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.

 

[Lb1105]

I’ve had a couple of chats with his owner, seen videos and will be viewing him at the weekend. I’ve viewed a couple since I started looking and knew straight away they weren’t the ones for me. I would never be brave or experienced enough to buy unseen. I also very much plan to be a forever home for any pony I buy so need to make sure I’m right for him and he’s right for me.

 

[Meredith]

Is there anyone experienced in viewing and buying ponies that would go with you?

 

[Goldie's mum]

Definitely have him vetted. However experienced a buyer is, they can't tell if there's a heart murmur, eye problem, or two id chips without a vet's equipment.

See if you dislike him on site first but it is quite OK and frequently done, to pay someone to go with you if you feel you need someone to take a look at a second viewing. A lot of instructors will have been asked before.

Have they offered to show you his veterinary history?

 

[Lb1105]

Unfortunately I haven’t got anyone really experienced coming with me. I think I’d be able to spot some obvious issues as I’ve had a share pony for 4 years and before having a break to have children I had a Welsh d on full loan and looked after friends ponies. I was just a lot younger and braver back then. His owner didn’t say he had any current health issues but I’ll ask about seeing his vet history. If I like him I’ll ask if I can have a second viewing and then bring a more experienced friend with me.

 

[nagblagger]

Unfortunately I haven’t got anyone really experienced coming with me. I think I’d be able to spot some obvious issues as I’ve had a share pony for 4 years and before having a break to have children I had a Welsh d on full loan and looked after friends ponies. I was just a lot younger and braver back then. His owner didn’t say he had any current health issues but I’ll ask about seeing his vet history. If I like him I’ll ask if I can have a second viewing and then bring a more experienced friend with me.

You do know it's mandatory, if you buy him, we want/must have photos.

 

[Lb1105]

Of course, I’ll be very happy to share some photos of him if he’s ends up being the one .

 

[gallopingby]

No reason not to pass a 5 stage vetting at 17 years although remember a vetting is not a pass or fail but the vets view of current health and suitability for purpose. I sold a very outgrown 13.2 a couple of years ago and buyer requested a 5 stage vetting which he passed with flying colours. A lot of natives remain sound well into their twenties and are very useful although the best usually pass on via word of mouth / friends contacts.

 

[gallopingby]

I think you need to try him and see how you feel / get on, both with him and the owner. Why is he for sale? Schoolmaster natives are like gold dust but equally most owners will only sell to the right home. I set a price, might include tack but the price would reflect this. 4k is a reasonable price for a safe t-shirt type pony. Good luck. - l don’t negotiate, there’s enough hassle and game playing in trying to buy / sell so l make clear what the price is at the start and then no one’s time is wasted, although l agree it’s a game some people like to play.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Personally I five stage vet…even on the 16 year old schoolmistress I bought for pony club. It gives me a starting point and indication that the pony is fit for what I want it to do.

 

[Helpful user]

OP, definitely get him vetted, even a stage 2. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say if you are viewing local to me, I would be more than happy to come along “as a friend”. I can’t claim to know it all but I’ve nearly half a century of horses under my belt. There may be others like me willing to help make sure someone who is finally fulfilling their dream, doesn’t get taken for a ride. I’m in Lancs. x

 

[Lady Jane]

Agree with @Helpful user I'm sure if you shared your location/the location of the pony someone here would come with you (I will if sensible location). But I would still get a 2 stage vet

 

[Lb1105]

I’m down South near the New Forest so sadly too far @Helpful user but thank you for your offer and support, what a lovely supportive community.

I’ll go and see him this weekend and if he’s seems suitable I’ll definitely ask to go back with someone more experienced.

His current owner is a mature smaller lady like myself and she is selling him as she has a younger pony she is bringing on and she feels her older boy deserves to be someone’s number one. I don’t think his owner will sell him if she doesn’t think we are the right match which feels reassuring.

 

[nagblagger]

I’m down South near the New Forest so sadly too far @Helpful user but thank you for your offer and support, what a lovely supportive community.

I’ll go and see him this weekend and if he’s seems suitable I’ll definitely ask to go back with someone more experienced.

His current owner is a mature smaller lady like myself and she is selling him as she has a younger pony she is bringing on and she feels her older boy deserves to be someone’s number one. I don’t think his owner will sell him if she doesn’t think we are the right match which feels reassuring.

There are a few of us in the south who may be willing...one is very experienced who is near the New Forest, i would offer but i go by 'gut' i'm not an expert.

 

[Lb1105]

Just a little update to say I viewed the pony, he was lovely and I fell a little in love with him. I didn’t negotiate as he was lovely and was happy to buy him at full price, owner agreed and I was about to pay a deposit as agreed this morning but this afternoon she has told me she is selling him to someone else. I’m a little heartbroken but I’m sure my dream pony is out there somewhere. The search continues….