Buying an older horse

[AthenesOwl]

I’m beginning to look for my first horse and my instructor has found a horse for sale locally who sounds potentially like a good match for me. The only thing that I have reservations about is that he’s 18. She doesn’t think that’s a problem, and there are lots of horses where I ride who are much older and fighting fit, but I’m interested in others’ thoughts.

I’m planning to do mostly hacking, and I’m lucky to have access to soft tracks, some school work and perhaps some low level dressage. I’m not one for jumping at all!

I trust her, but I also know that my hubby will have reservations about his age if I do decide to go and see him. It would be good to hear about others’ experiences.

 

[Highmileagecob]

It really depends on the horse, what level of fitness is he at, and is he in regular work? And whilst I would never write off an older horse, you do need to be aware that some horses start to show their age earlier than others, just like people.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You could buy a younger horse and have to pts the next week, because of a field accident. If the horse suits you now, that is the important thing. I have had to have 2 pts aged 11, one had cellulitis and the other had an unsuspected internal tumour which burst. My 6 yr old was pts because of Cushings related laminits. We have had horses live into their 30s but the most important thing about a 1st horse is that it is confidence building and easy to manage.

 

[FitzyFitz]

Older horses that are settled and calm and know their jobs are the best choice for a first horse. So long as he is in good health now theres no reason you couldn't still be riding him in ten years time. The longer they are kept active and moving, the better they last!

 

[Alibear]

Older horses can be great, but I'd want to ensure that how they're kept currently matches how you would keep them. This includes turnout/stabling/exercise/rugging, etc., as changing that can have a bigger effect on an older horse and often not for the better.

 

[Palindrome]

It would be too old for me too.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I wouldn't write him off, but as Alibear says, you'd want to know that you could keep him in the same way- if he's got 24/7 turnout, or is out overnight/8+ hours a day, suddenly having him on a yard with restricted turnout could mean you start seeing arthritic problems that didn't show before. Similarly, you'd want an idea of his running costs- do they have joints injected, is he on any supplements, does he require extra feed/a specific type of feed. A lot of horses (not all) become poor doers as they get older and so keeping weight on in the winter can become expensive.

 

[Goldie's mum]

I’m beginning to look for my first horse and my instructor has found a horse for sale locally who sounds potentially like a good match for me. The only thing that I have reservations about is that he’s 18. She doesn’t think that’s a problem, and there are lots of horses where I ride who are much older and fighting fit, but I’m interested in others’ thoughts.

I’m planning to do mostly hacking, and I’m lucky to have access to soft tracks, some school work and perhaps some low level dressage. I’m not one for jumping at all!

I trust her, but I also know that my hubby will have reservations about his age if I do decide to go and see him. It would be good to hear about others’ experiences.

What breed/height is he? That would make all the difference for me. An 18 year old native pony has loads of happy, active life left, an 18 y.o. T.B. not so much.
My first horse was a 20year old Welsh cross. She was good for another 10 years and taught me so much.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Sounds a very sensible choice for what you want to do

 

[HuskyFluff]

You've already been given good advice about what to ask/look for, so I'll just share my experience.

I took on a 19yr old, 15hh Welsh D. Once I'd got used to the fact he was extremely forward going, and had very strong opinions on how jumping should be done, we had many happy years together. Clinics, camps, hacking, jumping and x country. I only stopped riding him when he was 26 as I got too fat for him. I suspect he would have kept going quite happily for another few years if I hadn't been such a lardarse, as with stopping work he started losing muscle! He's 31 now, and has only really started showing his age in the last 12 months or so.

 

[gallopingby]

Depending on breeding / height l wouldn’t have any concerns especially if already known to your instructor and local. Eighteen is middle aged for many these days but would depend on you keeping to a similiar regime. You’ll learn so much more from an established horse than a younger one who may require more input from others. Definitely worth a look assuming your instructor / trainer knows her stuff and has a good few years experience.

