I am thinking of buying a horse, and my friend has one for sale. It has had extensive trail riding experience and she recommends it to a beginner rider. Its 18 years old, is this too old, how long do they live?
I’ll definitely be getting lessons first, thanks : )
An average horse can live to be well into their 20’s and maybe some 30’s if taken care of well. A horse that’s in their 30’s or late 30’s needs special senior care. A very pampered horse can be 40. A wild horse lives to be about 11 or 15. The oldest a horse ever lived was 64 (I think, haha).
That horse probably has a good 13 years of riding left in it if taken care of correctly. 18 is a wonderful range for a beginner. You wouldn’t want to get a horse for a beginner under the age of 4 or 3. Not good.
I hope I helped. 
January 21st, 2010 at 8:12 am
Horses can live to be up to 30 or more if taken care of correctly. Before buying I would have a vet or trainer come out and look at the horse to make sure it is physically sound and a good choice. My first horse was 4, but I was a very experienced rider by then, so I think that 18 is a good round age where you should get a calm and experienced horse to learn on that you will be able to ride for maybe even ten years. Make sure that the horse is physically sound though, and ask about past medical problems. Also ask about vices. You want to know if your horse kicks or bites before hand rather then finding out by experience. Good luck, and have fun!
Check out my question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhlyR7XRHjDNIHbdzTia5Ofsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091218203133AAm7s3D
References :
January 21st, 2010 at 8:44 am
I would wait until you have at least 3 years of riding experience before buying a horse and caring for one.
You obviously do not know enough to care for a horse, especially an older one.
Older horses with lots of trail riding experience are not the easiest to keep. They are likely to have bad habits, old injuries and will take a lot of caring for and I do not think either of you will be very happy with each other.
Horses can go on for years until their late 20s if well cared for, well fed and have had good care for the whole of their lives, but I do not think this one is for you.
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Riding instructor
January 21st, 2010 at 9:22 am
Horses can live Well into there 20years/+ I ridden a few well into there late 20.
However not all beginner horses are right for everyone.
Try LOADS of horses, and sit on it and get YOUR own vet to do a vet check prior to sealing the deal.
1. Buying an untrained horse.
Many experienced horsemen and women will tell you they see this too often. Because untrained horses are often cheaper, or for whatever other whim, beginner riders will choose untrained horses. Don’t buy a horse that you plan to train yourself or even send to a trainer. Training can take months. It can be dangerous if not done right. Young or inexperienced mature horses are not reliable. Beginners will be safer and happier with a horse they can enjoy the moment it gets off the trailer.
2. Turning down older horses.
An older horse, who has seen the world, makes a great first time beginner horse. Beginners might shy away from a horse into their late teens and twenties. But many healthy, sound horses can be ridden well into their senior years. In fact, light daily exercise, such as a quiet hack or drive may be beneficial to both horse and rider/driver.
3. Buying a young horse for their children to ‘grow up with’.
This is a romantic notion, but the reality is that young horses and young beginner riders or drivers are not a safe mix. Buy your kids a mature, well trained horse they can saddle or harness up the same day you bring it home. Buy a horse that knows how to handle itself when all the scary aspects of the world present themselves—because a young beginner won’t know how. On an older, well trained horse or pony kids will learn and have fun in greater safety.
4. Buying at Auction.
It takes a keen eye to pull a good horse out of an auction. Horses can appear docile at auction because they are so confused they ‘freeze’. Horses can be drugged to make them look calm or healthy. I know of a pony that several days after being brought home, showed all the symptoms of ‘heaves’—similar to emphysema in humans. The indicators had been masked by strong drugs. The new owner faced constant expense helping the pony breath easier.
5. Impulse buying.
I have to admit I am guilty of this as any beginner and I should know better. Don’t buy a horse on first sight. Try the horse out, try it again, ask lots of questions. Go home and think about it for a few days. Look at other horses besides the one you’re smitten with and make comparisons. Be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the horse most suitable for you.
6. Not Asking for a Trial Period.
Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a trial period. Most private owners want their horses to go to good homes, and are confident about the type of person they feel can handle the horse. Many dealers will agree on a trial period, or help you find another horse if the one you are looking at doesn’t work out. Just ask. And if you get a ‘no’ answer, ask why. There may be a valid reason. Or an unethical one.
7. Buying a Horse to Breed
Do you want to buy a horse so you can breed it and have a foal? Before you do visit an auction where horses are destined for rendering or meat. Pay attention to how many look like the result of backyard breeding experiments. Consider if you can live with this outcome for a horse you have brought into this world. Horses should be bred because they have outstanding qualities to pass on. The fact that you love it or think it would have a really cute foal is not an outstanding quality.
8. Buying “Too Much Horse”.
You may envision yourself jumping 5 ft. concrete culverts in a cross country event. But the reality is you’ve only been riding six months. The type of horse required for high performance sports may not be the one suitable for safe learning. Buy a horse to match your skill and fitness level, not one to match a dream that may not come true for 5 years or even vanish.
