Would you buy a thin 19 year old horse?

[Posting_Trot]

Why not offer $2500 to the grandmother, and then negotiate up to $2600-2750 if necessary? Personally, I wouldn’t expect a horse that was advertised at $3000 to be sold for $2000 unless there was some big issue.

People usually do not negotiate away 33% of their asking price.

Whether or not the horse is worth the asking price is a separate issue. I’d think that a kid-safe horse would be worth the $3000 price-tag. What would worry me more is whether you want to own the horse for the next 10 years. I don’t think that knocking a few extra hundred dollars off the sale price would compensate you if you don’t want to own her for 10 years, and if you do want to own her, then the price seems fair.

[Highflyer]

You might also ask if they would be interested in leasing for a year, and offer $100/ month or so with an option to put it toward purchase at the end of the lease.

[rideon2]

@Highflyer

You might also ask if they would be interested in leasing for a year, and offer $100/ month or so with an option to put it toward purchase at the end of the lease.

I did inquire about leasing and that was a hard no

[Ajierene]

My first horse was 19 when I bought him for $500 at the auction - 19, skinny, and colicked twice in the first 3 months I had him. Just mild colics and after the second one, the vet pulled blood and found he was anemic. He INHALED the first mineral block I gave him (literally was gone in a day) and was on um…blood something or other…(red liquid thing, can’t recall the name now) for a while. His second mineral block lasted a week and third a month. After about 6 months he was in good weight and spirit. He lived another 10 or so years and was great for me at the time. He was fully retired the last year I had him.

Also, as far as the ‘little bit skinny’ goes…some people’s version healthy is different than others…I had my older mare at a place I thought would be alright and deployed for 6 months. I came back to the owner saying how great my horse looks. No, you should not be able to see her ribs…

So, being a bit skinny wouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker for me, though the price is a bit high. I guess it depends on how good that horse really is.

[rideon2]

@Posting Trot

Why not offer $2500 to the grandmother, and then negotiate up to $2600-2750 if necessary? Personally, I wouldn’t expect a horse that was advertised at $3000 to be sold for $2000 unless there was some big issue.

People usually do not negotiate away 33% of their asking price.

Whether or not the horse is worth the asking price is a separate issue. I’d think that a kid-safe horse would be worth the $3000 price-tag. What would worry me more is whether you want to own the horse for the next 10 years. I don’t think that knocking a few extra hundred dollars off the sale price would compensate you if you don’t want to own her for 10 years, and if you do want to own her, then the price seems fair.

I get it, I guess I’ve been darn lucky in the 35 years of owning horses, I’ve paid asking price once! LOL! The “Very negotiable” part led me to think a lot less. And I’ve been fotunate enough to have 2 older (18 and 20) schoolmasters given to me for free over the years and a few friends have had the same luck, so I need to realize this is a separate situation and act accordingly. Lots to think about, including if I want a farm full of seniors who may likely all start doing downhill at the same time, but you know that could happen with a farm of 5 year olds, too I suppose. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it

[2DogsFarm]

Normally, at that price & for what you intend to use her for, I’d not do a PPE.
IMO, it does seem a fair asking price, even with the addition of “firm”.
And putting weight on could be pretty easy for a mare that age.

You might bargain by asking for the cost of PPE (assuming nothing major shows up) deducted from the $3K.
If she fails, you are out only the cost if the exam.
Around here a comprehensive PPE can run a couple hundred, more if you add rads.
That seems like a fair exchange. If you choose not to buy you are out the cost of the PPE.
Seller takes a minor cut in price.

[Magicboy]

I would buy the mare. I love seniors and their longevity can surprise you.

[Jealoushe]

If you can afford it and offer her a better life I say do it. Old appies are priceless.

[rideon2]

Glad to hear apps last forever! I agree she could still have several good years left. I will keep everyone posted! Luckily while I don’t really have the budget at this time due to buying a ton of hay for winter, I do have over 15 acres of pasture space and plenty of stalls.

[peedin]

I bought a 15 year old schoolie who was on the thin side because of her lifestyle. Years of lessons, trail rides, and she’s a cribber. Now she’s 17, sound as a dollar, I would trust her to take me through the fires of heLL, and she’s at a good weight. Her life definitely got an upgrade. I paid $4.5K for her and she is worth every penny. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the App mare.