 

[dorsetladette]

As a first horse something with life experience is better in my opinion. They are generally calmer and more tolerant of your/our mistakes. These days I don't think 18 is that old. You've potentially got another 4 or 5 years with them of active life. I don't think what your planning on doing would be a stretch for a horse in his early 20's either.

As other have said he needs to be currently in the work you want him to do or more (ie, stepping down for a competitive career SOUND) and kept in a very similar routine you intend to keep him to make sure continuity of routine. I dont think it's a good idea to move anything from 24/7 turn out to limited turn out for example. Speak in depth with the current owner and take notes about as much as possible so the 'handover' period is as seamless as possible, feed, forage, farrier cycle, dentist cycle, turnout type, bedding, anything you can think of no matter how silly/trivial you might think. Only a silly question if you already know the answer!

 

[suestowford]

My first horse was old when I got him. Supposedly 17 but I think he was at least 20. He'd had a hard life so he had no trouble adjusting to a life of comparative luxury!
I had six wonderful years with him and was lucky with his health - it was only in the last 3 months that he ailed.
You don't say how much they are asking for this horse but if it's not much money then it might be worth a shot.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I certainly would not discount a well looked after 18yo. My tb is 18 and looks and feels fantastic. He has been retired from racing for 8 years. I have had him just over 7 years and have done everything on him. I would carry on competing every weekend but to be honest it no longer interests me. I would like to think if you bought my boy ( not for sale) that you would have many more happy years ahead. View the horse at least, he might be your dream horse, good luck!!

 

[CarlungM]

I would definitely go for one with experience under his/ her belt. My Highland showed artgritis around 11 but with treatments and good management he is now 18 and having a whole new lease of life. Not that I would ever sell him, but he is so safe, fun and well trained if I was looking to buy and came across him I would snap him up.
I have ridden some cracking horses in their 20's, so an older horse can be fab.

 

[splashgirl45]

My friend bought a 15 hand cob who was supposed to be 16 but after she bought her she found out she was really 18. She did pleasure rides and general hacking and stopped riding her when she was 27 as she injured her hind leg and although sound my friend didn’t want to push it so she retired her.. so some 18 years olds can stay sound for a long time… at least go and try the horse to see if you like him and feel confident. I would also get him vetted so you know if there are any existing problems.. good luck

 

[humblepie]

I do a lot of veteran horse competitions and always think it is nice when hear that someone has bought an older horse and are out having fun. One thing to think about though, is that in 3 or 4 years time if you can't ride the horse any longer, are you happy to keep him in retirement. I am sure you would be, but it is just important to ensure that your other half would be supportive.

 

[Esmae]

We bought a 19 year old for my elderly husband to ride. We had him pts at the age of 29, due to a cancer. He gave us 10 wonderful years. As has already been said they can hurt themselves in the field regardless of age. We lost a 4 year old in those circumstances. If the horse suits and is well I would go for it.

 

[cariad]

I bought an Advanced Medium dressage schoolmaster who was 18 when I got him. He taught me so much, you wouldn't believe. He was 33 when he was PTS and like all my others. was fine until he wasn't. It was just his time. He had been retired earlier, but you could have still hopped on him and had a walk round if you'd a mind to. He was part-bred Arab. My daughter had a retired Grade A showjumper, n Irish TB, who was 15. He went at 36, again, fine till the day he wasn't. I had another horse by Dallas, who was Selle Francais with a TB mother from when he was 3 till he went at 31. So much of it is just luck and like others have said, depends on the individual horse. But what is worth its weight in gold is a confidence giving, safe horse as your first horse. None of us can predict the future with horses, so buy what you need now and have some fun!

 

[equinerebel]

My 15hh welsh D is 18 and still as feisty and strong as she’s ever been. I agree it depends on the horse, their life beforehand and their size.

 

[AthenesOwl]

Thanks everyone, for all the excellent advice. And sorry for taking so long to reply after starting the thread. I got caught up in a work emergency.

You’re all giving me a good idea of the sort of questions to ask about him, as well as useful experience of older horses. My instructor is very experienced with older horses too, and didn’t think it was a problem. There are quite a few older horses at the school she runs, including several in their mid 20s. As predicted, my husband, who knows nothing about horses, is very worried about it.

