Buying an older horse

[NooNoo59]

Hi all so my boy of 10 is now retired as his suspensories are breaking down again so thats game over. Gutted about this, have seriously considered giving up riding BUT then rode a friends horse and enjoyed it so much that I have decided to get another one. Now I am 65 this year so need something safe and easy to just enjoy hacking and a bit of a play in the school maybe a bit of low level showing and dressage. As we all know this is a nightmare process with people not being honest not getting back to you or charging the earth for something that is not even sound! Anyway a horse has been recommended to me locally he is for sale but he is 14 but he ticks all the boxes. I will probably plop about for another few years so if he stays sound he would be perfect, also he loves jumping which I dont anymore but my daughter will have a pop on him so thats fine. Experiences of buying older horses please, thanks

 

[asmp]

14 is not considered old these days!

 

[Abacus]

I think if he has lasted until 14 he probably has as good a chance of staying sound than most 7 year olds unless he is unusually high mileage.

I'd be interested to know if there is a peak of injuries (I mean tendons, ligaments, arthritis etc rather than accidents) at a certain age. From experience I'd say it's between about 7 and 11.

ETA: very sorry about your 10 year old.

 

[Julia0803]

If he's doing the job now that you want him for, and has been doing it for sometime and got to 14 without breaking I would have thought you would have a good chance of him staying sound for a while.

I think I read on here that it can be more of a gamble with a younger horse that has never really been in solid work before - that some of them break down at the 6/7/8 mark once they are asked to consistently work/do a job.

Good luck

 

[gallopingby]

Fourteen isn’t old these days unless he’s hugely tall! If he comes with a local recommendation and good history he’s definitely worth seriously considering. Good luck.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I was expecting to open this and read 18+
14 isn't at all old. I'd be very happy to buy a 14 yr old. (vetted!!)

 

[lynz88]

I'd be happy with a 14 year old tbh....I agree with the poster who mentioned that injuries tend to occur between 7 and 11 .... that's certainly been my experience. I have had a lot of problems between 8 and 16....mine is now 18 and although still has quite a few issues to navigate, we know what they are now and seems to be coming back into himself.

 

[Squeak]

He sounds perfect and for what you want to do 14 isn't old. I'd definitely go and have a look at him.

 

[BBP]

I’ve just bought an 18 year old, to get me back riding before I start my youngster. I figure that if she is sound at her age then it is likely she doesn’t have any fundamental weaknesses. She has the most phenomenal elegant trot (the soundest I have seen for a long time!) and is an absolute Ferrari with energy for days.

That said, I have only ridden her a couple of times so far. I had a wobble after getting on and her feeling super anxious, I thought it was that my confidence was gone. But after a bit more assessment I think it was actually my gut telling me something was wrong. We think that the move at her age from a place she has lived for most of her life caused a degree of stress that may have given her ulcers as she is a sensitive sort, so we are dealing with that and getting her 100% comfortable before riding. She was also cheap enough and a nice enough person that I am happy to keep her as a companion for the rest of her life if she doesn’t turn out to be a ridden horse.

 

[Surbie]

I got mine as a 12yo, now 18 and a bit stiffer but he is everything I need as another low-level plopper-abouter. I would definitely look at an older horse again.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I have bought a few teenagers over the years, mainly to be used for hacking and very low key competitive riding. I have never been disappointed, I also figure if they get to mid teens still sound you will almost certainly get a few good and happy years with them especially if you aren't demanding a high and stressful workload. Many a good tune played on an old fiddle.

 

[Annagain]

Wiggy was 14 when I bought him, he's now 16. Best thing I ever did. You only have to read my posts from the last 18 months to know how much I adore him. He just makes everything so easy and stress free. I still can't believe my luck to have found him.

 

[eggs]

One of my homebreds is 19, working at Inter 1 dressage and 17.3 hh - by common wisdom he should be broken but he is the soundest horse I have ever had.

If you like the horse I would certainly not worry about his age. I tend to think that if they have stood up to work and are sound at that age then you have every chance of having many happy years together.

