is my new horse to old to train to ride?

Question

she is an 11 yr old tb mare. i have boarded her for the past 3 yrs and just gained ownership by foreclosing on the lien i had on her.(her owner owed me 1388.00 and i haven't seen her since june)her ground manners are excellent and she has a wonderful personality. she's only been under saddle about 15 times in her life. is she to old and set in her ways to have fully trained and rode out or am i in for problems? my 1st horse was green broke and she broke my arm. i don't need that to happen again but it would break my heart to get rid of her.(yes , she is going to a professional trainer) any input on this would be great.

Answer 1

It's never too late to train. Horses need mental stimulation all throughout their lives just like people do. Just be sure your vet gives you the OK. Giving her a new job will help keep her in shape, just be sure to ease her into her new job. Since she's been under saddle a few times before, she should be accustomed to the pieces of tack and equipment used. She has many more years of riding ahead of her. It's good to hear you are going to be working with a trainer. Good luck!

Answer 2

An 11 year old should do fine, she is still in her prime if she has been taken care of. I think if she has a good personality and ground manners you should send her for a tune up with a trainer and then take riding lessons with her. That way you get to ride her quicker and you can learn how to train and take control with her. The first horse I had to train I sent to a trainer and when he came back I didn't have nearly as much control as the trainer had with him, and he had learned to go under saddle, but he was still onery with me. The horse I am training now is a dream to ride and has great manners with me and I am training her with the help of a couple of trainers. If there's something I'm uncomfortable with something, I get a trainer to get on and try it then I get on once I know what she's going to do and try it and it all has worked out so far...besides getting to learn to train and work with horses, I've developed a really strong bond with my horse, and I haven't had any problems with her at all!

Answer 3

No way. She is not too old at all. Especially with an intelligent breed like a TB. My Arabian mare was started at 3. She bucked like crazy and the attempt to break her was aborted. So after all that bucking and carrying on, she was put out to pasture and not touched again. I bought her and broke her at 10, though it was not easy. She is now 19 and has several grand championships under her belt. Yours may be a little older, but definitely has an advantage that mine didn't have. Just take your time, have realistic goals, and enjoy the ride. You'll do fine.

Answer 4

No, she is definitely not too old to be started. I'm assuming that you will be getting a general check up from a vet to make sure she is okay before you start. She may have special requirements as far as joint support go based on her age, but since she's been ridden minimally any support or supplementation should be preventative. I know you mentioned she was going to a professional trainer, but I would make sure to find a trainer who is experienced with restarting horses. Since she's older, and has been ridden lightly, but not recently, she may have special requirements that a trainer who doesn't regularly work with older horses wouldn't be prepared to deal with. I am actually in a similar boat with my current horse. She's 16 though, but she is doing great. I am doing all of her training, and I have access to a trainer who frequently restarts "problem" horses and is used to working with older horses. Best of luck with her, I'm sure she'll relish having an active owner around to dote on her.

Answer 5

A 12 365 days previous horse is to not previous to be knowledgeable. that is going to take the time, endurance and somebody with know-how and adventure to do the interest properly. i think of very almost any horse may well be knowledgeable or re-knowledgeable for a clean interest while they are person. some horses are greater healthful and rideable properly into their late 20s or early 30s... so this horse could have an prolonged effective existence left.

Answer 6

No. One of my friends has a 14 year old horse that she trained, Arabian. My horse is 3 and is just being trained now. No horse is to old to start training. Other then a 20 year old!

Answer 7

I have worked with an almost-ten-year-old, she is fine, but tests me, as even trained horses will do. Back to the point. She should be fine, but you need to do alot of respect-type exercises, such as making her cross her hind legs. Also, take an active part in her training. Even though you have a pro on your side, if she dosn't also learn to respect and listen to you, the training is basicaly useless. Remember : You are the BOSS MARE!

Answer 8

I don't think she is too old as long as the person/trainer you send her to knows you want her started slow & easy. If she were mine, I'd give her as much time as was needed to get use to the daily regimen of being worked. I'd also be really sure to be as hands on as possible. I've found lot's of times the people entrusted with our animals don't always take care or love on them as I would. Vet check goes without saying.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

As long as you select the right trainer for you and your horse, she should be rideable.

While you don't have the inquisitiveness of a younger horse, it may take her longer to "catch on", but at least you won't have to worry about her being well, young.
The maturity level here, should be a major bonus.

Answer 10

I think her temperment matters more than her age. Younger horses are easier to train but older horses are usually more relaxed and calm. Training her would be fine as long as she is trained with kindness and not force. Also make sure you don't push her too much, take things slowly and be patient. =)