[HorseinJ]

Ok, you guys can buy older horses. I won't buy something that wont ride much longer, after they get 12-18 it's the end of the line for riding.

I guess you want someone to not show you up with a better horse in these threads.

The younger the better.. I guess you don't like horses to be around past 7 years. Time line goner is 25 years max.

You guys are asking a lot for a horse in the late teens to ride.

 

[Lis]

Seriously? An 18 year old competed at Badminton this year and won Burghley last year as a 17 year old. 13 year olds are still racing in National Hunt races. Don't be so silly.

 

[eclaire23]

10-15 is what you should aim for ;D (Leaning more to the middle of the two.) I love paints my first horse was a paint. He was a doll. I honestly thought he though of himself as a dog. I have a grudge against mares, so i never recomend them. BUT thats just me! lol! Most of my friends have mares and there are a couple I like!

~PS~ All posters drop what HorseinJ said. She/he must not have that much information. So lets not attack. (lets all hope she/he is learning from this!)

 

[Moonstruck]

HorseinJ, when you DO get your first horse and get hurt or get your horse hurt due to your unguided experience level without a professional, I am sure you will think back on what others have said about getting an older horse.
Even if it isn't your first horse and you decide to purchase a greenie and have your "do-it-yourself" attitude just to save a couple of bucks for a trainer that will do nothing but help you in the long run, I am sure it will be a fantastic learning experience for you. Too bad it would end up being too late when you do learn from it.

 

[HorseinJ]

Hate to break it to you but I'm not gonna get hurt. I won't let my horse push me around, I am the boss of him. If they test you, you have to show them who the boss.

 

[Moonstruck]

~PS~ All posters drop what HorseinJ said. She/he must not have that much information. So lets not attack. (lets all hope she/he is learning from this!)

I'm going to take your advice eclaire No point in paying mind to it, it will just make things heated.

 

[JustDressageIt]

Horseinj, I really feel badly for you - you're missing out on some fantastic horses. I also feel badly that you're perpetuating misinformation, and wish you would do more research or have more real-life experience before posting such drivel such as they're no good after they're 12-18. For the record, that is a HUGE age range. I am shocked anyone would consider 12 as "too old to ride" or "getting too old to be ridden" - unless you're in a discipline that pushes too hard too young, where its isn't uncommon to find unsound 5 year olds.
The first horse I half-leased (when I was just kneehigh to a jackrabbit) lived till he was in his mid-forties, and taught youngsters to ride into his thirties, and he was very game to show them the ropes. His owners should have given up on him when he was 12, I guess....
Goodness.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[JustDressageIt]

Oops - terrible run-on sentences there, forgive me!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[BlondieHorseChic]

HorseinJ, I noticed you posted in a different thread your looking for a stallion or a mare, and no older then 5. If your extremely experienced and confident go for it, but just as a heads up, stallions are not "along for the ride" horses. And a young one is way worse. But I also noticed you mentioned jockey club in another post, if your onto racing I guess I kind of see why you would want a young stallion. But maybe not as a first horse.

 

[BlondieHorseChic]

Here's a story about a rider thinking she could get a green horse and it be all fine and dandy. When really its different. But she does get assistance and her and Fred start to trust eachother again.
It's titled "finding a friend in Fred" it's written and posted by someone on HF. I came across it by accident and don't know how to post a link. I'm sure you can find it under search. It's long but it's really sweet and proves a point.

 

[Mary]

I bought a 13 year old when I began riding at age 50. Today we are accident free, I am still learning, and loving our trail rides! My advice would be to not get so hung up on the age. Yes, I would have preferred a younger horse so I could count on a few more years together, but whether 10 or 13, it's just a number....look at what the animal has to offer you in the long run and what you can bring to the horse. Are you a match? At any age, safety is the number one concern. After that, for me personally, is the enjoyment factor. If I have to worry about safety, I can forget the enjoyment!

 

[steedaunh32]

Green + green = black and blue. Green riders need experienced horses while experienced riders can handle a more green horse, just my opinion. Of course there are always exceptions. I would still consider myself novice and I've taken lessons on a barely 5 year old that was the oldest soul...but she still occasionally spooked just because the miles hadn't been put on her like say, a 15 year old. Have also ridden an 18 yo that was HOT and too much for me to handle. But I would think in general, the more years a horse has, the more miles and experiences it's had, as well. I look for horses between 10-18ish. 15 would be right up my alley.

 

[smrobs]

Well I ended up finding Dancer and he's about 15. Dancer knows a lot but also tests me a lot so I still have to work on training. I think he's the perfect age for me and well suited for me.

This thread popped back up on the new posts page and as I was reading the responses, I was wondering if you got that horse or found another one. Dancer sounds like a great horse and it sounds like you are enjoying him.