 

[Lauraback]

My friend bought a 16 years old many years ago he lived to around 30 and never a lame day, go for it

 

[PeterNatt]

I was given a 15 year old and she was ridden daily for another 11 years. Just get them checked out by a vet to make sure theer are no issues. Good luck Peter

 

[Esmae]

I bought a 19 year old for my husband. He was perfect for our job and we had him 10 years before the inevitable happened. 14 isn't old at all.

 

[Celtic Jewel]

I'd be interested to know if there is a peak of injuries (I mean tendons, ligaments, arthritis etc rather than accidents) at a certain age. From experience I'd say it's between about 7 and 11.

I disagree my horse got a ton of lameness issues when 14 years old tandon injury , arthritis , feet got crappy need shoes on all 4 feet and she was previously barefoot I had previous never had a problem with lameness she was sound for all her life.

Op 14 years old isn’t old anymore and just get a horse vetted to make sure he heathy and with the cost of horses I wouldn’t care about a horses age.

 

[Skib]

To confirm what others have said. 14 isnt old for normal riding. My present share is about 15 and I expect her to see me out. My old share lived till she was 24.

 

[splashgirl45]

My friend bought what she was told was a 16 year old cob and after investigations we worked out that she was really 18, my friend rode her hacking and pleasure rides until she was 28 and she had another 3 years retired in the field. An older horse for an older rider is a good idea and 14 isn’t that old . Don’t forget to get a vetting by a vet of your choice, if you don’t know of anyone you could give us an idea of where the horse is and maybe one of us could recommend a reliable vet

 

[TinseLeneHorse]

I'm the same age as you and have similar riding aspirations. If I was going to get another horse when my beloved 26 year old inevitably goes, I would definitely be looking for one in their teens. I think the horse you mentioned sounds ideal for you. Go for it!

 

[suestowford]

My first horse was about 20 when I got him. He'd had a bit of a rough life but had managed to survive that without any major issues, so I thought he was a fairly tough specimen and worth a go. I had him 6 years only (I wish it had been more) but for all of that bar the last couple of months, he was healthy and sound. We only really did hacking, but he was a lovely horse to take out, so sensible and kind.

 

[khalswitz]

I’ve just bought an 18 year old, to get me back riding before I start my youngster. I figure that if she is sound at her age then it is likely she doesn’t have any fundamental weaknesses. She has the most phenomenal elegant trot (the soundest I have seen for a long time!) and is an absolute Ferrari with energy for days.

That said, I have only ridden her a couple of times so far. I had a wobble after getting on and her feeling super anxious, I thought it was that my confidence was gone. But after a bit more assessment I think it was actually my gut telling me something was wrong. We think that the move at her age from a place she has lived for most of her life caused a degree of stress that may have given her ulcers as she is a sensitive sort, so we are dealing with that and getting her 100% comfortable before riding. She was also cheap enough and a nice enough person that I am happy to keep her as a companion for the rest of her life if she doesn’t turn out to be a ridden horse.

You could be describing my scenario, except 17 and not ulcers - just separation anxiety. She’s coming round though with plenty of groundwork and gentle strolls to the end of the lane mounted.

Gorgeous big paces, sweet as sugar and a real people person, bit of something about her but no nastiness at all. Just what I need to get back to riding when I’ve been really intermittent for a long time.

 

[NooNoo59]

Oh this is very encouraging have messaged to arrange viewing!

 

[ThreeFurs]

I bought my PSG schoolmaster when he was 15 as my horse to learn the higher movements on. Bought him even though the vetting showed changes in left front pastern. Put him on Pentosan and 4Cyte. He was in work, and competing at Advanced [working psg at home], until he was 23! He's now 28, bouncing around the retirement paddock with a best friend.

So 14 is not old.

 

[shanti]

I think 14 is a great age to get a horse for the job you need it to do.

 

[dixie]

I bought a 13yr old last year and he’s been a delight. It’s especially nice going to places such as clinics or a fun ride last weekend and he just takes it in his stride. Been there, done that type!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

14 isn't classed as old anymore, infact most horses are in their prime!! If you like him and he suits I wouldn't even consider the age being a negative! Photos when he arrives please!!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

The age would be a plus to me. Age compatible with my own.