Is Age Just a Number?

[AdultEmmy]

I am about to be back in the horse market after selling my 8yo mare who just, sadly, wasn’t a good fit for me.

I keep finding myself looking at horses in the 12-15 or so age range, but I definitely come from the line of thought that younger is better. I’m an adult re-rider with confidence issues, and feel that this 12-15 range (with some give. I’ve looked at older and younger) may actually be a great range for me.

Is age just a number? Any specific advice or considerations for these slightly older horses? I think they’ve got plenty of great years left, but I may just be wearing some rose colored glasses.

[Scribbler]

Vet vet vet and ask polite questions about previous work load.

Younger is better if you want the longest possible career under your hands, or train to resell, and can handle silliness. It’s not better if you need and want reliability.

The TB and QH industries have incentives to start horses too young and use them up fast. For longevity look for a horse that wasn’t really worked until 4. Not one that won a reining futurity at 2.

In terms of health it really varies. My stockhorse type mare is going on 19 with no health issues maintenance or soft tissue or ligament or joint issue ever. In the same barn, another stockhorse mare with junior riders is getting her hocks injected at 6 or 7. If the horse has made it to 12 to 15 with no chronic stress injuries you are unlikely to cause them now in timid ammie work!

A 12 to 15 year old is often in their peak competitive years. If you had a real champion you might start reducing the load as they approach 18, especially if you’ve won the Olympics on them and they don’t owe you anything at all. But lots of people continue low level showing on horses into their 20s no problem.

I see horses in active use these days up to and past age 25. I also see horses under 8 break down in First Levrl dressage training.

You can sometimes do really well getting the beloved junior horse of a rider going off to college who doesn’t want horse in a lesson program or with another gung ho 15 year old. And is happy to settle horse with a responsible adult ammie.

When I was 14 I thought horses (and people) older than me were ancient. It’s also true we had a lot less technology for vet stuff and nutrition.

[peedin]

Five years ago I bought a then 16 year old school horse. OTTB who knew how to walk trot and canter under saddle. She has become a respectable Training Level dressage horse. She is 21 and people’s mouths drop when they hear her age. Yes, age is just a number and if an older horse vet checks, then I see no reason not to buy providing the horse is capable of the work you plan on doing.

[BigMama1]

It depends what you want. If you want proven safe and reliable, and established a certain level, I think 12-16 is an ideal age for most amateurs.

ETA I might be biased because the last two horses I bought were 20 and 22 at time of purchase. I have also purchased a 3yo and 5yo in the past and while I loved them both, had a lot more fun with the aged schoolmasters.

[outerbanks77]

My appendix QH mare is turning 10 this spring and it seems in the last six months or so she has become much more sensible (way fewer silly spooks, less need for her all-out galloping episodes).

WB mare is turning 7 and she also grew up a lot mentally in the last 6-12 months.

OTOH, I bought an unstarted appaloosa who was nearly unflappable. I had no qualms about selling her as a kid/husband horse when she was 5.

So I’d say age is not just a number, but it means different things for different horses, both on the mental maturity side for youngsters, and on the aging side for the seniors.

My gelding has been retired on a broken knee for several years, but other than that, he really hasn’t shown much in the way of aging as he gets closer to 20, but of course he has not had the stress of work as a factor since 2015. I’ve had him since he was 2 and looking back, I can’t say that he really had a definitive time of mental maturation the way my mares have.

[PNWjumper]

It’s tough to guess without knowing the history of the horse. But a horse that’s been sturdy and sound (and especially having done so while in consistent work?), better, IMO, than a younger horse that hasn’t been in consistent work.

My 26yo mare is still going strong, and had she been bought at 12 could have done literally anything someone wanted until the age of maybe 24? Now at 26 she’s slowing down largely thanks to Cushings. But seems fair for a horse who had an incredible career for oh, 18 years of the time I’ve had her?

