Is there a market for the older horse?

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greenberry

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I've put my horse up for sale and have so far had no response.

So my question is; is there a market for the older horse and would you buy one?

My horse is only 16, is in hard work and is a native so has plenty of miles left on the clock so I don't understand it really.

So if there's any advice on selling also that would be most appreciated!
 
My friend has just bought a 17yr old Welshie x, not alot of miles on the clock for not alot of money. She has been looking for a while for something older ready for a quieter life. x
 
I don't think 16 is old for a native. I wouldn't think twice about that. My tb is in her 20's and still hacking and acting like a young thing....not that i am selling her, just in case someone jumps on me.
 
Obviously not everyone wants an older horse, especially if they are planning on competing and progressing, but having said that lot's of people would be willing to take on an older horse, especially if they are looking for a confidence giver who's been there and got the t-shirt. An older horse would also make a good first horse so there's definately a market out there, its just a matter of matching the horse to rider.
Hope you find someone :)
 
Yes there is a market but I think you have to be realistic on price.

Some older ones I've seen have been up for too much money. You have to think about vet bills and insurance as you'll probably have to spend out a bit more and your resale price will drop a lot in a couple of years if you're not thinking about a home for life.

Good luck
 
Thanks for all replies :)

Don't think I'm being too unrealistic on price. I've put her up for £1600 but think it's worth it as she's a sporty allrounder who is younger than her years.
 
We've got a 19yr old on loan... She's a steady hack for me, safe enough for my novice son to ride out with friends yet a forward going school mistress for him to start jumping with... All going well she should be fine and dandy for low level competing next year as she drops 10yrs when she spies a jump... 'His' horse that he has his riding lessons on and hacks out with me or another adult, is still too young and green for a less experienced rider to start jumping with yet...

My riding is low level... An older horse wouldn't put me off at all if we felt right together... But as Tamski mentioned, price would be important as personally, I'd not be looking to resell a horse that I purchased as 'older' so would have to consider the financial implications of general ageing, health management and a period of time where retirement might necessitate a second horse for riding... All fairly distant concerns but they would be in my mind...

:)
 
greenberry said:
Thanks for all replies :)

Don't think I'm being too unrealistic on price. I've put her up for £1600 but think it's worth it as she's a sporty allrounder who is younger than her years.
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For what it's worth... I don't think that's unrealistic - especially if you're prepared to jiggle a bit or there's tack to take into consideration or even the buyer and home they offer... Perhaps the wording of your add or any photographs you're using has some relevance as to why you've not received any enquiries...

:)
 
I just bought a 15 year old pony, she arrived today!! She is supposed to be a good steady hacker for me and a lead rein for my kids. Had a lesson on her today, jumping and she was very forward going!! I paid 1600 euros for her, whats that in pounds, I;m not sure. But for me she was worth it!
 
I bought mine 11 yrs ago at 16 and I'm still riding her now, 27 and shes one of the fittest fastest horses I know! however, I was told that she was 14 but it was more of a case that it just happened, I looked at her for loan and bought her because she was for sale too! I didn't go out to buy a horse! wouldn't by another older one unless it was exactly what i want! have had a few on loan and feel like i have just taken on everyone else's mistakes, they've all had really bad habits that i didn't like!
 
I suspect price is where you're problem is. What height can she jump? IS she a safe hack? flatwork?
 
SuzieT - she can comfortably jump a 1m course, was out two weeks ago doing unaff novice dressage, and has done hunter trails etc in the past. She's basicly a fun, do a bit of everything pony, her only problem is she doesn't like hacking alone. I've put on ad she hacks perfectly in company, I've had no probem hacking her alone but some more novicey friends have hacked her alone and she's been more lenient in going forwards.
 
greenberry said:
SuzieT - she can comfortably jump a 1m course, was out two weeks ago doing unaff novice dressage, and has done hunter trails etc in the past. She's basicly a fun, do a bit of everything pony, her only problem is she doesn't like hacking alone. I've put on ad she hacks perfectly in company, I've had no probem hacking her alone but some more novicey friends have hacked her alone and she's been more lenient in going forwards.
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I think you probably need to re-word your ad.
Your horse hacks alone with a confident/experienced rider. Most people who are happy to buy older horses will be happy hackers, who may well want to hack alone, so if your ad reads as if that is really difficult to do with her, I'm afraid you won't get much response. If you would like me to read your ad, do pm me.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I think you probably need to re-word your ad.
Your horse hacks alone with a confident/experienced rider. Most people who are happy to buy older horses will be happy hackers, who may well want to hack alone, so if your ad reads as if that is really difficult to do with her, I'm afraid you won't get much response. If you would like me to read your ad, do pm me.
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I'd agree with Pearl's post... Our loan 'oldie' hacks fine alone and I need that option - I'm also not the most confident rider after a prolonged break so don't want to 'fight' my way through a hack or have my confidence dented...

