Is 18 too old to buy?

[FerretBoys]

I'll be honest... I've been riding since I was 9 (I'm 21 now) and I have never even considered buying a horse. When I was younger having money for lessons was enough of a burden, plus I live in the city adn board at schooling barns is 300+ per month, plus lessons. However, I've been going to college in a rural town for 4 years now, and did some retraining work on various young horses. I've recently been conditioning an 18 year old Arab whose owners haven't ridden him in 7 years. He LOVES having something to do again, and I have to admit I love riding his spunky little butt. My question is... his owner pretty much said they are giving him away this upcoming year, and told me if I was interested to tell them. Since I've long passed my competitive phase, I'm just looking for a trail horse that could hop over little branches and stuff, nothing more than that. Would an 18 year old horse be a bad investment? I don't have much experience with geriatric horses, but I do know that Pete's stablemate is 34, so it's not like he wouldn't have any good years left. What are your thoughts on this?

Oh, if it matters, once I get settled in my job I plan on buying a house with land and a barn, so then I would probably get a younger horse and let Pete ride out his retirement as a companion to the new horse.

[amandala45]

it's not too old, expecaily if that is what you are going to use him for!you wuold probably save him from a horribal home if you did!!!!!

[lovechick]

I guess it would depend what shape the horse is in. If hes fit and healthy I dont see a problem, especially if youre just interested in some trail riding. I myself was interested in buying a 15 years old appy, but not sure yet.

[RabbitMage]

Arabs tend to live a good long while. I used to ride a 20-some year old Arab who was amazing. Didn't look, or act, a day over ten.

If you like him, go for it!

[Kayley]

Yeah, if all you want to do is trail ride, that would be a great horse :D

[FerretBoys]

Here are a couple pics of the boy for you guys to see.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/JustLaughInstead/Picture006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/JustLaughInstead/Picture021.jpg

[Kayley]

what a handsom fella! I would get him :)

[MangoLaska]

What a cutie! I think that sounds like a great plan. If he's still sound at 18, then he will probably continue to do quite well as long as you're careful with him, which it sounds like you are!

[JessicaReed]

No, 18 is fine. Especially if he still has a bit of spunk left in him? Gelding, right? Arabians can live to be over 30 sometimes, older than the average horse, if they are healthy and are in a low stress envioronment and have a good diet. 18 really isn't that old. I would say go for it! He looks like a really good looking horse. I would have guessed 13 or something if I hadn't known. Anyway, RabbitMage pretty much said it all. So, good luck with him! BTW, trail riding is so awesome, huh!? :):P

[xXBeccaXx]

I wouldn't have thought that he was too old because I had a 23 year old on loan (tb cross arab) nd he acts lk a 5 year old and jumped 4ft. Gd luck !!!

[belchopsuey]

yea i know a little pony that was still going to pony club by age 27! i think he sounds really nice for the sort of thing your looking for. and hes pretty aswell! but i guess i am a tad bias, as im an arab owner myself and i love em

[xXBeccaXx]

I also know a little lesson pony that was used in 1/2 lessons and he was 35/36