opportunity to own a terrific older horse - talk to me

[west5]

Some one at my barn is basically having a fire sale of their older fox hunter.

He is an Irish Sport Horse who really looks like an overgrown connemara pony, is around 19 years old and sound. He has great legs and would say his only "weakness" would be that his back is not quite as strong as his legs.

He does not have a history of eventing but has packed a weekend rider around fox hunting for years. He regularly is ridden by working students in show jumping and cross country lessons so I know he can do both. I had the opportunity to ride him a handful of times, jumping him was easy as long as you have enough pace and are comfortable with a little bit of longer spot. He is possibly the best hack horse I have ever sat on brave, forward and not stupid.

I know in his youth that 4ft was no issue for him. I'd say that I'd probably use him for Novice/Training level and just to go hacking through the fields and woods. I'm not looking to win any ribbons but to have a great time on a horse I can trust.

Any one ever done anything like this?
Any thoughts?

[deltawave]

I bought Gwen when she was 16 and she had a LOT of mileage on her. I just stopped competing her last year at age 20, and only because she developed EPM and, although she recovered, she has just enough of a balance issue behind that I don't think it's fair or safe to ask her to jump. During that four years she took me from being a scared Training wannabe to competitive at the Preliminary level and my first CCI*. She never, EVER made a mistake over a jump that whole time, and I honestly felt like I could point her ears between any two flags on any course and she would handle it. That feeling is PRICELESS, let me tell you, if you are a big weenie wuss like me. :)

I wish I could transplant her brain into another horse's body, even the opinionated, bitchy "make me do dressage" part. That, too, was an education unto itself. :p

If the horse is sound and capably doing the job you want him to do, I wouldn't hesitate. However, obviously at 20 he's not going to be doing this forever--when I bought Gwen I knew we were going to have our own place soon and I'd be able to retire her without a problem. I'd never have sold her even if she was 100% right--a horse near the end of its career deserves a little thought beforehand as to where he'll go when his useful days are done. :)

[Bobthehorse]

Aw poor guy! He deserves a good retirement home. How someone sells a senior horse is beyond me....

Anyway....My horse would be upgrading to prelim next year (after his 19th bday) if not for his heaves. Or he could do a few more years of Training. But his breathing limits him incredibly, not his age. I also had a gelding a few years ago, my first event horse, who was 22 when I got him. He took me through pre-training/novice and actually won the high point award in 2000. Now, he also had heaves, and skin cancer, and upgrading a 24 year old was just not fair either. But if I had got my hands on him just a couple of years sooner, we would have gone Training. Just some examples. If both those horses had been healthy, they would have been even more awesome. They were still pretty awesome though.

Older horses are way easier to keep fit, as they have many more miles of fitness behind them than a youngster. They are generally more sensible, reliable, need less schooling to keep their training "fresh", and are very grateful to have loving homes in their old age. And ISHs are known for their longterm soundness.

But, they require more upkeep, and every spring youre not sure if this will be their last season. You never know when arthritis will kick in, and have to aware of their teeth and the efficiency of their digestion. But other than that, its a great opportunity to have a lovely horse for a few years, and then give him the retirement he deserves when he's ready, which could still be a long time coming.

[eventgroupie2]

I bought my Polish Arabian when he was 16. He is 18 now, and we just started dressage lessons a couple weeks ago. He is sound and wonderful - I trust him completely and feel safe on him, which is very important for a 58 year old like me. This spring, we acquired an 18 year old QH for my husband. Skip is sound, sane, "been there-done that", and has been a wonderful addition to our herd. These older horses are worth their weight in gold, and have plenty of good years left. One difference is that ours have their forever homes with us, even when they can no longer be ridden, but just loved.

[NoGreatMischief]

I'm leasing a somewhat seasoned prelim campaigner who didn't quite have the soundness for anything higher. While he's still a challenging ride, he's a lot of fun and has taken me to my first Training event after riding him for only about 10 months (the highest I'd competed prior to riding this horse was 2 or 3 novice HT's).

