would an older horse be better?

Question

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?

the horse would not only be ridden on weekends only mostly on the weekends

reading alot of your answers it seems you are conserned about the riding i would be doing on weekends. i would not ride only on the weekends just mostly and then only on trails. i just want a nice pleasure horse that i can give a good life too. i am definately going to adopt from a shelter not buy some fancy show horse.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

I don't see why Lisa is getting thumbs down - she has a great point! I have always kept horses even in times when I did not have the time for them. Not fair to the horse, not fair to me. If money is not a problem, and you do want to get a horse. try this...find a place that has full board including forced exercising (longing or treadmill) and/or riding. Simple turnout time won't be enough. Then you will have a fit horse that you won't be stressing by heavy riding only once or twice a week, and he will be ready for you to ride without having to worry about working off a week's worth of "fresh." On the other hand, if you are just planning on going out on easy walking/trotting trail rides of an hour or less at a time, an older pasture horse will probably work out fine. Maybe you can find a local youth that will be willing to come out a couple of times a week and ride or longe, just for "horse time." Just some random ideas, take your pick! Sounds like you have already put a lot of thought into this...

Answer 3

As long is the horse isn't going to have to stand in a stall all week, you would be fine with just riding on the weekends. But, by all means, you would not want to do this on a young, unfinished horse. There is too many things that might spook them and if they are not well-broke, everything you teach them in 2 days will be nearly forgotten by the next session. (Not to mention, you will not enjoy your ride because you'll be busy schooling your horse the whole time!)

No matter what age horse you buy, you need to understand the animal will not be in the best physical shape if you are not riding them consistently. They will get winded easily and will be subject to injury if you push them too hard. I don't know what type of weekend riding you are planning on doing, but much more than an hour or two trail ride on a horse that is not in shape could be over doing it.

Depending on how much money you are willing to spend and if you buy the horse from a someone reputable, the age range will be pretty large. I've seen 4 year olds that are dead broke, but I know from the years I used to compete (former barrel racer), That between 7 and 12 I felt my horses were in their prime.

With proper care, you can enjoy riding a horse who is 18-20. You just have to remember you can't go out their and run their legs off when they are out of shape. It takes longer to condition an older horse, but it is certainly not impossible.

Good luck to you. I have been around horses now for 25 years, and I never reqretted it.

Answer 4

i think you answered your own question. an older h orse would be gret for what you are descriing. vourse not all older ones can sit and then be behaved when ridin. but riding every weekend isnt bad at all. thats a lot more than a lot of horse people ride as it is. i dont think your horse will complain about siting in a green pasture for 5 days and working 2. my horse gets it the other way around, he gets 2 days off. wither way i dont think either would be happier than the next. the only thing you dont want to do that could make her unhappy is, not riding her, and she is out of shape. then taking her out and working her really hard. that could be a little tough on a horse that is out of shape. if you have the resorces and the kow how and good time on the weekends, go ahead. just get something thats broke. there are a lot of horses for sale out there that all ready live that life. good luck!

Answer 5

You should look around for a horse that already leads that kind of life. Many younger horses would be perfectly happy in the pasture during the week. Ask around to some owners who are selling. If you try a horse and you don't like it, ask the owner if they have any other horses for sale that fit the criteria you are looking for. Remember that sudden change can be bad, even unhealthy for a horse, so be very careful. Good luck!

Answer 6

If you are thinking now that you may not have time for a younger horse.... then definately dont get a younger one. I am assuming that you're graduating middle school / junior high? if so, then be prepared for a lot of homework, which wont let you have much free time! I would definately get a TRAINED, experienced horse so you dont have to constantly be training it. I'd say get a horse... maybe 10-18 years old. It depends on how hard you are going to be planning on riding it. If you are planning on jumping over 2 feet on 20+ year old horse, this wouldnt be fair. But light to medium workouts are fine for elder (as long as they are in good condition, always check with vet) horses. But then again, you say that you could ride your grandmas horse on weekends... if thats the only time you think you can spend, why bother getting a horse?
well sorry that was long but oh well ;)
good luck

Answer 7

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...

Answer 8

Think of an older horse as an older person. As we get older, our bodies begin to wear down and change.

Each age requires different health conditions and qualities. You have to adjust to the horse's health and ability.

My gelding is 29 and does way less than he did when he was 25.

Yes, riding them can be less, but making up for it on the weekends by "heavier riding" is not healthy.

Joints and bones are begining to wear down as they get older.

If going to ride on weekends, try to keep it a light, nice trail ride. Nothing that requires a lot of muscle or strength unless this horse is built up during the week day to withstand it.

If you don't have time during the week to mess with the horse, it is best to get a horse when you have time. It is not fair to the horse to see you maybe 2 days out of the 7 like that.

Answer 9

It rather relies who the pony is for and what he/she will likely be used for. I barrel race and feature determined that a horse does not even achieve it is height till round age 10. I had a horse that used to be 25 and nonetheless going for walks powerful. I offered him to a 7 year historic lady to coach her the ropes to barrel racing and she or he nonetheless is using him. He used to be through a ways the first-rate horse I have ever owned and I feel it used to be considering the fact that he used to be so skilled. Some persons say to get a tender horse in an effort to develop with them however I for my part LOVE older horses.

Answer 10

no matter what a horse's age is, it should be ridden regularly.

I agree that a young horse would not be a good idea because it wouldnt be fair to him.

an older horse might be goo just make sure that your not asking to much from him when you ride him.not being ridden during the week and then heavy riding during the weekends isn't good for a horse.