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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 632
  
Location: CO | i was just seeing everyones opinion on buying an older horse say 16 or 17??? |
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Itchy Boobs
Posts: 360
| Rather have an older one. More experienced and reliable! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | For me it would depend on the price (I wouldn't pay tens of thousands for something that is on high maintance and doesn't have but a couple of years left) and if it was good natured enough to be resold as a step up horse once he/she slowed down. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I started out on a 17 year old mare. She lived to be 24 and was worth every penny my grandparents spent on her times 100. I'm currently still running a 22 year old, though he's going to be limited to 20-25 runs this year if he can even do that. My plan is to run him only at district NBHAs and maybe at an added money race or two if they're in small enough pens. (His run from yesterday is on my thread about switching from right to left)
If you can afford the maintenance on an older horse and aren't going to run their legs off, they are generally worth their weight in gold. My oldie is capable of being a babysitter for someone who can ride and wants to feel what a good barrel horse should feel like. If I hadn't gotten to run him in high school, I doubt I would have been able to train two 1D horses after that. Someday when I have a child or two, I hope I have something like him to start them out on, and I darn sure won't hesitate to buy an older, been there, done that horse for a beginning barrel racer. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | They are priceless. I bought a 17 year old last summer and she has done wonders for me. I got a 2D check on her out of 135 horses in November. They can still run and are excellent teachers. |
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Location: Midwest | Bought one at 16...he'll be 22 this April. Still run him. Going to be doing IPRA and barrel bashes with him this year. He's not my only horse I run but I love him to death. Only had his hocks injected ONCE. He's priceless to me. |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| I think they are worth their weight just beacuse they are older does not neccesarily mean they have a lot of health issues. if they have been properly taken care of they are the best and amazing teachers. mine just turned 19 and he is running awesome. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | I purchased a 19 year old this last fall and it has been the best decision ever. He has been a major confidence booster for me. He is fun, easy, has no issues/quirks/maintenance, loves his job, can still bring home a check in the 2D. Love him and I would do it over again in a heartbeat.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| I wold say depends on what you are looking to get out of this horse.. A kids horse or a horse for you to learn on.. Sure go for it as long as it is not high maintenance. If it's a horse you are looking at going to barrel races on during the summer to be competitive I would loook to a horse 12 or younger. Just so that you have awhile to get adjusted with it and the chances are higher that an older horse will have issues |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | I have a friend who bought a 17 year old last year. She won money on him a few times last year and she didn't have any barrel racing experience before him. He's helped her a lot and I know she doesn't regret buying him one bit. The only negative with older horses is they don't have as many years left in them as a younger horse and they most likely require some kind of maintenance (some more than others). I wouldn't be opposed to an older horse if it was still running and feeling good though. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Honestly I've had more maintenance issues with my under 16 year olds then my older guys. I think they were built tougher LOL.
I think the older sound horses can be worth their weight in gold. Just because they crossed the 15 year mark doesn't mean they're broken down or need major maintenance. Some do yes, but some don't. There are lots of older horses that need very little maintenance so find one and enjoy them. They have been there done that and you know by then what their quirks are (if any) and if you can deal with them.
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| Would rather have an older been there done that! Even if they need some maintenance that's fine |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | Age doesn't really bother me. I have a mare who just came 19. She was retired as a 12 year old because the owner's daughter went into the Navy and she just wasn't being used. I pulled her out of the field as a 17 year old, legged her up and she became a favorite of many students. She was a solid 3D horse and never had been any more than that. She worked like a World Champ though, so people could get a feel for a really good one, only at a bit slower pace.
This past summer, I had a rider who was in a bad wreck when her cinch broke during a run. She needed a confidence builder for a while. I found her a great 16 year old with some pretty hefty maintenance requirements. Everything about the mare was ideal, other than that. Got her, gave her what she needed and went to running her. Within a few months, the owner was feeling confident enough that she actually got back on her good horse at the NBHA World Show. The extra money in added maintenance was certainly worth it! I actually still have that mare and she is now serving as a step up horse and teacher for a very good friend. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | They tend to need more maintenance but are worth their weight in gold. I have 2 older teen Barrel horses and I keep them on the loading dose of Performance Detox by Animal Element and they still run hard and are very competitive. |
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  Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Blondes Are Wild needs to answer here too. Boy, did she hit the jackpot with hers. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 492
| 16 or 17 doesnt scare me one bit!!
The gelding I run is 22 this year and I bought him as a 21 year old last February. He has been the best money I have ever spent! He has quite a record under his belt, and he is still running in the 1/2D down here in Texas. He still keeps up with all the greats down here, and I love seeing the looks on faces when I tell them how old he is.
As far as maintenance goes, I really don't have to do much. His coffin joints need injected a couple times a year, and his hocks get done once a year. Other than that, I just feed him well, and do my best to keep him in the best shape possible.
Don't be afraid of purchasing a horse just because they have a little age to them. I hit the jackpot on mine and probably didn't pay nearly enough for him!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Just bought a 16 yr old, I sold him 5 years ago and got him back, loving it! Don't have to worry about training, goes in and does his job. Vet says he's one of the healthiest horses they've seen, I know it can come with maint, guess you just have to weigh the costs. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
| My girl is 24 this year. Ran her all last year, and she actually got faster with each run. Starting off running for 5 d points in NBHA (4d at the races), then got 4d points, and on her last run, almost won the 3d. She loves her job, and never stops working. Age does not scare me one bit, even with some maintenance. Talked a friend of mine into purchasing an 18 year old mare this year also that needed minimal maintenance and is still running 2d/3d. Has been the best teacher for her daughter as their first real barrel horse. They are fun. |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| I only buy older horses.
A) I get more bang for my buck.
B) Someone else has done all of the hard work.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 340
| An older horse doesn't necessarily mean they will have health issues. I have had three older horses and they all cost me less at the vet than the two young ones I had.
I feel like I hit the jackpot with the one I have now. I bought him two years ago and he is 19 now. He has no health issues. We consistently run in the 2D locally and we won the 2d open saddle in my NBHA district (The first time I've ever won a saddle!!) SometInes we even hit the 1D. The first time we hit the the 1D, it was againt nearly 200. This horse has done so much for me and I have learned so much from him. Definitely worth his weight in gold! |
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