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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a horse without viewing it?

54 replies

Clipityclopity · 06/09/2022 21:03

I’ve never bought unseen before, but we live fairly remotely and there’s not many horses for sale within 100 miles of us.

I’ve seen some lovely showjumping/eventing prospects being sold down in the very south of England- i could drive down but it would be a 1000 mile + round trip and honestly I don’t want to do that

would you risk buying unseen? I will be viewing videos, getting a full 5 stage vetting and possibly X-rays. I’ve always liked to ride at viewings to get a feel for the horse and I know it’s risky not doing this, but it would be so, so much easier.

AIBU to consider taking the plunge and buying unseen? Have you ever done it?

OP posts:
Creepymanonagoatfarm · 06/09/2022 21:06

Neigh chance...

LaPufalina · 06/09/2022 21:07

Might be better posting on the tack room board!

AlexandraJJ · 06/09/2022 21:09

Nope me neither. I’ve travelled abroad in my 30s to view horses. If you can afford to take the financial and emotional hit if it doesn’t work out, go for it. Are you looking at dealers, studs or private sales?

NotTheMrMenAgain · 06/09/2022 21:09

Neigh chance! You gotta make sure it’s got a leg at each corner in person, surely?!

Laughsandgiggles · 06/09/2022 21:09

Could you find someone unconnected, maybe a professional, who lives nearby who could view it for you? Obv at a price.
A friend did that during Covid as we couldn't travel in our area but travel was allowed in horses area.

Thedungeondragon · 06/09/2022 21:11

Not a chance. Could you not make a trip of a it and view a few over a weekend? Unless you are really not fussy on what you end up with, you are taking a massive risk buying unseen.

Dontstopmenowimhavingaball · 06/09/2022 21:12

I would consider it if I could find a local vet who would go and look and do a thorough vetting

or if I was a billionaire with money to burn

Noideawhattowritehere · 06/09/2022 21:15

Think of it like this - especially if you're planning on jumping, you're effectively putting your own life in this horse's hands/hooves. Madness not to make sure they're a nice person first.

Then there's the huge differences I've found when viewing horses in person between the ad and what's in actually the stable, including height, fitness, ability to jump and tendancy to bite!

CrotchetyQuaver · 06/09/2022 21:16

No
Presumably you're spending a lot in this. If it's to work out for you, you need to "click" with the horse. You won't know that until you get it home and ride it, could be a very expensive mistake.
I'd buy a cheap foal unseen, but not much else...

secrethedgehog · 06/09/2022 21:17

Not in those circumstances
Have bought a just backed cheap 4 yr old unseen and a couple of childrens ponies but from friends
No way would I buy an expensive competition horse
Even if there was nothing wrong with it you might just not like the way it felt to ride,
Can't you take a weekend viewing trip or something?
Market is Definitely cooling down so less panic

berksandbeyond · 06/09/2022 21:20

Why on earth wouldn't you just fly down and make a weekend of it?
If you can't afford that then you can't afford a horse

Isthisexpected · 06/09/2022 21:21

No way. Not for eventing/jumping.

Isthisexpected · 06/09/2022 21:22

Why on earth wouldn't you just fly down

^ not sure why you equate choosing not to do short haul with having too little money

oakleaffy · 06/09/2022 21:23

A horse of this calibre won’t be cheap.
To scrimp on viewing and seeing it ridden and riding yourself is bonkers.
Don’t buy any animal sight unseen - Especially not a horse.
Some horses are not what they seem in the ads - Or videos.

Cocopogo · 06/09/2022 21:23

Nope def not a good idea unless you personally know the vet down there and someone independent to view for you. In my experience they are very different to what you expect. You need to see how well it goes in box, stable, catch etc and not just for owner but for you. Horses act very differently to different people!

mindutopia · 06/09/2022 21:25

I would personally absolutely view in person. I drove from the far south west to Yorkshire to view my horse. He was a yearling so not even ridden and mostly unhandled. I went for the vetting and had a good chat with the seller and vet. It was absolutely worth it. He’s the most amazing horse and the visit cemented my decision.

BUT I viewed a pony for my dc a couple weeks ago. He looked so lovely in photos and his video. But his temperament was just not quite right when I handled him. He bit me and was really spooky and tense. Totally different to his videos. I’m sure he’d come on and he’ll be a lovely pony. But it was very clear he wasn’t right for us once I met him.

alwaysmovingforwards · 06/09/2022 21:26

I'd only buy unseen if I could afford to give it away the following week.

Trivium4all · 06/09/2022 21:27

Nope. How will you have an idea if you'll get on? I'd rather have a sit on it (or several) than a tonne of X-rays, tbh. Also good to take another person along who knows you well as a rider, unless you've really bought loads by yourself.

nomoreflyingfucks · 06/09/2022 21:32

Yes yabu! But honestly op, no way would I buy a horse without viewing it first, far too many unknowns. I assume you would your vet for the vetting procedure?

carefullycourageous · 06/09/2022 21:32

That would be a really risky thing to do.

You can do as you wish but you should be honest with yourself about the risk you are taking and confident you can afford to lose the money.

Eyesopenwideawake · 06/09/2022 21:33

If it's commercial rather than emotional decision, then yes. If there's nothing wring with the horse but you just don't gel with him/her you can sell on.

I've bought 4 horses unseen. All were absolutely fine (although leisure rather than competition).

Eyesopenwideawake · 06/09/2022 21:34

wring = wrong.

oakleaffy · 06/09/2022 21:34

There is a notorious dealer’s yard that is aimed at novices.
They LOVE the novice who buys from descriptions and videos alone.
Here is a mock ad of the type they use:

DOLORES
Dolores is a 9 y o 16:2hh Dappled Grey Irish Draught Mare
She is currently jumping 1.10 m courses
She is ideal for any member of the family
Good in traffic
Rides at the end of the buckle.

Dolores may have sarcoids and be a wobbler…

The disasters novices have had here are legendary.
So say vets refuse to even do 5 stage vettings there.

Original poster
Clipityclopity · 06/09/2022 21:34

very interested as to where you got the idea I can’t afford it from?

I absolutely would book a flight and go down tomorrow if it were that easy- it’s not about the cost (otherwise, would I really be buying a BE or BS horse?) but about the distance. It’s logistically a bit awkward with where I live in terms of distance, and not everyone can hop on a flight and be there straight away. Even then, some yards are literally nowhere near airports so it’s not that easy. I’ve also got a job that means I can’t just book this weekend off on a whim, aswell as commitments with my current horse and riding. It’s nothing to do with cost but thanks for your concern!

Thanks to everyone for the advice 👍 buying (and selling!) is so tough at the moment and it feels like all the nice ones are the opposite end of the country from me (literally!) hence why I wondered about buying unseen and risking it- I know of a few people who have done it and it’s worked out but I’ve never done it before as I’ve always wanted to get a feel for the horse. I think I’ll be leaving the unseen idea as it’s just too risky.

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 06/09/2022 21:35

I’d be hard pushed to buy anything that’s either alive or costly before viewing it.

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