Should I even consider this horse?

[spotnnotfarm]

I am going to be in the market this spring for a reined cow horse/ranch versatility horse. My trainer told me about a horse this week that fits every area of my needs but…he is 12. He was heavily competed as a 5-6 year old and trained by some of the top trainers in reining and cow horse. He is now owned by a very ethical cutting trainer that has not overused him and in fact, he has been turned out for 2 years due to his owner moving to Europe. He can really teach me tons!

The problem is, I have a small farm with 4 horses, and one will be pts this fall. My current horse has been diagnosed with Navicular and at 7 is being retired as a trail mount. My husband’s horse is 14 and barely gets ridden and should last forever, and we have one more retiree that is also 14.

I am worried about long term soundness since he was competed heavily as a younger horse. I wanted a younger horse to compete for many years and just wonder how much longer this guy can go. I tend to keep my horses for life but have considered the possibility of showing him for a few years then selling him as a youth horse.
My best friend thinks I need a younger horse due to my farm situation, husband wants me to get a sound horse and trainer is happy either way. Am I over-thinking this?

[bugsynskeeter]

Yes you are overthinking it. You have in front of you a talented horse who can teach you the ropes in a new discipline - who pass him over for something younger? He isn’t all that old and while he may require some maintenance, so do many younger horses in those events.

My trainer’s wife just bought an older broodmare who was unable to get in foal and she is currently showing and WINNING with her. And that mare is older than the horse you are looking at.

Go try him out and have fun!

[rabicon]

I would be interested. I understand where your coming from. I keep mine for life also have 4 horses here and 2 are retired. My hubby’s trail horse is 14 and barely used and I have my show mount that is in training. He is younger at 8 but you have to remember just like your 7 ur old that’s retired to trails now anything can happen even with a young one. Get a good vet check with xrays and go from there. If he is pretty clean I’d consider him and put him on adequin inj. My 8 ur old is on them but he doesn’t need them Im using it in hopes it would help ward off anything later and help him stay sounder longer.

[rabicon]

I would be interested. I understand where your coming from. I keep mine for life also have 4 horses here and 2 are retired. My hubby’s trail horse is 14 and barely used and I have my show mount that is in training. He is younger at 8 but you have to remember just like your 7 ur old that’s retired to trails now anything can happen even with a young one. Get a good vet check with xrays and go from there. If he is pretty clean I’d consider him and put him on adequin inj. My 8 ur old is on them but he doesn’t need them Im using it in hopes it would help ward off anything later and help him stay sounder longer.

[OveroHunter]

I would definitely be interested, but get radiographs of his feet to see if the vet thinks he will be prone to navicular.

Grover has navicular?? I’m so sorry RH is supposed to be getting better soon, but still haven’t been on his back since June.

[VaqueroToro]

Get an ample PPE. I’d say if his legs check out, and you have a nice ride on him, go for it. Twelve really isn’t that old – he’ll be a well seasoned fellow that’ll teach you tons.

[spotnnotfarm]

Thanks everyone! I was thinking the same as y’all but was second guessing due to a friends advice! Granted, I have not seen the horse but I know the trainer and my trainer knows the horse. He would get a very detailed vet check, as would any horse I buy.

The owner knows I am waiting until spring but I may have the opportunity to ride it in the next month or so.

[spotnnotfarm]

[QUOTE=OveroHunter;6567940]
I would definitely be interested, but get radiographs of his feet to see if the vet thinks he will be prone to navicular.

Grover has navicular?? I’m so sorry RH is supposed to be getting better soon, but still haven’t been on his back since June.[/QUOTE]

Yes:no: I am so upset about it! He has had soundness issues since the spring. He is going for an MRI next week but I am not holding out hope for good news. He has had problems way to long and I do not think he will hold up to heavy use so I decided to just use him as my trail mount.