Breed/type to see you into your old age!

Based on a couple I have met recently, connie or ISH or even TB x cob (the outcome to be a lightweight cob, sensible but forward enough, and just fun). Preferably no smaller than 15.2 but also no bigger than 16.1, I'm a shortarse now and don't want to be dealing with massive rugs and flinging saddles in the air when I'm ancient (or more ancient).

And I like them to look smart, so a nice dun, bay or chestnut.
 
In all honesty, I'm not sure it comes down to breed/type. I had a wonderful Arab who was the sanest, most sensible little chestnut mare ever. I so wish she was still with me now as I had complete trust in her. Sadly old age and Cushing's/laminitis meant she had to cross the bridge 😢
I now have a cob x NF to see me into my old age, and he can be a complete ar*e t times. He's strong, very strong, wilful and as moody as any mare I've ever met. But when he's good, he's really good. So it's a lottery sometimes, not just down to type IMO.
 
Apart from having the right temperament, I have found that, as I got near 80, a horse or pony with a smooth stride who does not throw me around is a godsend. Comfortable paces are essential and a soft, educated mouth which never, ever puts too much weight in your hands. A well mannered, smooth hack, and they can come in all shapes and sizes but the closer to the ground the better if you want to remain independent of outside help as long as possible
 
I’ve bought mine. Fabulous Welsh D gelding with the bling 🥰🩵 If Faran gets to the same age as Kia did or even near it then I’ll be in my 60s. With my arthritis and spinal damage as it is right now at the standard rate of degeneration I don’t think I will be buying another after him.

Unless I do something really stupid like buy another youngster 😅🤣🤣 however I had no plans to own two unless I had my own land 🙂
 
tda said:
Uk has its own rocky mountain horses they are called dales, fells, Highlands 😁

I'm sticking to my dales ponies as I age and become more infirm
Click to expand...
I know you're joking, but the gaiting has been bred out of them now (a shame!) - so quite different. I've not ridden Rockies but Icelandics are lovely and smooth to ride, so I reckon a gaited horse would be nice for when I'm old and my dodgy back is worse.
 
A friend and I talked about this on Sunday..my Friesian is 13 and I’m 61 so she ll be my last horse…my friend is 67 and got her Godolphin off the track gelding 4 years ago and she believes he ll be her last horse ( brave woman I m not sure a fit ex racer would ve been my choice of last horse lol).
 
I'm 57 and hoping my lovely 21 year old connie will last me at least another couple of years - he's fit and healthy at the moment. Then I will buy another unbroken 3 year old connie or highland but instead of starting him myself - getting too old for that - I will do the ground work, then ask my friend to back him.
I've had a preference for connie's and highland's (also ridden lots of warmbloods and TB's) for over 50 years not changing at the last hurdle.
 
My heart lies firmly with Appaloosas - Baggs my 20 year old is part Appaloosa and he made me fall in love with the breed, so when I was looking for a horse to take over from him, it made sense for me to get either a part or full bred Appaloosa. Cue Rabbit coming onto the scene. Rabbit is currently 2.5 years old and I've decided that after he passes away, I won't be getting any more ridden horses. I might get a small rescue that I can take out for in hand walks/trick train etc but I've had far too many falls that have resulted in permanent injuries, and given that I'm just shy of my 30th, I figured that it would be best to stop whilst I'm ahead. But I also get enjoyment out of just looking after and being around them too hence my plan of getting a small rescue as I get older.
 
My last one was on paper an Irish sport horse. In reality more of an ID or maxi cob type. One of the biggest horses I have owned at 17.3 but a very steady gentle giant. Had I not had a ground accident putting him out and bringing my mare in I would probably still be riding him now. My fault entirely, 70 years of horse ownership and I became very casual and gung ho doing ground work, I paid the price. Unfortunately it was not to be, but on a very happy note his owner did buy him back from me (as agreed at time of purchase) and still has him today.

I dont think it is the breed either, probably the most trustworthy horse I ever owned and lead my children on their ponies out on was an Arab stallion.
 
I would choose something with either an arab or Spanish ancestry as I would be looking for a gentleman who was nice and polite to handle and those have been the kindest breeds I have owned.
I would also go for a gaited horse although there are not many choices in the UK. I had Peruvians and they were gentleman and smooth to ride.
It would probably be an Icey if I had to have another horse. 14.2 would be the max for my old age.

however I still 8 horses for any more at my age probably won't happen. But never say never. :D:D

One thing to consider is that Rockies and other breeds with Spanish ancestry which are lovely horses are very keen on EMS so you would need the lifestyle to keep it under control.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top