Opinions please-am I ageist?

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peaceandquiet1

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Been looking for a new pony for my daughter age nearly 8. Found one at the weekend who is great in every way, except that he is expensive (to me) and 15 years old. A real schoolmaster type. He is dearer than the others we tried but so much better. I am a little worried by his age, as he will need to be sold on eventually by which time he might be 20 or so, but she might ride him for years. His current rider is 13 and only just outgrowing him.

She really likes him and she is not the type to say so unless she really means it. She has tried 10 or 11 before him.

Any opinions?
 
The right pony will be priceless to you both in my opinion, so personally I'd go for it. A good pony will still be worth something to someone at 20. :)
 
15 is nothing for a pony, they go on for donkeys. It's actually a bonus IMO as his age means he will be a lovely schoolmaster but with plenty of years left in him.
A mother at my yard who's child is very active in the PC remarked the other day actually how ponies who are well into their mid 20's are still being sold for 2.5k in the PC just because they are such good confidence givers. This lady's daughters pony is 16 and he's a fab pony who they take out competing twice a week in the summer.
All my ponies when I was in the PC were in their late teens/early 20's and my sister pony was 36 when we got her! She was still sprightly and took my sister round her first 2ft3 hunter trial :).
 
Thanks very much, I know our Branch is full of elderly ponies going strong. This pony is so fab in every way and its probably because he is twice my ooriginal budget that I am very nervous......
 
Our pony was 22 when we got him for our 8 year old daughter, he is absolutely fab and has taught her so much, still managed to whizz round the 2ft 3 one day event course at Pony Club last week and came 1st! My daughter is outgrowing him now and I have been offered quite a bit of money for him but I'm a softy and won't sell him, he owes us nothing and I personally wouldn't sell him at his age but I'm hoping to find a little jockey to come and ride him so he can keep fit as he is a little super star! Don't let it put you off at all, I was wary of buying an older pony but don't regret it one but! He is worth his weight in gold.
 
15 is nothing for a pony - a horse yes i would be concerned but ponies tend to live longer than horses.

He still has a good 10- 15 years left yet!
 
marydoll said:
A good schoolmaster pony for the age your daughter is now, is worth its weight in gold.
A confidence giver, who will help her out if she needs it is a gift at any age.:)
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echo this ^^^^^ a younger one may last longer BUT would it give her the same confidence and look after her as she obviously feels this one will ??

Even if after 4 or 5 years you almost give the pony away, your daughter would have had the best start in riding. you see so many young girls on ponies that are just too much for them and they are too scared to admit it to their parents or parents push too much. They want and need to have fun
 
just ,my 2pence worth but the best teacher i ever had was a 14.2 mare called zara. She came to me when i was 13 and she was 18 she taught me how to be the rider i am today - she also put me in my place if she thought i was being a bolshy teenager - after i had outgrown her at 16 (she was 21) she then went on to do the same thing for my younger sister and my young cousin briefly retiring to the field due to her age rather than her capabilities for 6 months before going on to be a pony for riding for the disabled and finally went to that big field in the sky at the grand old age of 35 - she taught all of us so much and i would say that none of us would be the riders we are today if not for her - i think if it's the right pony for your daughter then you should go for it though the pony may not be worth as much it will have given your daughter possibly the best education at the right time, so don't let age put you off
:cool:
 
The pony, if it is safe, has been there done that got the T-shirt is worth it for peace of mind that your child is safe and being looked after.
I would go for it.
He will last a good few years and if your involved in things like the Pony Club, you would be suprised how many people would bite your hand off for that pony in 4-5 years time, despite his age, if he is safe :)
Pony go on forever so don't let the age put you off :)
 
Age is just a number with kids ponies. I just sold a 5yo pony as a first pony, safest thing out. They didn't care about the fact she was young, just the fact she was safe, I honestly don't think it would have mattered if she was 5 or 15, they still would have had her. A good, safe childs pony is priceless whatever it's age :)

At 15 he has years to give, and you never know, in two or three years she might be ready for something with a bit more 'get up and go', and he can go on to someone else to give their child the confidence :) Even if it is 5 years on, i'm sure there will be many people looking for a golden oldie that is safe enough to teach a tiny tot the ropes on :)
 
I'd rather have an experienced pony who knows their job for a young child, much more reliable & good ones worth their weight in gold (after all they will be trusted in taking care of your most precious possesion - your daughter). Ponies go on for years, & at 20 if you take good care of her is likely to be worth as much to another parent looking for a safe schoolmaster.
 
My son's pony is about to go up for sale at 17. He is a fantastic pony. He has taught him everything in the last three years. I would trust this pony with a complete novice. He knows it all and will be a fantastic pony for years to come. He is up at £2k. If he were nearer 10 he would be £4k! He shows absolutely no sign of his age other than his wealth of experience.

I would certainly look at a 15yr old pony. Anyone who doesn't will miss out on some of the fantastic teenage ponies that are around.
 
This pony's age would certainly not put me off, especially as he ticks all your boxes. He will be more expensive, but he knows his job, and is safe and reliable. You cannot put a price on safety when it comes to a child's pony.
 
Waiting on references from their Pony Club Branch, then feel I should have him vetted. But yes I think he is far too good to miss. He has the most unflappable nature and yet he is not a lazy pony. He is well schooled. My daughter was cantering happily round a field within a few minutes of getting on and he didn't heat up at all, he just went at her pace and stopped when she asked. A gem! Oh and he jumps too.
 
i would get him vetted but also be aware if he has done a lot of miles there will probably be wear and tear but forewarned is forearmed - good luck he sounds perfect :)
 
Our girl is 16 years young and could give the youngsters at our yard the run around!! :)
She is actually a lot more mischievous than half the youngsters too - perfect horses are difficult to come by nowadays, if he is right for your daughter, get him vetted and go for it. 15 is still spring chicken!
K x
 
We had a pony who had hit 22 when Al got him. He did everything (senior camp, ODEs, hunted, won jump-offs up to 3') and was worth his weight in gold several times over. He never got strong or silly, would jump anything and did it all with a smile. He had a waiting list about 5 miles long when it came to finding him a new home, and he wasn't even advertised. No one cared that he was old, they were just desperate for a confidence giver!!
 
without a doubt get him... he costs more because he is worth more. If he is a schoolmaster and he can look after your daughter , then i wouldnt worry to much about selling him on ... five years is a long time away!
 
horsemadmum1 said:
I am a little worried by his age, as he will need to be sold on eventually by which time he might be 20 or so, but she might ride him for years. His current rider is 13 and only just outgrowing him.

Any opinions?
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I agree with what everyone has said however someone at somepoint will need to take responsibility for this pony in his retirement years and it should be the people who got enjoyment from him when he was fit and able.

You never know when a horse (regardless of age) could end up unsellable. If keeping this pony is an unthinkable proposition personally I would loan rather than buy; if you are happy to take responsibility for the future of the pony then buy (and hope he is still a sellable proposition when the time comes and ensure he goes to a good home).
 
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