Could this horse work for me?

I'm going to assume that you really ARE the parent of a horsey daughter, not the girl herself trying to get ammunition for talking mommy into buying her a horsie. (And I'm sorry if you find my skepticism rude; spend just one week on this site, and you'll understand.)

You apparently don't have much experience with horses. And since the only thing you've told us about your daughter's skills is that she's been to a few riding camps, it's a safe bet she doesn't know much more than you do. (How long has she been riding? What does she know how to do? Does she have any horse CARE experience beyond just grooming and tacking up?) There's nothing inherently wrong with that: one doesn't need to be an expert to be supportive of one's children's sports. But it DOES mean that you should seek the advice of knowledgeable, competent horse people when horse shopping so that you can remain sensible and objective if your daughter falls in love with a thoroughly unsuitable prospect.

I get a little concerned when I hear that you want to buy her a horse INSTEAD OF sending her to camp. In fact, if she is getting a horse of her own with so little experience, she should get lessons from a qualified instructor IN ADDITION TO the horse. Even a very skilled rider is going to make mistakes in horsemanship and horse care with her first horse. It's inevitable because there is only so much one can learn from school horses in a riding program. So before you start horse shopping, enroll your daughter in a weekly lesson program so that you and she can develop a relationship with a horse person whose advice you're going to trust, and let her evaluate any prospective horse's suitability.

As far as this little mare goes -- I completely DISAGREE with the other answerers that 18 is "too old." First of all, horses typically live till their late 20s, and with good care, can remain healthy and serviceably sound till their very last days. Second, even if this mare does develop some age-related issue, by the time those begin to limit her usefulness, your daughter will most likely have "graduated" to a more advanced horse anyway. Realize, though, that you probably won't be able to rehome her at that point, so you need to set aside a retirement fund for her now so that you can afford to keep her as a pasture pet and companion to the new horse.

Likewise, I wouldn't worry too much about her conformation. After all, you are not buying an A-rated hunter prospect; you are looking for a kind, patient, bomb-proof first horse. Although I can't judge from these photos, she doesn't really seem that awful -- just sort of average. I don't even think she really IS sway-backed; to me, it looks more that she's standing on a hill. I WOULD steer away from a sway-backed horse however, not because they can't be ridden, but because it is so hard to fit a saddle!

I also think "advanced beginner" is a reasonable temperament for a kid's first horse. Although you need to ask the owner what s/he means by that, it usually implies a horse that is generally easy-going and cooperative as long as the rider has some basic knowledge. Again, this is where it is valuable to take an instructor with you who can ride the horse first and get a sense of her disposition.

The only thing that raises a red flag is that the ad says the owner hasn't cantered her yet. She's supposed to be a kid's horse; kids love cantering even when grownups are scared to. So I'd be suspicious that she tends to buck when asked to canter, and that's the REAL reason they haven't "evaluated her canter" yet. Your daughter does not need a rodeo bronc as a first horse, so if that's the case, keep looking.

She looks great and would be an excellent horse for her because the horse already has experience and she could maybe learn some things from her and if she is a level above then she could teach it something

Halter reins? I distrust that. If she needs an advances beginner then she could go out of control on your daughter and couldn't be brought back in. ALL my horses shoeless. It is never necessary to shoe unless the horse is worked on concrete or rocky ground. 18 is elderly. It's the start of the time when you may be having trouble with disorders like arthritis and hoof problems and organ problems. maybe not but why not get a younger horse. You can get a 5 to 8 year old sport horse that will be a better choice.

EDIT, that horse has so much wrong with it's conformation I don't know where to start.

"...will be assessed for cantering when ground is safe..." not sure what that means, but I'm going to assume it has to do with soundness and not that she hasn't been ridden in a while. Otherwise, she looks like a great mare. I'd go and have a look, that can't hurt. If she's all it says. I'd ask about how she loads into a trailer,

she looks beautiful and healthy i had a 17 year old before and he was as frisky and green as a two year old!

age shouldnt really matter if its in good health and she looks to be:) my horses never had shoes and i walk and trot them on asphalt ( tarmac) this wears down their hooves and only need the farrier out maybe once or twice a year and this is for shaping only! ask the previous oners though what shes done. you need to build up on tarmac riding if shes not used to it :). ya bitless bridles are much better with horses communication wise and teaches the horse and rider body language and how to think like a horse more. ya i always ride bareback. she looks and sounds good id get her. but remember you'll probably have her until she dies a first pony/horse is a forever pony <3 good luck :) tell me how you get on :)

I would ask your daughter and say what would like in a horse.. your age prefference, height, gender, ability etc.. I find it better if the child getting the horse choses one there self then has a parents final descion on everything so it fits her needs and abilities.