Year one is now done, and I've decided to keep him for a second year. I'd love to have a solid year at training... the coach would like to see us go prelim at the end of next year but I'm not sure I've the skills for that. ;)

Trust is a big deal for me... the horse I owned before I started riding this one pretty much wrecked my confidence for a long long time... and I know while this horse will spook at anything and everything, and is a smartass at times, he's very safe and sane.

The long and short of it is... My experience has been amazing, and every time I see this horse I have to pinch myself and wonder how I got so lucky as to have the chance to ride and learn from him.

[RunForIt]

Timely thread...my 15 year old DWB/QH cross is in need of a job too (this isn't an ad) and I came in from running this morning thinking that I might try offering him for lease to someone if they're nearby or have impeccable references a bit farther away. Like DW's Gwen, Buddy had SERIOUS EPM, but miracles do happen and he survived...4 years later is galloping, yes galloping around our big paddock using both leads, and if something's in his way, JUMPS...BIG! I don't have time to get him back in shape and keep Rasta and Witchy going...may give it a try myself first and then offer him for lease. With consistent outings, he could go XC again...I just know it.

So, by all means, if this horse is sound AND sane, I'd say go for it. Just take your time with your older guy to build up to even maxed out BN jumps...this coming from a "human OLDER athlete" :winkgrin:

This thread has given me a real kick in the butt...an excited one. :lol: :cool:

[Ray]

GO FOR IT!!

I leased a 20 year old TB for 2 years and did my first BN on him, as well as hunted him. He had hunted for many years and evented up to Intermediate. He taught me so much! and was in no way ready to retire. It was a bit of work (and $) to keep him sound, but well worth it. Also, he could not just sit around, maybe yours will be different with the ISH sturdiness, but I had to keep him in work or arthritis etc would really get to him.

My only concern is that are you prepared to keep him into retirement ?

[Lori B]

I think he sounds like a great idea, but I second DW's note that you should have a retirement plan for him in mind if you do get him, because he shouldn't have to be taking his chances on the sale market in 4 or 5 years....everytime I see a sale ad for a 20+ or so year old horse who has clearly earned his keep several times over, my stomach drops. Don't be that seller, that's all.

[west5]

Keep the good stories coming as they are inspiring.

No worries about the retirement issue. I know I'm his last owner and will make sure he is taken care of into his old age.

edited to add: he is definitely not ready for retirement and still has that naughty pony sparkle in his eye

[RunForIt]

Keep the good stories coming as they are inspiring.

No worries about the retirement issue. I know I'm his last owner and will make sure he is taken care of into his old age.

That's THE most important issue as we all know even the babies break :eek: :cool: Have a great time!

[xc4fun]

I bought my gelding when he was 14 and he had quite a few competition miles on him mostly at Prelim with a handful of Intermed, * 's, and **'s. I leased him for a year before buying him and he will be twenty this year. I have competed him at Nov and Training, and schooled lots of Prelim with him. I'm just not that into showing any more, but he is definitely still up to the task!! This past year I have been on and off lame with a bad knee, and he has not been galloped and jumped much and he really misses it!!!! My goal for 2009 is to do lots of clinics with him and aim for a Training 3day next Summer/Fall, if I stay sound, I have no worries about him!!! I do second the idea about having a retirement plan for the horse you're considering. I bought my horse accepting the responsibility that I would be his last and forever home. He has earned it by all the years he has competed for people and he has taught me so much!!!! We do have our own farm, which makes it an easier decision, but still I don't think its fair to resell a horse again as they get past twenty or need to be retired.

[Donkaloosa]

My friend bought an OLD (28 years) Morgan some time back, figuring she'd give him a couple of happy years before he died just playing with him. His background wasn't really clear, but he'd obviously been in a driving accident (he had shaft scars and always remained petrified of ground driving or carts), had been trail ridden, and was a total stinker. :-) Turned out he had plenty of life left in him, she evented him (lower levels) until he was *35*, and finally quit riding him at 45. He died at 51. Go for it!

