Should I but a young horse or an older horse? How old is to old? Today we will take a look at age in horse buying. Buying an older horse is important for new or young riders. The most common mistake made by new owners is to buy a horse that they can grow up with. Horses are not puppies, and while cute and adorable while young they quickly grow up. Yearling horses can weigh as much as 800 lbs and adult horses weigh on average 1000 lbs. Yearling and two year old horses must be handled with by experienced individuals to make sure their training is done correctly and so they learn good manners on the ground and under saddle.
Benefits to older horses include having been hauled, clipped, shown, or taken on rides outside their home environment. These horses have been shown strange new things and have had a chance to learn that these objects will not harm them in any way. Experience can make up what a horse lacks in formal training as well. Some horses have been hauled so many times and seen so many different things that this can weigh heavily in their favor even if they have not been formally trained. If you are new to horses, save yourself a headache and buy a horse that is at least 5 – 10 years in age, preferably closer to 10. If you are content with having a horse to ride for a few years and then keep in a loving home no horse is to old, if you want a horse to ride for many years the 10 year mark is great, these animals will have around 15 years of riding left if well cared for.
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email lydiaerhardt@myhorseforsale.com if you would like more information on buying a horse.