Old horse 23 do I buy her as a first pony?

Red-1 said:
Mine is aggressively managed and if he gets lami again, we won't be doing rehab for recovery. There would be no point, I can't do more for him than I am. It is a worry for sure.

It is also hurtful when people say he is too skinny, yet the vets say he could lose some more.

That said, I have never regretted buying him as he was just what I needed at that moment in time.
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It's an awful condition and I really wouldn't want any horse or owner to go through it, it's really tough I rehabbed 2 one I lost as she was recovering to colic, the other was sound still on box rest but suddenly went non weight bearing lost them both.

I wouldn't put another horse of mine through it that's for sure so I totally agree with you on that front.
 
Sweetitch and laminitis are tricky to manage. If you really like the horse, and are prepared for it to be an expensive field ornament because at 23 she is about to become that, then take it to a well respected equine vet and discuss its current health status with them. This may help you decide. If possibly I would look for something younger or without as many health issues. Please be aware also that she may be docile because she is in pain and can't summon energy to be exciteable.
 
Someone else mentioned it but do you have someone who can help you with this search, in person? Buying your first horse is not for the faint hearted and you could do with all the help you can get. We can advise to an extent, but an experienced trainer who knows your riding ability, your equine management knowledge and the facilities you'd be working with is worth their weight in gold. They will need paying of course but it's money well spent.
 
No, you don't buy her. What a shame the owners are trying to pass an old pony with known health issues to an inexperienced first timer. Don't think much of them to be honest.

Middle aged/elderly ponies are best in terms of suitability ridden wise but take an experienced person with you to view.
 
Personal advice would be to walk away totally, the horse has too many health conditions and it's extremely unfair of the current owners to be passing that horse on to anyone even if it were free! They should be retiring it and managing the health conditions. £1500 is not reasonable for a horse of that age with health conditions. My advice would be find something to part loan or help out with and build up your budget. You have to be so careful as a novice buyer. Many people will take advantage of your lack of experience and try play on your emotions. Find an instructor to take with you to view horses in future if you can! Good luck but please do not take this horse on it will cause so much heartache
 
Don't pay £1,500 that's far too much for a pony with health problems, in fact I don't think a pony over 20 should be sold.

She may well be perfect for your requirements, so offer to loan. Be aware that medication can cost a lot, I have just spent £250 for cushings medication.
 
Agree one of my friends spends £6 a day on Cushings medication.

Orangehorse said:
Don't pay £1,500 that's far too much for a pony with health problems, in fact I don't think a pony over 20 should be sold.

She may well be perfect for your requirements, so offer to loan. Be aware that medication can cost a lot, I have just spent £250 for cushings medication.
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Honestly I'd walk away, if she has ems then she's more than likely had lami attacks, that'll send off alarm bells for me personally, not her age.
 
Auslander said:
i have a feeling that the OP's silence means that she is going to go ahead and buy it anyway. Good luck to her
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I can only imagine what everyone would have said if I'd asked for opinions when buying Rigsby. The word NO would have rung strong.

I hope OP has as wonderful a time with hers as I have had with Rigs if she goes ahead. Plus photos OP, please? We like photos!
 
Red-1 said:
I can only imagine what everyone would have said if I'd asked for opinions when buying Rigsby. The word NO would have rung strong.

I hope OP has as wonderful a time with hers as I have had with Rigs if she goes ahead. Plus photos OP, please? We like photos!
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The difference was that you were already very experienced so knew what you were taking on and were going into the purchase with your eyes open. A novice buying Rigsby would have had a huge amount to learn and they would have had to learn it almost instantly. You also understood that it may not have worked out so well and were prepared for that.

So people may not have said 'no' so strongly 🤣

At least if the OP does go ahead she now has more knowledge after reading the responses on here.
 
Another thing to consider is an older horse maybe cheap to buy but not necessary cheap to keep. They need more frequent dentistry, may need more careful feeding especially if laminitic or if they have cushings, may need arthritis medicines to help keep them comfortable.
 
I had a 15.2 4 tablets a day which cost me just over £4 daily and leahurst said there was no point going to 5 as her levels were rising too quickly and wouldn’t be controlled with a higher dose..
 
SO1 said:
Another thing to consider is an older horse maybe cheap to buy but not necessary cheap to keep. They need more frequent dentistry, may need more careful feeding especially if laminitic or if they have cushings, may need arthritis medicines to help keep them comfortable.
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Plus not all yards can adapt to accommodate a laminitic so may be limited in choice of yards.
 
As the owner of a mare who has had laminitis and has ems please walk away. Managing an ems horse is no fun specially at this time of year, its a worry that's always at the back of your mind and you can't take your eye of the ball ever. I'd say the same thing whatever age the pony was. Find a pony that doesn't have any major issues, you'll regret taking this one on.
 
Pinkvboots said:
Put it this way I have a 18 year old Arab with cushings his on the medication for it his still ridden but there is no way on earth I would be selling him to anyone.

It also sounds like the pony definitely has cushings but they are not medicating, which means it's a ticking time bomb for laminitis.

My advice would be run away fast and don't look back.

The owners of the pony should be ashamed of themselves.
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Thanks for the advice, all very helpful
 
Clodagh said:
I bought a 20 year old pony with EMS for my son. She was £2000. The vet said ‘just don’t ’. But she was perfect, forward going yet super safe, an absolute perfect pony.
But after 2 years, when he had pretty well outgrown her, she couldn’t be managed any more. She couldn’t eat grass at all without getting laminitis. I had her at home so could adapt as needed but once we got to that I had her pts.
So I’d buy her if you can afford to lost the money and if you are strong enough to PTS when needed. I’m disgusted they are selling her though, poor thing.
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Oh gosh that’s so sad I’m so sorry 🥺 sounds like what this one is currently like now….. I know I don’t know why they don’t just keep her, they’ve had her 5 years already. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to have to have her put down
 
SusieT said:
Sweetitch and laminitis are tricky to manage. If you really like the horse, and are prepared for it to be an expensive field ornament because at 23 she is about to become that, then take it to a well respected equine vet and discuss its current health status with them. This may help you decide. If possibly I would look for something younger or without as many health issues. Please be aware also that she may be docile because she is in pain and can't summon energy to be exciteable.
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Thank you for the advice v helpful
 
Just to say thank you so so much to all of you giving me advice and being kind. Every single person has said walk away from this one so I will have to. The owner did get a bit pushy for a decision yesterday and I just can’t walk into something without researching and thinking about it properly so that made my decision. :)
 
Gem30 said:
Just to say thank you so so much to all of you giving me advice and being kind. Every single person has said walk away from this one so I will have to. The owner did get a bit pushy for a decision yesterday and I just can’t walk into something without researching and thinking about it properly so that made my decision. :)
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I think it is the only time there has been complete agreement on the forum!
 
Very sensible decision, OP.

Can I just say though that when you consider acquiring any animal you absolutely *must* be prepared to pts, if the situation demands it and . Its unfortunately that can happen with young animals as well as older ones.
It's not the nice exciting part of choosing a new pet but it is vital that you are prepared.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Very sensible decision, OP.

Can I just say though that when you consider acquiring any animal you absolutely *must* be prepared to pts, if the situation demands it and . Its unfortunately that can happen with young animals as well as older ones.
It's not the nice exciting part of choosing a new pet but it is vital that you are prepared.
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I’m fully aware of that thank you, I have my own animals already.
 
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