So here’s what I am wondering: If a person is in their 60s or older and they love a horse that is only 11, are they too old to buy the horse? My concern is what if they die before the horse. What arrangements can be made for the horse’s welfare if no one else in the family rides or is interested in horses?
and a person in their 20s can wrap tehir car around a tree…
you don’t know what tomorrow brings, and unless the person is of ill health, there is no reason to assume they won’t live to see their estimated avergae age or a decade more.
Never too old! You can’t stop living life because you might die one day. If the horse out lives the owner, the horse can be sold, given away, donated to a school or therapy program. I am on the young side, but have already told my husband (who knows nothing about horses) who to contact about getting rid of the horses is something happened to me. If this person loves this horse and can afford the horse, they should buy it and enjoy it! 
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You can include the horse in your will-- define the arrangements that you prefer and set aside required funding from your estate. Maybe identify a trusted horsey friend, riding /therapeutic center, equine retirement facility, etc that would ensure lifetime care of the horse, sale to a suitable home, whatever. I emphasize trusted because there are no guarantees of course–if they’re using the inherited $ for other things and not following your wishes, it’s not like your unhorsey family will know this and take them to court over it.
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Like you stated if arrangements are made for the horse age should not be a hinder to purchasing an appropriate horse.
Honestly everyone should make arrangements no matter their age since no one can predict they won’t die tomorrow.
As far as arangements go in the context of a horse for a 60 yr old person who should be well mannered and reliable. I would work it out with a riding school to take the horse when the owner perishes. The other option is to have a willing and capable horsie friend willing to take the horse as their own and either keep it themselves or sell it.
Agree with Alagirl, you never know how long you are going to live, no matter what age you are.
This was brought home to me when one of my new boarders, age 48, found out she has very advanced colon cancer, four months after her horse arrived here.
What I learned from that is that you need to make arrangements for your horse in your will, no matter what age you are.
As it is, I do not think my boarder has (pretty normal!) and I am left wondering what will happen if she doesn’t beat the cancer. Her horse is a 20 year old pasture sound TB who cannot be ridden. He will always have a home with me, but I wonder if any money at all will come my way for his care.
Finally, my answer: of course get the horse!!! But make provisions for it if it should outlive you. (Actually, unlikely, I think, but prudent nonetheless).
Well, there are Century classes at horse shows where the combination of age of the horse plus age of the rider must be at least 100 in order to compete, so I say - GO FOR IT!
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Just spell out in writing what should be done with the horse in the event the owner passes. The owner needs to speak with whoever is in charge of the will in advance so they understand & if the horse is being deemed to somebody so they are aware & willing to accept such a “gift”.
Honestly, if left to the family…they most likely will just sell it & take the money. It’s another item like a house or car.
However, if the horse’s owner wants horse to live at _______ farm for the remainder of their life (or whatever their wishes may be), then I think they need to be financially prepared to pay for that. It’s not fair to lay out all these “rules” for the family to follow & pay for when it’s not something they want in the first place.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ll be too old to buy a horse the day they bury me!
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hmmm when did 60s become old? You could get a foal and possibly outlive it!
Agreed all around with the others - everyone, regardless of age, should make provisions for the horse.
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A friend/riding buddy is in his early 60’s. Three years ago he bought a two year old TWH gelding for his new trail horse. He’s a lifelong rider and is well aware that this will probably be his last horse, so he wanted one that will be rideable for as long as he is able to continue riding.
THen again. . .he is getting total hip replacement surgery next week. . .so he’s asked me to ride his horse until he is able to get back in the saddle. So, you never know. . .
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My neighbor would get a good laugh out of your question - she goes out on the trails 4-5 days a week on the horse she bought herself for an 80th birthday present … 6 years ago. She is certainly an exception in many ways, but a 60-year-old rider could easily keep an 11-year-old horse for its entire career. As others have said, best to make some kind of plan in any case, though.
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Agreed. I just lost a friend who, at 21 years old, passed away very unexpectedly in his sleep. He was marrying his fiancee this spring, after they graduated.
Can’t stop living just because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and anyways I don’t think I’ll ever be too old to own horses 
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Never too old…
Oh my, don’t tell my 60+ year old friends and clients they are old. (By the way, one of them does, if not backflips, then very stable headstands around my attempts at Yoga.)
Sold a horse to a 71 year old woman several months ago. She didn’t want a horse too young (horse was 12, if I recall.) She wanted to go for the USDF Centurion Award (am I naming it correctly ??) 60’s too old ?? Goodness no.
When are you too old to buy a horse?
When they pry the checkbook from your cold, dead hands.:lol:
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never too old. if anything, just make sure you make provisions in your will on who gets the horse in case of your passing. all set!
[QUOTE=Horsepower;4559543]
So here’s what I am wondering: If a person is in their 60s or older and they love a horse that is only 11, are they too old to buy the horse? My concern is what if they die before the horse. What arrangements can be made for the horse’s welfare if no one else in the family rides or is interested in horses?[/QUOTE]
Oh for Pete’s Sake! I ride regularly with people in their 70’s Heaven FORBID someone who loves horses and LOVES riding be forbidden to buy a horse because they are older or are required to have a contingency plan! A 20 yr old can get dumped and die today - do they have a plan for Dobbin ?
:no::no::no:
My head hurts!
[QUOTE=HenryisBlaisin’;4559726]
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ll be too old to buy a horse the day they bury me![/QUOTE]
AMEN!
When are you too old to buy a horse?
When you are too old to dream.
In other words, never too old! 
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Another option is adopting a horse from a rescue, so the horse may be returned when the adopter dies or becomes incapacitated. Plus, there are many older horses who are sound and need homes. Twenty year old horse and sixty year old rider are about the same age.
