How old is to old when buying a horse?

[Stenners]

What's the oldest you'd consider to buy? Mainly thinking for something able to go out and jump, local competitions etc.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Depends on the price and the sort of life it's had and the sort of horse it is.

A low mileage pony who has only done low level bits, I may consider something as old as 18-20.

For a big horse who has been worked hard, maybe 13....

 

[Annagain]

It depends on the horse, the rider, the circumstances. I didn't want anything much older than 10 when I was looking as I was after a lifetime horse to see me through the next 15-20 years. A friend is looking for a horse to do the same sort of thing but doesn't have as much time as me so is looking for something a bit older so she doesn't have to ride as often and doesn't mind having less time with the horse long term as she plans to travel more once her kids are through Uni in about 8 years. She's looking for up to 15yrs old. If I was buying a pony for a child I'd easily go up to 20 as experience is everything with kids ponies and they go on so much longer than horses. Likewise if I was novice rider after a first horse I'd consider an older one so that I could benefit from their experience and hope that by the time they retire, I'd have improved enough to cope with a younger horse.

 

[Melandmary]

I don't think age matters so much as a clean vetting/ fit to do the job you want. If I was wanting to jump regularly and compete I don't think I would buy a horse passed it's late teens as I expect it would have been doing that alot previously and would be suffering from some wear and tear as well as arthritic changes. From experience I would never buy a horse without a vetting no matter what the age. I have seen too many problem horses passed on to naive buyers, no matter how talented the horse or its age

 

[splashgirl45]

if my lottery comes up, ha ha, i would buy another horse and would be looking for 14.2 to 15 hands lightweight cob type and would look up to 18 if the horse hadnt had a hard life, i would be wanting to mainly hack but also do a bit of low level riding club stuff. i am 75 so realistically i will be lucky to get 5 years of riding if both the horse and i are still able. i wouldnt look for anything much younger than 14 either. if i was younger and wanted to compete a bit more then i think 12 would be the oldest i would look for but it does depend on the horses previous workload..

 

[Leandy]

I'd only buy an older one if I was looking for a schoolmaster. Then I'd probably go up to 18 or so but it depends on the horse. Some in their late teens are still close to the top of their game (there were several at the Olympics), some are starting to show their age, stiffening up and beginning to have more health problems. The important thing would be that it is performing at the required level now, has a verifiable history of soundness and a verifiable competition record and that it looks good to last another handful of years or more. Even then you would need to be realistic on the vet's findings. I'd be more wary of a low mileage horse at an older age to be honest as I'd wonder why it was low mileage if it is any good. You also need to appreciate that you will likely be its last home and that you will need to be the one to be responsible for it when it is too old to work.

 

[Equi]

The oldest horse eventing at the olympics was 20. So ??‍

 

[Polos Mum]

There are often some running at Badminton and Burghley that are just 20 - presumably had a pretty hard life / lots of mileage to get there.

My eventer who retired from professional competing with a pro at 14 gave me a decade of pure joy, so even a 14/ 15 y/o with high mileage is worth considering

 

[mini_b]

As others have said, it depends on the type/build of horse and how hard it’s life has been. I keep horses, Im not overly competitive so I don’t tend to “outgrow” them.

If I was looking at a pony, I’m quite tall and light so would be looking at round barrelled natives up to 14ish.

However I do prefer biguns. ID/MW ISH types, which do break down quicker. When I’m window shopping I only really properly look at 10/11
Last one was at 12 and he got a clean vet fit for purpose but as work has increased he’s required a close eye on him and careful management.

I always feel like I’m on borrowed time a bit with this one ?

 

[AmyMay]

What's the oldest you'd consider to buy? Mainly thinking for something able to go out and jump, local competitions etc.

If that’s what you’re aiming for, then 10-12years old.

 

[Hepsibah]

For me, looking for a horse/pony to hack, 15 was the top end I considered.

 

[milliepops]

I'd only buy an older one if I was looking for a schoolmaster. Then I'd probably go up to 18 or so but it depends on the horse. Some in their late teens are still close to the top of their game (there were several at the Olympics), some are starting to show their age, stiffening up and beginning to have more health problems. The important thing would be that it is performing at the required level now, has a verifiable history of soundness and a verifiable competition record and that it looks good to last another handful of years or more. Even then you would need to be realistic on the vet's findings. I'd be more wary of a low mileage horse at an older age to be honest as I'd wonder why it was low mileage if it is any good. You also need to appreciate that you will likely be its last home and that you will need to be the one to be responsible for it when it is too old to work.

Agree with this. Its so dependent on the rider's aims and desires as far as training goes, as that's what takes the time.
I can't afford a schoolmaster so I expect to have to train my own up. With that in mind I would always try to look for a younger horse. All of mine have been freebies or pity buys or loans, since I was a teenager ... therefore not exactly been in a position to be terribly choosey but the oldest has been 9 at the time I got her. she's now 16 and still improving. I wish she was a bit younger as we're still a fair way off the GP bucket list but hopefully she will carry on, it's within sight now ???I am upping the maintenance a bit now in recognition of her age.