pros and cons of the older horse thoughts please

debsflo

debsflo

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due to view potential horse for daughter lovley but am a bit concerned she is 13 ,nearly 14. i already have a 16 yr old and have visions of two oaps to care for in a few years. how old is too old please let me have your ideas so i can weigh up the pros and cons
 
I don't think 13 is old for a horse these days unless she has had a very hard life and been hammered into the ground. Go and see her and if you like her don't let her age put you off. I'm much rather have a lovely horse thats a bit older than a yonger horse that doesn't suit.
 
Pickle is now 16 and still as strong as ever. We bought him age 13. My sisters 10yo has more medical problems than him. He is brilliant and experienced which means he is the ultimate confidence giver.
 
My old riding school has numerous horses/ponies in their 30's, even more in their 20's and most of these horses do PC stuff/ compete & hunt. I would never be concerned about age.
 
One of the horses at the yard we are at is being a bit too fresh with the novice riders at the moment and she is 22!! there are also a few 30yrs+ in work and happy with no ailments. TBH 13 should be no probs if she has been well cared for.
 
I would prefer an older horse ie 12-15 than a youngster especiallly for a young rider. They don't normally come up with too many surprises what you see is what you get. My two have never had any major medical problems and so not forever lame or whatever. If its a good one and everythings o.k. go for it. 13 is no age in their prime
 
!3 is not old. My dressage horse is 13 and he is a real handful. My old boy is 29 and still hacks out a couple of times a week. If the horse has been vared for it will have years left yet.
 
I have just bought the most fantastic boy, aged 13, I was looking for something younger but am so thrilled I didn't let his age put me off, go and see him and if he's the right one go for it X
 
hi she is being sold as a schoolmistress.dont think shes been hammered.done pre novice eventing ,bit of an allrounder and sounds lovley . i know age should not really make any difference and i have seen a few younger horses that although were within my age range ie 7-12 were very green .just need a few sensible thoughts and personal experiences.
 
13 isn't old
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wouldn't put me off
 
Def go for this horse! 13 is the ideal age for a schoolmistress - old enough to know her job and be sensible and still LOTS of years left!
 
13 is just coming into her prime. It certainly wouldn't put me off. I much prefer something older than something young and green. Friend of mine has just taken part in the Arab Marathon and there was a 26 year old horse taking part (and completing) the 26 mile race.
 
I currently have a 19yr old and the only problems that I have are that I worry too much! I'm a big softy but all he needs is slightly thicker rugging and an eye on his weight. I have just bought a 12yr old and I think it is so much better when they have that experience as it often isnt fun training a green horse. She sounds lovely so definitely go and see her. Your two will probably last well in two their twenties - mine certainly shows no signs of needing retirement! Good luck with your search!
xxx
 
13 nearly 14 isn't too old

also i know from experience that all the books that say always buy an older horse aren't usually right

my first pony was the strongest naughtiest thing you would find and as he got older he got worse as he learnt more tricks just go wit what feels right in your mind
 
if i wanted a horse that knew its job and was well established a 13yo would be fine
my old pony was 48 when she was pts and only retired at 38!!!
my nearly 19yo ex dressage mare still praces the whole way on a hack and is perfectly healthy!
as long as they are sound and not been over worked(esp as babies) they can work into their twenties easily.
 
i bought my pony at the age of 14, and i have to say she is very experienced in many ways......fab in traffic, knows her job( saved me on a few occassions!!), has a few quirky ways that have obviously stuck with her...but is generally more experienced in life, and now i wouldn't buy anything too young...i think i'll alway go with an older /prime horse! been there, done it, got the t-shirt and less phases them!
she will be 16 in feb, no medical issues so far.
go look, you know when you've found the right one!
 
Depends what you're wanting I guess, if you're wanting something that knows it's job though then 13 is an ideal age. suppose it also depends on daughter's experience and whether you are thinking of selling it in the future. My first 'owned' pony was 12, as was I at the time and he was perfect. Def wouldn't have wanted anything younger then. He sadly died far too young (19) but not through an age related problem.

If you like the horse and your daughter likes it then go for it. Horses are going on a lot longer these days today anyway!
 
Having had one that was well over 40 when she died and one of 33 when she went, I can honestly say the older horse is fine. The Appy retired at 30, mainly because she would not calm down and I was worried that she would do herself a damage hooning about. The last time I ever rode her she half passed across the local common. We got her as a nine year old and had so many years of fun. The lady who got to 40 had had a hardish life before she came to us, but she had been everywhere and done everything and looked after novice OH, and the bonkers Appy!
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My first proper horse was 13, she was full of beans, I had her til she was 15. She's now 21 and still buzzy, from what I've been told! The loan horse I had before her was 15 and happily competed/hunted until she had to be retired due to illness at about 18.
 
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