Frustrating ageism

C

Catherine

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Dec 5, 1999
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Alresford, England
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I just need to get this off my chest, so, sorry!

I've been saving up (for ages) to buy one of my horses a lovely snuggly all-singing all-dancing FAL turnout rug. Off I went to my saddler, feeling quite gleeful that I could finally go and buy her rug.

Into the shop I went, to be greeted by an assistant I've known for ages, and a new girl. I passed the time of day, and then went to look through the rugs to see if they had the size I wanted.

Over came New Girl. "Do you need any help?" she asked. "Oh, have you got the Goliath with the detatchable neck in a 6'3"?" I replied. She enquired what build of horse mine was, to be sure of the fit, so I replied that she was about 16.1hh, but quite light-framed, as she was getting older and therefore carrying less bulk. New Girl asked "How old is she?" When I replied that she was 29, her mouth fell open, and she asked why I wanted to spend that much money on a horse that was that old, and didn't I want to consider something cheaper.

I took one long look at her and left the shop, as what was going through my mind could not be said out loud in polite company, and ought not to be typed here either.

I am just so angry that someone could think my horse wasn't worth spending the money on. This particular horse means more than anything to me, and, yes, she is old, and isn't going to live forever, but I don't see why that should affect my judgement if I want to spend my money on her. Right now, she is fit, still being exercised four to five times a week, and will race her five-year old son up the gallops at the drop of a hat!
Grrrrrr!
 
Ignore the patronising *!$"@#@! we have a 38 year old pony on our yard who is fed on conditioning mix to keep her weight right and is snuggled up in rugs whenever she needs it. The only reason she has cheap rugs is because she is the No. 1 rug-trasher!
My mate's horse will be 21 this year, he was bought a new (expensive) dressage saddle last year because he had put so much muscle on. He is still competing happily in affiliated dressage and is working at Prix St george level! Even so she still got comments about 'is it worth it for such an old horse'. We just have to laugh when he beats the pants off their horses!
 
Good news

The assistant that I know at the saddlery rang yesterday late afternoon to check I was OK. Apparently, she'd asked the new girl why I'd left so quickly. She'd then told the owner that he might have lost a rather good customer due to the new girl's attitude - I have seven horses and almost always always shop there. He was rather angry and told the new girl off, and said that if she can't keep such stupid opinions to herself, she can leave!

So I feel much better now, and shall just make sure she never serves me again. Although if the owner had a go at her, she'll probably steer clear of me anyway!

Thank you for feeling the same as me!
 
Don't feel ashamed at all. It was a cruel and thoughtless thing to say to anyone.

As the owner of a older pony I get it all the time. I was recently told by one lady not to buy her because of the enormous vets bills she'll run up because she's old.

On a recent riding club team competition I was told by one of the ladies that there was no way we would ever be considered to go to the finals at Hickstead because my pony was too old and couldn't take the strain. Apparantly, the old ponies who 'can't hack it' any more qualify the more capable horses & riders. Can you believe it!!!
 
It's sad you ran into this air head!

My old horse is about the same age, he did his best for me through his working life, looked after me, won me things at shows and generally made me look good in public!!:D :D Can't put a price on that can you?

He gets pampered in his old age and will to the day he dies!
 
Well said Wally! My beautiful girl is spoilt to death and she always will be. She too works very hard and does her best for me. Why shouldn't she enjoy the good things in life!
 
To my mind the older they get, the more we owe them! The old chap that was kept with my horse (I looked after him even though he wasn't mine) got a new rug at age 30. I told his owner that he was losing weight, his old rug was rubbing, and he needed a better one. To her credit, she coughed up for a new one without a murmur. Kestrel lived for another 2 years, and they were comfortable years, which is what he was owed after all the good times he gave both me and his owner.

Thank goodness that thoughtless pratt of an assistant got the telling off she deserved. Idiots like that don't deserve to be involved with any animals at all, however marginally!

I read something recently that I think was credited to Arthur Kottas (I'm sure it was in the Classical Riding Club newsletter anyway) that said that a horse in its teens is just coming into its prime. The Lippizzaners from the Spanish Riding School all work well into their 20s.

Catherine, you are not alone. I would have been just as angry.
 
Your post reminded me of the wonderful Quarter horse X palimino gelding my husband and I bought when we were courting. (A horseback romance - the guy knew the way to my heart. Of course, now he doesn't ride at all - he's a farmer who says he can't afford to come off and break an arm and be out for the growing season...) Anyways, we went to see this horse who was supposed to be 18 and we bought him because of his super attitude - very forward but responsible and paid attention to the rider. Vet came out on routine call and said "18? More like 28!" We would always laugh because old 'pushing 30' would always outdo the five year old mare on the trails. And the old gent thought he was still a stud, too. What a spectacle but the mare didn't seem to mind.
 
We live in a disposable society with a style over substance mentality! If something is old ditch it! Two ponies I know, diffrent places, will never see thirty again but neither are fed extra feed as "they are not worth it" A Dartmoor winter versus economic sense. On that basis my old dog should have been put down 12 months ago. Instead have three dogs on three different feeds, the one for the eldest costs £40 a bag!
 
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