What is this horse worth?

[greatBritishBogOff]

I'd appreciate some advice please. I am considering buying a horse which has collapsed heels.

He will just be used for hacking. He ticks all the boxes, sounds wonderful (he's a failed polo pony, the collapsed heels came later as a result of poor farriery). He's 15.3hh, 17 years, low mileage. Same hacking home for last 6 years.

The bit I'm stuck on is his shoeing will be £120 every 5 weeks, forever . The seller is asking £1000, I don't know yet if that includes any tack/rugs. I'll chat with the farrier but from what I know, his feet don't cause any issues with the remedial shoeing.

Thoughts, experiences welcome

I had a horse with collapsed heels that I struggled to get sound for years. Eventually pulling his shoes and using boots for roadwork allowed his hooves to recover. I wouldn't go there again though! I would not take the horse as a gift. Horses are easy to buy and hard to sell and I would pass on this one, without a second thought.

I wouldn’t be paying that for a 17 year old horse with issues like that I’m afraid. I’d keep looking if I were you.

Thank you very much. Hmm. It's really hard, if it was via strangers I wouldn't consider it. Good point re being easy to buy, hard to sell. I need more info about his soundness then. I'll get him vetted if I proceed, but do vets know much about hooves or is the farrier much more expert? I know this particular farrier he has, he's quite young (but maybe I'm getting old!)

I'd speak to your r farrier, they train for four/five years specifically on feet! £1000 sounds a lot, what is the reason he is being sold for?
People IME ask money either so that the buyer is less inclined to neglect something they've paid for (?) Or to stop the animal being returned if gifted

I wouldn't buy a 17 year old who needed remedial shoeing unless he was already on my yard and I knew him well. The chances of having another field ornament are simply too high.

I had a very long conversation with his previous owner today, who sold him to the current owner. I know and trust her, and have history on him from around 4 yrs of age now! Previous owner has kept in touch with him as she has had him back on livery for periods, and given current owner lessons. I'm reassured about his feet and soundness, and that he sounds perfect for me...

Trying to keep my head until I actually meet him. I'm lucky enough to be having a weeks trial with him so will try and ride him often. Starting Sunday I'll keep you posted.

Don't think I've disregarded the advice re heels, age and value. It meant I probed, asked questions and researched, and have satisfied myself that he's worth a look. Thanks so much, I'll update after the weekend.

Reason for selling is current owner is not able to ride often enough and is a bit nervous when he's fresh

Brilliant! Hope it goes well on Sunday then!

£500 and contracted heels is easily sorted. DO NOT go down the remedial shoeing route. What you need to do is barefoot rehab. It's straightforward and a lot less than paying a farrier to basically cripple your horse.

Contracted heels and collapsed heels are very different.

Mine has contracted heels but resolves with a "hunter" style shoeing. I have had 4 farriers due to moving etc and not once suggested remedial shoeing.

As an ex polo groom that horse is over priced OP. You can find ex polo ponies for pennies if you just want a hacking pony. There is a facebook page called polo pastures where lots go onto.

I've not heard of contracted heels, it's definitely collapsed heels he has.

I didn't come back as he was ill with a mystery infection the day before the weeks trial and ended up in the equine hospital, though is back with his owner and having a rest!

I've joined polo pastures, thank you!

Horses come up on chuckkout polo too. Its a selling page on facebook.

And this group.

Brilliant, thank you very much