The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

getting an older horse?

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  southwardkiwi 
#1 ·
I may have an opportunity to get back a mare that I got when she was a yearling. Rode her for about 8 years and then a friend took her. Long story but I had too many at the time and my friend really liked her blood lines. Rushcreek mare and she wanted a calm trail horse.
She's 21 now (the horse) and I'm looking for a calm trail horse. I don't want to do much. Just 1-2 times a week and have a fun, safe ride. No buck or bolt. My current horse, I have been working with him for over a year now and even tho we have made progress, he's too much for me. I don't feel safe on him, I don't trust him anymore and I'm sure he feels that from me.
He needs a SUPER confident rider who won't let him get away with alot of his stuff. He's 16 but a handful.
Im not worried about the age of the mare - she's still going strong and is sound and in good health. My friend is worried that she won't adjust to a new place. Could this be true?
We have another horse that my husband rides and this mare KNOWS his mare. She lived with her for some time since my husband's horse came from my friend's place. We kind of swapped horses but there were some years inbetween.
And I wonder how the 21 year old mare would on different trails etc.... She did some endurance rides so she's seen plenty. not real worried about it.
Any thoughts??
 
See less See more
#3 ·
Definitely nothing wrong with older horses. The horse I used to ride at my old barn was 23 and love to run, run, run. Once you got him into a canter it was hard to get him to do anything else. He was arthritic, but only got stiff if you didn't ride him. The more active he was, the better his arthritis was.

I am one of those people who doesn't believe in 'retiring' horses unless they have a serious injury where they cannot carry a rider without doing more damage. If your horse is prone to being stiff and sore, ride her more and see if the issue goes away. The more these older horses sit in the pasture, the stiffer they get.

My opinion of course. I wouldn't worry about riding her too much. Take her out and see what she can do -- her body will tell you when enough is enough. :)
 
#4 ·
I rode my old standardbred mare until she was 32. She would still occasionally flash the old race horse but I didn't let her really go all that often or far at top speed. I have a 39 yr old pony here and if I had a small kid around there would be no reason not to ride her lightly.

Personally I love old horses. Much better conversationalists than a 5 yr old.
 
#6 ·
I'm chomping on the bit right now because my friend is really dragging her feet and doesn't know if she wants to let her go. But... she did say she wants her in a more mild climate. I live in Cal. and she lives where there is snow and cold and doesn't get out in the winter to ride. I can ride all year round.
And I need this horse as much as she needs me. I'm done trying to ride horses that are too much and want to buck and bolt!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top