I regularly ride a very spirited 17.2hh 17 year old retired show jumper, and this chap is 17.1hh and an ISH. I’m relatively tall and not one for smaller horses. I would plan on getting him vetted and want to know what he’s been up to.

 

[webble]

My last 2 were both pts at 9 having passed vettings when they were young, you just never know. If the horse is happy and healthy currently and sensibly priced you could get 5+ years of happy hacking together

 

[AthenesOwl]

My last 2 were both pts at 9 having passed vettings when they were young, you just never know. If the horse is happy and healthy currently and sensibly priced you could get 5+ years of happy hacking together

I’m so sorry to hear that.

You’re absolutely right though, you do never know what’s round the corner. It seems like it’s worth my while going to see this chap. He’s a decent price and sounds a good fit for me on paper.

 

[gallopingby]

Thanks everyone, for all the excellent advice. And sorry for taking so long to reply after starting the thread. I got caught up in a work emergency.

You’re all giving me a good idea of the sort of questions to ask about him, as well as useful experience of older horses. My instructor is very experienced with older horses too, and didn’t think it was a problem. There are quite a few older horses at the school she runs, including several in their mid 20s. As predicted, my husband, who knows nothing about horses, is very worried about it.

I regularly ride a very spirited 17.2hh 17 year old retired show jumper, and this chap is 17.1hh and an ISH. I’m relatively tall and not one for smaller horses. I would plan on getting him vetted and want to know what he’s been up to.

It’s sensible to get him vetted but remember the vetting is the opinion of the vet for the horse to do the job you want him to do and an older horse may have some entirely manageable minor issues which shouldn’t be considered as a ‘fail’.

 

[ponynutz]

I'd suggest it's more important to get him vetted and to really think financially about whether you can afford to keep a horse on retirement... thinking logically, you are likely to be this horse's final home and so you need to be prepared to care for him until the end.

 

[madmav]

My last horse share was aged 17 when I first rode him. Ten happy years with him, lots of hacking, jumping, joy. If a trusted person is recommending this horse, I’d for it. Good luck!

 

[Titchy Pony]

My riding school bought Granny Eventer as a 17 yo from another riding school that was closing down. From a business perspective, she was worth it financially to them even if she only lasted a year as an RS horse before retiring. She will be 24 next year, and though she has been gradually coming down the levels and probably approaching RS retirement she is still going strong and will be very hard to replace.

I myself took on a 25yo, different scenario as she was free and I only wanted a companion, but she has been fine to ride to hack out for two years, though I retired her from the saddle in spring this year (I will still allow myself to hop on bareback for a field change if she looks happy to carry me). She would probably still be fine in light ridden work if I'd had the time to keep her ticking over consistently. I had reservations taking her on at her age, but she has been exactly what I needed and more since she arrived.

 

[AthenesOwl]

My last horse share was aged 17 when I first rode him. Ten happy years with him, lots of hacking, jumping, joy. If a trusted person is recommending this horse, I’d for it. Good luck!

This is good to know.

Not only is my instructor suggesting that this horse is worth considering, but an experienced horsey friend who knows the person selling him has said that she'd trust them to be entirely honest about the horse.

If (and it's a big if) I end up with this horse, I would fully expect mine to be his last home, with him potentially ending up as a non-ridden member of the family at some point, if that was the right thing for him.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

A lot of excellent advice already given so I won't repeat what others have already said. The only other thing I would bear in mind, I would expect his age to be taken into account with how much they are asking. I obviously don't want you to disclose on here as that is your business and we don't need to know. But have a check on a few sites to get an idea of average prices so you will have an idea if it is a reasonable and realistic asking price. Good luck and hope it all works out for you.

 

[Skib]

I rode my old share for about 7 years till she was 24. But she was turned away in Summer time and unless she span and fled, (she had a history of dumping staff) our canters were short and sedate. If I wanted a long liberated canter I went to my favourite Connie at a local RS.