| Many people buy a horse which is too young for their | | | | children and new riders. They are also less expensive |
| requirements, and consequently pay more than they | | | | to buy as they are less popular. If the horse is not too |
| should, as well as getting a horse which lacks the | | | | old and has been well treated, it should still have many |
| required maturity and training. Less often, the opposite | | | | years of riding left. However, one would not want to |
| mistake is made, of buying a horse which is too old to | | | | purchase a horse which is too old for the number of |
| provide the desired years of future riding. This article | | | | years you intend to ride it. |
| considers these issues in terms of the advantages | | | | 3-Year Old. A three year old horse (depending on |
| and disadvantages of various horse ages. | | | | breed) is ready to start its training and you can enjoy |
| Horse of 4 years. Horses typically start training at 3 | | | | this experience. However, it is usually less expensive to |
| years, with basic training complete by age 4. Such a | | | | buy a trained 4 year old that is ready to ride than to |
| horse is old enough for riding immediately but still young | | | | buy a 3 year old and pay for a year's stabling and |
| enough for advanced training if you wish. Although it | | | | training. |
| may be a bit more expensive than a younger horse, | | | | Less than 3 years old. Watching a horse grow up can |
| the difference is partly offset by saving the fees on | | | | give immeasurable pleasure, something like watching |
| basic training. | | | | young children mature. However, like young children, it |
| 5 to 7 Years Old. A trained horse of this age has all | | | | can be difficult to predict how they will turn out |
| the advantages of a 4-year old. However, it will be | | | | physically and otherwise, so a foal is more of a |
| more emotionally mature and calmer, and may be | | | | gamble than a mature horse. Although foals are less |
| trained to a higher level as well. All of these factors | | | | expensive to buy than mature horses of the same |
| make it easier to manage and more reliable than a | | | | quality, once one adds in the cost of stabling and |
| younger horse, so it is more suitable for new riders | | | | training before it is ready to ride, they are usually more |
| and for children. However, as a horse gets older it | | | | expensive in the end. |
| becomes more difficult and consequently more | | | | The above observations are of a general nature. The |
| expensive to train so one should ensure that the horse | | | | rate at which horses mature and the age at which |
| is fully trained before the end of this period. | | | | they should be trained depends partly on breed. If you |
| Over 7 Years. Older horses are increasingly calm and | | | | are intending to use the horse for show or competition, |
| dependable. Consequently, the older horse is great for | | | | associated age restrictions will also be a consideration. |