Is there still a market for the humble older hacking pony?

RainbowDash

RainbowDash

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Hi all,

This is not an advertisement. Just wanted a general view.

Is there any demand for an older (late teens/early twenties), hacking pony? If you were looking for a hack would you consider an older pony with no health issues, low mileage, responsive, no rearing, bucking etc. and easy to handle, for farrier, dentist etc?

Or would you not touch with a barge pole? And want something more quirky?
 
It's a great pity if there isn't. A lot of people would do better if they got themselves an older, wiser mount that they can cope with, instead of the young, flighty creature that scares the living daylights out of them.
 
A lot of people seem to end up overhorsing themselves because they can ride the 'difficult' riding school horse/pony (which usually has a fairly hefty workload and is well managed) and think that they can ride the same type by themselves. They also seem to think that they will find the sane and sensible mindset of a cold blood in a fancy prancy hot blooded creature. If the equine is a pony suitable for a child, then parents should be forming an orderly queue to by a sane and sensible older hacking pony for a child who is getting their first pony IMO
 
Yes, I bought one 5 years ago aged 18 and he's still going like a spring chicken ( a very safe one :) )

I'm 51 now so I do not want something that spins/bucks/rears etc, just something that will hack out on its own/in company and easy to do and can live out/ I paid £1500 for Ben, worth every single penny and more!
 
AngieandBen said:
Yes, I bought one 5 years ago aged 18 and he's still going like a spring chicken ( a very safe one :) )

I'm 51 now so I do not want something that spins/bucks/rears etc, just something that will hack out on its own/in company and easy to do and can live out/ I paid £1500 for Ben, worth every single penny and more!
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i'll be honest, I used to think that the older horse/pony would be more costly/need more maintenance than a younger model, for my daughter and I to share. my daughter is a nervous novice and I consider myself to be a novice rider again, having returned to riding after a 10 yr break, but having had a discussion on here with other posters, I have since seen the light and will be looking for an older model for us in the spring instead! providing he/she has no major health issues and hasn't been hammered into the ground, an older lady/gent will be a most welcome edition to our family :-)
 
I bought my mare at 16 for just that job. She's now 20 and still goes like a rocket.

I think there is a much more buoyant older horse market in children's ponies - my friend had to buy a youngster for her son because she couldn't afford one in its teens with a proven track record.
 
I have a fabulous 16 year old Connemara - 14.2. Suit 10stone and long legs as well as a small person like me!!! Been there and done that and superb temperament. Bought for my old age, but now I am too old!! Would consider finding him a new home as semi-retired last few years. Not been successful so far - would suit mother and daughter really, to bring on daughter as he was a top whp and is elementary dressage. Loves hacking as well.

Don't understand what people are really looking for.
 
teasle said:
YES , yes, yes there is, but how do you find one, they are so rarely advertised.
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Often in the 'free to a good home' section, or at just above meat money, home more important than price (which means if you turn up and don't look like a dealer, you can have him).
 
If I was going to buy then definitely yes. I'd buy my share pony 20 year old sect D been there done it girl who is probably the lowest maintenance pony on the yard. I like to think these older ponies don't come up for sale much at least not on the open market because they're loved and in forever homes.
 
I used to like something more exciting but to be honest with the way the roads are these days I'm often very glad to be on an oldie who's seen it all before and is an expert at squeezing into the hedge when something tries to pass where there is no room.
 
Tess Love said:
I like to think these older ponies don't come up for sale much at least not on the open market because they're loved and in forever homes.
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If only that were the case. Unfortunately people's circumstances change, and bereavement, redundancy, illness etc force the most loving owner to sell.

I've seen many H&H threads which seem to dismiss the bottom end of the market - as though if it's really cheap there must be something wrong with it. This isn't the case for an unambitious aged hacker in the current market, especially if it's not striking to look at.
 
Many years ago, we loaned and then bought an 18-year-old pony for my son. I was initially worried that an older pony would cost more in vet bills than a younger one, but in 8 years, all he had was a cut eyelid, whilst my youngster ran up vet bills as a hobby. That pony was absolutely perfect, been there, done that, a great schoolmaster. I would buy an older horse/pony like a shot! I would have thought there was a demand for sensible hacks for people like me who don't bounce very well these days and just want to enjoy the scenery from the back of a quiet steed.
 
