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Would an older horse be better2007-11-24 21:23:28

my parents agreed to get me a horse for graduation. i have expierience with horses and know how to care for them. i have a good job so i have money to pay for everything and we have sufficient lodgeings for a horse or two so don't worry, any horse i would get would be well taken care of. my problem is that i feel i won't have enough time for a younger more energetic horse that has to be thourouly exersized everday and ridden all the time so i think i would be better off with an older horse that wouldn't mind hanging out in a nice meadow during the week and only having heavier riding and such on the weekends. would this be fair to an older horse? or should i just stick with riding my grandma's horses on weekends?

Answers:

Breed can play a big factor too. Even a 5-6 year old pacer retired off the track will be more than happy to mosey around the pasture for the bulk of his time, and go riding here and there, Just as much as an older senior might.

A retired race horse can often prove to be an excellent investment, since theyre so well humanized and experienced in working that they dont go green on you over a period of time when youre too busy to work them.

I'd go that direction. The problem, for me, with an older horse is that theyre READY to retire, and come the weekend when you just want to ride, theyre grumpy and lethargic.

Been there done that. If you're not getting two horses, get a goat or something to accompany your horse. It'll save you money with bad habits later on. Every body needs a friend.

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An older horse...but still has a lil get up and go!

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I would say a horse around 13 or 14 would be just fine just be careful when you do ride on the weekends that you don't over work the horse since they will only be ridden on weekends.

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My wife is 23 years older and she is great, the previous three were younger, and not worth a darn.

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It sounds like you shouldn't be looking for a horse based upon its "age", but based upon it's personality and temperment. For instance, I have a 5 year old Half Arab Half Paint mare who is the easiest keeper in the world. I could not ride her for two weeks and then hop on her and she would act as if I hadn't missed a day. I also have a 17 year old Purebread Arab Gelding who is the exact opposite...if I don't ride him at least every other day, he is a handful. So...when looking for a horse, as the owners how the horse is in this area. Be honest about your situation, that you will probably only be riding about 3 or 4 times a week at most and would that horse be suitable for that. You should look for a Quarter Horse or possibly a Paint, something with a less "hot" personality to begin with, and I would suggest a horse between the ages of 7 to maybe 14. If you get a horse that is much older than 15 years old, you will have something that very likely won't be able to be ridden for more than 5 to 7 years...health problems generally occur from the ages of about 19 on...

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Why get attached to a horse right now? You have access to horses now when you like. Volunteer at a horse shelter, use your experience to find them homes (& your time can be a tax deduction...)...