When buying a horse, it is important to select a suitable age. A horse which is too young can lack maturity and training, as well as being unnecessarily expensive. A horse which is too old will not provide you with the years of future riding that you would like. To help you choose a suitable age, the advantages and disadvantages are discussed below.
4-Year Old Horse. This is a popular age, as horses usually start training at age 3, to be ready for basic riding by age 4. Consequently, you can start riding and enjoying it immediately. It is also young enough that you can do advanced training if you wish. The disadvantage is that it will tend to be somewhat more expensive to buy than a younger untrained horse.
5 to 7 years. At this age, one can get a well-trained horse rather than one which has only basic training. It will also be somewhat more mature and calmer, making it easier to manage or more reliable. Such a horse is generally more suitable for children and new riders. However, one needs to make sure the horse is trained as much as you require before the end of this period, as horses become more difficult and
Over 7 Years. Older horses are increasingly calm and dependable. Consequently, the older horse is great for children and new riders. They are also less expensive to buy as they are less popular. If the horse is not too old and has been well treated, it should still have many years of riding left. However, one would not want to purchase a horse which is too old for the number of years you intend to ride it.
3-Year Old. A three year old horse (depending on breed) is ready to start its training and you can enjoy this experience. However, it is usually less expensive to buy a trained 4 year old that is ready to ride than to buy a 3 year old and pay for a year's stabling and training.
Under three years. With this age group one can enjoy watching the foal grow up, which is a great pleasure. They are also less expensive than a comparable older horse, although one needs to consider the stabling and training costs that one will have to pay prior to the horse being ready to ride. Horses at this age are more of a gamble as their appearance and performance as adulthood can be difficult to predict.
The above observations are of a general nature. The rate at which horses mature and the age at which they should be trained depends partly on breed. If you are intending to use the horse for show or competition, associated age restrictions will also be a consideration.
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This article is by Duber Stewart, who writes for websites such as
Horses for Sale.
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