About 4 years ago I fell in love with a 14hh fell pony that was owned by a someone who became a good friend.

He jointly owned the pony with his brother who refused to sell the pony even though he wasn't doing anything with him .

Now I have the opportunity to have the fell but.......by my reckoning he's 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 but other than that I don't know.

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 ----is he too old to work with 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

i dont think so - ive got a 9 yo welsh a stallion who i have just started to break in - if you are worried about getting hurt yourself - i would suggest finding someone reputable in your area to break him in or reschool him for you. this way he can be correctly started and your mind can be put at ease.

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If you are planning to get him into competitions I think he is too old to start through this, if it's just riding then I prefer you see him got ridden by someone experienced several times who can find out any bad behaviours that might be there, don't take the risk of buying him after being away of you those years, check my post, my fall was on a mare that a friend told me she is fine and that he rode her few weeks ago, when i went to try her she was already abused during this time and turned so wild, but we found out that late.

Buy a horse with a good reputation or one that you tried before over long period.

Good luck!

sorry got to disagree that the pony is too old to aim for competitions - i have a mare on lease who admitedly was broken in aged 6, but then did virtually nothing for a couple of years or so and she had her first season under saddle with me last year aged 9 and she was very highly placed at the royal welsh show in both the open class and the hoys qualifier out of 40+ other horses. my next aim after she has had the foal she is hopefully carrying is to teach her to jump - horses and ponies can work well into their 20s so many years ahead of them dont discount them too early!

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His age would not concern me but Iwould want to know what his history was before I took him on.
Was he ever broken toride and if so why was he turned away.
If he had never been broken I would want to know why.
The most important thing to find out is if he was started and then left as this could have been for many reasons one of which may be he was dangerous or had a bad vice such as bucking,rearing etc.
If he was simply turned away after being ridden due to lack of rider then I would not be put off by his age at all.
As Merlyn says ponies can work well intotheir 20's or even 30's so 9 or ten is young.
Just make sure you ask all the questions before making a decision.

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Many thanks for your replies.

I'm not intending to compete, I just want a decent hack.

The Fell was apparently broken at about 3 years and bought to use for driving but this never happened and he's been turned out ever since.

Many thanks for your replies and for your support.

I'm not intending to compete, I just want a decent hack to enjoy riding.....-- next year when I am able to retire (early --- yay thanks to my job ).having experienced the joy of having your own pony as a teens into my 20's.

I've not ridden for about 10 years and didn't relish the thought of spending more time on the ground rather than in the saddle lol!

The Fell was apparently broken at about 3 years (has been gelded) and bought to use for driving but this never happened and he's been turned out ever since.

I'll spend some time with him and see how he reacts to me doing general stuff like leading him in halter etc. If all goes well then I can use the time before I finish work to hopefully bring him on as i'm moving shortly to a place with my own land it'll be easier to get his confidence.

[I][I]DUSTY
Advice please

"Now I have the opportunity to have the fell but.......by my reckoning he's 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."

There are stars in your eyes - so it might be a good idea to let a horsey acquaintance, who has a horse, look over this chap for you.
Older horses left out at grass present different problems. Being a Fell he might now be very independent. But there again he might welcome some attention. You are besottedd so let someone else cast an eye over for you.

"He's friendly and will let me stroke him and groom him but other than that I don't know."
My bet is that you went up with a carrot and slipped the head collar on when we wasn't looking. Try it again one your own , without the carrot.
If he lets you catch him, that's a very good sign.

"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." Once bitten, twice bitten by a bug. Lucky lady.
Horses are good at eating grass - especially Fells.

"My concern is ----is he too old to work with to look at riding him?"
No he is not too old - it is just that he might now be crafty.
As for your riding him - well do you know how to do it?

"As i'm the wrong side of 40 now I don't bounce as well as I used to so falls will hurt "
Are you saying you are in your thirties???
Falling off hurts at any age - it is just that after 70 you don't heal as quickly.


If you decide to do this - you will need help. Think about where you will find it. The Fell pony can be delightful - they can be sharp little devils.
Your success lies in your willingness to learn and the pony's liking for you.

He has nothing to lose by the sound of it - you - well whats a few bruises between friends??

First thing to buy: - a riding hat
second a padded jacket which you feel comfortable in
third a BHS manual telling you how to do it.

Then open up an account at the local tack & feed shop.
B G

the thing you have to ask yourself is am I ready to deal with the consequences if this horse turns out to be soemthing I cant handle?
Buying from the field is a risky business. It's best left to the professionals IMHO, find out why he was turned around (injury- if so what - what are the chances of full recovery?)

If 'alll' you want is a hack, there are plenty of hacking sound safe horses his age (not a problem!) older, younger.

Price also massively influential for simply a hack and also green from field.

Hope this helps!

I know this is an old thread,

But 9-10 years of age isnt old in the slightest. That isnt even their 'prime'

I agree if you did go for it, think wisely as problems can soon escalate.