Ex Cavalry Horses - anyone taken one on?

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caths

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Hi - Has anyone ever taken on an ex cavalry horse. My niece is considering putting her name on the waiting list but I wonder if anyone has experience of taking on these horses and what would be the general opinion on taking on an older horse like that.
 
i have an ex carriage horse,a 17h 22 year old,hes been there and done it all and is a good boy he's could have been a cav or police horse he is so good,i would say go for it,was thinking about it myself at one time
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Apparently the average age of these for being retired is around 20 and I think that may be the one thing that's kind of putting me off encouraging her with this. However on the plus side if they've been in service for that long then they must have been pretty calm and trustworthy. She is only looking for a fun hack that she can ride on the beach near to her home and through the fields and woods nearby. In fact it sounds like the perfect retirement home but just worried in case 20 is too old for what she wants to do
 
my boy has loads of life left in him,i think as he has been a working horse all his life and been kept very fit it has kept him going,he has no health issues what so ever,i wouldnt let the age put you off,i posted pics of one of a tb yesterday on here he was only retired this year at the age of 28,age doesnt matter if she only wants a fun hack at least you know she will be safe
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I didn't know you could get them! I'd love to have one and theres no way the age would put me off. These horses have the best possible care and are bred to be in long term work. I currently look after a 19 year old carriage horse whos still in hard work and he's still going strong! I thought they often went home with thier officer like alot of police horses do when their retired. I might have to look into this where do you start? I want a nice ride and drive of 16hh plus.
 
Irish horses are late at developing but they make up for it later and go on for ever. In my experience horses that have been kept fit, been there done it, and well looked after work happily in to the mid/late teens. I think it's a good idea.
 
I used to look after one for a livery here. She was a lovely mare but her legs weren't the best, only used for light hacking and pampering.
 
I have had my name on the waiting list for a police horse since 2004. The only thing that was mentioned to me was leg/feet issues due to the amount of road work that they do.
 
sounds ideal for what she wants.we have an ex kings troop horse who was chucked out as every time he saw the tracers he tried to bugger off! big girl that he is.he now has a new career as a showjumper.
 
the only thing I would say is that if they're anything like police horses, some of them can be somewhat 'sure of themselves' - I knew someone who used to work with them.

apparently Sefton was nicknamed Sharky or something similar because he'd take chunks out of people!
 
Getting hold of one is very very difficult, and I certainly wouldn't let the age put me off, they have been well cared for in every way, should have a good few years left in them yet.
 
Update - my niece NOW has been allocated her cavalry horse!! The monkey has had her name down for a couple of years on the waiting list and was broaching the subject with me to see what I thought AFTER she'd been contacted with a possible match for what she was looking for. We went to see him and he is absolutely stunning and seems to be a real sweetheart. He's very popular and the only down side is that because of his importance to the troop he won't be discharged after summer camp with the others but will remain for ceremonial duties until December - roll on December as it would be great to have him here. What a stunner! Here's hoping he has many happy years to come enjoying his retirement and gallops along the beach. Thanks to everyone for their advice - it certainly put my mind at rest and after seeing him he seems perfect. Better still he is on no medication had had no lameness problems in the past and the reason for his retirement is just that he will be 20 this year.
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