Is buying an 18 year old too old

Double Dutch said:
. 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
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I thought that was vet injected

Double Dutch said:
Shes said he can get stiff in his hocks, vets apparently advised not needing injected yet,
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bit lost.
I think as a minimum you should ask for and get the vet records. Any reluctance is a red flag.
There could of course be 2 vets but you would expect the records to include the exam and provision of athropen and advice about not injecting.

if he is the one FF is thinking of and you can get accurate info re the stiffness/arthritis issue you should be able to get the price down.

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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there could be a lot of truth in this.
make sure he isn't on bute for your visit. Point out blood will be taken at the vetting and tested at the time and mean it. See what they say

after your recent accident google everything possible about the owners, their establishment, his competition record, whose name is on the passport, do they own him or is he really a sales livery. Every teeny tiny detail. :)
 
Lots of good advice above. In early 2021 I bought a 17.2, 18 year old warmblood schooled in dressage to Elementary but teen owner had done a lot of jumping with him. Stage 5 vetting found bony changes in his fronts, but no navicular. Recommended straight bar shoes. Pentosan continuing.

He was a big solid 'old school' built wb, with a lot of wear and tear, but a sweet nature and easy to do most things. I wanted an allrounder with an emphasis on lower level dressage. Could be spooky, tricky to hack on own.

My horse physio was worried about his hind end, underdeveloped on the left, with a drop, which was the same side his tail skewed.

First nine months were good but then I'm not sure why, encysted strongyles coming out when I did the autumn worming, or delayed stress from a big move [he came down from tropical climate to South Australia, where our pastures are all totally different .. or what, but he developed Inflammatory Bowel disease and my vet and I drew on every single intervention in the literature, but it didn't work and eventually he was PTS.

I wouldn't buy another 18 yo with his miles on the clock ... but then had he not contracted the IBD, we might still be pootling around together, me and the darling 'big red'. The same thing could've happened to a 5 y o wb.

And my confidence was built, and I always felt safe and good on him. Good luck!
 
Double Dutch said:
Went to see him , lovely kind boy but he unfortunately was quite stiff behind, very tight in his hamstrings. I know at his age showing signs of wear is inevitable, but just worried could be a vet bill straight away.
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Your right to be wary. Do you have a physio who would go with you for a second viewing?
 
Double Dutch said:
Went to see him , lovely kind boy but he unfortunately was quite stiff behind, very tight in his hamstrings. I know at his age showing signs of wear is inevitable, but just worried could be a vet bill straight away.
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Did he come out of a stable or grazing?
My mare when she hit 19 would get stiff if she was standing in long periods but happy out as long as she was let wander around
I had her on a joint supplement too
unfortunately with an older horse especially when they’re bigger 16hh+ arthritis starting at around now is very common
I would expect arthritis tbh
 
Double Dutch said:
Went to see him , lovely kind boy but he unfortunately was quite stiff behind, very tight in his hamstrings. I know at his age showing signs of wear is inevitable, but just worried could be a vet bill straight away.
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I don't know an 18 year old who wouldn't be a vet bill straight away (and if the owner doesn't think they are they probably should). I'd certainly want a yearly full MOT for a horse of that age, most likely with some x rays, and be very surprised if nothing was found that required some sort of support.
.
 
Double Dutch said:
Went to see him , lovely kind boy but he unfortunately was quite stiff behind, very tight in his hamstrings. I know at his age showing signs of wear is inevitable, but just worried could be a vet bill straight away.
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That’s a shame, perhaps unsurprising tho’, and with any older, larger horse there’s usually more intervention required. It’s the little native-breeds typically keep whizzing on, hunting and pony clubbing forever; yet plenty of super fit teenagers competing at Badminton last week.
The (similar sounding, earlier mentioned) gelding on righthorserighthome, had passed a five star vetting before Christmas - if that helps?
Hope something suitable turns up soon.
 
I must have been very fortunate then, my lovely old mare was still happily turning her hoof to anything I asked her until she was 23 without any health issues. It was only the misfortune of getting Lymes disease that led to her retirement, but even through those years she never had one lame step.

