Buying an older pony

[karmalama]

Have done this before just current market and prices a bit mad.
I love to compete, am not very good but enthusiastic! I'm also getting on and aware my riding days are numbered.
I have a 5 year old I'm bringing in, but have to take it slowly with her for her mental health.
My older pony that made my heart sing , has been struggling with asthma for the last few years and the chance to school and compete him is very sporadic.
Have seen an older pony that ticks all my boxes ( basically looks like he would ride same as my boy) but he is 16.5 years.
He is expensive ( but would be out of my budget if younger) but kind of feel I could treat money as yearly subscription to golf club type of thing , as in If I could have fun for three years it's x amount per year. Then my baby ought to be up and running. He would have a home for life, I don't mean he would be disposable, would just join my other old crocks.
Is this a bit mad ?

If you can afford it (with enough left for any health issues he might develop) then go for it.

I bought my daughter an 18 year old pony, he was a high level comp pony that I definitely couldn’t have afforded in his prime. He gave her so much confidence and knew his job.

I sold him 3 years later for the same amount I bought him for. He didn’t have a day of sickness in the time we owned him and is still out doing his job.

I got my then 18year old pony six years ago. He is still more whoa than go, hacks out all over, jumps and schools and is just so much fun, and an absolutely lovely character. If the pony is right for you don't let age put you off.

I think golden oldies can be wonderful, the main issue is what to do with them when they retire but you seem to have that covered. Teens is no age for a lot of native types, many go on very happily into their 20s, my current boy is a 20 year old connie, he came to me on loan from a very busy competition and hunting home with the idea he'd slow down a bit but clearly no-one sent him the memo as he still pulls out for every ride snorting and huffing like a 4 year old and show him a course of jumps and he's off . That being said I am a little more mindful of his health and soundness than I would be of a younger horse, he's fairly stiff these days and needs a good long warm up and stretch session before contemplating any 'proper' dressage and I'm sure he'd love a days galloping or hunt ride or XC but I'm not sure his body could quite match up to his enthusiasm! And I pulled out of a couple of things I'd booked last summer (fun rides and SJ on grass) because the ground was just so hard and I couldn't face having to tell his owners he'd done a tendon or similar because I couldn't keep him quiet. Perhaps overcautious but I think these are considerations with an older horse. Similarly he needs a bit of TLC with his diet, he's a very good do-er and certainly doesn't need any feed for energy (he's plenty loopy as is!) but I do like him to have some joint and other supplements so he gets a little bit of non molassed chaff every day which he's delighted about. And I guess emotionally you do just have to be prepared that you might not have that many more years with them which is easy to say but not at all easy in practice esp if you've had the heartbreak of losing previous horses as I have...

My daughter's friend is still competing on a 24-year-old pony who was an international competition pony in her prime, but even at 24 is still amazing! She's like a machine and hasn't been lame once since she started riding her a few years ago

Thanks all
Will go have a look, see if we gel
Did buy ds a cracking 20 yr old and he had three years of competing before we loaned him out to a smaller child for a few years after he was outgrown, then came back to us to retire. But that was pre crazy prices so didn't seem so daft.
Saw a younger version today but he wasn't for me so have my fingers crossed for this one,

Sixteen is fine I think - I ride a 23 year old - he taught me everything and I now gallop him down the beach. He's incredible for his age and although he's not as flexible as he was he's a dream ride and a lovely boy.

My boys are 25 and 17. Years of life left in them. We haven't competed for a couple of years now but that's because my DDs have given up not because of the boys.

I'd definitely buy at that age. My horse's mum was still doing the Welsh dragon snort and go act at 26, and I took my daughter's 22 year old pony in a WHP ring last year on the lead rein and she couldn't ride her show, he was like a 250kg kite just doubled his prascend dose and he's doing very well.

I agree, for the right one it's a good move and will give you something more established to ride while bringing youngster on which can be a relief

Well readers, subject to vetting, he is all mine
He is lush, real sweet cheeky boy but an absolute power house to ride
Super excited

How could I resist

Fingers crossed the vetting goes well 🤞🏻

Beautiful