Is a 13 year old horse over-the-hill for eventing?

warmblood

Hi all,
We are intending to buy a horse for our 16 yr old son.He has 4 yrs experience at riding school and done comps in dressage and jumping competitions and is very competant.We are looking at a 13 and half yr old dutchwarmblood horse.IS HE TOO OLD FOR OUR NEEDS FOR USE 5 DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING COMPETITIONS.IS HE LIKELY TO PICK UP INJURIES DUE TO HIS AGE.HE WILL BE USED FOR ALL GENERAL PONYCLUB ACTIVITIES
ADVICE PLEASE WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATED

fits

*Easy on the caps please, it looks like you're shouting.*

I would say such a horse sounds perfect for your son. Imo, its much better to get an older, more experienced horse as a first, and this one sounds like a schoolmaster who will aid your son as he starts out in competition. I dont think 13 years is very old anyway personally. Just get the horse vetted to make sure there are no issues with him.

xxkarenxx

13 is definitely not too old! We have evented one up to 18

warmblood

sorry for the caps on the last message just a little anxious to get question across.Thanks for your replies.Can i ask what value you would put on a 13 and a half yr old dutchwarmblood gelding that has been schooled well and has done competions including dressage

fits

warmblood wrote: »

sorry for the caps on the last message just a little anxious to get question across.Thanks for your replies.Can i ask what value you would put on a 13 and a half yr old dutchwarmblood gelding that has been schooled well and has done competions including dressage

A good schoolmaster is worth their weight in gold tbh. I've no idea what monetary value but I'd imagine not much shy of ten grand.

togster

Depends what he has done but between 8-10 G's

warmblood

Thanks for your replies just to clarify my son has the 3yrs experience of lessons including jumps in arenas and cross country.and pony club.This horse owner says horsehas jumped in shows in the country and passport shows 3yrs ago done dressage.Just mindful of the buyer beware phrase as horse is 13yrs will it have the stamina to do regular competitions approx 4 days a week activity.Its my sons first horse.Will it lose value rapidly as a result of age.Vet hasnt looked at the horse but says equivilent to 65yr man in age .Horse looks in excellent condition and well cared for and dutchwarmbood seems a natural when he jumps fences.Would you advise a trial if ok with vendor or an adult to really put him through his paces before vetting him

fits

Just mindful of the buyer beware phrase as horse is 13yrs will it have the stamina to do regular competitions approx 4 days a week activity.

It certainly should.

Will it lose value rapidly as a result of age.

honestly? yes, probably.

Vet hasnt looked at the horse but says equivilent to 65yr man in age

.

I would say 55.

Horse looks in excellent condition and well cared for and dutchwarmbood seems a natural when he jumps fences.Would you advise a trial if ok with vendor or an adult to really put him through his paces before vetting him

Either would be a good idea if the vendor were agreeable.

I think a 13 year old is just about the perfect age for a first horse. The horse has been around, has some experience, the maturity that comes with age, and there should still be at least a good 3 or 4 years left in the horse. I'm still riding my mare at 19 and expect to be for quite a while.

togster

Suggest a trial, or get an experienced adult to ride the horse. Also try and contact the organisations (SJAI/Dressage Ireland/etc) for information on the horse. I can't see how his passport would show he had done dressage tbh but maybe i picked that up all wrong.

I see lots of 55 y o ladies i would love to.... (just testing the waters :pac:)

EDIT: Really push the trial thing. It's really the only way to see if the horse is 100%. I would say that i wouldn't buy the horse without a trial. Even if the sale falls through and you still want the horse, you can call him again. Stick to your guns.

warmblood

Thank you FITS and TOGSTER your advice is really appreciated
cheers:)