It kinda depends what you mean though and what she does...and how 'novice' your friends were... I might be pretty rubbish these days but have some very competent friends who just prefer to tootle around quietly...

I'll have a look at the ad if you want to PM it - from a 'mature happy hacker with low confidence' perspective... Although she may be suited to a relaxed teenager too - the type who doesn't want to hurtle everywhere at 90mph jumping everything in sight - badly... Got a few of those around here... :D
 
I think the issue is not her age but that she does not hack out alone, even in younger horses this would be an issue for many people. I certainly would not buy a horse that did not hack out alone.

An older horse who does not hack out alone is also more of an issue as many people considering an older horse are looking for a schoolmaster sort and it might be in the back of their mind that there will be a point when the horse might not be able to compete and they might want to do more hacking.

We are also in a recession and the horse market has been affected so people are able to get some real bargains so don't need to compromise.
 
We bought knobberpony as a 21 year old and she is amazing,hunts all day,loves to jump,wonderful in traffic and safe in open fields.We've been looking for another version of her to loan since September with no luck.I'm a big fan of older ponies.We paid £950 for her inc tack last July.
 
ah tbh for me a pony that won't hack alone, but doesn't jump past 1m has a limited market-the not hacing alone often manifests in other areas e.g xc. I would therefore be dropping the price to about £800 I'm afraid, people just don't pay for anything with problems, especially older horses with problems
 
I bought my first horse in January, he's a very heavy cob and was 18 years old, now 19. He's brilliant in the school (I'm only a low level rider) but can get very nappy when hacking alone. The owner wanted £800 which I negotiated down to £550 including tack. He's a brilliant horse with absolutely no health problems past or present and we're both slowly getting over the hacking issues :) I think there is a market for the older horse but it is more difficult due to peoples worries about potential health problems and difficulties selling on. I think even if an older horse is capable of as much as a 7 year old counterpart the price still needs to reflect their age. :)
 
I don't think 16 is particularly old, however I do agree with others who've said about the not hacking alone being a problem. I wouldn't buy a horse that couldn't hack alone, whereas if your advert said the horse would with a competent rider I'd be inclined to take a look. You can always show people who come to look exactly how she is to show it can be done.

I'd also have to say price will be a big issue currently. A friend of mine just took in a 15.3hand 19 year old ex polo pony with all her rugs for nothing because the owner wanted a good home for life, and she does hack out alone. Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear but realistically adjusting your price will help. Good luck. :) x
 
In all honesty I'm much more concerned with home than with price. But she's a pony that could go out and compete tomorrow so I was lenient to ask for a lower price as it might attract the wrong kind of buyer.
 
Tbh unless you're asking meat money (which 800 is not) you're as likely to attract the right buyer-make sure your ad says can go and compete tomorrow etc. and drop he price.
 
I answered in CR but this seems to be where you are getting replies:) I dont think she should be impossible to sell but your ad needs to be good, most that dont get replies are badly written or have awful photos, pm a link if you like and if I can I will make some suggestions.
I have sold good PC ponies of similar age that have not been great out hacking for far more than the price you are asking but they have been good schoolmasters in every other way.
 
There definitely is! I have just taken my 16yr old tb on loan for a year with a view to buy and he is proving to be a complete star! Maybe you could consider a short term loan with a view to bu? I think people would be less worried about the age thing once they got her home and realise she's not just going to suddenly go lame once they have her! :)
 
bit harsh i would have thought lots of people would love a pony that can jump around a 1m course and is fun and has a bit more experience and thats not even that old for a native (lenamore still going around badminton at 19 !)
 
I'm selling a younger horse and not much interest since the rain started. I think people are buying tickets for the ark not horses at moment.
 
How big is she, what is she like to handle, with farrier to load and at competitions etc. Does she live in or out? What does she come with tack and rug wise. I would take all these things into account plus other things regardless of age if I was looking. Like injuries has she been ill or lame at all recently. 16 isn't old just need to see the whole picture. I know horses/ponies that wouldn't hack on their own but that's because the owners were nervous this also transpired if the owners took them anywhere then as soon as a more confident rider got on it was like watching a different horse.
 
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