Is she too old? Please put my mind at rest!

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sue_ellen

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Hi all, I have posted recently on my dilemma over whether to buy a new horse for myself or transport for daughter and pony - haven't got the funds to do both!
Well I have been told by the physio I can start riding again(dodgy knee), and I think I have found myself a lovely mare to loan, am hopefully going to see her on Saturday.
The only worry is, she is rising 19 so is getting on a bit, although her owner says that she is still full of beans and raring to go!
Is it fair to move her at her age, to a new human and a new home, and is it fair to ask her to still be ridden at her age? Her owner sounds lovely and she is still regularly ridden, and I know that its probably just me having a good old worry.
I know there will be plenty of you out there with older horses, please tell me of your experiences as I dont want to be unfair to anyone, human or horse.
Thanks
 
My 19 year old welshie is still fit and active and way too young to think of retirement. Wasnt there an 18/19 year old horse competed at Badminton not too long ago? If the horse suits you, then go for it.
 
well some horses (like people grow old differently) so it all depends on the horse really.

Though when I was reading through your post I thought to my self that surely it's better that someone like you would have her on loan and take into account her metal welfare rather than, she goes somewhere where it's not taken into account (if that makes any sense!)

If the owner is saying she's fine then she might be worth a shot. Many horses are still competiting at 19 don't forget :)

Best of luck!
 
a1446041645_30226865_6375.jpg

Cheeky and I, I think he's 24/25 here?

I got him when he was 21 nearly 22, and he gave me the best 5 years I've ever had. He was kind, completely insane and absolutely terrifyingly perfect. He was naughty and cheeky and silly and generally bonkers but took me from crying about canter to competing in 2'9-3' ODEs.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1077314420187.2014065.1446041645&type=3

Here's the album of us, but go for it. Cheeky was a horse of a lifetime and I owe him massively. And he made it all feel terribly easy :)
 
My anglo arab is with a older friend of mine,he is 21 and has vv high mileage as he did endurance in Dubai for years and was a top endurance horse. He still goes out daily for his hack and acts like a 4 yr old,god forbid anyone who tries to over take him at more than a trot,he is the fastest thing i've ever ridden and goes like the clappers! He's from racing lines so i guess it's in his blood,she isn't that experienced but he is such a gent that she feels so safe on him,he looks a little mad to ride but it's just a face and you can pull him up with a piece of cotton thread! I know he would never be happy being a field ornament and not doing anything,he has hock spavins starting but i swear riding out everyday keeps his little legs well oiled. 19 shouldn't put you off,if she suits the job you want her for and you like her i would go snap her up. Oh and just to add,my boy gets cider vinegar,soya oil and joint supplements so as to help him in his later years,i figure if you can try to keep them comfy as they get older then your doing all you can to be a fab golden oldie owner! Good luck
 
19 (for a well looked after horse) is no age at all. My old girl is 35 and yes she looks old, but she still looks well and has a good quality of life.

I posted this thread about her a little while back.....

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=409960

Other than her we have two ponies - one 20 and one 19. Both are fit and well and do pony club stuff etc.

Good luck if you decide to have her! x
 
My mare is just about to turn 24 and will going going to her first competition in 15 years next weekend (I'm spectating as I remember what competing her was like, it's now a 14yo's time to find out what happens!!!!)
Go and see the mare and try her, you'll know yourself if she's 19 years old or 19 years young.
Just make sure the contract takes into consideration that there may be different things go wrong that they do with a younger horse, who pays for what and who makes difficult decisions if they come along.
 
Companion pony to daughter's NF was 19 when we got him, and folk say 'when he grows up will he be as big as the other one?' He loves pony club mounted games, does a bit of show jumping, hacking and so-on. Does not behave like an oldie should, most folk think he's younger than the 8 year old.
 
