Buying an older horse WWYD

QueenBella

QueenBella

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So I've had a few knocks with confidence in the last few years and add in having a baby I haven't done much riding in the last 2 years bar riding a friends horse or doing my weekly riding lesson doing mainly dressage.

I've come to terms that right now competing isn't high on my priority list, I'm currently showing our youngstock and that's itching any craving I have to get out and about.

An advert came up of a lovely RID 17 year old mare and they're not looking for much for her. She's ticking all boxes as shes a been there done that type, she's fit and in work and has bred foals previously which is good as my OH used to breed and show Irish Draughts and would love to get back in to it. My dilemma is would you buy a 17 year old or do you think its too old? I'd only want something to get out and about hacking, maybe the odd riding club dressage lessons and depending on how she is coping maybe jump the odd low level class. I'm not too worried about going out jumping as I have young horses who in a couple of years I hope to get out competing but right now I think I need a horse to help me get my mojo back.

She's grey if that makes any difference as people say to stay away from greys due to melanomas. She has none but could she have some internally. WWYD?

(To add I have a 15 year old broodmare with foal at foot, a yearling who will be sold, a 2 year old filly, a 6 year old TIH mare who I'm contemplating selling as she's being a bit tricky so I'm not sure if I need to add anymore!)
 
meleeka said:
17 really isn't that old anymore, so I'd say yes, as long as the price reflects her age.
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Very reasonably price but then I'm thinking is it too reasonable! She's nearly 5 hours away so not sure if I'll be able to go see her so would probably get some sort of vetting on her.
 
JillA said:
I have just lost a 28 yr old and still have a 25 year old. As long as she is sound and passes a suitable vet check you could have many more years of fun with her
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I bought a 17 year old and had 8 years of fun on him. He retired at 25 due to arthritis
He was the best horse ever
 
I don't think 17 is particularly old these days, if it were me I would probably pay my physio or instructor to come along (as a friend), even if you only get a few confidence giving years, it's would be worth it.

I bought my daughter's pony at 19, she's 24 now, forwards going but safe and probably the best horse I've ever bought!
 
As long as she is fit and able to do what you want her to do/ is already doing what you want to do, I say go for it and jump at the chance x

I never quite understood why people seem to avoid older horses - especially as they've been there and got the t-shirt so are fab teachers/confidence givers :)

If I were on the market looking (not that I am with my two currently ruling my life aha!), I would happily take on an older horse providing it was sound to do what I wanted x
 
QueenBella said:
So I've had a few knocks with confidence in the last few years and add in having a baby I haven't done much riding in the last 2 years bar riding a friends horse or doing my weekly riding lesson doing mainly dressage.

I've come to terms that right now competing isn't high on my priority list, I'm currently showing our youngstock and that's itching any craving I have to get out and about.

An advert came up of a lovely RID 17 year old mare and they're not looking for much for her. She's ticking all boxes as shes a been there done that type, she's fit and in work and has bred foals previously which is good as my OH used to breed and show Irish Draughts and would love to get back in to it. My dilemma is would you buy a 17 year old or do you think its too old? I'd only want something to get out and about hacking, maybe the odd riding club dressage lessons and depending on how she is coping maybe jump the odd low level class. I'm not too worried about going out jumping as I have young horses who in a couple of years I hope to get out competing but right now I think I need a horse to help me get my mojo back.

She's grey if that makes any difference as people say to stay away from greys due to melanomas. She has none but could she have some internally. WWYD?

(To add I have a 15 year old broodmare with foal at foot, a yearling who will be sold, a 2 year old filly, a 6 year old TIH mare who I'm contemplating selling as she's being a bit tricky so I'm not sure if I need to add anymore!)
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I bought a 17 yo ISH (¾ ID) grey mare last year!

She’s perfect for me. I was coming back after a 9 year break, just wanted something sane and sensible to hack out on 4-5 times a week and be my buddy. She’s been absolutely ideal - although if I wanted to be out jumping and competing she wouldn’t be up to it long term. They are great confidence givers - I can only imagine she was a lot of horse when younger but is happy to be chill (most of the time) nowadays!

Definitely get her vetted. I did, and it wasn’t a perfect clean vetting, but all age-related things that we are managing fine - but knowing what to expect helps a lot.

You have to be prepared that, if not yet, in a few years they will likely need some kind of joint maintenance, and as teeth start to go they’ll likely need more feeding through the winter. So far tbh this hasn’t been an issue - my lass needs a muzzle through the summer 🙈

Late teens really isn’t as big a deal nowadays as years before. Especially if they are fit and doing the work you want them to do, and staying sound. Took mine for a canter in a stubble field this morning in the wind and was just about taken to France, so there’s life in the old girl yet! 😂
 
I would sell the 6 year old if you're finding her a bit much at the moment, and buy the older mare subject to a vet check and ideally sending an acquaintance to see her. Although you'd have to go in in the knowledge that anything the vet mentions will probably become an insurance exclusion! I agree with @HopOnTrot , even if she "just" gives you a few years of enjoyment she'd be worth it, particularly if she's the sort who's easy to have around.

