Would you buy a 17yr old ISH?

[C123]

Hi,

Am on the look out for a new horse after having some time off and having to sell my last 2 boys due to ill health.

Am looking for something that is ready to go and can get me back jumping and competing again. He has jumped to 1.30m

I found a lovely 17yr old ISH who seems to be what am looking for? Only thing am worried about is his age!

Do you think 17 is too old for a horse in general never mind to be out competing?

Thanks

 

[splashgirl45]

Not for light hacking and low level competing but I would be hesitant if I wanted to do serious competing , also it depends on how much he has done through his life and whether he has previously had soundness issues so I would want to see his vet records as well

 

[C123]

Not for light hacking and low level competing but I would be hesitant if I wanted to do serious competing , also it depends on how much he has done through his life and whether he has previously had soundness issues so I would want to see his vet records as well

Clean vert cert. No soundness issues. I wouldn’t be doing any registered shows. I just want something that can bring me on as a rider and help get my confidence up and out competing at local shows. Maybe jumping the odd 1.20m

He has done a lot. Hunting, shows etc

 

[Quigleyandme]

I think it would depend on my circumstances. I keep my horses at home so his age wouldn’t necessarily put me off especially as he is sound and in good health but if I were paying livery I would have to factor in paying that livery for what could be a fairly long retirement or PTS. Of course you could buy a much younger horse and face the same dilemma.

 

[C123]

I think it would depend on my circumstances. I keep my horses at home so his age wouldn’t necessarily put me off especially as he is sound and in good health but if I were paying livery I would have to factor in paying that livery for what could be a fairly long retirement or PTS. Of course you could buy a much younger horse and face the same dilemma.

That is true. Unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to afford the younger ones as there is some crazy prices out there. I’d also be afraid of getting a younger one and due to having some time off out the saddle not be good enough for them.
If I did buy this horse he would be staying with me for the rest of his days and would be at a livery yard till retirement

 

[JBM]

I think he would be a good confidence giver but he may not be able to jump 1.20 for much longer so you’d have to be ok with that
My girl was jumping 70cm leagues at 19-20 but then I could tell it was time to stop.
Will still jump occasionally now at 22 but no where near a league

 

[southerncomfort]

Have you had your own vetting done?

 

[DabDab]

In your shoes from what youve said here I wouldn't tbh. Higher teens horses still being able to comfortably go around 1.20m stuff is not that common. Some do, but many more don't

 

[C123]

Have you had your own vetting done?

Yes he is 100%

 

[Belmont]

I bought an 18yo ISH in Jan this year. Best decision I've ever made!
I got his full vet history, he'd had a couple of previous injuries but don't cause him bother now, I'm just careful with the ground, but as I would be with any horse.
Friends all thought I was mad getting an older horse, especially as I'd just sold a 5 year old, but he is exactly what I need. I keep him slim & fit and never question his age - he loves having a job and very happy at my level (I'd be happy to compete up to 90).
If he feels like the right horse for you now, then go for it. There's plenty of horses happily working well into their 20s these days

 

[AmyMay]

Yes he is 100%

That’s great. How big is he?

 

[C123]

That’s great. How big is he?
16.3hh

 

[IrishMilo]

If I was willing to only get 2-3 good years at the level I wanted then yes. You also have to be willing to ride a slightly wonky or creaky horse, probably requiring meds and injections to keep it comfortable. Some people don't see an issue with that and others wouldn't dream of it. But to be fair you get that with any age horse! I know people riding round on 7 years old who are injected just to keep sound.

Ballaghmor Class who just won Burghley is 16, fwiw.

 

[gallopingby]

If you want to get going again and he ticks all your boxes, passes an independent vetting and you’re comfortable riding him l’d go for it. Good luck. I wouldn’t be put off by a 17 year old these days although l might have considered it too old when l was young and bounced more easily!!

 

[AmyMay]

That’s great. How big is he?
16.3hh

I’m that case, no I probably wouldn’t .

But unless you’ve had a complete change of heart, you’re obviously confident that he’s a horse that can give you the confidence and experience that you’re after - as you’ve had him vetted.

 

[Squeak]

Have you got his vet history as well as getting him vetted? Just because he's passed a vetting doesn't mean his not being injected etc. which is fine if he's happy and sound but it would be better to know about it so that you can maintain him as needed and so that you're aware he's already needing maintenance.

Is he currently out doing the job you want him for?

 

[splashgirl45]

Clean vert cert. No soundness issues. I wouldn’t be doing any registered shows. I just want something that can bring me on as a rider and help get my confidence up and out competing at local shows. Maybe jumping the odd 1.20m

He has done a lot. Hunting, shows etc

As he has done a lot I would want to see his vet record rather than just rely on the days results of a vet inspection.. competing at 1.20 occasionally may be ok but not if you want to compete a lot . Sounds like you are keen on him and a 5 year old can go wrong the week after passing a vet inspection .. did your own vet do the vetting? If so ask his/hers advice

 

[Birker2020]

Hi,

Am on the look out for a new horse after having some time off and having to sell my last 2 boys due to ill health.

