Is this a good idea?

Sarah W

Sarah W

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Tomar, Portugal
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Hi all. My first post so please be gentle!

A bit of background. I've been riding on and off (more off to be honest!) for 40 odd years but only got back into it a couple of months ago after a 7 year break after losing my nerve following a bad fall. My partner reluctantly had one lesson after lots of cajoling and was hooked immediately! So, at 47 and 55 respectively, I'm a nervous novice and he is a very keen beginner.

We've talked about getting a horse and as a result I emailed a horsey bod I know to see if she knew of any suitable horses (we live in Portugal so from a climate/heat and a transport cost viewpoint it makes sense to get one here rather than from the UK/Ireland). Turns out her husband's horse is looking for a good home as they don't have the time to work him. He's 16h, a Dutch warmblood who has raced, done endurance and latterly hacking and lessons for all abilities here in Portugal. She's offered a month's trial with a view to buying him if it works out. The riding school I go to does livery so no problem there (although I would try and rent a field closer by and and when I am comfortable that I could look after him myself).

So far, so good! The main problem is that the horse is 25 years old. Realistically I would only want to ride 3/4 times a week for an hour or so - is that too much for a horse of that age? I'm thinking walking, trotting, a little cantering and tiny jumps. Obviously I would get him vetted during the loan period as well as taking advice from the owner of the riding school/livery.

Apologies for the lengthy ramble but any thoughts/advice?

Thanks!
 
Hi Sarah

I think an older horse for a first horse is a great idea. However, my concern would be the mileage on him - you would probably be fine for a couple of years, but after that you have an old horse who may not be able to do what you want with him.

I'm sort of surprised that a warmblood has been raced - as far as I know it's usually only TBs and Arabs who race (but am prepared to be corrected!). Also, just bear in mind that there are a lot of shysters in every walk of life, even amongst horse-people - so do be careful whatever you decide!

Good luck with it.
 
I've got a 21 year old ex racehorse who is still in work (hacking 4 - 6 times a week in summer). If he's healthy I personally don't see a problem with an older horse. Plus as well, once your husband gets better he may want a horse what can do a bit more so if you do rent a field you've got a companion horse ready and waiting!
 
If the horse is fit and is currently in work of that level, then there is no reason why he can't continue as long as he is physically happy to do so. Obviously take his aging joints and muscles into consideration when you ride & look after him, good feed & proper warm ups, etc.

The question is how long you can realistically expect him to continue at that level and what would come next. He could easily plod on for another few years, but equally it could be shortlived.

If you purchased him, would you accept that you are probably his last home. If you had to reduce or stop his ridden work at some point in the future, would you commit to keeping him as a field ornament to enjoy his retirement and making THE decision when the time comes?

I don't normally agree with passing around elderly horses, it seems like people squeeze every bit of use out of them, then when they are no longer useful, they try and pass them off onto someone else, but if he is still fit to be ridden you can keep him ticking over and offer him a good home & potentially stand by him till the end, then there is no good reason not to do it.
 
Indy, really nice to hear a vote for the older horse! Although, I do think there's a big difference between 21 and 25.

My old boy (warmblood) is 27 - up until about 3 years ago he was still hacking, jumping, doing the odd Hunter Trial etc and one day he just started stopping at jumps - he'd always been a "point & shoot" horse - and I decided he was telling me he'd had enough of jumping whole courses.

Over the last couple of years he has felt much stiffer & heavier - now he gets very lightly hacked 3-4 times a week, he can't do more than 2 consecutive days. He's still keen as mustard & loves a good canter, but really feels it the next day.
 
JennBags said:
I'm sort of surprised that a warmblood has been raced - as far as I know it's usually only TBs and Arabs who race (but am prepared to be corrected!). Also, just bear in mind that there are a lot of shysters in every walk of life, even amongst horse-people - so do be careful whatever you decide!

Good luck with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I *think* I added the 'warmblood' by accident! This is the owner's description;

"daan is dutch, an ex trotting racehorse (he's famous in holland apparently!) and since his racing days has done endurance and been used in a trekking centre here in portugal and to give lessons. we've used him for hacking around the countryside. he's 16hh, bay, and the sweetest gentlest horse you could wish for. he has absolutely no "bad" points."
 
Hi JennBags

He's got arthritic knees, bowed tendons and creaky joints due to being heavily campaigned in NH racing so to be fair his wear and tear is probably that of an older than 21 year old horse anyway!
 
Oh that makes more sense Sarah.

As long as you're prepared that you may only get a couple of years riding out of him - possibly more of course - and that you are responsible enough to make the terrible decision to have him PTS when HE needs it - then an older experienced horse is great as your first horse. I agree totally with Baileyhoss (why is everyone else always more eloquent than me?!!!).

