When looking for a horse, the desired age is an important consideration. Horses which are too young lack maturity and training while horses which are too old cannot provide many future years of riding. Following is a review the typical advantages and disadvantages of the various ages.
Four Year Old. This is one of the most popular ages, since horses typically complete their basic training by age four and are immediately ready for riding. In addition, if you decide you want to train the horse to an advanced level, it is still young enough. Although a trained horse will be more expensive than a younger untrained one, this is offset by saving on the costs of training and associated stabling during this period.
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
Older than 7 years. Horses get progressively calmer and quieter as they age, so horses older than 7 years are often the best choice for children, new riders and nervous riders. If the horse has been well treated, is not too old and is in good health, it can still provide many years of riding. Well kept horses, used only for light riding, can often be ridden into their 20s and sometimes even older. In addition, the older horse is often less expensive to buy.
3 year old. This is the age (depending on breed) when riding training usually starts. Consequently, you can enjoy the experience of training your horse rather than buying an already trained horse. However, if your main purpose is riding, you will likely prefer to purchase an older trained horse, saving yourself time and training fees.
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 is a general guide only. Various breeds mature at different rates, as do individual horses. Owners also vary in terms of the timetable and extent of training they provide to their horses. If you intend to compete with the horse, you need to take into account various applicable age restrictions as well as the competitive requirements in terms of timing and intensity of training. - 29953
Four Year Old. This is one of the most popular ages, since horses typically complete their basic training by age four and are immediately ready for riding. In addition, if you decide you want to train the horse to an advanced level, it is still young enough. Although a trained horse will be more expensive than a younger untrained one, this is offset by saving on the costs of training and associated stabling during this period.
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
Older than 7 years. Horses get progressively calmer and quieter as they age, so horses older than 7 years are often the best choice for children, new riders and nervous riders. If the horse has been well treated, is not too old and is in good health, it can still provide many years of riding. Well kept horses, used only for light riding, can often be ridden into their 20s and sometimes even older. In addition, the older horse is often less expensive to buy.
3 year old. This is the age (depending on breed) when riding training usually starts. Consequently, you can enjoy the experience of training your horse rather than buying an already trained horse. However, if your main purpose is riding, you will likely prefer to purchase an older trained horse, saving yourself time and training fees.
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 is a general guide only. Various breeds mature at different rates, as do individual horses. Owners also vary in terms of the timetable and extent of training they provide to their horses. If you intend to compete with the horse, you need to take into account various applicable age restrictions as well as the competitive requirements in terms of timing and intensity of training. - 29953
