Is buying an 18 year old too old

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Double Dutch

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I am looking at a new horse after losing my lad of 10 years.
I recently purchased a new horse which ended up breaking my pelvis, the previous owner hid alot from me and I believe now she was doped when I rode her. So this has massively knocked my confidence.

I've since found for sale an 18 year old schoolmaster warmblood evented to 3 star. He's not enjoying the jumping anymore 1m20 and they are an event home hence the sale. By the videos he's schooled to perfection and is a very established lad. Hacks beautifully and totally sane and sensible.

I bought my last horse who seems very similar when he was 19-ex eventer school master and got 8 years of riding hacking, jumping, etc. He did end up on a bute a day for arthritis and had no teeth but I'd of done anything for him :)

My question is the horse is up for £5,000ono is this too much? I'm well out of the loop for horses now as my boy cost me only £400! Advice please
 
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Have you tried the horse yet? If not, that's what I would do first if he is within your price range.

You might be wrestling with the idea of whether he is worth the money to you unnecessarily if you find something during viewing him that rules him out anyway.

In all honesty, I'm not surprised by alot of prices these days which would have had me exclaiming 'WHAT?!' out loud a few years ago!!
 
5k is definitely not too much for any sane and sensible, sound, well schooled horse. I wouldn't be put off by his age either if he's the confidence giver you need. Horses like that are worth their weight in gold.
What do you want to do with him? Mainly hacking?
 
I'm 46 and have just bought a 15 years old pony for my DD for £8k.

It took me a lot to wrangle spending that much for an older pony but after buying a 5 year old that didn't work out I decided that I was paying for the safety confidence building attributes above all else.

I think part of my issue was that 15 year old horse used (in my youth) to be classed as old/past it so I think I am slightly ageist.
 
I would view asap. I suspect the minute you ride down the yard you will feel totally at home and totally confident in which case grab him before someone else does. If you are dithering when you get on he may not be your confidence giver so walk away. I would however realise that whoever rides in the videos to present him may well be a very good rider well able to gloss over any problems. :)

if you get 5 years riding that is 1k a year (being mercenary here) he will still only be 23.

I would vet him and probably also get and run bloods. He won't have a clean vet sheet but you will have an idea of where any problems will come from and also a good vet's view as to whether it is a goo idea healthwise
Red-1 said:
I would too, as long as I had a longer term plan.

That plan could be that you can retire when he slows down, or can PTS and have a clear conscience.

Harsh but true!
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also this. Can you and would you retire and keep as a pet, or PTS for more serious health problems. Would you be able to afford this and also get another horse if you wanted one.
 
I love an oldie and bought an older boy just over a year ago. However he did come with all his tack, numerous rugs, boots and a few other bits and bobs, even had some fence posts. I paid less than 1k so really I was paying for his stuff and got him free. He's been a superstar so I wouldn't let age put you off but I also wouldn't be prepared to pay a large sum for an older horse. I'd go and see him and if you like him negotiate. I'm sure if you can offer him a good home they may be a bit flexible on the price. I also have my own land so it's not such a big deal if he has to retire sooner rather than later.
 
My first loan pony was 17 when I started on the path to ownership and he was still merrily tanking off down the bridleways with me a few years later aha!

Deffo go for it, be prepared that he is an older horse so might fail the vetting due to wear and tear and go with someone who knows your riding well x
 
18 months ago my friend and I each bought a cob gelding. One was six years old with a known history (had been a pampered show horse) and passed the vet easily, the other was 16, had been neglected and failed the vet on flexion. 18 months later, guess which one has treatment-resistant arthritis which needs ongoing pain management and will likely severely reduce his working life both in scope and length? 🤷

I'm not saying that there's not an increased risk with an older horse, but the fact is horses are risky and if you meet this chap and he feels right for you, lives up to your expectations and fits your budget, that's worth an awful lot in my book.
 
I would be wary, depending on what you want to do.

An 18yr old schoolmaster, if happy to step down to 80/90/1m and sound and easy to ride is worth at least and probably more than £5k in the Pony Club market.

I would be asking for a vet history etc. you also need to be aware that he will have had a fit and busy life, most horses take to stepping down to a more sedate lifestyle easily but some do thrive on being busy and might not be so laid back in a quieter home.

Worth a look but ask a lot of questions and go in with your eyes open.
 
