whats the oldest you'd buy??

I prefer to buy them young, around 3 or 4, that way i can put work into them and make them the horse i want. I have had too many older horses that WOULD have been superstars had they not been ruined by idiots earlier in life. If i was looking for something that had been there and done it i wouldn't buy anything over 8.
 
i always said i wouldn't buy over 14, but bought a 16 year old last year
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I know this isn't really an answer to the question, but don't be totally put off of youngsters. I have been out of the saddle for nearly 4 years (have ridden a handful of times in that time) and had lost nearly all my confidence. I nearly sold my unbroken 5 year old as I thought I'd never be able to cope, but I sent him away for breaking and he is the best horse I have ever had and a massive confidence giver, we even jump 2ft together which I would have never ever thought I could do so soon.

It's a case of what are they like rather than age, our 14 year old TB gives me the heebie jeebies! He scares me to death.
 
I bought my horse as a 7 year old, he's been in light work since age of 10 with arthritis, yet one of my friends bought a horse through college who was 16 and they whizz round doing all sorts of rc stuff, maybe I was just unlucky, but age doesn't haev to be a defining matter in terms of injuries/illness. Personally I'd take another on up to the age of 15, but only with a full 5* vetting and knowing as much history as possible, ok it's no guarantee something won't still go wrong but at least I'd haev tried to eliminate any problems before I started!
 
we didnt plan it but we bought a 19 year old 3 years ago.

Last week he went out and won a ridden cob class beating 3 others - one of which was 5 years old.

He is honest, sound, jumps double clears and can easily get 70% in a dressage test.

Would definately do it again if it was the right horse
 
i think it all depends on the horse. My share horse is 18yrs (going on 8!) he hasn't done much so have very low milage. If i wasn't told his age i honestly wouldn't have thought he was 18. He can be a bit stiff when we first set off on hacks when going downhill or on uneven ground but soon warms up.
 
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