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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

Viewed a pony thats perfect but owner changed mind after 5* vetting done

66 replies

Sierraspider · 23/04/2015 11:12

We have been on the search for a pony/ horse for a while now and we viewed a lovely connemara that was perfect in every way. We tried her 3 times to be sure she was our forever friend, and she passed a 5 vetting which I paid for. Ide told my nearly 4 year old we were picking said pony up next week and paid a £350 cash deposit. I've just had a text from the ponies owner saying she's sorry but she has changed her mind as she thought there was something wrong with the ponies back (wtaf???!! Wasn't mentioned before or in the advert!) And because shed passed the 5 vetting shes decided to keep her. She said she will have to give me the deposit back next month as she doesn't have it anymore . I know there's nothing I can legally do about her changing her mind but what about my deposit? I'm majorly pissed off to say the least and now have to tell my daughter we wont be getting the pony. I also feel used - I feel like the owner used me to pay for a vetting knowing full well she would change her mind if the vetting came back 100%. I just need vent. Has anyone got any advice? The owner is a private seller and not a dealer.

I know there's nothing I can do but I'm so annoyed and need to vent.

OP posts:

ExitPursuedByABear · 24/04/2015 13:01

Good fucking grief. What a cheeky bitch! Definitely go on the dodgy horse dealers face book page www.facebook.com/groups/dodgydealers/
and post your story.

And definitely threaten her with the small claims court.

I thought I was pretty hardened to the ways of horse dealing but this takes the bloody

SunnyBaudelaire · 24/04/2015 13:01

there are people who pose as private owners but are in fact dealers...dodgy as hell.

Butkin · 24/04/2015 14:42

How awful for you - a real con job and I feel sorry for your DD.

I do think it is very odd though buying a 14hh Connemara for a 3yo. I wouldn't put a 3yo on anything bigger than 12 hands. Even my 12yo DD who is one of the most experienced show jockeys in the country is still only riding a 13hh show hunter!

britnay · 24/04/2015 18:22

Another who thinks 14hh is far too big. It sounds more like you are buying yourself a pony under the pretense that it is for her to grow into. I have a 13 hh welshie for me to ride and I occasionally give my 3yo pony rides on him. However I will take him for lessons when he is 4 and only if he enjoys it will I get him his own. And it will be something small that he will be able to groom by himself and that won't be too far for him to fall off. Also, he will want to be able to mount from the ground, especially if he joins pony club. Think about this before you look for another pony. You have plenty of years in the future for a mother-daughter share. At a young age, you want something that they can develop confidence and ability.

Original poster

Sierraspider · 24/04/2015 18:47

But wouldn't it mean selling the pony on when my daughter outgrew her? Shes been having 'lessons' (friend who is a very good bhs instructor) since she was 18 months old and can walk and trott confidently on my friends 13hh pony? 14hh is only a hand bigger and it would mean I could ride them too now and again. I'm not keen on getting a tiny pony for her because I know she will eventually out grow the pony and it will need selling on. Shes very nearly 4 and in 7-8 year old clothes because her dad is 6'4. His whole family are tall and shes taken after hin rather than me stumpy short 5'2 frame! Ide worry when I sold pony I wouldn't know where they are going. I know its a risk you take when selling but that is why I wanted to buy a forever horse that will last her. Shes definitely pony mad and will prob stay pony mad as shes been around horses since a newborn. And if she did go off horses when older I could keep pony for myself until it was his/ her time to go.

The owner of the pony is either a MNetter or has a friend on this thread whos shown her this because she text me threatening me for slander because I used her first name and apprently I will be getting my deposit back monday. We will see. I wont be suprised if this thread gets removed now but I have only told the truth. And have all the texts to prove that.

OP posts:

43percentburnt · 24/04/2015 18:58

Small claims court. Text surely proves deposit.

IDontDoIroning · 24/04/2015 19:04

If everything you posted is true then it isn't defamatory

Staywithme · 24/04/2015 19:05

In that case OP, hell slap it up her. I can't think what slander there's been? She took your deposit, found out the horse was in good health then refused to complete the deal, due to the fact the horse was in good health.

At least she'll now be aware that she'd lose in a small claims court.

CrispyFern · 24/04/2015 19:06

It's not slander if it's the truth.
Take her to small claims for the vet fees even if you get the deposit back. It might make her think again before she cons someone else.

Everstrong · 24/04/2015 19:06

Well if she is reading it it serves her right for being a lying madam! You aren't slandering her by stating facts and you haven't used her surname so she's not exactly identifiable!

Who the hell would spend a deposit before the sale is finalised?! Fur coat and no knickers by the sound of her!!

