[QUOTE=DUSTY;About 4 years ago I fell in love with a 14hh fell pony t
His brother who refused to sell the pony. Now I have the opportunity to have the fell. It is now about 9 or 10. I don't know anything about his life before only that for the last 4 years he's been turned out to grass.
He's friendly and will let me stroke him and groom him. I had a pony many years ago so the actual looking after one isn't an issue, I know the costs ( the vets made a living from me )and commitment involved and I have my own land. My concern is whether he is too old to work with and to look at riding him? As I'm the wrong side of 40 now I don't bounce as well as I used to so falls will hurt::[/QUOTE]

Simple Question: Can a 40+ lady with good intentions ride a 10 year old 14H Fell gelding
Simple Answer: Yes, if the woman knows what she is doing

Better Question : Is this a wise course of action for a lady who has not ridden for a decade or more?
Honest Answer : Who knows without seeing the lady ride a different but more recently used 14Hpony.
Who knows without seeing the Fell pony in question
Who knows without seeing the Lady mounted on the Fell
Who knows without assessing the knowledge and nature of the woman

The very fact you have asked such a complicated question over the Internet would suggest that you do not have the required knowledge but at the same time it also indicates that you yourself question whether you have the ability.
and the knowledge required.

BUT the fact also remains that the Fell needs a better home than it has got
& The Lady seems to have both good intentions and the land on which to keep the pony.

The big consideration in this case is what is best for the Pony?

May I suggest that before you enter into a committment to a living creature which is 100% dependent on its owner for its well being that you sit down with pen and paper and ask yourself exactly why you are prepared to tke this step. Owning a Pony is a significant responsibility not to be undertaken lightly.
Secondly Please look around amongst you local friends and acquaintances as to whether there is anyone with a recent knowledge of owning a horse which they have kept on their own land. You will need their help and supervision.

You can be taught to ride.
The pony can be sent away to be rebacked.
Your land can be re-equipped to house the pony.

But the undeniable problem is whether you can acquire on your own sufficient knowledge and ability to be safe to take the pony out onto the nearby lanes without company.

What we are discussing here is not so much what you do know about horses but what you do not know.

Owning a horse, whatever its size, is not a sport or a hobby, it is a way of life. A Fell could live you out.

The fundamental question in this case is not: 'Can you take on this pony?'
it is: 'Should you take on this pony bearing in mind your lack of experience?'