would you buy another horse if.................

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charmaine

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would you buy another horse if you were 51 years old and your perfect horse of all time had recently died of old age or would you consider that maybe you are getting a bit too old for another one. I'm having a bit of a dilemma about it.
 
I don't think your age is a consideration, it is probably about your attachment to your old horse and 'replacing' that horse.
If you enjoy riding, and that is your chosen exercise, then why not get another.
 
buy another one
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life is too short, we haven't got a crystal ball so can't tell what the future holds, so go out there and get another horse and have some fun whilst you still can
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why not?
 

Ditto - You're definately not too old. I was on holiday recently riding Icelandics and there was a lady in her late 60s who had five at home.

Think you do need a bit of time to get over your beloved old horse though and like the watcher I'd say this is more the problem for you at the moment.

Good luck - let us know what you decide!
 
So sorry you have lost your horse. Im only 4 years younger than you so I have 'old bag' mentality
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Do you miss it? Is it the caring on the ground or the riding?

Give yourself time to get over the heartache and just try to be around other peoples horses for a whlle. No other horse will be able to replace the friend you have lost, or give you the same ride or relationship. I would take my time and not jump in too quckly for the sake of myself and, especially the horse.
 
I don't consider 51 that old, one of my best friends is around that mark and only started affiliated dressage last year on her horse. She is doing really well and making the most of it. Riding a horse you love keeps you young, I'd go for it if I were you.
 
I see your age as no barrier, but only you can tell if you really want another horse and if you feel fit enough to care for and ride it.
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You could get a young one and sell it on in a few years while it still has a future and is sellable, or an older one to grow old gracefully with. I'd be very reluctant personally to get one that could outlive me/my ability to look after/support it financially.

This is a personal decision though. But another option to owning is loaning/sharing where the ultimate responsibility is not with you.

Sorry to seem negative but I'm not so young myself. (I was once though, honestly).
 
Oh that has made me think a bit! I'm not far short of you in age and I'm looking to buy a youngster at the moment. *wonders*

I think that you need to have a look around with the mindset that you're not replacing your old horse but that you might find a good new friend who will give you the pleasure, exercise and companionship that you miss.
 
I am sorry about your loss. I think you should definitely buy another horse when you are ready. I am a "mature" lady myself and I have just bought myself a pony and am having so much fun with her. I had a recent bad experience of horse buying and I considered giving up and just watching my daughter ride but I am so glad that I didn't.
 
Sorry about losing your horse
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But really if I was in your situation I would go for it and get another.
I would be careful with my selection though and try out a few. Sorry not being patronising btw just saying that because you have obviously taken the loss of your horse badly and whilst having another horse may be a good way to help you move on and keep doing what you enjoy I would look around until you find a horse that pushes the right buttons so to speak.
Good luck
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Cazx
 
A good friend in her 50's lost her old horse and was really unsure about getting another. In the end she got a 4 y/o ex racer to share with her daughter and they are having a great time! I'm 36 and lost my 30 year old mare a year ago. We had been together 20 years so it was awful. I bought a 5 y/o ISH in February and she is amazing. It took me 9 months to find her but she is so lovely. I feel really safe on her and we are having a great time. Might be a daft idea but if you are worried about how long you want to keep going how about giving an older horse a lovely home? You and I both know how rewarding older horses can be. I'm not saying get something on it's last legs, just something that might like to retire along with you if you decide to stop riding. Jo x
 
I'm sorry for your loss. You'll never replace her of course, but definitely get another! I acquired my 'horse of a lifetime' 3 years ago, when I was 57. The only thing I would add is that she was 10 and not young or silly or anything. But you're only 51? That's not old!!
 
Hi Charmaine - I was 52 when my forever friend Sullivan had to be pts. I couldn't imagine a horse-less life but did try to be careful about finding the right one. Sadly I was sold a nice little Haffie as a "plod" but he was a million miles from that and I ended up in hospital with a nasty injury. BUT in a roundabout way this led me to finding a SECOND forever friend, the gorgeous and always forgiving Sunny. And it doesn't stop there! Owning Sunny and moving him to a different (and wonderful) new yard has now led to me taking on a sweet little rescue horse. At the ripe old age of 58 I now have TWO horses. Believe in yourself, let the right horse find you and ENJOY!!!!! (We're ALL a long time dead!)
 
Don't let your age put you off! A friend who is 68 has just bought another one. It is hard to get over the loss of a much loved horse, give yourself time and when you are ready, put the word round locally that you might be looking again and the right one will probably turn up.
BTW - I'm 49 and have 6 of my own now
 
Thank you everyone who contributed. It was great to find out that there are other mature horse owners out there and that it's not just for the young. You have made my mind up, I'm not too old yet to enjoy having another horse and will definitely look for the right one.
 
Have you thought about taking on an ILPH horse? Then if you feel in a few years time that it is getting too much for you the horse can go back to the ILPH and either be re-homed or happily retired? Haven't done this myself but it might be a possibility for someone in your position. I'm 48 and if mine went I am 99.9% sure i would replace her. A friend of mine had thoroughbreds all her life then in her fifties changed to a 14.2 ride and drive cob (she did both) and had many happy years with him. So there are lots of possibilities out there, once you have got over your loss.
 
51 certainly isn't old in terms of being a rider.

It takes time to get over a perfect horse. Try not to look at it as replacing him/her but as being a whole new mission to keep you out of trouble
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My mother (52) goes on about this as her horse is 16 (who she adores) and her passion is hunting. She says she would probably give up but I think if I had a fairly sane horse at home and I was in a good mood then she would probably borrow that. My old PC instructor carried on riding till 75. One of the things I like about riding is that it is not age or fitness exclusive.
 
Just one thing I've remembered - a few years ago we bought a cottage from the executors of a lady who had died at about 97, I think (certainly she was well into her nineties). She had hunted almost all her life and up until a year or so before she died she still hunted, riding a pony nearly as old as she was (I jest but certainly no youngster). I don't expect to be doing that, but it shows, doesn't it - if you can and you want to...
 
My father used to work with a man whose father broke both legs falling off while hunting... at the age of 84! His only concern? How long it was until he would be able to hunt again!

Isabelle
 
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