My 21yo OTTB started in the 1.40m jumpers at age 9 and showed from 1.40m - 1.55m from age 9-19. I think he could probably still be happily doing it if covid hadn’t hit and forced a break (and also impacted our ability to get to Canada where the only “local” 1.40+ classes exist). Now he’s packing my young teen daughter around 1.10m-1.15m. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they just keep climbing in height. He absolutely loves his job beyond belief. He is the stereotypical “iron horse.”

Years ago, a friend of mine bought a 17 or 18yo former GP horse for her daughter. That horse took her through the 1.40m, then when she graduated, carried her younger sister through the 1.40m after her. He must have been 23/24 by that point? Same story as my guys - he had always been a sound and sturdy horse.

So I think that buying an older horse is highly underrated. And if I trusted a seller to tell me that the horse has been sound and in consistently in work over a period of time I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one of that age. In fact, I would probably feel very preferential about a horse at that age who had shown that they held up versus a young horse. Reminds me of what people say about the “old” war horse OTTBs - to race for 5+ years and still be sound sure says a lot about the horse’s sturdiness!

I have one semi up for sale (not trying very hard, but don’t tell my DH that!) who is 12 and has won everything through the 1.40m, now packing my daughter around, and who hasn’t taken an off step in her life (knock on wood). It’s always so strange to me when people say, “oh, I just wish she was younger.” Well, she wouldn’t have the experience, nor would her ability to pack a kid around have been proven if she was?! But having said that, that’s more the normal craziness of the horse buying and selling world.

So I guess my summary would be that age isn’t “just a number,” but nor is it a defining factor. I think conformation and a consistent record matters to me more than age.

[candyappy]

It all depends on the horse. I know that isn’t really an answer to your question but it is an honest one.

I’ve had horses in their 20’s with never an off day or soundness / health issue and they were in continual work and not light work either.

I’ve had a couple who were fine until 1 day they weren’t. 1 younger, 1 older.

I would say your best recourse is to find a horse (younger or older) who has no issues past or present and vets clean and hope for the best. They are out there.

[eponacelt]

A lot of it depends on the horse, what it has been doing, and what you expect it to do. 12-15 can be a GREAT age.

Don’t expect it to have perfect x-rays or flexions. Don’t expect it to need no maintenance, especially if its had a career. A lot of horses at the top of their games (most of them, really, at the elite level) get some amount of maintenance. Its not something to run away from. Do ask about what kind of veterinary program the horse has been in. Does it already get a vet looking at it once or twice a year to determine whether everything looks good or could use some support?

[clanter]

we have a weanling who acts beyond his age, he has been exposed to more than many horses ever get to do/see, just very calm about most anything

[Janet]

There is an advantage in buying a horse that has already demonstrated that it stays sound with the intended workload.

There is an advantage to buying a horse that has already shown that it LIKES the intended discipline.

[RMJacobs]

I bought my beloved Hackney pony when he was 22. My driving trainer had no issues with his age, but she was quite aghasted that I bought a Hackney pony. He was hotter than hot, but never actually hurt me. He did manage to scare me pretty well a few times.

I had hoped to be able to drive him into his 30s, but he started struggling when he was 26. I tried giving him easier work such as ground driving him and taking him for walks, but he kept deteriorating, so I fully retired him at 27. I had to put him down at 29 due to a sinus tumor.

I never regretted buying an already old horse.

Rebecca

[TWH_Girl]

I think 12-16 is a great age for a horse! Good knowledge base and knows their job. Doesn’t necessarily guarantee an easy ride so still need to match suitability as a horse & rider pair.

My first horse was 16 when I got him and he was perfect- we did a lot together. The next one was 7- had him 13 yrs and he’s my . I like the brain they get around 8-9. I won’t buy anything under 7 anymore after having two 5 yr old- yikes, no thanks. 6 is a nasty year no matter how good they are at 4-5.

[erinmeri]

I think that generally, for what it sounds like you’re looking for, mid-to-older teens are appropriate. You don’t say what fence height you’re looking for, but in my experience the old war horses stepping down are amazing confidence boosters. My first real jumper was an older teen ex-GP jumper who gamely took me through the Junior-Amateur Modifieds. That said, I had a 6-year old who was as solid and trustworthy as they come. So, in some senses it is just a number, but the older, broke horses who know their jobs and can take a joke are amazing for the nervous junior or ammy looking to step up.