Well i took Connie on when she was 18/19, and had been out of work and not well looked after for some time - got her out doing this:

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this:
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this:
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and this:
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I have had so much fun with her - however she is now retired 3 years later after getting concussive laminitis - related to her confirmation/poor care she recieved before i took her on. She could be in work, if i popped her on bute, but I decided to give her the retirement she deserves - it has only been three years since i got her, but she is probably the most wonderful horse i have ever had the pleasure to know!

Oldies can and do take longer to recover from a 'tweak' or a 'pull' but I still see Connie running rings around the youngsters in the fields! I wouldnt be put off doing it again - I just wish I'd found Connie long before she'd fallen onto hard times!
 
Thanks for the encouraging replies everyone! She sounds just what I'm looking for so keep your fingers crossed that she's as good as she sounds and that her owner doesn't change her mind and decides to keep her!
I will keep you all posted.
 
my mare is 23 yrs and has more life in here than most 6 yr olds.....go by how the horse is....not on age/breed etc as they all differ as humans do....! :D
 
My first loan horse was 27 when I got him. Full of life and sure ran rings round his novice person !! We were still galloping round the orchards and he went back to retire (wish I could have kept him )
Did you sort out transport ?
 
My boy is 31 now, and I got him when he was 18. He was a high goal polo pony so had a hard working life, and I brought him home in a terrible state from a horse sale.

However, he came round quickly, and was my main riding horse for 10 years. He was fit as a fiddle in his late teens and early 20's, being ridden approx 5 times a week, hacking schooling etc. We did a number of sponsered rides, up to 20 miles, with no problems. There are only a couple of people other than me who have ridden him as most people think he's a loon ,even though he's not as bad as he looks!

As he got into later years, I gradually cut down his work load - he was more than willing to continue but his old legs just weren't up to it and if ridden too much or too long would be lame.

I had another older pony, who came to me at 16 and was in no way old, but was pts at 18 due to an internal problem that became very bad overnight. This wasn;t age related though.

I would have no hesitation in taking on another oldie. All I will say is that personally, I think if you do take on an older horse, you should be prepared to keep it for life.
 
I took on a 25yr old on loan a year ago in October gone. He has more life in him than my rising 3yr old!! We still go out for hours on end hacking and he still LOVES jumping etc (although trying to cut this back a bit to save his joints!!) He's quite often mistaken for being younger when we go out. At the moment he is 26 going on 6! If she is healthy and happy then go for it!!
 
i got my arab mare when she was 19 (or 20) and we had many years of fun. She sadly died last year just before she turned 34 and had been retired only for a few months. Depends on the horse.. some are old at 20... some are just about maturing into something sane ;) If horse is in regular work then it sounds promising that you will have several years left :)
 
My cob will be 19 in April, healthy and sound and can certainly run rings around some of the younger horses at the yard! He can be a lazy so and so but give him an opportunity for a good gallop/canter and he's off! In his mind he is 8 not 18!

One of the ponies on the yard is 26 and still competing in hunter trials - and usually winning. People dont believe his age when you tell them. Even hacking he doesn't walk, he turbo trots!

If this mare is fit and healthy then give it a go....you may be pleasantly surprised :)
 
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This was my boy at 19. IIRC we came 3rd as we had time penalties for going too fast :o :D

19 is not too old, and personally for loaning age would never put me off :)
 
My loan mare will be 18 this year, and to say shes got plenty of life left in her is an understatement!! Shes a pocket rocket :) Shes quicker off the mark than any TB ive owned and would outrun a duracell battery! lol, and she looks fabulous
 
I personally wouldn't take on a 19yr old as your MOST LIKELY range of use is 3 years for full use, maybe another 2 for half use. Obviously any age of horse can go wrong, but older horses do bring more heartache naturally as they have had more strain on their bodies.
JMO
 
SusieT said:
I personally wouldn't take on a 19yr old as your MOST LIKELY range of use is 3 years for full use, maybe another 2 for half use. Obviously any age of horse can go wrong, but older horses do bring more heartache naturally as they have had more strain on their bodies.
JMO
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Even as a loan? :confused:
 
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