Is 15 year old too old for a first horse

[Sakuragirl20]

Hi I have loaned all my life and I am now in the position to buy. I want a horse that will do up to prelim dressage,low level showjumping and maybe the odd cross country clinic/ low level comp. Polework clinics etc

I have met a 15 year old cob, who doesnt act his age, feels so much younger. Would this be a problem for what I want to do? will I still be able to ride for a good few years hopefully. Originally I had put in my ad that I wanted a horse 6-12.

 

[Cortez]

Not in the slightest, in fact an older schoolmaster horse would be the most sensible thing for most people starting out.

 

[Starzaan]

No, that is EXACTLY the sort of age you should be looking for as your first horse.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Agree with cortez, 15 is a great age especially for starting out. My boy is really just coming into himself now and he is 15 ♥ you really don’t want a 6 year old if your not competent at educating horses to be honest, they are still learning

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s exactly what you need to be looking at .

 

[Sakuragirl20]

I wouldnt say he was a school master but he knows everything well, I do love him but was a bit of a shock as we originally thought he was 14.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I wouldnt say he was a school master but he knows everything well, I do love him but was a bit of a shock as we originally thought he was 14.

Its only one year! As you have probably read on the forum, other members have thought they were buying a horse then it ended up older. At least you know it is only 1 year.

 

[Sakuragirl20]

do you think a 2 stage vetting would be enough?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would say so

 

[SilverLinings]

do you think a 2 stage vetting would be enough?

Not if you want to insure it, which would be a good idea as unexpected vets' bills can be in the thousands. Some insurers have a lower limit beneath which the horse doesn't require a 5 stage vetting, but with the current price of horses I doubt many sensible, healthy 15 year olds are selling for so little.

I hope that you have many happy years together with the horse, he sounds very suitable from the information you have given

 

[Goldenstar]

do you think a 2 stage vetting would be enough?

No definitely get a five stage , it may find things at that age that can be managed but it’s best to know .

 

[Nasicus]

I wouldnt say he was a school master but he knows everything well, I do love him but was a bit of a shock as we originally thought he was 14.

Haha, I bought an 8 year old which turned out to be 13 (passport shenanigans in the past it turned out). I'd have been ecstatic if she was only one year older and not five!

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Not at all! I believe my first pony was around that age! Usually the older the better as they normally have more experience under their belt.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

do you think a 2 stage vetting would be enough?

I would say sometimes older horses can have underlying problems, so I would get a 5 stage vetting

 

[estela]

15 is a good age for you and the horse should have many active years left. I would get a 5 star vetting however just for peace of mind.

 

[paddy555]

15 is fine, get a 5 stage vetting and make sure he is very well vetted, make sure you are there so you can discuss every little niggle with the vet, choose your vet carefully

handle him in every occasion, make sure you can lead him anywhere, catch him, touch him everywhere, he loads if you want to travel, he ties in fact everything about handling him is perfect. May sure you do it yourself not just watch.

Ride him on your own, will he hack alone, ride across an open field with others, does he tank or is he manageable.

Finally look at his passport, is it the original one, can his history be accounted for, does it make sense. Find out why he is really for sale. Dealer? check them out.

The age wouldn't bother me but if I couldn't do all those things above and account for his history I would be more worried.

 

[Mynstrel]

Absolutely not! Hubby found me a 15yo ex broodmare (mother of 11, she treated me as foal no. 12) and she gave me so much that a younger horse couldn't have, she was so patient.

 

[Bobthecob15]

My first horse was 15...my daughters first pony was 15...its basically the perfect age!
Do get him 5 stage vetted though, we had our pony vetted and he was pretty much perfect...the vet was super impressed with him! I was expecting a few niggles at his age but nope!

 

[gallopingby]

15 is absolutely fine, so is 16 or even 17. What’s important is that you feel safe and happy on top. Horses these days can go on well into their mid / late twenties. You’ll have more fun with an older sensible horse than with a younger scaremonger. A 5 stage vetting is probably a good idea but make sure you discuss any findings with the vet so you understand any implications or lack of them and don’t just run away if the vet finds something but says it’s of not consequence to your intended use. Insurance is probably a good thing for a first horse depending how much you’re paying and how deep your pockets are, You’ll probably require a 5=stage for any decent insurer.

 

[ponynutz]

He sounds great! Do let us know how he gets on at his vetting and maybe bring some pictures if everything goes well