Re price I don't think a low price is necessarily a red flag - my horse was very cheap for what he is and that was after horse prices went through the roof. I think the sellers just wanted a straightforward sale and were perhaps a bit out of date with their pricing. And he is exactly what they said he was. But do you know anyone in the area you could send for a look, even if it's just to report back on the general vibe of the seller / yard?
 
That's great that the general consensus is that 17 isn't that old. I wouldn't class it as too old either but a few people said it was. I love the thought of an older horse and thankfully we have the land and facilities at home that she can live out her years here.

I'll definitely consider her and will look in to viewing her and vetting her if I think shes the one.
 
QueenBella said:
That's great that the general consensus is that 17 isn't that old. I wouldn't class it as too old either but a few people said it was. I love the thought of an older horse and thankfully we have the land and facilities at home that she can live out her years here.

I'll definitely consider her and will look in to viewing her and vetting her if I think shes the one.
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I would not rule her out but I would be sure that I had a plan. I would defo view as she won't be as easy to sell on if she doesn't suit. I would also have a plan as to what vet interventions I would be prepared to fund and where I would draw the line, and what would happen then.

That said, I've just come in from riding my 20yo. He has been a superstar in the gales.

He will will only have general vet intervention and will be pts if he becomes irreparably lame.
 
If she has a checkable work history and has been in constant work throughout then yes. If there have been big gaps in her competition record then I'd query why.
 
Definitely get her vetted but an oldie is no trouble, really. Do be aware that some niggles will come up on the vetting, but hopefully those will just be maintenance related/long term. Have a good chat with the vet about it, as it will mostly be about her being appropriate for what you want to do, and be honest with yourself about your plans/her capabilities.

I would say I personally wouldn’t consider breeding as it does get riskier with age, as with humans. But, you’re the ones with the experience breeding so up to you, really.
 
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I agree with everyone else, 17 is no problem at all. Just check shes not one of the Indigo mares thats been sold on. Also worth checking for any arthritis niggles etc. Melanomas wouldnt worry me if she hasnt any now.

Im riding our 15yeard ID, and hes an absolute pleasure.
 
17 is fine. I rode and hacked solo on my RI's retired lesson horse for about 8 years till she was fully retired and died aged 24. But it is wrong to think that an older horse does not still have a powerful turn of speed or is unable to ditch her rider if annoyed or spooked. My trusty companion had regularly ditched staff riders. She span with me once, spooked by a white bucket, but I didnt fall off. Good luck rather than good riding.
The problem is "doing" stuff. I have never "done" anything with any hacking horse. I sit on them and we mooch along. But I did decide when looking for a horse to buy that I wouldnt have anything over 16 years.
 
I totally agree with everyone else. I bought an 18 year old last year, and am just back from a pretty intense lesson on him. I knew a lot about his history, although not everything, and I bought from someone trustworthy. He has been very well schooled on the flat, but is very spooky, despite his age, and can be very quick on his hooves when something alarms him.

Seventeen is certainly not too old for the job you want your horse to do, as long as you’re realistic about the likelihood of needing more frequent dental checks, and attention to their joints. It may also take them longer to get fit than a younger horse, and mine took a good while to put weight on after losing it over the winter in his old yard.

My feeling is that I got a much better quality horse than I could otherwise have afforded, simply because of his age, and I’m quite happy putting the work in to making sure he stays healthy and happy for as long as possible. He’s got a home for life with me and he’s a fab boy.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I put an offer on the older horse that I thought was reasonable but was rejected.

Someone got in touch with me that's interested in the mare I'm considering selling and they have a 11 year old mare for sale that has done a bit so were going to meet and go from there and hopefully the horses are suited for us 🤞
 
QueenBella said:
They weren’t really, maybe a bit much for what the horse actually is capable of doing. My offer involved vetting, transport etc and they wanted a hassle free sale so I stayed clear.
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I would definitely say an “older” horse that’s stayed in consistent good work would definitely be worth it. A lot of times you won’t know if they actually can hold up till around 11-13yr old is what I was taught. If they’re still comfortably going at that age then outside of accidents you can be pretty assured that the horse will stay sound and not break down for a good solid amount of time. Light maintenance might be needed but I don’t consider that a deal breaker personally.
 
MoodyFox_13 said:
I would definitely say an “older” horse that’s stayed in consistent good work would definitely be worth it. A lot of times you won’t know if they actually can hold up till around 11-13yr old is what I was taught. If they’re still comfortably going at that age then outside of accidents you can be pretty assured that the horse will stay sound and not break down for a good solid amount of time. Light maintenance might be needed but I don’t consider that a deal breaker personally.
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Yes I agree however she didn't look right on one of her hind legs and when they didn't want a vetting it put me off nothing to do with the price. Anyways she is sold now.

I purchased the 11 year old and have her for over a week now and we are getting on brilliantly so at least I'm done on my horse search...for now!
 
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