Original poster

Sierraspider · 24/04/2015 19:23

Yes, all true I havnt once lied about anything. What Staywithme said pretty much sums it up. If shes reading this still then why wont she answer my calls? I just want what is rightfully mine back which is at LEAST the £350 deposit for a pony she knew damn well she was never going to sell after I handed her the cash.

OP posts:

Igottastartthinkingbee · 24/04/2015 19:25

Wow! That's outrageous. Report to trading standards maybe? Not sure if it's their remit but they maybe able to help.

Gnightjimbob · 25/04/2015 10:33

Yes - honestly - don't buy a 14 hh for a littlie!

My DD is almost 8 and a very, VERY good rider and she has an 11 hh pony that she jumps, XC, dressages, hacks etc.

14hh will be overhorsed.

Gnightjimbob · 25/04/2015 10:38

I think it's unrealistic to say you will offer a forever home, actually. You don't knwo what is round the corner and your dd may grow bored, lose confidence etc and keeping a pony as a field ornament is not kind and very expensive! Do you have your own land?

mrslaughan · 25/04/2015 11:59

My son is 10 and is in year 12 clothing. We have just bought a 13.1 for him - 14 hh was at the top end of what we would look at - and I really didn't want to go that big. DD who is 5 and also tall for age - will be on lead rein.....

My son - who is of solid build, does not look big at all on her, infact a teenager has been doing some schooling and she may look a little big - but not outrageously.

britnay · 25/04/2015 18:25

I'm 30, 5ft3 and pony is 13 hh on his tippy-toes. I am fine on him, in fact he has decked several other adult riders who weren't paying attention as he is a "cute" pony. I certainly would not put a child on him, they would have no hope of being able to manage him.

Do your daughter a favour and get her a small loan pony. I'm sure your local pony club can recommend one. The good ones tend to find homes through word of mouth. That way she can have several years of fun on an experienced pony, which will be able to teach another child when she outgrows it. Then you can think about loaning or buying something bigger.

AuntieDee · 25/04/2015 20:06

That's actually really good advice from Britnay :)

Erudite · 26/04/2015 09:52

We have a Connie. They are amazing BUT they are NOt novice children's rides, IMHO. They are strong, fearless and stubborn, jump like stags and take some riding.

A 14hh Connemara for a not yet 4 year old is insanity.

Please loan a small 11 hh or share , get riding lessons and clue yourself up or someone is going to end up hurt.

So much damage is done physicaly and mentally by overhorsing.

Thistledew · 26/04/2015 17:11

I've come back to agree with the others who say that a 14hh pony is not suitable for your daughter.

She will need to be on the lead rein for far longer as she simply won't have the strength and weight to manage the pony on her own. Instead of being able to learn to use quiet and subtle aids she will have to rely on big flappy kicks because she won't be able to get enough of her leg on the pony. You can forget her jumping for quite some time yet- again her lack of leg on the pony will make it too hard for her to balance.

A smaller pony will mean that her riding will improve far more quickly and she will get more enjoyment out of it.

Butkin · 26/04/2015 18:09

Have a look at my photos (by clicking on my name). DD (12) rode the palomino (which she got when she was 7) who is 12.1 and won a Nursery (junior jumping competition for children up to 14) today on him. DW can easily ride him out. You'll get a chance for a mother/daughter share when she's 10+ Until then she needs to get a small pony (less than 12 hands) that she can learn to ride on and eventually bomb about on, jump, do pony club or whatever. Yes you may need to sell him on but (unless he's really old in which can you could retire him) this is normal - small ponies need to teach children to ride and children will outgrown them. They aren't field ornaments.

Butkin · 26/04/2015 18:10

Oh and she is still riding show pony - you'll see her riding him at Horse of the year Show - and she's only 12.2...

TheRestofmylifeiswaiting · 26/04/2015 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Sierraspider · 26/04/2015 22:10

Thanks everyone for your advice. Im supposedly getting the deposit back tomorrow so we will see.

Regarding everyone saying a connemara is too big for a near 4 year old, I have taken that on board but will not buy something that I'm going to need to sell down the line. I also wanted sonething i can ride. Im 5 foot 2 but weigh 11 stone so i dont think a 11hh pony would like me riding them! So... for now I've put looking for a pony to buy on hold (especially after this experience its put me right off!) And going to look for a part loan instead. Thanks again for all the helpful replies.

OP posts:

Erudite · 27/04/2015 08:12

I think that's wise.

If you intend on never selling then you will need two ponies or to wait some years.

We will sell DD's little 11 hh pony next year. We love him to bits but he is far too good to be field ornament and he needs to go and teach another little person to ride.

britnay · 27/04/2015 09:16

Out of interest OP, how long have you been riding for and have you owned or loaned your own before?

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