Too "old"?

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JHC

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I've been looking for a light hack to plod around on a couple times a week. Having seen many horses that haven't been what I've wanted for one thing or another I started to give up.

But today I saw a "Free to a good home" advert for a 26 year old. The again initially put me off, but when I saw him he was in amazing condition. Good weight, no ailments (apart from being a bit stiff - but he's had no turnout for many weeks), very shiney coat, good feet and the list goes on.

So when would you say a horse is too "old"? When the horse can no longer work or when they get to a certain age?
 
When they can no longer work. My boy is 21 this year, and we still bomb around the countryside and are out competing. He is getting arthritic now, but work keeps him supple. If you saw him galloping and bucking in the field, you would think he was 5!
 
When they don't want/can't work - age is irrelevant. My daughter used to ride a 13hh pony which a friend had bought, but it was too much for her children. She won loads jumping and cross country, some showing, did games for the pony club and with mga. When she went back for my friend's daughter to ride, we thought she might be about 20. They were at a show one day, and a woman said that the pony looked just like one she used to own. Turned out it was hers and was 40 years old! She was ridden for another couple of years, and then just said no one day. She lived another couple of years as a companion, and then was pts after injuring herself belting round the field.
 
I used to ride a little highland - he was in his early 30's, barefoot, and was a dab hand at tanking off then stopping dead and dropping his shoulder :p

He used to boss the bigger younger ones around too! I have no idea how long he lasted - I know he was turned out to grass shortly after after I stopped riding him, and know he lasted at least 5 years after that!
 
I think as long as you are aware of their age and are a bit careful, for example if they feel stiff one day just be sure to let them loosen up properly, then go for it!

We had a lovely little connie that was 37, was ridden until 32ish, and then spent five years avoiding being caught and generally being a little buggar! :D
 
my last mare was 33yrs old and still wanted to charge around like a looney out on hacks. before i bought her she was hunted and would have been about 31yrs old doing that but they thought she was much younger than her actual age!
 
There's no reason why at 26 it would need to retire. But, before going ahead you need to consider what happens when it retires, because that could be in 6wks or 6yrs. Or if it needs expensive age related treatments, & the usual extra costs of keeping an oldie comfortable.
 
Also as the new owner of an older horse I don't think you would be able to get insurance, so you'd need to be able to cough up for vets bills if necc
 
My old boy is 24 now and still wins clear rounds, goes teamchasing and does XC. He's a little bit stiff in winter and has wingols but he's like a spring chicken. The day he's had enough is the day he'll retire.

A friend of mine has a 28yr old riding school pony she's tried to retire twice but he loses weight and seems to be depressed, then perks back up when she puts him back into work. He's forward going, not the kind of pony you'd put a novice on and competed in the world pairs at MGA last yr or the year before.
 
I have lost two veterans I. The past two years, one was 38 and still enjoyed a nice hack but got colic during the snow and ice of 2010, the other one was 30 and had to retire last winter after my other mare attacked her, she then deteriorated and had to be pts after being diagnosed with a brain issue.

Currently I have a 25 year old sec D who I have only owned a year and a half and she does showing hacking and the odd low clear round at our RC. She is fitter then my younger ponies!

Oh yes I plan to do dressage with her this year too

Not wrong with a healthy OAP if you look after them properly xx
 
I remember once seeing a beautiful horse down at a farm. I went several times and on a few occasions saw it riding. I figured it was maybe 6 or 7. A few weeks later I complimented the owner on how gorgeous the horse was. During the conversation she informed me he was 26. I nearly chocked I was that shocked!

I also know a 31 year old that although he is 'retired' likes to do a dressage test 3 or 4 times a year and he loves his job :)
 
I know of a 36 year old that is still teaching many children the basics and is always used as the first canter in an open space as he is so perfect! I would encourage anyone to give an oldie a second chance.... :)
 
If you look in my profile at my album, the chestnut with the blaze is my girl and you will see her jumping and showing in the album (apologies for double pics but the iPad is a nob lol). There is a pic of my darling grey 30 year old from 2008 too.
 
Brimmers said:
I think as long as you are aware of their age and are a bit careful, for example if they feel stiff one day just be sure to let them loosen up properly, then go for it!