9. Buying a Horse of a Particular Color
While it is perfectly reasonable to want to own a special coat pattern horse like a Paint, palomino or Appaloosa it isn’t wise to buy for color only. If you have a choice of several horses, and all are of the same sane mind, and good training, of course buy the color you like. But don’t base your decision on the color if the mind and training aren’t suitable. When buying a car the adage is ‘you don’t drive the paint’. With horses, you don’t ride/drive the color.
10. Not Considering the Time and Expense of Horse Care
Horse ownership is a big responsibility. Horses don’t stop eating and drinking on the weekend when you want to go away. The expenses don’t stop because you want to spend the money elsewhere, or you’ve been unable to work. Be honest about the time and money you are able to spend on a horse. It’s okay to admit you love horses, but would rather spend $30 on trail ride or riding lesson occasionally and leave all the other expense and fuss to someone else.
References :
http://horses.about.com/od/buyingyourfirsthorse/tp/buyingmistakes.htm
January 21st, 2010 at 9:53 am
Horses live anywhere to 25-35 years old. After about 30 they need special food and care, and are usually not ridden, and become retired. I dont think the horse is really too old, you have about 7 years with her to be able to ride her, if that is enough for you. What breed is it, and how many hands?
I suggest that you do NOT buy your friends horse, for a few different reasons…
1) DO NOT buy a horse when you have never had lessons before, if you dont know how to saddle a horse up, you definetly will not know how to take care of your own horse. Will you be able to saddle it up, and put its bridle on? Will you be able to put on its rug? Have you ever cleaned a horse? Would you be willing to go to it EVERDAY to ride, feed, clean it? After you have ridden for at least a year, THEN think about getting a horse. Horses are dangerous animals, and someone cluless should/could not be able to handle their own. What would you do if your horse was throwing a bucking tantrum, and since you own her, you have to go calm her down? It is also very expesniese. Just please, try using a stable horse(s) for a year, THEN if you still want, buy a horse.
2) DO NOT BUY YOUR FRIENDS HORSE! She is attached to this horse, wehter she knows it or not. You buying her horse may (more then likely) cause a fight. She might say "It was my horse, and i want this for her" or she might want to always ride "her old" horse. She might always yell at you for not taking care of ehr. This is how alot of fights happen. It would be best to NOT buy a horse yet, and if/when you do buy one, for it NOT to be your friends. I dont think it would be smart AT ALL to do this.
If you would like any more horse information, feel free to email me at evilqueenalice@yahoo.com I love to help, and would be glad to!
References :
Owner of 3 horses, one gypsy vanner, named Blingy. one pony, named Leo, and one pure bred egyptian arabian, named La Bravada! I also ride country english pleasure in the show ring, and I jump just because I can!
January 21st, 2010 at 10:03 am
18 isn’t too old for a beginner horse. What a beginner needs is a horse that will pack them around and not kill them- That usually isn’t a competitive horse, or a young horse, or a fancy horse. Horses commonly live until 30 with correct care, and although how long you can ride them depends on the individual horse and what type of care he received, I would say an 18 year old has atleast 4 more years that he can pack a kid around, if not more. With proper conditioning and attention, horses can do light work for a long time, and it is actually good for them. We’ve legged up an old broodmare of ours- She’s 28. I wouldn’t jump her, or ask her to gallop or anything, but she’s great for packing small children and beginners around.
Keep in mind, however, that older horses require more care, just like old people. You might need to feed them grains to keep weight on, or blanket them where a younger horse would be fine.
My current show horse was born in NZ, shipped to Europe, then imported to the USA. He’s a TB, and was shown up to Intermediate level Eventing. He’s been a great boy for me, with lovely movement and a great jump. We got a 23 on one of our Eventing Dressage tests this summer (In Eventing, you want a low score, not high) and I’m schooling Training level (3′3") with some Prelim (3′7") level stuff thrown in. I’ve jumped him 4′ several times as well, no problem. He isn’t easy and I’d never put a beginner on him- What makes him a great competition horse makes him too high powered to be a kids horse. Did I mention he’s a little over 19?
With him, he’s been kept in work for almost his entire life. I ride him year-around, 6 days a week for about an hour a day. This keeps him in pretty good shape. It is terrible for old horses to be put away for the winter, lose all the condition, and then have to build it all up again in the summer. It really is. My friend has a horse that’s the same age as mine, about the same level of talent (Except in Dressage) and gets the winters off. It’s hard on him. Anyways, mine also gets a joint supplement, Legend, special grain (9 lbs of it a day- that’s what it takes to keep some weight on him!) with soybean oil on it, and high-quality hay.
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January 21st, 2010 at 10:38 am
Horses can live for between 25-30 years when taken care of properly. When I got my first horse, I had been taking lessons for 3 years and the horse was 13 years old. You need at least a year of lessons and a good age for a beginner horse is between 12-18.