Incidentally she was also a hunter over here in Ireland until I bought her as a ten year old so far from a soft life for a good few years anyway. She was on the smaller side though at 16.2 but still with plenty of bone.

Despite that though I would still require a thorough vetting before buying something in its late teens as my lucky experience seems to be in the minority.
 
Oh dear here I go again, lying my way through the forum! :eek: I have just remembered she did have a hoof abscess a few weeks after I bought her but very quickly dealt with, without needing a vet and again a couple of years before she was PTS, again no need for a vet and very easily dealt with.
 
Mrs. Jingle said:
I must have been very fortunate then, my lovely old mare was still happily turning her hoof to anything I asked her until she was 23 without any health issues. It was only the misfortune of getting Lymes disease that led to her retirement, but even through those years she never had one lame step.

Incidentally she was also a hunter over here in Ireland until I bought her as a ten year old so far from a soft life for a good few years anyway. She was on the smaller side though at 16.2 but still with plenty of bone.

Despite that though I would still require a thorough vetting before buying something in its late teens as my lucky experience seems to be in the minority.
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Yes, but a couple other things here solidly in her favour - an old-fashioned, Irish-bred, Irish-kept Hunter - that used to be what everyone wanted for a trouble free, tough, sound, riding horse.
Soon as you start with modern ‘warmbloods’, ‘sport horses’, European derivatives - just watch the meter rise on the vet / physio/ farrier/ instructor / saddle fitter / equine specialist / whatever, appointments.
How their owners manage to fit in an actual ride is a mystery.
 
I did ask to see him pop a fence when we saw him but she didn't seem willing. She said in the ring he can plant himself. Im not overly bothered about jumping but nice to pop something occasionally. I did send to my physio lady and she stated tight hamstrings and he over extends through the fore as can't behind or something along those lines 🤷 if he was alot cheaper I'd be more inclined she has messaged today asking my thoughts
 
Double Dutch said:
I did ask to see him pop a fence when we saw him but she didn't seem willing. She said in the ring he can plant himself. Im not overly bothered about jumping but nice to pop something occasionally. I did send to my physio lady and she stated tight hamstrings and he over extends through the fore as can't behind or something along those lines 🤷 if he was alot cheaper I'd be more inclined she has messaged today asking my thoughts
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It sounds like a no go to me, from what you say!

I'm not against an 18yo in principal, but this one sounds rather creaky.
 
We looked at a 15 year old for my DD. She had been a jumping pony in her day.

She looked sound in trot but was definitely stiff in walk and we walked away.

She was £9k and I felt like we would be taking on vets bills/issues

I think when they've been competitive they have a lot of wear and tear and potentially issues that come with that.

Ended up buying a 15 year old cob but she's not been hammered all her life and no stiffness at all.
 
Double Dutch said:
I did ask to see him pop a fence when we saw him but she didn't seem willing. She said in the ring he can plant himself. Im not overly bothered about jumping but nice to pop something occasionally. I did send to my physio lady and she stated tight hamstrings and he over extends through the fore as can't behind or something along those lines 🤷 if he was alot cheaper I'd be more inclined she has messaged today asking my thoughts
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I agree the price sounds high for the horse you’ve described. I wouldn’t pay that much for him.
 
In my opinion, no.

I purchased a 17 year old last year and he's the best buy to date.

He was relatively low mileage before the home prior to us, where he was, sadly, hammered a little, and I've no doubt he will need some support in the coming years but I'm of the mind not to go looking for problems - if it ain't broke, dont fix it.

I know of many younger horses who are broken. A friend has just had hers pts shortly after his 4th birthday. Very well bred, almost perfect confirmation, but absolutely broken after being lightly backed (and I mean lightly) and turned away.

My view is if an older horse has been in full work and remained sound, you're likely, on the balance of probability, on to a good thing.

Age, imo has no bearing on whether they will break or not, within reason of course.

Horses for courses....