Donk

[KBG Eventer]

We got my sister's Appendix QH when he was 16, and I competed him for a year at Beginner Novice. He gave me SO much confidence and experience in that year because he is an absolute packer-totally easy to ride, jumps anything, great dressage. I finally was forced to give him over to my sister, but I have always been a bit disappointed because she has slowly lost interest in horses. She was so brave when she was 4/5/6, but it was like when she hit 7 she started thinking more about things that could go wrong...Anyways he is 18 now, and if anything...he is getting more energetic and naughtier! I only ride him once in awhile now, but the last few times I did he actually did a teeny, tiny little buck and head shake! And last year I took him cross country schooling and trail riding with some people, and he kind of ran away with me when the people ahead of us took of galloping :lol:. He is so lazy with my sister though. If I had the time I would definitely event him at Beginner Novice again. We have lent him to some people in our pony club for lessons, and they LOVED him. I guess no one believes me when I say he is a packer...he literally does pack you around! This one little 6 year old in our PC has been doing Amoeba at event derbies and schooling shows on her upper-20 year old ex-'A' hunter pony, and her mom is dying for her to ride Tyler. I think he would like it too so we will see what happens. He would totally be Amoeba/Tadpole King of the World because he practically puts himself on the bit, and he would probably know the stadium and cross country courses himself. Tyler is the reason my family will definitely be buying land...for his retirement! We want him to have a huge, grassy pasture and pond to swim in whenever he pleases.

ETA: Tyler has never had anything more than some joint supplements, and a couple shots of Adequan. On top of that, he has tiny little feet. We actually have never had his legs xrayed, but we did have his hooves xrayed, and the vet said they look amazing for a horse of his age. On the other hand, my 11 year old eventer has arthritis in his hocks and has had his hocks injected twice since we have had him. He is *awesome* too, but still...the 18 year old is totally sound and 11 year old needs extra care. Granted, the 11 year old is in heavier work right now than Tyler.

[ponygrl]

my parents bought Moose (picture on the Grass Ridge thread) for me when he was 18. I think I stopped showing him at 22, and had moved up to training on him. I more or less learned to jump on him.

That was the best experience I could've had. I had a green pony at the same time so I can compare experiences and he was an amazing confidence and skill builder. He was a morgan so probably too forgiving at times, but he was incredibly safe and fun. The only time I ever came off of him he took it personally (poor old man!). He was extremely tolerant of my teenager antics, including lots of galloping around on trails and finding random stuff to jump.

Yes he required more work for maintenance over the years but I would say the experience was totally worth it. In fact, when I finish school and get back to riding I'm already planning on finding another schoolmaster type like him.

[FoxChaser]

I know someone who is eventing their 20 year old TB at intermediate (no idea how old he was when she got him). Her dad was joking about how it seemed crazy to be considering retiring him because he was too strong, but that is his problem. He is almost too strong for x-c, pulling her past fences sometimes if he doesn't get his eye to them. The older guys can definitely still do it when managed correctly :)

[seeuatx]

We have a 23 yo at the barn I board at that still jumps around several times a week. He is fabulous, and you would never know how old he is.

When I was in school, we had a ton of older horses that still were perfect for IHSA/IDA uses. We had an 18 yo QH that rocked the XC every time at novice. Older horses can be great when managed however they need it.

[flyingchange]

He sounds like a perfect fit for what you are looking for. As long as you have a retirement plan for him then I say go for it. Sounds like a lot of fun for you both!

[piaffequeen]

I think he sounds perfect for you. I got Sam last Novemeber and he is 24 years old. He went Prelim but I have no intentions of jumping-but he is a perfect gentleman for me. We hack out and he just babysits me. We started doing dressage again and he is just awesome! Its sooo nice to have a horse that doesn't lean on you and feels light on the bit. I have a smile on face every time I ride him! GO FOR IT!:cool:

[clm08]

It warms my heart to know so many of you take care of your senior horses until the end! I have a 24 yr old who is worth his weight in gold and will be loved and cared for by us until the very end. He is still healthy and sound, can be sassy at times, and is retiring while still winning blue ribbons. But retirement doesn't mean becoming a pasture ornament, we keep hacking him or doing fun exercises in the arena to keep his mind and body in shape!:)

[horsetales]

Another vote for go for it. Sane and sensible makes for a fun ride. The Irish were bred to be hardy with good constitution. Sounds like hes in great shape, so no reason to think he doesn't have years left. There were a number of 16-18 yr old horses in the Olympics and a 30 yr old endurance horse just won a competition.