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January 21st, 2010 at 11:00 am
Often older horses are calm enough to be good beginner horses, but what really matters is the horse’s personality. Some horses are so quiet and laid back that they’re safe for beginners as soon as they’re well trained at a young age, while others are still too much horse at age 25 for a beginner.
18 is a great age – not too old at all. My horse is in his early 40’s and he only stopped giving beginner walk/trot lessons a year ago. As long as the horse is healthy and sound it can be ridden.
Ride the horse and see if it works out
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January 21st, 2010 at 11:18 am
my old riding school had a ex show jumper that was 35yo he still uses him as a beginners horse to this day! i think hes 38 this year.
anyway
i don’t think shes to old depending on what you want to do.
good luck
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January 21st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
First thing….Zakiit your information is faulty, In all my years working a an Equine Vet Tech I have seen less injuries with the trail horse than any other, whether racing or jumping. A trail horse with miles put on it is usually an easy horse. You don’t tend to take a lot of risks with your transportaion on the trails. Most are field kept and don’t tend to get bad vices as the stalled horses. They tend to have been there done that due to never knowing what is around the next turn on a trail. When getting a horse you need to ask about vices, and sound issues "this is on all horses" 18 years is a good age I recommend anything from 12 on up. But always ask the right questions.
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January 21st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
that would be a good age for a first horse, my first horse was loaned and he was 7 but i have been riding for 6 years
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January 21st, 2010 at 1:04 pm
I would think that that’s a great age for a beginner if he is sound and correct. and has had no health problems. Yes, lessons first or the horse will take advantage of you. Even an honest horse will take advantage of inexperience. It certainly would not take 3 years of lessons, unless your lessons were on a stick horse. If you have good balance and confidence it would take 4 or 5 mo of lessons. If she is teaching you something and not just letting you ride around in circles.
You should know someone who is good with horses who can help you if you have porblems.
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I have had kids come for lessons or to buy a horse from me who say they have had 3/4 years of lessons and they are very poor riders. I think that is the lesson persons fault. They are not teaching them they are just letting them ride around.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
You should definitely get lessons first to see if you can stuck with riding before you make the commitment to owning a horse. They take a lot of time and money to own a horse. No matter how much grain they get. They will need hay.
As for the age of the horse, there is no age on when a horse is good for a beginner. It really depends on the training the horse has gotten and how it has been treated. My mare was 18 when I got her. Trust me she doesn’t act her age. She does have her days that she shows her age.
Most horses live to be 25 to 30 years. Some can ride when this old and some can’t. It really depends on the horse.
I will be putting some information that you will need to know before you buy any horse.
References :
riding for 7 years and horse owner for 2 years.
Some sources for horse breeds:
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/
http://horses.about.com/od/breeds/Horse_and_Pony_Breeds.htm
http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/breeds.htm
Colors and marking:
http://www.equusite.com/articles/basics/basicsColors.shtml
http://www.deannesweb.com/horses/horsecolors/index.html
http://horses.about.com/od/aglossaryofhorsecolor1/A_Glossary_of_Horse_Colors_and_Markings.htm
Buying first horse guidelines:
http://horses.about.com/od/buyingyourfirsthorse/Purchasing_Your_First_Horse_or_Pony.htm
http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/advice/horses/44-what-to-look-for-in-your-first-horse.htm
http://www.acreageequines.com/horsecare/horsecare11.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2278_buy-first-horse.html
Riding types:
http://horses.about.com/od/horsesportsexplained/p/engwestdiff.htm
Determining Horse ages:
http://www.petplace.com/horses/determining-a-horse-s-age/page1.aspx
http://www.ehow.com/how_2067858_tell-horses-age-its-teeth.html
http://www.hanne.com/teeth-ageing.html
Horse care:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/horse-care/
http://www.ehow.com/how_7455_care-horse-stable.html
January 21st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Most ‘beginner’ horses are older, about 15 years + Older, more experienced horses generally make the ideal beginner’s mount although there are younger horses out there that are very quiet and suit beginners also.
18 years is not too old at all, although it depends on the horse. Some horses who have been overworked throughout their life have soundness issues at a younger age although generally horses can be ridden into their twenties, sometimes their thirities and occasionally even their fourties! A horse’s lifespan averages between 25-30 + years.
I know a pony in her fourties who was still competing not long ago- in fact, she still might be! I also know a 48yo who was ridden into his fourties.
Good luck with your riding lessons =)
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January 21st, 2010 at 2:11 pm
thts not too old horses could live up to like 30 years
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January 21st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
An average horse can live to be well into their 20’s and maybe some 30’s if taken care of well. A horse that’s in their 30’s or late 30’s needs special senior care. A very pampered horse can be 40. A wild horse lives to be about 11 or 15. The oldest a horse ever lived was 64 (I think, haha).
That horse probably has a good 13 years of riding left in it if taken care of correctly. 18 is a wonderful range for a beginner. You wouldn’t want to get a horse for a beginner under the age of 4 or 3. Not good.
I hope I helped.
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