Buying an older pony

[Belacqua]

This is my first post.. after a little advice please! I am particularly interested on things to think about with keeping an older pony as my previous horses have all been under 10!

We have been offered the chance to buy an older pony - much older! He is 22. He has been a companion more recently, but is healthy and can be brought back into work for my children to learn the ropes with (one is younger and on the lead though I suspect not for long, another is off the lead). I am of the mind that if he is truly a lovely kind chap and is capable of the work (hacking, a little schooling), then it is certainly worth considering.

*Some points!*

I trust the person who has him and he has a solid history so this is not about whether he might have a dodgy past. He would be sold to us for the cost of bringing him back into work but this is not about money. We have a good budget available for the right pony.
AFAIK the last owner retired him as he was used for SJ, and when his field companion passed away he went to his current home.
IF he is suitable for us then as far as I am concerned this would be a home for life, I would not want to be passing him around (this is currently my biggest consideration, as it is a commitment bigger than buying a 10yo pony that they will outgrow and can be re-homed to bring some new little people joy a few years down the line).
He would be kept at livery a short distance away where we have a lovely big stable and grazing waiting.

So above and beyond the things I have mentioned, what should I be thinking about? Thanks in advance, I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

How long has he been out of work for?

 

[doodle]

I think a known pony with a known history and the ability to provide him with a home for life is a massive positive when teaching younger children to ride. 22 is not old for a pony. My only concern would be how long has he been out of work for.

 

[Belacqua]

Thank you both, how long he's been out of work for is something I don't know yet, a lot of the details (particularly more about his history as I know it's known but not by me yet!) we will get when we see him at the yard and have a good chat. How long do you think is 'too long'?

 

[doodle]

A year or 2 wouldn’t bother me. Any more than that you could suggest a loan for say 6months and then potentially buy if all ok.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you both, how long he's been out of work for is something I don't know yet, a lot of the details (particularly more about his history as I know it's known but not by me yet!) we will get when we see him at the yard and have a good chat. How long do you think is 'too long'?

I wouldn't want it to be years and I would like the pony to at least be started off because a lot can happen in a field without doing anything, he may have been sound when he was retired but doesn't mean to say he is now.

 

[HeyMich]

Our old welshie was happily teaching young kids to ride until a catastrophic field accident at 28. He wasn't jumped after the age of about 20 though. Is jumping something your kids would be keen to do? They may not say they are now, but both of my kids are absolutely obsessed with jumping, and my youngest only came off the lead rein last summer!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

My questions would be:

Why was he retired rather than sold/loaned while he was still a useful jumping pony?

Why is he being sold now?

Most important: would he have been suited to lead rein/first ridden when he was in full work? Don't assume that he will have stepped down a gear just because he's a few years older! If they bring him back into "work", make sure they're bringing back into the exact sort of work you would want him for.

 

[Belacqua]

Yes we would have him after he had been brought back into work by the yard he is at now, so lots of opportunity to meet him and try him and see what's what.

re jumping, I'm not sure at the moment! My eldest does want to try when she's sorted out her transitions, but there is no school at the livery so not much opportunity for jumping. Definitely something to think about though, thank you.

 

[Belacqua]

My questions would be:

Why was he retired rather than sold/loaned while he was still a useful jumping pony?

Why is he being sold now?

Most important: would he have been suited to lead rein/first ridden when he was in full work? Don't assume that he will have stepped down a gear just because he's a few years older! If they bring him back into "work", make sure they're bringing back into the exact sort of work you would want him for.

The top one is one of my first q's as well. I don't think he's going to be generally on the market to be sold, but has been offered to us as we know the people who have him at the moment iysim.

 

[Annagain]

You definitely need to do a bit more digging - how long he's been out of work, why he stopped being ridden in the first place and whether he's suitable for novice kids if he used to be a show jumper. I'd definitely want to see him back in work or have him on loan before making a decision - especially as he'll be at livery rather than your own land so will cost you a fair bit whether he's working for you or not. My old boy is retired and I still pay his livery happily but I've had him 15 years, I'm not sure I'd be so happy to do it if I bought one and he had to retire after a few months.

 

[Gloi]

If a pony is sound at 22 you could have several more years use with him. He may well do a bit of jumping too if you don't want to do too much or compete. I would have him vetted if he seems suitable when brought back into work and have the vetting include a Cushing's test.

 

[Belacqua]

Thank you all! It sounds like I'm thinking along the right lines as many of these are things that I've been planning to ask if/when we see him. . Logistically it's an odd one, as we would need him back in work to be able to make a decision.. and good point, Gloi, about Cushing's

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

If you know his history. Go for it.

Older ponies have so much to
Offer young riders. We took on a loan pony of 26 who we had until she died in her sleep at 32. She was a poppet and exactly what my very small children needed. She was followed by our current superstar who is now 21. 18 when we got him. He has Cushings which came up at the vetting so the owners sold him to us for the price of his saddle. We adore him. He is now nurturing my youngest Autistic son through Covid and homeschooling.

The right pony can be priceless.

 

[Sagamoon]

We got a loan pony at 23 and had her until she died in her 30's. Daughter learned so much from her and gained so much confidence. If its suitable don't let age put you off.

 

[J&S]

My own New Forest pony came down to Devon with me at 22 yrs old and became my new step daughter's pony club pony. They jumped 3ft at their first rally and she would be the first one down to the beach on fun rides. As long as the pony is sound and willing I am sure she will do your job.

 

[be positive]

I have a 26 year old that arrived at my yard as a redundant retired companion he was a bit stiff but otherwise bright and well so we quietly brought him back into work after a vet and physio check, he did require a fair bit of physio, he gave one child great fun went to a few local comps, he won several dressage classes, moved on to another family once he was outgrown, taught another two children the ropes and has now only retired because he was outgrown and I have moved, he could still be ridden but I will not pass him on so he will stay until the end, he does have slight cushings and is just about to start treatment but his levels are not high and he has only a rather thick coat as a sign.
I would have no real concerns about bringing a 22 year old back into what will in reality be light work, if he used to be a jumping pony he may still be fairly bright and active, mine was a top show pony in his youth and obviously still remembered those days when he went out and about.