Would you?

Equus Leather

Equus Leather

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 May 2006
Messages
4,898
Location
Up North
www.virtualdressage.co.uk
Some of you might know that I'm currently looking for a horse to loan. I've had a response to an advert that I put out, but the horse is 20. Person says the mare is still up for competing and is very well etc etc, but is it too old? Would you loan a 20yr old? Would I get insurance for something so old?
 
I think you'd be taking on a big risk with a 20 year old horse. My mother has just retired her 22 year old and to be honest, he should have been retired a lot longer before that!

With a horse that age, i'd be very worried about carrying on competing it, especially as you don't know it. I know that there are top event horses at 19 still competing, but they've been with their riders a very long time.

My advice would be to say thank you but you need something a little younger.
 
Thanks Wizoz, it's so annoying because she seems 'perfect' apart from her age. ho hum, back to the drawing board
frown.gif
 
I think it depends on what you are planning on doing with the horse. You would probably have to go visit the horse to see if it was a young 20 or not and whether it has had a hard life or not.
If it has been worked quite hard through it's life then it is probably best going to a home that would only want to hack 2/3 times a week.
I used to know a 27 year old speedy pony who was full of beans and used to compete at chase me charlie and win!!
 
I'm sure you'll find something. I put a post on here a couple of weeks ago for an event horse for loan, people kept advising me to put an ad in h&h, expensive but it worked, fingers x'd
shocked.gif
So i'm going to advise you to do the same.
 
I would still go and have a look, we have some RS horses of that age that are still up for jumping, and one in particular is still a bit of a mad thing!
 
I would definately go and see her, some horses go on and on and on, and never look old or act it or have any problems at all. My old man was still a nutter XC at 20...... he seemed to go down hill when he was retired actually!
 
A really nice lady rang me up after seeing my ad in h&h, she has potentially offered me her 6 year old for loan, but I have yet to go and try it out. I have pics and he looks gorgeous and his temperament sounds great too. I am x'ing everything as I am quite desperate to find something to go and play on and he does sound perfect.
ooo.gif
 
I would certainly go and have a look. Some 20 year olds are full of life and in good health!

If I took a veteran on loan I would think about a vetting just incase it has any underlying problems and make sure the termination of loan was suitable in the agreement in case you find your self with a horse that is suddenly going downhill. At the end of the day you can return a loan horse if things do not work out, although obviously passing one around can be quite stressfull for them.
 
i would i love the oldies better. my preevious horse was 18 and was worse then my 5yr old! she had to have extra care but paid off as i knew she was with me till her last days!
 
Yes I absolutely would!

Both my boys started off as loan horses, and I didnt get one on loan until he was 17 !

This is him now almost 19, he can still do his elementary dressage and I have no doubt he could still go out and win events.

Image2.jpg2-2.jpg


Image18-001.jpg


If she is the right one, go for it!
 
I would go and have a look, a friend of mine has a 32year old who she still shows and pops over the odd SJ course. Depends how old they feel really IMO
 
Thanks for all your replies guys. I've had a long and interesting email from the lady who says the horse certainly doesn't feel her age and is jumping 3ft easily at home. I'm really looking for a happy hacker and something to do some local shows and events on, and if she does that then it's promising. Think I'll go and have a look and see...
 
Yes I would, however I would have it stipulated in a contract that if the horse comes down with some old-age condition then they have to have it back.

Old horses have an absolute wealth of experience to offer but I realise the potential risks can be so much greater with an older horse.

I was given a horse a couple of years ago and he was 20 at the time - not once has that horse had a sad or sorry day, he gives me no problems in the field and is just a generally nice all round chap. I took him with no strings attached and I will care for him until it is time for him to leave this world.

I have no vet insurance for any of my horses; I have too many horses and to be honest the insurance is not the same over here as in the UK. I would imagine you will have no problem getting public liability insurance for this horse however you would struggle to find any insurer willing to offer vet fees.
 
Thanks Tia, I've read many of your posts and you always seem so full of experience and wisdom, I take your comments very seriously.

The lady has said I can go and meet her / try her and see the currently girl who has her riding and to talk to about her. She has also said that she pays for the horses insurance but that everything else would be my responsibility. She's given me full history of the horse and seems genuine enough, but you never can tell can you?
 
i took on a 20year old, she taught me HEAPS and was wonderful and got my through my first show and goes faster than my 7yrd, old pm me again cos i know youre local and i know alot of people here, could be the same 20year old!!! good luck and keep us posted. EXCITING.
 
Thank you for the nice comments
blush.gif
.

You have a wonderful viewing; hope everything goes well and if you think this may be the horse for you then double-check that she will continue with the insurance. If the horse is a good one, then I think you could well be onto a winner here!
smile.gif
Best of luck.
 
Thanks Tia.

I've lived down here for 3 years now, but the only horsey contact I've had has been the odd lesson at verious riding schools and fence judging at the South of England twice (am doing the 2* in September - judging not riding!) so I don't have any horsey friends down here.

This worries me as I'd like someone in the know to come with me...
 
The first horse I loaned was 19 when I got him and we spent nearly 3 years together. He taught me everything - I did my first hunter trials with him, he took me hunting for the first time and I won my first show jumping class with him. I wouldn't have missed having him for the world. When he got to 22 I found I was wanting to do more and he wanted a bit less, so I moved on. But that is the advantage of a loan horse. He went to someone who wanted to do a bit less than I did and is now 27 and still working gently.
Don't discard this horse just on her age - she may have a lot to offer you.
 
Do you have any friends on HHO who live close by? Perhaps they would accompany you to the viewing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top