Would you buy a 13yr old horse?

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Gorgeous George

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I had in my head that my first horse would be in the 8-11yr old bracket to hopefully ensure many years of happy companionship
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, with hopefully a number of years before I had to worry about health issues and insurance problems (ok I know there's no guarantee whatever I buy). So against this advice I am going to see a 13yr old 14.2 horsey on Tuesday and wondered what others thought, she is a local horse and belongs to a friend of a friend of a friend
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and to my knowledge has never had any health problems. So if I like her should I go for it, or should I look for something younger, also if I did get her would I have problems getting insurance when she's 15?

Thanks all
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Everyone feels differently about the age of buying a horse, but in my opinion, you could have a 5 year old with all the health problems under the sun, and a 30 year old who had none. I wouldnt let her age put me off if she seemed the type of horse you want. I was riding my old boy until he was 32 and he was competeting well into his 20's!

P.S You wont have trouble getting insurance, most companies insure right into their 20's.
 
I have just bought a just turned 14 year old. Was 13 when i tried him, lol
He's great.
On the other hand i wanted something younger, but it doesn't matter to me.
I lost my last horse aged 13 so you just never know.
 
I didn't want an older pony, but ended up buying Chex at 16 anyway. So far we've had 9 years of fun, competition, pleasure rides etc. It really does depend on the horse - he doesn't act like a 25 year old and do far *touch wood* we've not had any health problem apart from mild arthritis this winter. For insurance he's not really covered for much anymore, just accidental injury I think, and the vets fees only go to £1500 or thereabouts.
 
Go for it - I personally wouldn't buy one new to me over 14 but that's only because I'd be unlikely to afford a schoolmaster type - rather have a slightly younger horse and bring it on a bit than an older horse with issues - does that make sense?

If she does what you want and has a bit of experience then go for it! x
 
If you like the horse and get on with it, then don't worry about what other people think, 2 years ago I paid £3,500 for an 18 year old polo pony, and she's still going strong, I had known and looked after the horse for the previous 5 years. She still manages to scare the Sh!t out of most people who ride her. Very very cheeky sence of humor.
 
I would go and see the horse....13 is not that old....I mean hopefully the horse should have a good 10 yrs left in it for work, depending on your discipline.
This age would not put me off.
I have had a horse at 4 yrs that has had all kinds of veterinary problems so a young horse does not equal no vets fees.
The main thing is that the horse does not have any major conformation defects, passes a full vetting and is suitable for what discipline you pursue.
 
I wouldnt buy one because most of my horses/ponies have only stayed with me a couple of seasons and been sold at a profit, so it would defeat the object, but then again if this is your first horse I think it is a very good idea, he will have lots to teach you that a younger horse cannot, and generally older horses tend to be abit more laid back- but just try telling that to my 26yo
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13 is not old anylonger. I have a 25yearold horse who is still in full work 100% healthy and has cost me alot less then some of the younger horses i have! Infact i think we have only had the vet up to him once in the last 2 years and that was because he needed sedating for some dental work so nothing major. where as my young arab has cost us approximately £3k in the last 2 years alone in vets fees.

Horses have jumped round hickstead aged 22 and a few have gone round badminton aged 18!
To be honest 13 is still in the prime of life for most horses.
 
It wouldn't put me off at all. You do have to bear in mind, though, that resale value would be quite a bit less in 2 or 3 years time if you decided to sell on.
 
Nice horse, good price, 13 isn't old so you will have years of fun with him....just don't plan to sell him in 5 years time otherwise you'll get zilch for him unfortunately. I'd buy him if he was what I was after and if he was sound and healthy.
 
I bought a 12 year old a few years back as a schoolmaster to bring me on(!) and took on a 13 year old to bring on after loosing his sight.
Age is nothing - I would check how many miles on the clock he has, if you know what I mean. The 12 year old I bought had been in quite strenuous work from a young age and started to develop leg problems at 15, 16 before he was PTS for colic.
But I would definitely buy a middle aged horse again.
If you get on with it, go for it!
 
dont let age be a barrier. get full vetting but be sure to tell the vet what you want the horse for. If your hoping to go to oplypics in 5 years forget it!! but if you want a reliable horse to go on 10 years+ then it maybe just the horse for you.. good luck
 
If you know the history of the horse and it's had no problems then being 13 shouldn't put you off, think you are very sensible in looking at an older horse for your first horse.
I got my first horse ten years ago when he was 11 (ish, may have been up to around 13 - had no papers) and he has been a complete star, only just started slowing down.
He has been insured with Petplan, they will continue insuring for everything up to age 20 if you started the policy before the horse was 15, after 20 the cover is more limited.

Good luck and I hope you like the horse - looks nice from the photo.
 
13 is nothing, zak is 14 now and im still eventing him, and he has no problems due to age. Go for it!The great advantage of older horses is they have been there and done it, i found this with zak(bought him when he was 12) you can do whatever you want without having to worry about them being scared etc. Its great!
 
We bought a 15 yr old two years ago and she has been brilliant, however we will never sell her on so there is that to consider.
 
Hiya

I have pm'd you but my first horse Jack was 15, turned 16 when I got him and he was like a 3 year old to ride, total nightmare! I insured him with Equestrian Direct and as he was insured before he was 16 the policy was extended until the age of 20, but this was about 5 years ago now so might have changed. Either way 13 is really not old at all and I wish insurance companies would wake up and realise that as horses live longer (my friend has two 30 year old horses still ridden every day, never been lame and healthy!) they should change their policies to suit!
Don't let the age put you off-I think he is gorgeous, I would buy him!
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I bought a 2 yr old that had to be PTS when he was 5. I was then given a 15yr old who was PTS at 34.

He was in full work until he was 25, given a lighter rider but same work from 25-30, then very light work until he retired at 32.

The condition and past history of the horse matters a lot more than the age, and 13 really is nothing these days.

Wouldn't know about the insurance.
 
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