Would you buy a 16 year old?

jcberry

jcberry

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We are looking for a total confidence giver, for mum to hack and me to do pony club on. Mum just got off the phone to a woman who has a lovely sounding 16 year old mare for sale, connemara X, done pc inc camp, xc, the lot. Hacks out super etc. The pony we buy would be kept for life as im off to uni in 3 years after 6th form, so we dont want to sell it on later on. She sounds so perfect, but we werent sure on the age?
Bearing in mind what we want, would you buy a 16 year old pony?
Any advice appreciated!
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Personally I wouldn't as I think they are more likely to have problems like arthritis, and its not what I would be looking for. But I think she sounds perfect for you, I jumped a fab gelding who is about 24 I think in 2ft6 SJ, so fingers crossed she would have lots of life left in her. Didn't Jess know a 30 yr old that was still being used as an RS pony? Plus connemaras are hardy little things anyway, and i think it would be totally different if you are talking about a frail little TB. Let us know how it goes
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I would recommend getting anything you buy vetted so yes, age shouldn't put you off if it's the right horse. One of my stallions was competing until he was 25 and still being ridden up until a month before he was PTS.
 
Definitely...you should buy this mare (but get her vetted first and expect a few more signs of wear and tear than a three year old).
After having held 4 horses for the farrier today...both farrier and I decided we wished they were all like my 19yo mare....will stand loose and lift feet for him, does not react to tractors/horses/dogs/sirens/planes etc....can be led past galloping fools in fields without reacting...
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If you know her history and the price is right, she sounds ideal for what you want.
I've got a little TB still going strong at nearly 25 - they're not all frail!
 
Thanks for all the replies - we would definatly get her vetted! After our last catastrophe then that is an absalute!! Me and my mum weretalking and we thing a 16 year old (in the work we would be doing) would happily keep going untill about 24/5? and by then she would probably be just a hack for my mum
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We are going to see her tomorow , and on the plus side she is only about 10 mins away so we would be stupid not too
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xxx
 
Yes, 16 is not what I would call that old, but old enough to be perfect for what you want. Only advice echoes that of others. Get a good vet have a detailed look at the horse and try and find out as much as possible about their past, it may well explain things you come across in the future. Good luck and hope everything turns out perfectly
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In one word - no.

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That's SO negative!!! A bit harsh imo seeings as you haven't exactly bought millions of horses to judge this by, and you haven't given a single reason! Jeez......

Sophie- Defo go and see her, re read it and she sounds perfect for you, and providing she doesn't develop something serious, she could be doing competing easily up to 25 ish, (tho obviously I wouldnt be doing 4ft speed classes lol) And she could go on happily hacking till 30
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Good luck with viewing
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Is there an advert you could link us to?
 
And our ISH Is coming 20 this year, has hunted for the last 13 seasons and still jogs out to the field like a loon if she's not in front!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In one word - no.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's SO negative!!! A bit harsh imo seeings as you haven't exactly bought millions of horses to judge this by, and you haven't given a single reason! Jeez......

Sophie- Defo go and see her, re read it and she sounds perfect for you, and providing she doesn't develop something serious, she could be doing competing easily up to 25 ish, (tho obviously I wouldnt be doing 4ft speed classes lol) And she could go on happily hacking till 30
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Good luck with viewing
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Is there an advert you could link us to?

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I thought that too
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Yeah i thought that too, ermm no we dont as she just phoned us from word of mouth, but will def take some pics tomorow
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Thanks xx
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In one word - no.

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That's SO negative!!! A bit harsh imo seeings as you haven't exactly bought millions of horses to judge this by, and you haven't given a single reason! Jeez......


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Hello the question was "Would you buy a 16 year old?"

Castlemouse wouldn't (Nor would I - except possibly a small pony for my niece in the future). Why does she have to give a reason??? And what the hell how many horses CM has brought got to do with it???
 
I'm sorry but I'm with Castlemouse. Unless i already knew the horse and was attached to it I wouldn't buy a sixteen year old. Yes, lots do go on until they are much older but with careful management and more complications with feed and turnout.

If it was a small native pony for a child then yes but not a horse
 
With a good vetting their's no reason whatsoever not to buy a 16 year old, sounds like a lovely pony and as someone else said has got lots of experience. My mare is 18 and I'm about to bring her back into work after her foal last year, she's a cracking mare who I still expect to be riding into her middle 20s at least.
 
Both my horses are now 16 and have plenty of oomph! My mare still acts like a 3 year old. So if the mare you're thinking of is fit, healthy and showing no signs of excess wear and tear, and is a reasonable price then I don't see why you shouldn't buy her!
 
I'd go see it and vet it if all sound go for it. A good friend just sold a 20 y/o sec a that is still a little speed demon 100% loving being in full work. I also competed a 22 y/o fell x tb that still half passed all the way to a 4 ft jump pop it and gallop to the next jump aaah what a legend only retired because the owner had a new youngster she wanted to concentrate on.

go for it
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I did! Although I already knew her well - and also had her on loan before I bought her. I wasn't planning at looking at anything of that sort of age, and wasn't thinking of buying her when I took her on loan either. My old pony (NF) was going strong until his early thirties - retirement was attempted several times but he was most unimpressed with that!
If you like her, and the vetting goes okay why not - afterall things can go wrong with horses at any age.
 
The first pony I bought was 17, and very fit and fun - and I had several hunting seasons with her, as well as showing. Sadly she did succumb to Cushings in her mid 20's, otherwise she would have gone on into her 30's - she was sound and fit in every other respect
 
In our local endurance riding group, there are several horses that are in their mid-20s that are regularly taking part in our long distance rides. Horses of 16 are positive youngsters! As others have said, provided you know of any health issues I would certainly go ahead if the horse is perfect in every other way.
 
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