yard) and we are going to start taking him to the odd sj comp. i have had him for 5 yrs and i couldn't have asked for a better horse (even when he is being a complete @rse!)
 
I bought my boy 2 years ago having made the hard decision to sell my 10 year old who needed far more work than I had the time to put in. He was 18, been there, done that and worn the t-shirt, looking half his age and was in better condition than a lot I could have bought half his age for the same price! Half his age he would have cost double or even treble. He is the most lovely lad, anyone can ride him, he is safe but can step up a gear when needed and I don't HAVE to ride him or ride for hours if I don't want to because he is ready for a bit quieter life. Best thing I have ever done so if you want this type of horsey lifestyle, something older is ideal :) Good luck with your search!
 
Older hores are great for gaining experience and can som can def keep you on your toes!I have a 15yr old DR/hack/xc gelding if your looking :)
 
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