Would you buy a 20 year old horse?

[huptwothree]

There's one for sale near me. £1000. Ex hunter, lovely manners. 16hh. Sounds just what I am looking for (mother's hack). But he's 20. What do you think?

20 year olds can still have plenty to give. We had a tb racing pony who lived to 33! My only comment would be that maybe the price might be a little steep for the age.

I wouldn't sell a 20yr old horse

You have to think about how ong you expect to be riding him for and whether you are happy to retire and keep him or have him put down. 20 is old for a hunter, he will probalby have 3yrs in him if he is really sound. So do you want to pay £1000 for a lovely horse that you will ride for the next 2-3 yrs and then retire.

BTW, I agree with the comment about selling a 20yr old - but then I am soft and never sell anything. I think £1000 is a lot - offer them £500 if you really want him.

I agree (about the selling). It seems heartless. I have asked if she would loan him but she isn't interested. I would think a 20 year old ex hunter would have plenty of miles on the clock as well. ALSO the price doesn't include tack I have just found out! so that's that then as too expensive.

I think he sounds massively overpriced and I would also be asking serious questions about why he is for sale (I would assume ongoing lameness issues, especially as he is an ex-hunter). I don't know, you may get five years of happy hacking out of him, but be aware that elderly horses need far more tlc (in the form of warmth, food, shelter and (most likely) veterinary attention) than younger horses so the cost of keeping him may be quite high.

Go and see him and see what he is like then report back.

She doesn't want to loan him because she doesn't want responsibility for the inevitable vets bills as he gets older. People that feck their old horses off like this really piss me off. Can you negotiate the price down? Secondhand tack on Ebay is cheap as chips.

I have seen him. He's lovely but I suspect that he would have lameness issues. It's too much of a risk really as we only have one more 'place' available in our paddock and I can't 'waste' it on something that noone can ride.

Think a better plan is to wait a year or so :-( until dd1 is off her 13.2 then get something we can both ride (although she'll want something whizzy and I will not!).

Poor old boy, I feel really sorry for him. I think you've probably made the right decision though.

is it possible they have priced him highly as some sort of measure towards getting him a 'good' home?

can just about conceive of 'selling' mine to a friend if I was in v v v dire straits and it was best for him, me and friend, but on open market after years of service?

She knows loads of people that she could loan him to but has chosen not to which makes me suspicious. I found another last month who was also 20 but his owner was happy to loan and I found that very reassuring - unfortunately he was 17hh and when I had been to see him I realised that I found that height too intimidating!

Hup what are you looking for and where are you based?

I'd be really suspicious about a 20 year old hunter tbh. Navicular springs to mind as a possible issue. I agree with Mighty, I'd not sell at that age. I'd shop around a bit more if it was me

Ideally. - 15 to 16hh, very easy, good manners. Gelkding pref. I'm in south west.

Ideally. - 15 to 16hh, very easy, good manners. Gelkding pref. I'm in south west.

Just on the flip side, although I'd never have sold him, my show cob was still showing in veteran classes at 20 and I hunted him until he was 22. I was still riding him at weekends until retiring him at 25. You may be able to give him a nice home for a few years to come.

It is a chance whatever you do really ... depends on if he passes a vetting too. I have a 22 year old that I would never sell because of horror stories of horses being then put through markets for meat ( the high price may be reflecting the sellers not wanting the meat man or dealers to buy him) or dealers buying and selling on for more money exagerating horses capabilities and minimising any health concerns.

She is currently on loan to a friend despite some back problems as she is only doing light hacking..... she still can jump when she is fit though and is extremely flexible ( chiro is very impressed with her ) There is a few more years in her yet !!!

so I think you have made a wise choice .......... if what she has said is true and she does not want to loan him cos she would still be responsible for vets fees then gggrrrrrrrrrr.

I too am one of these that thinks " a horse is for life not just for when its useful" !

good luck in your search

Yep, another "horse is for life, not just for its useful years".

No, I wouldn't buy a 20 year old horse, as they refuse to loan I can't help but think they're in dire financial straights. I.e., if I were desperate, I would give her away.

Oh and for that price which doesn't include tack, walk, trot, RUN!

Fwiw, where I live horses (unless v special) are going for little more than their meat value...

We bought a 20 year old pony,but she is super fit and we looked on it as paying for experience.But she will never be sold on again,I have promised that as after all she has taught us,we owe her that.I may loan her out,but only if I know the person and trust them and she is still happy to be ridden.Other than that she is with us for life,and if keeping her means that I don't get to have a horse myself-so be it.It breaks my heart to see elderly horses and ponies up for sale and it is a good job I don't own any land myself or I'd end up with a huge collection of them.

FWIW,we have been offered another 20 year old free,as it's owner can't keep it anymore and wants a good home rather than money.Times are hard,especially for equines.