Horse's age and buying

How did it happen?

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golddustsara

golddustsara

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Since I put up my wanted ad and 'what do you think' post on here (blimey wanted ad's work before anyone makes that post again!) I have had lots of responses about horses. My two fave's from descriptions happen to be regarding a 14 yo chestnut IDX mare and a 16yo ID gelding, both schoolmistress/master types. I don't want to compete every weekend and just love hacking and low level stuff so an older horse would be perfect for me, but how many of us would really consider an older horse? Are we all ageist!?
 
I have brought an 18 year old this year and she is plenty to handle. Wouldn't have done in the past but she is very low milage and have insured fine with Petplan so happy camper! Also got a lot more for my money by going older...
 
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I have brought an 18 year old this year and she is plenty to handle. Wouldn't have done in the past but she is very low milage and have insured fine with Petplan so happy camper! Also got a lot more for my money by going older...

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That is what I am finding with my smaller budget I can get a more experienced been there done it type if the horse is older.
 
My beautiful best friend is 13
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he is perfect. Up for fun but level headed enough to have been there and done that. I would buy him at any age, here he is
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I bought him 8 months ago
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Having ridden and been tanked off with by a 29 year old going on 5 Sec D mare I don't have an upper age limit as such if the horse ticks all the boxes for me
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Well...I put 4-7 BUT thats only because my current horse is 22 -ish.....he is a lot older than his passport says ( pah! blimmin passports
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)...he is in good health and all is fine but I wish he were a good 10 years younger at least. I am enjoying him, he truly is a schoolmaster and I have learned loads from him, but I think my next horse will be a lot younger so I know all/more about him and can school him up and bring him on.....and have him a long time...

I really wish I knew more about my lad--I know zippo about him ans someone somewhere really did do a good job on him at some point, before he hit the skids and ended up in a 'dogy-ish' dealers yard.
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My horse was 6 when I got her, but a very green 6 having only been backed and ridden away. If I was looking for a replacement I'd probably want something 3-4 yrs - either just backed or ready to start, but that's because I want a horse that is all 'my own work'
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. I have found it so rewarding to bring my mare on - she is now 12 and she'll be with me for life.

In the past I have had older horses - it's not that I am 'ageist' it's just that my interests and abilities have changed. My first pony was 15 when I got her, and my second was 14. Both still had lots to give.
 
I have a 18 yr old best horse i have ever had been there done type no hassle kind of horse
Wish i had thought about a older horse before as learnt loads and he has loads more to give.
 
i bought a 16 yr old welsh sec A for my little sister a few months ago she was one of the last ponies we went to see and she has turned out to be the best pony in the world going to regret having to sell her on i just keep saying some other little kid out there can learn on the best wee pony ive ever known
 
I answered 0-3, because if I was looking to BUY another horse, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a weanling (done it three times so far and would definitely prefer to do that again).

HOWEVER, that wouldn't stop me from taking on an oldie if the time/situation was right. I've also done that before (was given a then 21yr old - now 29) and again, like with the youngsters, never regretted that either.
 
4-7, because realistically if it doesnt work out with them, or I decide they'd be better doing another job I ideally need to be able to sell them for more than I brought them for
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I also enjoy bringing on horses. However, if I had the money, i wouldnt turn down a schoolmaster type in its teens
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Taking into account age only, with no other health issues present ...

If the horse is fit for your purpose then age shouldn't matter too much, should it? But ...

When I was looking to buy I took into account, apart from the obvious of being fit for purpose and healthy, that I was looking for a friend for life and all being well a long life at that. Having ridden and lost an old pony in his late 20's I felt I wanted to put off the thought of losing one to old age for as long as possible. I bought Archie as a 4 year old and although he was younger than I originally thought I wanted, assuming he stays happy and healthy I have a good few years before old age starts to creep in or the possibility of losing him to old age.

Time passes by so incredibly quickly and for me, if I had bought say a 20 year old I would be worrying that we had limited time together.

However, everyone is different and handles things differently and a quality time with an older friend would outweigh the length of time.

For me, the thought of buying an older friend with the prospect of losing him quicker than if I had bought a younger one due to old age is something I thought about and was instrumental in the horse I chose.

Nothing wrong with healthy oldies but I am a softee and can't bear the thought of losing them.

In answering the question - look, I got there in the end, I think for my own well being I would draw a line at 16years.
 
I currently have a 19yr old who i have had since a two year old.
When i buy the next (if i do, been s stressful couple of years of ownership!) it would be a youngster more than likely again as i would want it for life, same situation as my mare now, less the health issues of course! if only!
I would not completely rule something older out but it would be highly unlikely
 
It utterly depends on what you're looking for. I clicked 4-7 as that's what I'll be looking for next; I want something to bring on, that has the potential for me to be able to keep and enjoy for life, but there is also a possibility that I will have to sell when I go to uni in 4 years time, so I need something that will be under 11ish if that happened. However I will most likely be selling my 10yo mare soon, and hope she will sell easily enough for the market I'll be aiming her at.
 
Well I will be looking for my first horse next year and I want something older. Something that has been there and done that and will look after me and be content to be a happy hacker.

My upper age limit is 17 and lower age limit of 12 as I feel in theory they should have more experience.
 
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