Thankyou everyone. I want him as a happy hacker , lesson once a week, and some local shows. Shes said he's lost the love for jumping in the ring but I'm hoping he won't mind going once or twice a month in the summer and doing a 80 course.
I know older horses can go on for ages ( my old lad did although he cost a fortune to keep going ) I'm just hoping this one might give me a few years without any big bills !
I think I'll go and visit him ill know soon as I sit on him
 
Someone on ours bought a 18yo 16hh ex huntsman horse, he is honestly a saint confidence giver, hacks out no napping, goes to pole clinics, pops an occasional small jump. All you can do is go have a look

Edited to add - a horse can go lame at any age, go with your gut. Id pay anything within budget for my 'right' horse - maybe send a video to your instructor for opinions?
 
starbucker said:
Someone on ours bought a 18yo 16hh ex huntsman horse, he is honestly a saint confidence giver, hacks out no napping, goes to pole clinics, pops an occasional small jump. All you can do is go have a look

Edited to add - a horse can go lame at any age, go with your gut. Id pay anything within budget for my 'right' horse - maybe send a video to your instructor for opinions?
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He seems lovely and I really need a confidence giver now. Such a shame I'd ride anything before my accident. Shes said he's been given arothopen but no arthritis so that's the only thing ringing alarm bells as I thought it was given when horses have osteoarthritis
 
Supercalifragilistic said:
I would be wary, depending on what you want to do.

An 18yr old schoolmaster, if happy to step down to 80/90/1m and sound and easy to ride is worth at least and probably more than £5k in the Pony Club market.

I would be asking for a vet history etc. you also need to be aware that he will have had a fit and busy life, most horses take to stepping down to a more sedate lifestyle easily but some do thrive on being busy and might not be so laid back in a quieter home.

Worth a look but ask a lot of questions and go in with your eyes open.
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I thought that, if hes a consistent and not too tricky horse capable of being ridden by a competent young rider at lower levels he's far, far, far too cheap. On the other hand if he hard life is catching up physically and he needs a huge step down to light work then he's a very risky buy.
 
Shes said he can get stiff in his hocks, vets apparently advised not needing injected yet, but going by my old lad it would be something that would need done in possibly 2 years. I do expect it in an ex event horse of his age. But I think I'd rather the price was £ 4k or cheaper 🤭
If I like him I'll get him vetted
 
Double Dutch said:
Shes said he can get stiff in his hocks, vets apparently advised not needing injected yet, but going by my old lad it would be something that would need done in possibly 2 years. I do expect it in an ex event horse of his age. But I think I'd rather the price was £ 4k or cheaper 🤭
If I like him I'll get him vetted
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As I said, go & try then haggle, most people advertise with haggle room and they might go for it if they think you'll give him a nice home.
 
Saying that if vets saying needs joint injections Id be wary for 5k - a friend has tried this on her horse and sadly it didnt work and they are being retired. The schoolmaster on ours is a ID cob X good amount of bone no evident issues yet
 
I think you have to query whether he has fallen out of love with jumping because of a physical issue. Is he happy jumping smaller currently?
How is he displaying his lack of love for it?

He could be absolutely lovely and be fine with just a bit of maintenance but I’d prob be aware that he might not want to keep jumping at any height if that was important to me
 
ester said:
I think you have to query whether he has fallen out of love with jumping because of a physical issue. Is he happy jumping smaller currently?
How is he displaying his lack of love for it?

He could be absolutely lovely and be fine with just a bit of maintenance but I’d prob be aware that he might not want to keep jumping at any height if that was important to me
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She said he's just not enjoying jumping 1.20 anymore, but thinks he would be fine doing smaller. Id never jump that high anyway 80 max for me! I think ill go and try and also ask her to show me him jumping a few fences to see what he's like with it
 
If it’s the one I’m thinking of (breakfast item?) he’s been advertised for a little while now which is surprising as I’d have expected him to be snapped up immediately if he’s as good as his ad suggests. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with him, but I’d go in with eyes wide open.
 
Best moeny i spent was on my then nearly 16 year old boy. He was quite a lot more than what you are looking at, and had an amazing record. He is now 25 and still going strong and my total horse of a lifetime! I had him vetted. If he ticks all the boxes, never discount a golden oldie.
 
I wouldn’t jump a horse with hock problems at any age, though lots do. I think he’s too expensive. However it’s your money and if he gives you confidence and feels safe then why not. Definitely negotiate. Good luck.
 
Double Dutch said:
I am looking at a new horse after losing my lad of 10 years.
I recently purchased a new horse which ended up breaking my pelvis, the previous owner hid alot from me and I believe now she was doped when I rode her. So this has massively knocked my confidence.

I've since found for sale an 18 year old schoolmaster warmblood evented to 3 star. He's not enjoying the jumping anymore 1m20 and they are an event home hence the sale. By the videos he's schooled to perfection and is a very established lad. Hacks beautifully and totally sane and sensible.

I bought my last horse who seems very similar when he was 19-ex eventer school master and got 8 years of riding hacking, jumping, etc. He did end up on a bute a day for arthritis and had no teeth but I'd of done anything for him :)

My question is the horse is up for £5,000ono is this too much? I'm well out of the loop for horses now as my boy cost me only £400! Advice please
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(Started looking at sales sites, after all the moaning on here)
- there’s another, sounds very similar to ‘yours’ and to your requirements, currently on Right Horse Right Home:
ex eventer, excellent hacker / low level RC, £3,500, east of England, Jack? Jake?
Might save a bit towards the inevitable costs of ANY horse.... hope you get fixed up, and no, don’t discount the healthy golden oldies, can be worth their absolute weight.
 
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