Yes. As soon as we move oop north I'll be looking for one. A drummer horse type, though, because I need it to carry my husband who is gradually losing weight but not ever likely to be less than 13 stone. He used to ride in the Cavalry but hacking across the Dales will be a bit of a new thing. So I want an older, sensible, steady, large horse to reassure my Grade 1 worrier that the large green leaf is not going to eat him.
 
Hereshoping said:
Yes. As soon as we move oop north I'll be looking for one. A drummer horse type, though, because I need it to carry my husband who is gradually losing weight but not ever likely to be less than 13 stone. He used to ride in the Cavalry but hacking across the Dales will be a bit of a new thing. So I want an older, sensible, steady, large horse to reassure my Grade 1 worrier that the large green leaf is not going to eat him.
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Or a nice Dales pony for the Dales :)
 
It should be a bigger market. Much bigger. I've met a lot of people in my travels where I've thought, "You need something that is about 17 years old and broke, broke, broke." But they thought it would be really sweet to buy something young and green and "learn together." *sigh*
 
I'm another looking (albeit casually) for an older happy hack. All I need is something sane, safe and happy just to trot round the woods two or three times a week. There's definitely a market for them, probably more from experienced riders wanting a quiet life than from less experienced riders who could actually learn from a safe older horse.
 
RainbowDash said:
I agree - Just seems everyone wants the 'Young flighty Creature' and not Mr Sensible :(
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I didn't buy the "Young Flighty Creature", but I am not 100% happy on Barry, and am planning on finding myself something a bit smaller that I can mess about on. I want something a bit more than a happy hacker, but something that is very happy to hack, if you follow me ;)

So send me Mr Sensible! (Although that makes me feel bad, because Barry is a Mr Sensible really).
 
My friend found a lovely 13.2hh pony, been there got the t-shirt sort, she came about him through word of mouth as the RSPCA had got involved, 20yrs old left in a field, she's given him TLC and he has rewarded her with endless fun, she has done so much with him that she never did with her other horse, she calls him her magic pony and says he's been sprinkled with fairy dust!!! He takes her over 50/60cm jumps, works sweetly in the school and hacks sensibly on his own, everything she's ever wanted.
 
I have the most delightful Traditional Welsh Section D Cob with impeccable manners and bombproof and spook proof in all situations. I was given her as a 15 year old and she is still going strong at 26. My better half who is not a horse rider and can merrily hack her about without any problems what so ever. To me she is worth far more than any top grade eventer, dressage horse or show jumper etc. as one can put anyone on her and she will be completely reliable in all situations.
 
On the flip side, I bought a 14 year old mainly for hacking...well mannered, good to do in all ways. Within a year of owning he was diagnosed with bone spavin and annular ligament desmitis. We can still hack out but no schooling or jumping. I suspect the sellers knew he had issues but he did pass a 5 stage vetting. He also has severe sweet itch (described as mild) and copd . I could have had the same problems with a younger model but less likely.
 
At the moment I wouldn't want one as I still want to do a bit of competing and jumping but in future when I'm ready to slow down a bit I would certainly look at something like that. I have a friend in her 70s who is looking for just that and can't find it locally at the moment - apart from wanting something sane and safe she doesn't want to be leaving a young horse behind if anything happens to her.
 
I have one (20ish), who is absolutely 100% and in the 12 years I have owned her she has (touch wood) never been lame....I would love to find someone to take her out for regular hacks and lavish her with the attention she deserves because I would never part with her, but I don't have time to ride her very often and keep my younger horse fit.
 
Not read all the replied, but I would say YES there definitely is !! I have ridden with several nervous riders over the years, and all of them have hinted that they would like a nice gentle hack "next time", as they have over - horsed themselves, or are getting older and want something that doesn't spook/shy/mess around on roads, with tractors, aircraft, you name it.

I am so lucky to have my lad - he goes through it all with a twinkle in his eye, telling the other horse it's all ok, think POLOS !! My lad is only six though.

If only more owners would admit to needing something safe and quiet, I think there would be a lot more confident and happy riders out there.
 
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