Am looking for something that is ready to go and can get me back jumping and competing again. He has jumped to 1.30m

I found a lovely 17yr old ISH who seems to be what am looking for? Only thing am worried about is his age!

Do you think 17 is too old for a horse in general never mind to be out competing?

Thanks

You need to check for any gaps in his competition history. I couldn't find any with Lari but Covid had taken place which obviously meant horses didn't compete during that time frame so it was trickier.

My physio says there is a lot to be said for an older horse who has stayed consistently in work as they can 'prove' that they are consistently sound.

 

[teapot]

A 17year old fit schoolmaster isn't a bad shout if by getting your back out and about, though there's a difference between your local show 90cm and a BS 1m20.

Also something to consider - he's 17 now, so would have been 14 in 2020, potentially might not have the true wear and tear of a 17 year old because of the Covid hiatus.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi,

Am on the look out for a new horse after having some time off and having to sell my last 2 boys due to ill health.

Am looking for something that is ready to go and can get me back jumping and competing again. He has jumped to 1.30m

I found a lovely 17yr old ISH who seems to be what am looking for? Only thing am worried about is his age!

Do you think 17 is too old for a horse in general never mind to be out competing?

Thanks

I'm actually thinking about broadening my search to 12 or 13 year olds.

 

[C123]

Thank you all. I will defo take everything into account. I am going to look at another horse tomorrow. She is a 10yr old TB and jumped to 1.10m. She does tick my boxes too and just wanted to get a feel for a slightly younger horse

 

[AmyMay]

Thank you all. I will defo take everything into account. I am going to look at another horse tomorrow. She is a 10yr old TB and jumped to 1.10m. She does tick my boxes too and just wanted to get a feel for a slightly younger horse

Are the owners happy to hold this horse for you (I would expect they’re surprised that you’ve vetted but not collected)?

 

[C123]

Are the owners happy to hold this horse for you (I would expect they’re surprised that you’ve vetted but not collected)?

Sorry I should have mentioned that the 17yr old was vetted on Monday as the owners got him vetted to sell. If I did go with him I would still want my own vet to vet him again.

 

[SEL]

Similar age to what a friend got for her teenage daughter coming off ponies. He's taken her round 110 and really got her confidence up - but they have injected his hocks twice in 2 years

 

[AdorableAlice]

Sorry I should have mentioned that the 17yr old was vetted on Monday as the owners got him vetted to sell. If I did go with him I would still want my own vet to vet him again.

That comment rings alarm bells for me. Why would the owner pay £500 plus to vet their own horse to sell it. How long have they had this older gentleman and why do they want to sell him would be my first question.

A vetting is a snapshot in time only of course. I have just put a horse through an MRI top to tail which did show an issue that will need managing. The xrays of the problem area were 100% clean so he would pass a vetting and be deemed suitable for hard work should I wish to sell him. A horse I sold a good while ago has just sold again for a very substantial sum and passed a vigorous vetting. His previous medical issues are serious and numerous.

The horse the OP is looking at is would be an exceptional horse to be 100% straight aged 17, large in size and done plenty of work. Caveat Emptor for me.

 

[C123]

It was only a stage 5 vetting he passed. If I was to get my own vet to do the vetting I would want a stage 5 plus X-rays done

 

[Birker2020]

It was only a stage 5 vetting he passed. If I was to get my own vet to do the vetting I would want a stage 5 plus X-rays done

He passed a five stage. Or or a two stage did you mean to say? I would definitely get another vetting done.

Just remember that an owner can have more than one vet practice and could provide you with a clinical history showing vacs and other routine stuff whilst not disclosing the vet history of another vet they have used that may have done invasive stuff like joint injections or sarcoid removal.

I have a sneaky suspicion I fell foul of this practice when I asked for Lari's record.

 

[nagblagger]

Age doesn't put me off as a horse any age can, and do, go wrong. A horse that ticks all the boxes and gives you confidence is priceless.
Just be realistic in your expectations, how many years he may continue at the level you want.
Good luck in what ever decision you make.
(I have recently bought an 18yr old mule for plodding round the roads, and i have never been happier or felt so safe in traffic)

 

[Lexi 123]

This is a difficult one to answer as some 17 year old are very sound I know some who move very well without arthritis they look like 5 year olds and they are 17 Hands you know these horses will be riding into their late 20s others have soundness issues so it depends on the horse and how much you like the horse . I personally wouldn’t as my first horse had arthritis in hock and back at 13 years old she is Irish sport horse that was very low mileage spent most of her life in a field. Just be aware you properly only have a few years of jumping 1.20 good luck

 

[splashgirl45]

I got my loan horse when she was 18 and she was a retired hunter and had been the owners favourite horse so was always at the meet.. she was absolutely sound and full of life, I had her for 2 years for hacking daily and after me she went to another friend of the owner who is still riding her now and she is 23 and still sound and lively but only 16 hands ..That sort of life is very different to jumping 1.20 regularly so I wouldn’t risk it to compete but would for hacking and low level riding club stuff..