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  Discussion on Buying older horse
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Member:
maggienm

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 3:46 pm:

I am considering purchasing an older horse. She has only had one owner.
I am concerned that she may have difficulty learning to like me after having known only one wonderful owner all her life. (Bordering on anthropormorphism here.)

She is a Trakehner/Arab cross.
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 4:04 pm:

Lori, what are you considering "older"?

I've purchased 2 horses since I started riding (admittedely not a whole lot of experience here), one a 7 yo and the other a 12 yo at the time of purchase. Both were/are treated with firmness, kindness, consistency and respect (and yes, I have done some spoiling in terms of treats - but have always expected good behavior). Both recognized me as "theirs", responding more to me than others, even in a boarding situation. Both have shown signs of affection and both returned the respect I gave them...really, each horse became a part of my "team".

Do horses like their owners and transfer affection? I don't really know - would certainly like to think so. Regardless, they can still become a wonderful partner and friend.
Member:
paardex

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 4:57 pm:

I once got a 14 year old broodmare from a good friend where she was born. She settled in fine accepted my different stabling and pasture rules perfectly seemed content and spoiled as the rest and delivered her babies only when I was there to hold her hoof.
When her old owner came and she heard her voice she invariably whinnied and came to see her, and then wandered off to her new friends.
She never forgot but did very well and we had a good 'relation' too.
Jos
Member:
maggienm

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 5:21 pm:

She is 15. Very lovely and well bred mare.

Thank you.
Member:
wgillmor

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 6:18 pm:

My first horse was 22 and had a strong bond with his previous owner. The second was 15 and had been largely abandoned. I had a harder time with the 15 year old, perhaps because of a history of abuse (details were missing).

I would expect that if your horse that has had a good experience with humans she will transfer her affections in response to grooming, food and love.

Wiley
Member:
alisa

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 6:33 pm:

I logged in to say - my first and really my favorite horse - I bought when he was 17 - he had been used as a school horse teaching everything from children to dressage and jumping. He was spoiled by the whole stables because to know him was to adore him. Many were very upset that I bought him - they didn't know he was for sale! I regularly get asked to sell him and there is a standing offer for him if I ever decide to sell. Fat chance!

He is a Arabian and the American Saddlebred - a National Show Horse. I think the Arab in a horse is a great advantage especially when you are buying an older horse - kinda like a Volvo with 150,000 + miles (I have one of those too...). I expect to be riding with him for many years to come. Yesterday someone came to ride with me, typically I put them on him (Dictator) first, before I would put someone on any of my other horses - he is a gentleman, forgiving but very able. She said he was the most highly trained horse, the most refined, that she ever rode and had thought he was an 8 year old!

Do I have a close relationship with him - oh yes. I think Fran C has a very good discription for a relationship - one that I have with him and another brood mare I purchased (with her pregnant) at 19 years old. Now her baby is 2.5 years old and they are the herd - of which I am a part.

I've seen many herds re-create themselves and settle in, once again, as "the herd" - I think it is rare when it doesn't happen. I am trying to say that you will be accepted I am sure and the quality of that relationship will be based on how you interact. I do think horses are deeply loving but sometimes they may be shy, or is it that they have deeper and deeper levels that you can get near as the relationship allows.

It sounds to me that this horse you are considering would be wonderful and, from my experience, you will have a full, deep and true relationship. I say - go for it - if that is the only issue that concerns you!

Oh - I think you should load a picture or two as well.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 8:42 pm:

We currently have a 29 yr old boarder, who sees his owners about once a month. He arrived when he was 25. He just settled in and made himself at home and acts like he's been here his entire life. We also just bought a 14 yr. old QH mare who's had two owners previously, and she also settled right in. I think if the horse has been treated fairly, and you continue to treat it that way, you won't have any problems. Many, many years ago I sold a horse (that I dearly loved)when I went off to college. The horse had a wonderful home. I saw her several years later; she obviously still remembered me as she whinnied when she saw me and rubbed her head on me when I got close, yet she had been settled in and was and continued to be very happy at her new home.
Member:
andreth

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 - 10:46 pm:

I acquired my horse when he was 13. He'd had only one owner previously. I bought him sight unseen (with only a report from a trustworthy person about his temperament and training), and he was shipped halfway across America to be with me. Over the last two years we've developed a strong bond and a wonderful partnership. I love Tucker. He's popular with everyone at the barn where he boards, and the trainer asked me to let her know if I ever decide to sell him.

I can't imagine doing that.

I say, take a chance on an older horse who has been loved a long time. You could be getting a treasure.
Member:
klowe

Posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - 8:15 pm:

Hi Lori- after most of a lifetime saying, "someday I'll have a horse..." I managed to acquire 2 in quick succession, both of whom are older.

The 1st, around 17 or 18, belonged to my former landlord for about a year. I am sure he was bought at auction, and treated like all of this guy's other livestock, with (usually) benign neglect. One day I was walking my dogs in the pasture and this guy came up behind me and started nudging for attention. Before I knew it I had taught him to come when I called (how he got the uncreative name of Paint), I was feeding him, I broke up the ice in his trough every morning in the wintertime... Needless to say, I couldn't leave him when I got my own place, much too nice a horse.

Paint was clearly, at some point, someone's pet. He's very curious and outgoing, adores attention, loves people, other horses and tolerates dogs standing under him barking at him. He also was well trained...if I come over to him with a halter or a mask, he lowers his head so I can put it on. With a bit, he opens his mouth...and so I thought, well, this is easy! And he was so lonely, I just had to get him a buddy.

Cody, on the other hand, is a 15 y.o. with arthritis, probably an old ranch horse. I truly doubt he was ever properly socialzed to people or even to other horses. He shows signs of being abused/neglected. He's very afraid of people's hands near his head, suggesting he has been hit. He has white marks behind his ears which appear to be from a too-tight halter left on too long. He isn't in the least mean, just very, very averse to contact. He's making progress but it's extremely slow, even in terms of letting Paint get too near him.

So from my very limited experience, a horse with a positive relationship with a previous owner will be more likely to seek that kind of relationship with you, not the other way around! If he loves and trusts human beings, I am sure you will be able to build on that.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Kathy
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