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Original poster

Buying a horse!

20 replies

AHorseOfCourse · 18/07/2017 13:52

Off to view a horse tomorrow. Feel like I have no idea what I'm doing or getting myself into! Is it normal to be this trepidatious about buying a horse?

(30 yrs riding and previously owned a pony so not factually true).

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RatherBeRiding · 18/07/2017 14:17

Are you taking someone with you? Buying a horse is a huge undertaking. I've seen so many people make huge mistakes, get totally unsuitable horses, been hopelessly over-horsed, been lied to by sellers etc etc.

I'm not saying this will happen to you, but please be wary.

Long ago I made the decision never to buy a horse again unless I personally knew the seller, or someone who I trusted knew the seller, and could vouch for the horse.

Sorry to be a wet blanket - looking at horses should be tremendously exciting but it is a potential minefield. Go with an open mind. Don't be rushed into a decision. If you like a horse don't say Yes there and then - go back for a second viewing and take someone with you!

BaldricksWife · 18/07/2017 15:23

What RatherbeRiding has said. Know your abilities and keep in mind what you want the horse for and don't get carried away by a pretty one. Handsome is as handsome does- also, if you are vetting make sure you take some bloods. Good luck!

Namechangetempissue · 18/07/2017 15:45

Will you be getting it vetted if you like it? Don't skimp on this! I wouldn't buy without a 5 star. I always take a second opinion along. I get it though, it is nerve wracking!!!

WillowCloud · 18/07/2017 16:26

Horse shopping - how exciting!!!

Having just been through the process, two failed vettings and eventually finding the perfect boy I think you are absolutely right to be trepidacious about it. There are a lot of cowboys out there selling duff animals so don't trust anyone, no matter how nice they seem.

I saw some beautiful horses, but lots with issues. The first was a roarer....dealer reckoned it would improve with fitness or he could be hobdayed but he was barefoot and unfit which left the question as to why she wasn't working on getting him fit. The second had an abdominal scar (previous colic surgery....no thanks). The third had a horrible canter. Then there was the one that failed the vetting on a sore back (I'd noticed the soreness so asked the vet to take a better look), she was also lame on flexion & tight circle and had an issue with one eye. Next was the one that went to bronc after a small jump while they were riding - they told me it was saddle-related, I said thanks but no thanks without even getting on. Another that had had surgery for kissing spines...lovely boy but an uncomfortable ride. And one that ticked every box but just didn't do it for me....that was a hard one to explain to the seller because there was nothing wrong with him.

All of the above were problems that came to light once I saw them in the flesh and all of them were priced between £4-7k so not cheap. I eventually found my gorgeous boy and we clicked. He looked right, he felt right and he passed the vetting.

My biggest piece of advice would be to trust your gut. It's a lot like finding a husband...there's a lot of frogs out there but once you find the one you just know.

Butkin1 · 18/07/2017 16:27

Ditto what others have said. I would also suggest if you're looking for a specific type go and see a couple more - even if you buy the first one - just to make sure you know exactly what is available, what suits you and what prices they are fetching.

friendlysnakehere · 18/07/2017 16:32

I am cautiously looking to buy a horse in the next year or so.

I think that you are right to tread carefully, local to me some dealers were working with a vet to sedate and pass these poor animals who should not ever be ridden.

Some of them have been prosecuted now but it's made me want to take someone much more experienced with me.

Also, are you on any equestrian groups on FB? I joined some last year and it has been invaluable for 'tip offs' as to who is a dodgy dealer/private seller.

Exciting though.

jmscp2015 · 18/07/2017 16:33

It's a bloody mindfield and some private sellers are worse than dodgy dealers these days! Sad

Good luck, take somebody knowledgable and impartial with you!

New ponies are very exciting, hope you find your perfect partner!

Also as a side note if you get them, give it a good go and it doesn't work out, don't be ashamed to say it's just not working. I've done it a couple of times and now I have my perfect match. Instead of blindly plugging away at something that just doesn't work. And they in turn are very happy with there new humans and work!

There's a horse out there for everybody. Smile

friendlysnakehere · 18/07/2017 17:04

jmscp2015 too true, I lurk on the equestrian grapevine and am Shock at some of the dodgy private sellers.
Loan ponies being sold on etc

Original poster
AHorseOfCourse · 18/07/2017 17:14

Ta for the advice. I wouldn't buy without a 5 stage vetting and have already looked up a vet and prices!

Trying 2 from the same dealer this week then one from a private seller at the weekend. Private seller is on our yard (DD has a loan pony) so will be able to ask around about the horse and it would be kept there too if I bought it.

I'm on a local facebook group and no one has posted anything bad about the dealer ever.

I know what I'm after so will have a clue after riding it. I want something forward going that I can have fun on, not interested in competing seriously at my age!

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jmscp2015 · 18/07/2017 17:18

@AHorseOfCourse there's nothing wrong with a good dealer Smile they're often more straight up and honest about the horse than a private selller as there is less emotional attachment.

As a family we brought 3 horses from the same dealer. My current mare is from that dealer, unfortunately she's now retired or I would recommend her!

Butkin1 · 18/07/2017 17:42

We use Horsequest to both buy and sell our ponies and has worked out well.

Recently we sold a pony through a dealer - because we didn't have a menage with quality jumps to show him off - and that worked well.

However the purchaser will have 14 days to return him as that is a rule of a dealer (as opposed to us as a private seller) so we're keeping our fingers crossed he works out for the new people.

Namechangetempissue · 18/07/2017 18:56

Butkin - the dealer actually has to give the buyer 30 days to reject now by law, not the 14 so don't listen to this rule of the dealer -it means nothing. Fingers crossed your sale works out, I'm sure it will be fine as you sound like you have been honest!

Namechangetempissue · 18/07/2017 18:57

www.tozers.co.uk/6442-2/

Some advice here

NamelessEnsign · 18/07/2017 19:07

Ooh I read an interesting blog about this today! buying a horse

Good luck Smile

Original poster
AHorseOfCourse · 22/07/2017 15:35

So, horse #1 was lovely and ticked every box, but I went to try #2 today and immediately knew it wasn't right for me. I'm having #1 vetted so will see what's what after that. It comes with no tack (#2 came with rack and rugs) so I won't be able to ride straight away but he was too good to pass up.

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Letitrain · 23/07/2017 11:48

Sounds hopeful OP. Make it clear to the vet what you want to do with the horse. Wouldn't worry about no tack. I've.bought two in the past who came with saddles, but neither fitted properly.

Original poster
AHorseOfCourse · 25/07/2017 17:59

It failed! Bit sad now.

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Letitrain · 25/07/2017 19:15

Oh bugger. What did it fail on? Flexion?

mrslaughan · 26/07/2017 08:07

It does happen - it took me 6 months to find my new boy - and he flew through the vetting, but previously I had had horses fail - one I was desperate to buy - and he looked as sound as a pound - but once he became lame during the vetting he deteriorated quickly. He was just not the horse for me.
I know it's hard - but you will find the one , but be prepared for it to take awhile.

Original poster
AHorseOfCourse · 26/07/2017 16:23

He had a hot leg with a lump, vet reckoned a splint is forming. Possibly due to that he went very slightly lame on the second ridden part and was head nodding.

A few other things were noted but vet suggested rechecking his leg in a week because he was so lovely.

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