If I were in the market for a slightly older horse, I would pay attention to its mileage (more for wear and tear than record) and vet well. Otherwise, I would have no qualms.

[sweetsalute]

All depends on the horse. I think we’ve all known plenty of young horses who are chronically unsound.

I have a 22yr old pony. Even an injury two years ago that presented as severe neuro issues hasn’t ended up stopping her. She is a go go go pony, happiest in work and loves nothing more than a couple hours of fast paced trails. Once warmed up, her movement is excellent, better in fact than it was when she was 10 as she knows how to hold herself now.

Clinician a few months ago, who hadn’t seen her in 10 years, said she would have no idea she’s 22 and had the injury. I am adamant that the day she is done, is the day she stops wanting to run.

I also just sold my young horse on the basis that I just didn’t have the time, energy or money to bring her on. It’s cool bringing a young horse up, but if you just want to get out there and have fun, young probably isn’t suitable.

[Spudsmyguy]

Looking back, I kick myself for not buying the steady, experienced, 18 year old mustang. Safe safe safe and I could have bopped around novice and training eventing for a few years but I was turned off by his calf knees that were so bad his legs were concave and his higher sale cost. If he was still sound on those knees after 18 years they shouldn’t have mattered but they were a turn off for me.

[WildGooseChase]

I would be looking for a horse that fits your needs as a rider, and that vets clean, or vets in such a way that you’re willing to maintain. Breed, age and color really don’t matter, unless you want to show breed circuits.

I bought a 20 year old mare who was in semi retirement, and didn’t vet clean, but I was able to get her the maintenance, tune ups and riding hours she needed, and one of my students and I ended up showing her that year. All ages of horses sometimes come with extra needs, it’s all about what you’re willing to maintain and what you NEED as a rider. What you need and want are often times VERY different things.

Make sure you have your trainer/instructor help you shop and trial horses as well. They will see things you wont and vice versa. Good luck in your search!

[findeight]

Horse’s history is far more important.meaning its been doing the intended job safely and soundly for some time. In that age is just a number. No, they aren’t going to vet “ clean” but most age and mileage related “ treadwear” can be managed. Older riders looking for safe, sane and enjoyable horses should not be scared to take on age and mileage related needs.

Long as these needs are appropriate to horses age…like acceptable in a 12 year old horse honestly in steady work for most of 9-10 years, not so much in an 8 year old with gaps in its history.

The best horse to buy for older Adults is one you actually know. Maybe seen it in shows and/or its been in a known trainers barn for years. Kids and younger Adults sort of age out of these looking for more challenge and buyers shy away from anything over 10 years old. That can make them more affordable.

Anyway, no age is not just a number but that can work to your advantage if you are older yourself and looking for a horse you can relax and just enjoy instead of spend tine and energy problem solving and/or making excuses.

[Alterration]

I find horses become (generally speaking) much more sensible in the 12-20 year old range and more amateurs should be buying those as opposed to the sub tens who need pro rides weekly to keep them rideable. Obviously there are older horses who never mature and younger ones who are saints but generally speaking, that range is when they know their jobs and are willing to do them!

I wouldn’t get too hung up with vetting other than to know what problems they do have and what maintenance they will require. None of us in middle age vet “clean”.

[AdultEmmy]

Thank you all for these amazing responses!

I’m not afraid of some maintenance and know there’s no “perfect” horse or vetting. And given my super tiny budget, my options will be even more limited. I’m just looking for a horse to have fun with, and do some schooling shows. No intentions of really ever going higher than 3ft.

I appreciate all of you for taking the time to respond!

[5]

Buy older and wiser. Stay away from the horses that were hard worked as youngsters (if you can find out.) and barring colic and accidents you can get another 15-20 years out of that teen-ager.