Horses - what age would you go for?

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HORSE Mag

HORSE Mag

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Do people think the 'optimum age' of a horse (when buying) has changed in recent years? Generally, between 5-8 used to be considered the prime age for a riding horse - ie, it had done a bit, but still had plenty of competitive years ahead of it. Now, is buying a 3 or 4yo to bring on yourself a much more common occurrence than it used to be?

I know it's a very generalized question, but if you could answer the below poll, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Victoria
 
Aw. I wanted to tick 5-7 so I've had to pick 6-8 instead
frown.gif
 
I'd love a youngster if I had the money to buy one - i've always ended up with golden oldies!!!! - with the exception of B who is just on the verge of being a veteran at 14!!!
 
Having done the youngster thing all my life now, at 34 and a mother of 2 children I have realised that leaving the hard work to someone else and buying something a little more established is far more fun! I ticked 6-8, but really 7 - 11 would be my optimum age.
 
personally i would ideally choose a 6-8 year old , done some but room to go on & plenty years left

for a schoolmaster type i would say 8 minimum to 14 possibly more depending on the job to be done
 
Having bought older "more experienced" horses I've realised how much baggage they come with! Hence gone for 3-5 years. Although I get help with my youngster as he is my first one, I can see him progress and if he develops any bad habits it is down to me. Big responsibility but it ensures you do everything properly!
 
I would have to go for a youngster, probably unbroken to get the quality I would want at a price I could afford. I would want something from 2 upwards that had been handled well. I have never had an already made horse although if i had the money I would love to be able to buy a dressage schoolmaster.
 
I chose 3-5. I brought my first youngster as a newly backed 4 yo and I have loved seeing him progress and turn into my perfect horse. My first horse was well over 16 and I also learnt alot from her, she was great fun.
 
7-11 would be my choice, I have neither the time or the ability to start off a young horse, but want something that I can have lots of years of fun with
 
I think I would probably go for another 3 or 4 year old, but that’s if I still had Bodey. Otherwise I would probably go for a 5 to 7 year old.
 
I chose 0-2. I prefer them straight from Mum if buying they are then moulded to me and can learn together.
I bought my 26 year iold mare as an untouched yearling. I have bought childrens ponies of varieing ages in the past but the best one was a 6 month old Welsh Mountain pony. Best pony we have evr had. The older ponies we bought all had the odd oddity probably due to our budget.
 
I've seen so many people buy 4/5yo's and not have a clue what there doing and ruin them.
I like mine 6/7 but dont mind anything older younger. Hope this helps x
 
I picked 16+. I want my next horse to be one that has geniuinely seen and done it all. One that doesn't give a crap about anything and just wants to go hacking and maybe do a bit of gentle flatwork.

Youngsters can be a complete pain in the rear!
 
i went for 6-8 but i have rcentley bought an 18 year old mare and i dont regret it at all she is fab she will fly a course of jumps me having very little control sometimes but she is great and i wouldnt swap her for the world
 
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