[ParadoxFarm]

It’s hard to sell a 19 year old. I had a Holsteiner 19-year-old mare that I was looking to rehome last year. She was fit, still actively ridden in low level dressage and jumping (though not as high as she once did). She was healthy. Sane. Quiet. I could NOT sell her. I finally rehomed her for free and she’s now enjoying a leisurely trail riding career. But my point is, I do think $3000 is high for what you’re saying this horse is right now. You can improve weight, but you can’t improve age.

[Red_Barn]

If she’s really child-safe, trustworthy and kind, sure I’d buy her - assuming she’s reasonably sound for her age.

We all know older horses are great for kids, and just think of all those threads about irreplaceable oldsters who are “worth their weight in gold.” Three grand really doesn’t seem out of line, all things considered.

[rideon2]

Interesting to hear the majority do not feel $3k is too much for a 19 year old horse. Glad to hear it actually! I just felt like it was a lot, but can’t put a price on safe!

[lawndart]

I had an old appy gelding I adopted from a rescue, age unknown. Much to my surprise, he was very well trained in many things. We had many years of education, fun, and joy from that gelding. I miss him so much. We used him to teach kids how to ride at youth clinics, rode bareback in the snow, did gaming, jumping, clearing trails from his back with a saw, whatever he was game. Came down with COPD, and was retired for a few years. Our family was crushed when it came time to put him down. RIP Appsolute you were one of a kind.

[ParadoxFarm]

Funny, my (half…but with all the spots you could want) Appy is going to be 25 soon. He’s awesome and my heart horse. And he’s still vibrant and energetic and just a wonderful horse with a dear personality. I’m hoping he lives a good, long time. Sounds like Appys often do.

[findeight]

What puts me off is they were negotiable when you were looking for your friend but for you it’s a firm 3k. I don’t deal with people who openly change terms right in front of you. Know it happens behind your back but not usually both prices right to your face. That’s odd. As is a skinny, out of work sales horse at a “respected breeder and showman” barn.

Ex show horses can be pretty burned out physically and mentally and experience has taught me not to make or listen to excuses for a skinny, out of work sale horse under their care who shouldn’t be skinny and should be in at least light work. More to the story then is being shared.

Should you buy it as a forever pasture ornament that might generate vet bills trying to return it to condition? Not for 3k. IMO, you can get a near 20 year old skinny horse that hasn’t been in work for some time for 10% to 20% of that in much bleaker current circumstances if you want a forever pasture puff.

[WildLittleWren]

Glad to hear she has papers so age is verified. I was given a little 11.2hh POA mare for my daughter when she was 8. I was told she was 15. Since she was free I didn’t ask too many questions. Turns out she was 25+. But, she taught my daughter SO MUCH she was priceless. She learned to canter and jump on her, and gained so much confidence, even with her rare pony moments. I ended up passing her down to a friend’s daughter when my daughter outgrew her. She gave her a year of such invaluable experience, before she sadly went blind in both eyes, couldn’t find her way around even with her mini donkey buddy with a bell, and when she developed cancer on her face and started dropping weight, the vet thought she had probably metastasized, and they made the hard decision to give her a dignified ending. I may have gotten her for free but in hindsight, I would have paid 3k easily for her, for as much as she taught my daughter.

A truly kid safe packer is priceless, and turning 19 is not that old IMHO. Good luck in your decision!

[Inclined]

At our former barn in VA, there was a 25 year old Appendix schoolmaster. In his day, he had evented up to B level in Pony Club. He was on the thin side, needed senior appropriate feed, hoof care, etc… He could work any rider out there into exhaustion. He had Skillz. One evening, my family was with me at the barn, including my 2 year old son. At some point, my son slipped out the barn door, and we found him standing behind the Old Gentleman’s hind legs, hitting his little fists on the hocks. What did the gelding do? Absolutely nothing. He simply looked at us as if to say, “Can I be finished now?” Three thousand dollars is cheap for a horse like that. I still miss him.

[rideon2]

Well I think I’m going to go see her again and do a trail ride to ensure she’s just as quiet out of the ring.

[stressgirl37]

I had a similar experience with acquiring a mare in her high teens that was thin, likely quite a bit more so than what you’re describing. With proper care, she gained weight and looked great. She also did gain an attitude. If you want to hear the whole story I can PM it to you. Generally speaking, if this mare is truly a wonderful, safe kid’s horse and passes a PPE, I would pay that price.