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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

unbiased opinons needed: buying a horse

32 replies

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:03

I need some unbiased opinions on buying a horse.
Firstly I shall admit, I wasn't planning on buying a horse for another year or so.
BUT.
The school I ride at is having to sell some of their horses, and I would really love to buy him. I've known and ridden him for over 2 years, as has dd(7). He is a beautiful 15hh chestnut with the softest temperament, fantastic to ride, shoe etc.
The problem is that because of working shifts I'd have to keep him on full livery, at £100 a week, which we can afford, but DP wants to save every penny we have to make our house deposit higher. (We currently live in a family members house which is currently undergoing building work so we shall buy it in a few years when that is complete.)

DP says I am letting my love for this horse cloud my judgement. Obviously I'm going to sit down and have a think and make a budget plan to incorporate vets fees, insurance etc.

So I'm wandering what other horse lovers think.

Any opinions appreciated

OP posts:

ExitPursuedByaBear · 01/03/2012 16:07

Oh go on. Buy him.

CMOTDibbler · 01/03/2012 16:12

I guess the shifts would mean you'd get a fairly decent amount of riding in during the week ? And your dd too ?

Obv you do need to work out how much everthing costs - vaccs, worming, farrier, rugs, tack, and the rest, but I'd do it.

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:14

my feelings exactly

OP posts:

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:23

Yes, I work 4 days a week, so could ride him almost daily, plus dd rides on a sat/ sun, and MIL (bit of a horse mad family) has said she would like to ride him when I can't.
He has good quality tack/ rugs/ groom kit included so no big purchases required initally.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I'v never actually owned a horse before but have spent much of my life riding/ helping out at yards etc so I do understand the work involved.

OP posts:

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:24

that makes no sense.... I work 4 days a week but it's 8-6pm or 12-10pm and would ride before/ after work on those days

OP posts:

seeker · 01/03/2012 16:28

Any chance of him being on working livery and earn a bit of his own keep? That's what we do with dd's pony and it works well.

Poledra · 01/03/2012 16:28

Would MIL help out with the costs of keeping him if she had guaranteed riding time? I would if it were me.....

ExitPursuedByaBear · 01/03/2012 16:34

Incidentally - why are they selling some of the horses?

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:47

They're closing the school part and only keeping the livery yard open, which is a shame coz its a really good school. So they are selling off a few of the non-competing horses.
I never thought about asking MIL about contributing towards the cost (duh) I shall ask her later :-)

OP posts:

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 16:55

thank you all, off to parents evening now, shall tell discuss with DP when he gets in from work

OP posts:

Butkin · 01/03/2012 19:06

Are they asking a fair price? You don't mention how old he is. Would you buy him if he was for sale on in the internet (for example). You don't want the fact you know him to cloud your judgement although of course the fact you like him is important in the overall purchase.

100 pounds for full livery seems reasonable. As you say you'll just have to think about vets, insurance etc and what about tack for him?

seeker · 01/03/2012 20:03

And you are going to have him vetted, aren't you? Even though you're buying from someone you know?

snowpo · 01/03/2012 21:18

Just a thought. If you have time to ride most days couldn't you move him to somewhere with assisted diy and do the mucking out yourself. Really only takes 20-30mins to do stable/hay/water and you could pay for turn outs or bring ins. Might save you some money and even more so if you could leave him out 24/7 in the summer.

cazboldy · 01/03/2012 22:33

snowpo i was about to suggest the same.......

Jajas · 01/03/2012 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

jdandcoke · 01/03/2012 23:07

That's a good idea snowpo, shall have a look around for local fields and other yards.
And yes, will get him properly vetted etc.
Tack and rugs are included in the sale, which is £3250 (!!!) but he is 7 so seems reasonable.
Still a bit torn, unfortunately MIL has said she can't afford to contribute, but would help out when she could.
Arrrgggh decisions!!!!

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Pixel · 01/03/2012 23:52

If he's just the right horse for you and you know him well then I think you will regret it if you miss the chance of buying him. When you start looking for a horse it is a minefield, especially if you want one suitable to share with your dd and you have this one right under your nose. As others have said there are lots of ways you could lower the costs of his keep from what you have budgeted for. Perhaps there is even someone else at the stables who currently enjoys riding him and would be glad of the chance to have him one day a week (especially if the school is to be closed) and make a contribution towards costs if that makes the financial commitment seem a bit less scary for your dh.

seeker · 02/03/2012 07:04

When do you have to decide? That is quite a lot of money- have you looked around a bit to see what else is available- just to compare?

If he's used regularly in the school, do you think you'd be able to keep up the same level of exercise? He might be a bit mo of a handful without the work.

MortaIWombat · 02/03/2012 07:23

Offer £3000 and a good home. Go ooooonnnnnn. Go on go on go on.

Original poster

jdandcoke · 02/03/2012 09:52

I don't have to decide too quickly, but shall go and talk to the yard manager at the weekend. She did mention possibly reducing livery rates for the first X months.
Sleeping on it hasn't helped! I am loathe to miss such an opportunity but worry that I might be taking on too much...

OP posts:

seeker · 02/03/2012 09:57

I don't suppose it would help if I said that for 3 grand you could probably find a nice horse for you and a pony for dd and they could live together in a field with you paying a teenager to "do" them when you can't and you could ride out together..................

FannyPriceless · 02/03/2012 09:59

I'll put aside the fact that I'm very jealous, just to say be aware that some horses can behave differently when outside the school environment. Riding schools have particular set routines, hacks are always accompanied, etc. Do check out what this horse is likely to behave like outside this structured environment.

seeker · 02/03/2012 10:01

And don't forget the exercise thing- particularly as he's only 7. Dd's pony is at working livery and she's a venerable 17, but she has been known to take off with dd if she's had a week with no lessons!

Original poster

jdandcoke · 02/03/2012 10:34

seeker- That's the other thing I'm considering. Sharing with dd would be ideal in the short term but long term I think it would be nice to be able to hack out together.

Any ideas how can I assess how he's going to be outside of the school environment?

Working livery sounds ideal, I shall have a ring around other schools in the area.

OP posts:

Callisto · 02/03/2012 12:59

That is a lot of money for a 7yo that has done nothing but be a riding school horse imo. He sounds really overpriced and I can't see them selling him for that just because he has a nice nature. It really is a buyers market atm, the internet and auctions are awash with horses for sale.

Also, at 15hh surely he is way too big for your 7yo? My average height nearly 7yo DD is on a 12hh and he looks a bit big for her.

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