Having both an older and a younger (9) horse, I can thoroughly recommend the older ones! I love the younger one, but am very glad he wasn't my first horse...!

Why not go & see him - you may not even like him enough to think about making the commitment.
 
Indy said:
Hi JennBags

He's got arthritic knees, bowed tendons and creaky joints due to being heavily campaigned in NH racing so to be fair his wear and tear is probably that of an older than 21 year old horse anyway!
Click to expand...

Watch out Indy you'll be getting the FluffyBunny police on to you to stop you riding :-p
 
Don't go giving people ideas!

I've got 4 coffin dodging ex racehorses at home, all over the age of 15 and none of them have a decent leg to stand on and none of them are showing any sign of letting up. I only hack out now due to losing my bottle jumping but we've done dressage (quite well) and cross country (quite badly).

An older horse what can show you the ropes is worth his weight in gold but. Go and have a look at him and try him but just be prepared that you will be his last home.
 
Thanks for all the comments and advice. We have thought about the short/medium term and the plan would be for me to potter, learn and gain confidence on him and when he retires he might be a good companion to our next horse. I've been though the heartache of having my beloved dog PTS last year when he was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer (I had him for 11 years from 10 weeks old) so I can cope with that reality.

And yes, I'm hoping to go and see him in the next few days to see if he likes me :D
 
In that case, sounds like you would be a lovely home for him and in return, he'll probably teach you well & look after you too.

Enjoy, come back and give us updates & don't forget photos.

This is a good forum for advice if you can ignore or avoid the occasional lynch mobs that roam. Never be afraid to ask for advice, no matter how trivial!
 
Hi Sarah,

Can't see the vids (at work) but will look later.

Just wanted to say two things;

1. Older horses firmly get my vote, my confidence giver was an ex Cyprus Racehorse I bought him being told he was eight then found out he was 16, when I left the country 7 years later having hacked him out every day at great speed, competed Intermediate Dressage on him (and won a Few) I gave him on permenant loan to my Friend. He is now 26 and still galloping flat out up mountains every day.

2. The fact you are living in Portugal is a good thing for some reason if a horse is well looked after in a hot climate they seem to remain healthy and fit for longer.

In Cyprus I never saw a fat horse. I am assuming that in Portugal you will keep him in a sand paddock and feed all calories in hard feed and straw and a little Alfafa grass as bulk? Also the heat seems to keep all the arthritic joints away for longer.

We had horses being worked that were in their very late 20's early 30's.

I would say go for it and enjoy!
 
Hi just watched your videos, he looks like a sweet horse, and very genuine which is of course great. You can tell he is an old boy, he does look stiff behind there and isn't tracking up, I would imagine he has a bit of arthritis in his back legs, which wouldn't be surprising given his age and previous workload. He is not using himself properly, or really going forwards, no doubt due to stiffness, did you have a canter on him? What's he like in this? I am not trying to be too critical, just want you to go in with your eyes open and be aware of the problems he may have due to his age. Though he no doubt will make a great horse for a beginner to learn on what happens when you progress if he can no longer keep up with you, are you prepared to keep him when he can no longer work and can you afford to keep two horses if you decide to get a younger/more advanced model later on?

Ok that's my negative side out the way! I have a 22 year old horse who has worked moderately hard for most of his life (probably not as hard as an ex-trotting racer though!) He is still in work now and still fine with it, I ride him nearly everyday doing mainly hacking or schooling though we occassionally jump as well. He is schooled to a medium level so knows how work through from behind, step underneath himself and use his whole body properly, which I am sure helps keep him supple. He does take a while to warm up but it is worth it, I just take things slowly with him and see what he will offer. He is certainly no old plod and often has far more energy than most younger horses, no one can ever believe he's the age he is! He does have arthritis in his hocks but he is on a strong joint supplement which helps this as well as devil's claw to keep him happy. I hope he will go on for a good few years yet but you never know what can happen with oldies. But if you manage them correctly there is a lot you can do to keep them fit and heathly for longer.

Anyway I'm babbling now! Meant to say earlier, give Dan a good canter round next time you ride him as this should loosen his trot up a lot, also try to ride him for awhile to see if his paces improve as he gets more warmed up and looser.
 
Also meant to say he looks well put together and in lovely condition. If you can learn to ride with your seat more you should find him easier to get going and get him working from behind more which will make his paces a lot more powerfull and easier to ride.
 
Thanks Ally. It was very hot (30c+) yesterday and he hadn't been ridden for 3 months so I didn't want to push it. When he arrives in October I will be riding him every other day and at least twice a week with my instructor to improve his fitness. Will also look into supplements for his joints.

Sarah
 
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