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MirandaToo
Silver Member
England
381 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 8:26:08 PM
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Hi all
Just after some thoughts really!
We're currently looking for something for my daughter and myself to enjoy, but with a small budget we are limited as to what is available to us. Also she is NOT looking to be out competing every weekend, so some of these whizzy, hugely expensive or very young ponies are just not what we are looking for!!
Anyway, we are thinking we might look for something older. Obviously I'm well up on the 'pros' side of something older, but wondered about the 'cons' side! I'm NOT really concerned about an older horses health needs - sadly, from experience, I know being younger does not mean avoiding injury and illness
If an older horse, especially an arab, has spent all or most of their lives with one family, how well do they settle somewhere new? Alternatively, if they have gone through many homes how well do they bond with person after person? Obviously with moving any horse you try to keep the routine as similar as possible, but would an older horse find it harder to adapt to change..... or is it just down to individual personality?
Anyway, just musing at the mo so just interested in any else's thoughts/experiences!
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joanna_piana
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3935 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 8:40:55 PM
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| I bought a 15 year old gelding last year who has gone from pillar to post all his life and not had the best of homes. He is an absolute poppet and everyone loves him. I don't have the same one on one bond that I have with Ishara but he is so open and friendly with everyone and is so easy compared to my spoilt little diva My friend rides him and is now fully converted to the joy of riding an arab. Go for it! |
      
Harthall Rashida RIP, Binley Ishara, Bouchan
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire |
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stuart
Silver Member
United Kingdom
335 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 8:56:34 PM
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Arabs are bright......and empathetic......... if you take on an older horse he/she will thrive if you give them as much as they give you........ they will adapt to a new regime - but expect a hiccup or two.
Old heads coupled with young shoulders should equal - Happy Times! |
North Norfolk |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 9:54:04 PM
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I bought my first straight Egyptian mare from Malthouse and she had only had 2 homes before me and was 18 when I got her. She settled in straight away as if she had been here all her life. I think if you give them a good home and they have only known good homes there is no problem. The only ones I have found that take time to settle are those that haven't had the best of homes. In my experience those from good homes are trusting and expect that they will be treated well; those from bad homes are more suspicious and worried and take much longer to settle.
I agree with stuart (as always)!
Barbara |
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kassha
Bronze Member
82 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 07:53:33 AM
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I totally agree.
We have recently taken on an 18yr old stallion as his elderly owner who had bred him was sadly no longer able to care for him.
He has been with us since January and settled in straight away-he is
an absolute star a joy to have around. |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 11:57:28 AM
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Kassha, all the best with your boy. His owner/breeder must be so relieved that he has found a good home with you.
Barbara |
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Icarus
Junior Member
England
40 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2011 : 09:44:54 AM
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| We are also looking to rehome an older horse, to be honest unless im looking in all the wrong places there dont seem to be many about! quite happy to back an ex broodmare also, all im asking is that the horse is relatively healthy and will only be used for pleasure hacking etc |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2011 : 10:01:59 AM
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| Perhaps one of the charity re homing places like Blue Cross or Redwings might be able to help you. |
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Icarus
Junior Member
England
40 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2011 : 11:39:22 AM
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| Thats possible but i would imagine that the chances of them having an Arab are slim, but yes of course they are worth a look. |
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honey
Platinum Member
N. Ireland
2634 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2011 : 9:32:56 PM
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| The older arabs are always a little harder to come across. I know someone looking to rehome an older fit and healty arab mare if anyone would like a contact detail for them send me a pm and will gladly pass you a contact email. |
    
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precious
Platinum Member
England
2253 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2011 : 3:00:35 PM
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how nice some people looking for an older arab :) and took on older arabs
they have got sooo much to give, you dont hear of ppl looking for older ones that often.
Good luck with your searching |
     
Gemma Thompson
Birmingham West Midlands
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2011 : 5:58:24 PM
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My mother bought an older mare (she was 17) to give my nieces confidence. She is an absolute saint, and has taken them pony clubbing, showing and to low level endurance. She is worth her weight in gold. The only down side that you have to take into account with an older horse is just that - they are older. Now approaching 22 she has arthritis, and obviously her life has slowed down, although she is still hacked out and goes to the odd pleasure ride and show. But to be honest she is very happy to be in semi retirement, although she loves to be fussed over
Here she is last summer |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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MirandaToo
Silver Member
England
381 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2011 : 7:14:30 PM
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Beautiful girlie there Callisto!
My first ever pony was an older mare. I absolutely adored her . She taught me soooo much, but totally looked after me. We had the best fun  . She only really showed her age towards the very end of her life - not sure quite how old she was, but we think she must have been late 20s. Still miss her now! |
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Icarus
Junior Member
England
40 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2011 : 06:09:48 AM
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I have now found the most fabulous aged gelding! I'm so pleased with him and he has so much to offer, i would definitely recommend homing an older horse |
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rehoming older horse?
