Vetting older ponies

[Lb1105]

Hello I’m just after a little advice regarding people’s thoughts on vetting older ponies. I’m very interested I buying a 17 year old 13.2hh native pony as my 40th birthday gift to myself after 30 years of waiting to buy my own. The pony is a little older than I was considering initially but he otherwise sounds perfect and safe. I’m in two minds of whether to get him 2 or 5 stage vetted so was wondering what others would recommend? He’ll mainly be used for hacking, clinics and fun rides. Many thanks

 

[HopOnTrot]

How much are you paying? As the insurance company may ask for a vetting if over a certain price.

If they are cheap enough I would take an experienced person to give them the once over and then insure to the hilt if anything goes wrong.

But both my ponies were under £1k and have both given us many years of pleasure.

 

[Lb1105]

He’s up for 4k. As I’ve never bought my own before I unsure whether it would right for me to haggle. Im going to ask for his tack to be included for that price.

 

[honetpot]

I think history is more important than vetting,and how it has been kept. Most ponies stay in a home for about 2-3 years,then its either outgrown or the rider has progressed. So the passport should give through its jabs and ownership how long its stayed in one home. If you can call the previous owner, I have had someone call about a pony I sold.
How its kept, if its stabled how much turnout and how work does it need, and who has been riding it. This time of year if it is a head shaker it will be masked, and if its out does it cough when in.
I would go for a 2 stage and accept it will not pass, because there are a lot of older ponies that do PC which would not pass a vetting, there are too many if's and maybes, but it will give you a heads up.

 

[blodwyn1]

I bought a 14yr old and had her on a 3 week trial and had her 2 stage vetted during the trial. That worked well for me.

 

[Lb1105]

I’m thinking a 2 stage might be fine for us and I’ll try and find out as much as I can about his history. Thank you.

 

[southerncomfort]

Hello I’m just after a little advice regarding people’s thoughts on vetting older ponies. I’m very interested I buying a 17 year old 13.2hh native pony as my 40th birthday gift to myself after 30 years of waiting to buy my own. The pony is a little older than I was considering initially but he otherwise sounds perfect and safe. I’m in two minds of whether to get him 2 or 5 stage vetted so was wondering what others would recommend? He’ll mainly be used for hacking, clinics and fun rides. Many thanks

'...sounds perfect and safe....'

Does this mean you haven't viewed him yet?

You've waited 30 years to be able to buy your own pony, you absolutely must have a thorough test drive to make sure he does all the things you need him to!

 

[nagblagger]

'...sounds perfect and safe....'

Does this mean you haven't viewed him yet?

You've waited 30 years to be able to buy your own pony, you absolutely must have a thorough test drive to make sure he does all the things you need him to!

All of this and definitely haggle.