Does the age of a horse put you off buying him/her?

Switcheroo

Switcheroo

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I've left a thread here before about currently searching for my first horse (with zero luck until recently!) but I think I may have found something that suits me. I've had a young horse on loan before and though you get used to the playing up and the babyish things I think I'd prefer something more experienced when it comes to actually owning a horse.

I think I might have found the horse! he's bombproof in traffic, good jump, been there seen that and got the T-shirt. Overall a very good temperment and pefectly suited to what I want a horse for; a bit of fun, maybe a few shows but nothing big. however he is 15- I know this is not old in horse terms but he will be with me for life and I'm concerned about how long I will be able to ride him before he is retired. I've seen some people retiring their horses this young before and I thought that was pretty shocking! So my question is, should I go for it? He seems to suit in every way but somehow the age thing is putting me off. I think it's mostly due to what someone at my yard said (won't get much time riding with him, he'll get sick etc) and I hate that this is holding me back!

Sorry for the length, it's been bugging me so it's good to let it out :(
 
I bought my first horse when he was 14 and in the five years I have owned him, he has been out of action twice - once when he was lame (bruised sole) and once when he caught his eye on a tree branch! We are happy hackers, but my daughter will still jump him as he loves it! He is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact he probably goes better now than when I first had him!

If everything about him ticks all your boxes I would certainly not be put off by his age.
 
Yes, a horse's age is a big consideration for me.

But you should do what *you* want to do, and if you feel the horse is the right one for you then thats what matters, not what other people think :)
 
My pony is 21 and still flat out galloping round fields over taking 17.2s and launching me into jump wings! And in three years with him *touch wood* he hasn't been the slightest bit ill. I wouldn't let it put you off.
 
No, not unless it is very elderly. I would expect the price to reflect the age, but to be honest, a horse that is 18 or 19 that has had a good life with a sympathetic owner would probably have more 'life' left in it than one in its early teens that has been ridden into the ground from a young age.
My first horse was retired at 17 with bone spavin, broken wind, wind galls, heart murmur, splits... he was a successful ex-racer who then showed a talent for eventing and basically his owners didn't stop hammering him until he physically couldn't cope with the cross country element anymore. I bought him as a 12 year old and he gave me 5 brilliant years as a school master over 70 - 80cm show jumps and through prelim and novice dressage.
Conversely, there was a horse at my current livery yard who had had the same owner her whole life. She was out doing one-day events when she was 20 (nothing massive, but enough to have fun with) and as far as I know she's still hacking around at her new yard.
 
A difficult one...

As a first horse an older one will have had a lot more experience of the world, but will have a shorter riding career and will be harder to re-sell.

I think if the horse is perfect in every way and has a clean bill of health, then an older one should not be discounted. After all, I am sure their are plenty of people out there that have had horses retire or be pts at younger ages than 15yrs - there is no guarantees with any age horse.
 
Not an easy one. Some horses go on for years and carry on happily working others need to retire earlier. I have had one retire at 24 and another at 21 but some are happy to go on far longer others retire much younger. I would go with your gut instinct if this is the right horse in every other way I would go for it. Definitely a much better idea to go for a more experienced horse you can genuinely enjoy albeit that it may be for a shorter time than something else you cannot. It may be easier to make your mind up after a vetting when the vet can let you know what they think. Do your own thing though and make the right choice for you.
 
I would look at it as a positive, he has got to 15 with no injuries or problems, assuming he passes a vetting, he should be fine to continue an active life.

A livery horse was sold a while ago, he was 15, had hunted and been a busy competitive horse, he passed a 5 stage vetting with no issues and is continuing to hunt and event in his new home, he will semi retire as a happy hacker when he needs to but stay with them for the rest of his life.
 
Unless something goes wrong ( and that can happen at any age mine broke down at 6!) you have at least 10years if you keep him fit, is that long enough?:)
 
I think it depends on the horse. Same as people I suppose. My Nana is 70+ and still going strong whereas my friend's uncle is 40 something and not faring well...
 
Thank you for the advice, everyone.

Yes I realise that I will have a shorter time with something of that age and to be quite honest that frightens me! I get very attached and love bonding with animals especially horses. When I had to give up my last loan horse I was devastated; cried for days, chest still gets tight thinking about it now!

This horse has been very well treated from what I can see, girl owned him most of his life and he was just used for riding club activities/fun but has been to hunts and some SJ.

Will take into consideration everything you all have said, thank you. :)

Going to see him again on sat. He has currently been out of work for 3 months so it will take some time if I do end up getting him, but I think it will be worth it.
 
I was given a 15 year old horse 11 years ago as a birthday present and she is still going strong 11 years later at 26.

Get the horse thoroughly vetted by a specialist equine vet and go fom there.
 
Switcheroo said:
I think it's mostly due to what someone at my yard said (won't get much time riding with him, he'll get sick etc) and I hate that this is holding me back!
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Don't let this put you off - horses can get ill / injured at any time in their life and have to be retired young, it's not just the oldies.
If he's suitable in every other way and you really like him, then go for it! It does depend a bit on the breed, and on what its done in the past as to how long a horse can stay fit and active, but if he's well cared for and passes a vetting now then there's no reason why you won't have many fun years ahead of you. We have a pony in his late 20's/early 30's still bombing round the field - he was my first pony and is as healthy and full of life as he was when I was riding him, and has been regularly mistaken for a youngster! Our other "oldie" is 21 and again, charging about kicking his heels in the air and causing chaos - he's still fit and full of energy, ridden most days, going out and about and not showing signs of slowing down. Let us know how you get on :)
 
With good stable management he should be able to go on for years yet!

Look at Over To You for instance, he was still jumping round Badminton at 19! The horses at the riding school where I ride are in their late twenties and still jumping BHS heights for the stages!

:)
 
Switcheroo said:
Thank you for the advice, everyone.

Yes I realise that I will have a shorter time with something of that age and to be quite honest that frightens me! I get very attached and love bonding with animals especially horses. When I had to give up my last loan horse I was devastated; cried for days, chest still gets tight thinking about it now!

This horse has been very well treated from what I can see, girl owned him most of his life and he was just used for riding club activities/fun but has been to hunts and some SJ.

Will take into consideration everything you all have said, thank you. :)

Going to see him again on sat. He has currently been out of work for 3 months so it will take some time if I do end up getting him, but I think it will be worth it.
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My first horse/second pony was purchased as a four year old. I brought him on slowly and stuck to steady flat work with him starting small jumps at five and didn't take him hunting until 6. He was found dead in the field at just turned eight.
My next horse I had from her teens until she was PTS after a stifle injury at 26.
Buying a younger horse is not guarantee of the time you will have together.
If this horse ticks all the boxes than don't let age put you off.
 
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