My heart is screaming “yes” for you, but knowing money could be tight, I’d just reinforce what the poster above mentioned. In addition to my riding horse, I currently have two retirees- a coming 30 year old and a 23 yr old- and both have some expected age-related health/management issues that are fairly expensive monthly costs. One has very poor teeth, even for her age, so feeding is getting increasingly expensive as her ability to eat hay declines. Don’t get me wrong, she’s my first horse and she’s earned all she needs. But finances allow me to continue to up her feed as needed without having to worry at all. I feel lucky for that.
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When I sold my first horse, I found out from my trainer that he had some soundness issues about a year after the sale. I offered to take him back as I wanted him to have a safe harbor. The people I sold him to gave him to me to get out from under the bills.
I had moved out of state but my trainer put him back in work and got him sound again. Through a mutual friend, I found a permanent free lease for him that was about perfect. This guy had owned his previous horse for 35 years, had lots of turn out and was happy to mosey around (the girl I sold him to was probably jumping him a lot). I offered to take him back at any time, but he lived out his dotage with this kind man. I know how lucky I was! But maybe you can find a free lease home where your old horse will be loved on and kept in whatever amount of work he can handle. I wish you luck!
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Definitely get her 
It may be too late to change the price, but she should be free, or almost free to you, in my opinion.
When she’s ready for retirement (and on my farm 19 is a spring chicken – most here are late 20’s/early 30’s) you could find a barn specializing in retirees. I board retirees and aim to keep my prices at about half what a full service barn (meaning indoor, lesson program etc). Personally I don’t charge more for more TLC like soaked hay cubes, extra blanketing etc. Where I see costs going up is in vet bills. Their immune systems can’t keep things like Lyme or EPM in check as well as younger horses.
Keep us posted!!
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Consider this, if a horse you care for that you had before comes up for sale, try hard to get it back.
If you can get her back you have all the time now to figure best alternatives and make plans.
As long as you can, enjoy her and if you can’t later, at least you can help her find her next stop in life.
Sad if you can’t get her now, but heart warming if you can manage it, for as long as you may. 
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Get her back and we want to see ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the pictures of the reunion and your first ride back on her. 
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If the boyfriend disagrees, just put him up on the trailer when your mare gets off. Assure him that someone, somewhere will offer him a soft landing. Probably.
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OP, I just caution you to be aware of the tough decision you might need to make at some future date. Don’t be afraid of putting her down if this is what ends up being called for. She won’t know herself, and a future of pain is best avoided. If she’s useful now, great. If she can age gracefully (and without pain) great. If pain comes, consider the kinder alternative.
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If you have a future together better for him if he gets with the program now… So much easier to do it slowly by just adding 1 at a time…
Can’t wait to see pictures and 19 isn’t old at all for many horses.
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She will remember you. When I bought my mare back I walked her home, walk consisted of about a mile or a bit more. She obviously remembered me when I picked her up and when we got about 1/8th of a mile from “home” her head came up, she started to sniff, and then she dragged me the rest of the way home. She knew.
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Contacting barns to get board fixed up. Trailer is headed that way next week if I can get myself organized. Will keep you updated!!
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Yay!
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DO IT!!!
I did the same at New Year- bought back the gelding I had to sell 13 years previously.
He’s been wonderful- I thought maybe I’d be able to hack around our trails, but he’s done so much more. At 18, he’s done 2nd level dressage all summer, including senior games with 8(!!!) medals, and we are going to be working towards 3rd level over the winter even if we don’t compete at that level. I am making several sacrifices to keep him and my (mostly retired) 15 year old mare, but I promised I would be his last owner, and I am having so much fun with him, and discovering how much fun and rewarding riding is again.
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This makes me so happy.
I adopted a senior who was a complete stranger to me 3 years ago. I literally can’t imagine life without her - she makes me smile every single day. I am crying tears of joy that you and your horse will be reunited.
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OK- the trailer picking her up will be the 11th, and she should get to me by the 12th. I found an el-cheapo outdoor board place that’s 15 minutes from my house, but i have someone interested in doing lessons with her if she’s sound enough at a barn i do know/frequent. I have literally no idea if she is still sound, and what she needs, but I’ve got a really amazing veterinarian. Just sent my favourite farrier a message- i know she needs fronts with pads now, so getting that set up. BF is uneasy because he has seen me get into debt taking care of horses before but i am trying to show him my budget and how this works out. I am very nervous she’ll get to me lame as a skunk and need to be put down but Im hopeful i get my friend for a little longer instead. Jingles for my little red mare accepted.
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A million jingles for your darling mare, and for you.
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Sending jingles for a safe journey and a happy reunion!
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Is there a reason you haven’t asked in detail why a 19 year old is designated to a retirement home status sale?
I would want to be prepared in advance , that way you can talk to your vet beforehand if there is more you can do for her ?
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In the midst of a crap-tastic week, this made me so happy.
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Yay OP! I’m so happy for you! I’ve owned and loved many horses in my life. I only sold one. All the rest I owned until their last day. Bought my then tween daughters hunter hony (14.3 on his tiptoes) in 2012. He was amazing and taught her to ride and jump and win at the shows. When she was 16/17 she lost interest in riding and for the first time ever I sold a horse. Because he was still very talented and needed a human. But I always wondered and worried. 5 months ago the same big H/J barn I sold him to contacted me and asked if I’d like to retire him as he was now mid 20’s and needed to stop jumping. Best day ever 
. Smiley came home. I adore him. Please update with lots of pics.
I love seeing this face in my barn every day.
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I can’t imagine why 
He’s adorable! Give him a smooch for me, please? 
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