You can find good "been there, done that" type horses, suitable for beginners, that are much younger for decent prices. I know, I just found 2 myself! I should have them home around the end of the month...mine were priced at $3500 and $2000 and are both 11 year old mares. (Tennessee Walkers)
My mare is 11 years old, been with one family only, for her entire life. She is about as BOMBPROOF as one can be! She has been involved in war reenactments so has been shot from, carried flags (both sides) been tethered to a rope line, camped for days on end, been next to canons when they are fired off, been through lakes, woods, all types of terrain, and is a requirement to be well disciplined in order to be allowed to participate. She is broke to drive (either side) she said, so maybe not single, rides saddled, side-saddled, or bareback. Neck reins, has an EXCELLENT, SMOOTH ride. She said she has a "dog walk", which is the type used to walk with other breeds when out for a "normal" walk, then the flat walk (slow running walk), the normal fast running walk. No pace, no trot. She has a nice slow canter too, and is excellent on mounting and unmounting (both sides!) and will stand still for hours if asked, since again, with the reenactments, this was all a part of it! She does anything asked of her! She also hunts (allows shooting from her) and packs the dressed game (deer etc.) out on her, is solid around dogs, semis, 4 wheelers etc. Just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! She has done parades and is totally traffic safe. She bathes, lunges, ties, rides alone or anywhere in a group, loads, clips, neck reins etc. This was the $3500 mare.
My husband's mare has also done alot. She is also 11 years old, and has been in parades, used for 4H, has also only been raised with one family. She neck reins well, is easy to bridle, saddle, mount, and is great with her cues. Has a strong whoa! She goes through water, has been hauled all over to trail ride in various terrain. She has carried both children and adults safely and calmly. This mare was the $2000 mare.
They are both pretty much the same, only mine has more experience, but both are very suitable for beginners. I was set on finding geldings, but had to broaden my search to include mares, and found these. I have seen videos of both, and am really excited to get them home.
With selling my minis, I was finding myself really wanting to ride. I was originally set on a Quarterhorse but he was sold by the time I inquired on him, so I started my search again and found so many Walkers that sounded perfect for us, and the bonus was the SMOOOTH ride for my bad back!
Good Luck with your search!