[kookicat]

Another go for it post! :)

These older horses have so much to teach us. They are worth their weight in gold. :)

[JMarcyQuay]

My 19, almost 20-year-old TB cross gelding is still doing super. No injections, no adequan, no legend...and he's sound as a dollar and currently rocking the 3' jumpers. Tried to retire him two years ago when I bought my young event horse, and he hated it so much that he was back to full work in two weeks. There are older horses that thrive on the everyday work and stay sound too!

[ne900]

I just bought an 18 year old draft cross mare this spring. She wasn't officially up for sale, but her owner was looking for a job for her. I had leased her a couple of years ago and had the opportunity to ride her again a few times this spring. She has evented for more than 9 seasons, several of those seasons were at training level, including last year as a 17 year old.

I was in the market for second horse to school on so I could spend more time in the tack and perhaps compete a little more.

As I hacked her up the hill bareback in a halter and lead rope, I decided I _had_ to own her and her owner was willing to sell her to me.

When my primary horse was laid-up, she took on the role of my main competition horse. I did two BN horse trials and three N horse trials on her this summer. She could easily do T level again. She loves her job and is a great practice horse for me.

She does have some maintenance issues- she has EPSM and doesn't sweat profusely so I have to be careful to keep her in steady work and to not let her overheat. I give her Adequan monthly and an oral joint supplement just because she is older- she had no arthritic changes at all when she was x-rayed at 14.

At 18 she is fit and eager to work as she has ever been. Many times this summer, my trainer and I agreed that buying her was the best thing I ever did. She is a wonderful mare.

[Watermark Farm]

I am the lucky owner of a 22.5 year old schoolmaster, and have ridden & competed several horses over the age of 20. My advice to you is just to be prepared to work around various age issues. For example, my 22 year old has been slightly NQR behind for several months, and I just discovered he's going through the hock fusion process, so I have to work around this for a while until he finishes fusing. It's 100% worth it for our partnership. I am so happy to be able to provide this hard working fellow with a home for the rest of his life.

[TBrescue]

I think he sounds great. As a teenager I evented BN/N with a 31 yr old OTTB. He was sound and happy and knew his job and loved it!! I could always count on him to get me over anything I aimed him at....he was definitely worth his weight in GOLD!

My current horse is a 17 yr old OTTB and he has had some maintenance issues but he still loves to work. My trainer wanted me to retire him this spring, but he was not ready. With a little help from my vet, he is sound and happy again.

[cloudyandcallie]

I bought my ottb mare Callie (Kick and Howl, by Poker out of Mother Hilda) when she was 17 and she was the best horse I ever had. Hot and spirited. Lived to be 24 yoa. But I believe in permanent homes, so don't get the horse and then dump him when he gets too old or feeble to ride.

[quietann]

Late to reply here, but my friend's horse Trump --- the same one who recently helped a teen pass her C2 Pony Club test -- is 18 and doing quite well. He's a TB/Hanoverian cross (we think), a really easy keeper, very much a "been there done that" guy, and a wonderful confidence builder. I rode my first HT on him this summer. He's getting some veterinary treatment for stiffness in his hind-end, but is still a capable 3-foot jumper. Only went as high as Novice because of a vision problem that makes water and ditches extra spooky for him but without that could have gone much further. These days he's quite happy being ridden a few times a week, doing a little dressage and a little jumping, and just hanging out.

[Kat_Renee]

I came into my first horse when he was 17. I (with help of trainer of course) trained him for eventing and he did that til he was 24. He was very happy in his third carrer (racehorse to backyard horse to show horse). In fact, everyone at shows were always suprised when i told them he was in his 20s! He acted like he was 10! He was still very active (although not showing, retired to lesson horse) until 25 when we almost lost him. He bounced back and continued to wonderful for the kids, bad for me :D (i swear i didn't encourage him...........:cool:). Now at 28, we've almost lost him again, but he's bouncing back. He taught me SO freakin' much. He was the right horse for me at the right time and i'm glad that we met and were able to work together. He's my awesome old man and i'll be broken when he leaves, but i can always look back on the good times we had.