Buying a 19 year old horse - what cost

[Trot_on]

I'm another one who would continue to loan if I could. Has your friend told you why she wants to sell? While I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, they're probably well aware that the horse wouldn't sell on the open market and possibly usnig your emotional atttachment to him as an easy way to not have the responsibilty of an older horse who has numerous health issues already. As someone else has said on the thread, if you stopped loaning, it would cost them a lot to retire him.

I would understand more if it were due to financial difficulty or something like that and you've both discussed it at length. However, at this point in the horses life, if I could no longer guarentee a safe future due to financial reasons, I would gift to someone like yourself with a strong agreement of return if needed, or PTS. I wouldn't expect any money from purchaser (just £1 for the transaction). I'd also give you everything you needed for the horse to ensure comfort and familiarity.

The responsibility you're taking on is uncertain and probably pricey - to expect you to pay for that is incredibly unfair, as you're really doing the current owner a favour, not the other way round.

If you do choose to go ahead, he won't pass a vetting, but it'd be useful to speak to a vet who knows him well about current issues and ongoing treatment needed to keep him company.

*keep him comfortable!

 

[Abacus]

We bought daughter’s pony age 19, we paid £800 over lockdown from a RS.

She has asthma but no other health issues, she’s 25 in January and sound as a pound. I imagine if sold through our PC she could go for more than we paid as she is a great LR/FR.

IMO 19 is quite young to be “stiff” and the melanoma is a worry.

I don’t agree here - 19 is pretty old for horses and I don’t think he’s young to be ‘stiff’. You’re talking about an animal who is approx 65+ in human years.

Does the owner want to sell simply to avoid ongoing care and medical bills? In which case they should give away for £1. The lump (in a grey especially) would very much concern me.

Frankly I can’t imagine passing on an old horse (yes, he’s old) and even more expecting significant money (except incredible little children’s ponies that do go on longer).