Edited to add, we purchased ours for 6k and I'd do it again for something like him.
 
Double Dutch said:
I did ask to see him pop a fence when we saw him but she didn't seem willing. She said in the ring he can plant himself. Im not overly bothered about jumping but nice to pop something occasionally. I did send to my physio lady and she stated tight hamstrings and he over extends through the fore as can't behind or something along those lines 🤷 if he was alot cheaper I'd be more inclined she has messaged today asking my thoughts
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So be honest with her and tell her your thoughts, tell her you'll take a punt at half the price and leave the ball in her court.
 
marmalade76 said:
So be honest with her and tell her your thoughts, tell her you'll take a punt at half the price and leave the ball in her court.
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I've told her my thoughts I didn't offer a price, her response just said a good home is important for him but doesn't believe he will need injecting yet. I don't know if offering 2.5k is cheeky considering he's up for 5 - i hate things like this 🤣🤣
 
tda said:
So he has stopped jumping, but for whatever reason she doesn't feel he needs injections (treatment) yet 🤔
She is not willing to ask him to pop a small jump 🙄
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My personal opinion having an ex eventer who behaved as he did , he needs injecting and physio straight away which in turn would make him more comfortable and possibly be able to jump a small course again. I liked him because I felt safe after the last horse I'm really nervous now.
Id be willing to take the risk but not at his high price
 
Double Dutch said:
I've told her my thoughts I didn't offer a price, her response just said a good home is important for him but doesn't believe he will need injecting yet. I don't know if offering 2.5k is cheeky considering he's up for 5 - i hate things like this 🤣🤣
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"Good home is important", that's an invitation to make an offer you're more comfortable with in my book.
 
Double Dutch said:
I did ask to see him pop a fence when we saw him but she didn't seem willing. She said in the ring he can plant himself. Im not overly bothered about jumping but nice to pop something occasionally. I did send to my physio lady and she stated tight hamstrings and he over extends through the fore as can't behind or something along those lines 🤷 if he was alot cheaper I'd be more inclined she has messaged today asking my thoughts
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marmalade76 said:
"Good home is important", that's an invitation to make an offer you're more comfortable with in my book.
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I agree with marmalade.

I would explain to her that you were sad not to see him jump a fence, concerned about planting in the ring that suggests pain etc etc find out from the physio exactly what she means ie get a list of faults and include them. Send a lovely flowery e mail back saying how much you liked him, loved him in fact but sadly you are very concerned about xxxxxx ie list everything. That whilst not injected ATM to your mind it will soon be necessary and so will considerable physio as your main concern is his welfare and keeping him comfy. Pad it out about the lovely home you can offer.

Say you can only offer 2k and you're sorry as this will obviously be an insult to her etc etc. but you have to take into account the costs to you if you bought him.

she may well come back especially if he has been for sale for a long time and you can negotiate. If you start at 2k you have somewhere to go. It is not cheeky it is just the start of the conversation. She has a horse she says she wants a good home for (or can't sell) you liked him and felt safe.
If you don't make an offer you won't get him. If you do then just maybe everyone can be happy. You have nothing to lose. Clearly you are going into it with your eyes wide open. Sometimes they things do work out

My heart horse was only 13 and I was given him. That was due to the fact his old owner was too scared to ride him, he was very very spirited and he was just about unsellable for that reason. The owner didn't want a good home they only wanted rid and a problem gone. I was happy to take their problem. Give it a go, you may solve the owners problem.
 
In principle I agree with what paddy555 above has written. But I would really go with the price you can easily just lose plus a few vet visits and PTS if that becomes the last option with him in a short time frame. I won't be rude enough to ask how much you can afford to throw away, but you will know that figure and can go in lower and maybe settle somewhere around that sum if she genuinely wants the best home she can find for him. I have done similar but I was fortunate enough to have plenty of land and enough money floating about (at that time not now!) to pay vets if needed and retire if necessary. Without my own land and a very healthy bank balance I would not even entertain the idea at any price.
 
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