We had a lovely little connie that was 37, was ridden until 32ish, and then spent five years avoiding being caught and generally being a little buggar! :D
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I agree with most of the posters but as long as you can either offer it a home for life if you end up with a retiree or can companion it when it finishes its career. We had a 36 year old(ridden lightly until about 33). He didnt need much up until he was PTS lived out 24/7 etc no drugs. However last old boy twice day bute etc cost of drugs etc non ridden for two years due to arthritis(I enjoyed looking after him so it was not an issue to me).

Also be prepared that you could be the one to PTS. Otherwise if you can safely say Yes to the above go for it. I dont blame you if you just want to hack lightly etc and not go showjumping etc. I like hacking too and to find a safe horse is very difficult but I hope you can say yes and enjoy if you think this is the right one. (I looked at a fair few last year youngsters too who were rubbish and it was like finding a needle in hay stack). I never found one. Good luck I hope you get another 5-10 years out of the horse it is possible.
 
It goes of the individual I hack with a " retired " gentleman who is always the one to p*** off into the yonder! Age is jut a number. No horse on the yard can keep up sets off like a steam train.
 
theres a couple of older horses on my yard

1. 20 yr old arthritic tb very much on last legs really old horse- not ridden at all
2. 20 yr old B x arab a real handful and very naughty ,ridden 4 x a week and loves it.
3 . 20 yr old ID x TB bit stiff if its cold but would go all day, ridden 3 to 4 times a week

4. 28 yr old heinz 57 bit stiff but soooooo naughty and pull like a train loves being ridden 2 x a week -thinks hes 2 !

5. 19 yr old anglo arab eventer (mine:D) total schoolmaster but will go all day and jump anything ridden 5 x a week -thinks like a 10 yr old

6. 29 yr old Sec D bucks like a loony-loves hunting, jumps anything off any stride -really good fun horse

some older horses just dont age very quickly and have sooo much to give:D:D
 
We took on a mare who was in her late 20s, she still hacked for miles, schooled, jumped, did XC - everything. Only thing that gave away her age was her dippy back & coat (when not clipped - she had cushings). She was otherwise fit & healthy & went on to another home when we could no longer keep her.
 
Nothing wrong with older. But I would be wondering why up for sale at that age.
As mentioned insurance will be pointless (bar public liability).
I've ridden lots of older horses who act like 5yo's, I wouldn't be selling in later twenties though as owe them the long term. If there is genuine reason though it certainly wouldn't stop me buying as long as you plan for the future.
 
I have a fit, healthy 19 year old. At the rate she's going, I think she'll live forever. Definetely worth looking at the old chap.
 
JHC said:
I've been looking for a light hack to plod around on a couple times a week. Having seen many horses that haven't been what I've wanted for one thing or another I started to give up.

But today I saw a "Free to a good home" advert for a 26 year old. The again initially put me off, but when I saw him he was in amazing condition. Good weight, no ailments (apart from being a bit stiff - but he's had no turnout for many weeks), very shiney coat, good feet and the list goes on.

So when would you say a horse is too "old"? When the horse can no longer work or when they get to a certain age?
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I would be more worried about the "free to good home" than his age. Is he starting to be expensive in vet's bills? Or has his temperament deteriorated? Has he had a "Loss of Use" pay out from the insurance company? If the last he will have a Loss of Use freezemark - a capital L within a circle.

If you decide to go for him have a full vetting done to make sure there are no health problems.

As for your last question, I think your horse will tell you when he's had enough. It largely depends on what you want him for. Years aren't always a good guide. When my horse was hunting and I was a foot follower I regularly met a lady with a 35 year old pony. He was a very enthusiastic hunter and could keep up with the field any day of the week.
 
I am a big fan of the veterans and have been thinking about having one as a companion/light hack, but the insurance issue would worry me as I like to be able to plan financially, but then again insurance doesn't cover everything and who knows might not even pay out, so I suppose I'd just put equivalent money aside :-)
 
Thanks everyone. I was so looking forward to having this horse but the farmer who I rent land and stables off has suddenly said no. Im very disappointed and the horses owner isn't happy although I did tell her I had to speak to him first.

He's free to a good home as the owner has literally run out of money, living in a bedsit.

So if anyone is after a veteran in amazing condition - looks around 15 not 26! A lively ride so not for a novice let me know and ill forward you a contact number.

In North Devon
 
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