I went to view a horse today, can I have some advice please

[NagNagN4g]

So, I went to view my first ever horse today (ridden nearly 30 years, had numerous loan horses just never my own).

Perfect in every way... height, colour, breed, price and location. He was a perfect gentleman on the ground, as his own said he was.

Got on and did some walking and trotting in a paddock, he’s forward going and a little bit strong (as he was advertised to be). But did lots of transitions and he listened nicely.

Thought I was ready to canter so went down to the bottom of the field to come back up again and disaster struck! I asked for canter, he put his head down, reared up slightly, went down again and as he went down I went over and fell off! His owner said he has never ever done that before, she was mortified and her immediate reaction made me believe it was completely out of the blue (I had a very knowledgeable friend with me as well).

She got straight on him, cantered around no problems. I got back on and trotted around then did a few steps of canter so I didn’t lose my nerve.

He hasn’t been in consistent work for months, this was the first time he’d been ridden properly in weeks.

So wise MNetters, what would you do? Suck it up as a ‘shit happens’ and get on with it and buy him (I fell for him the second I saw his ad), or leave it and find something else?

I feel like we could have a really good partnership, but in the back of my head I know he’s done that and wonder if he’d do it again. I do believe his owner when they said he’s never done it before. They’ve owned him 3 years.

The fact that they let you ask for canter on an unfit horse up a hill would have me running for a different hill to be honest. IF he is what they presumably described in the ad I would either ride him for a few weeks before hand, or if that wasn't possible, send him away on sales livery. 'Sold from the field' basically means sold as seen with no warranty or come backs.

And strong in trot in comfortable surroundings by himself could essily translate to 'pulls like a train, knobhead out in company/strange places/with the wind up his arse'.

I was pretty brave and knowledgeable and fit at one point. I didn't mind fizzy horses. Or the odd quirk like bucking in high spirits. I didn't mind spooky horses in particular. But strong horses are basically horses that are rude. They know exactly what you mean when you ask them to slow, but argue. It's no fun some 15.2 cob towing your arms out and being worried about the brakes.

Keep looking. And always, always insist the seller gets on first. If it's not for you walk away then, not when you have ridden for 20 minutes.

You might find something in your budget, you might get lucky with a potentially difficult winter approaching.

Sorry to hear, didn’t the owner ride first? Always see it ridden by the seller in all paces, both reins and jumped if necessary.

I don’t like to lecture, but don’t touch a 4 year old unless you are pretty experienced.

Sometimes it works out but that’s the exception.

Also check out the dodgy dealer fb pages, a lot of those to avoid with a barge pole write amazing ads. A few dealers run some of the pages , join a few and you will get a feel for what goes on and who to avoid.

I would think unless it had really good breeding £2k is a lot for a 4yo.

Cob, preferably coloured but don’t mind black, bay or chestnut, 14.2

Times have changed :). I had a 14.2 coloured pony as a child. Boy was i looked down on by the pony club! Coloured was for poor people and travellers... plus side, she was cheap!

The only thing i would add is if you’re restricted by budget look at the older horses (personally i wouldn’t look at anything under 6 or 7 for a “hobby” rider that wants a safe ride with some novice comps).

Once a horse gets to 10 or 11 the price starts to drop off rapidly. You will get a lot more horse for your money, you’ll have a fair idea of their temperament and abilities, and if it’s fit it will easily still be competing into it’s 20’s. You’ll likely find a decent level horse that someone has moved on from.

Best horse i ever had was one i took on at 15. Had nearly another 10 years of novice and intermediate competition, and was still hacking out at 30. And that was a horse with an extensive medical history.

I'm glad that you walked away. There's a lot about what you wrote that sounds iffy. Aside from the "he's never done that before" line, nobody would "hardly do any work recently" with something they're selling unless it's sold from the field.

If something makes you feel worried that you may lose your confidence when you're only trying it move on. The odds are a horse will be slightly more spooky/strong/whatever else you minutely felt when you get it home, and unless you're experienced or confident it can escalate.

Try and take your instructor with you next time if you can.

Well the plan was for her to ride first, but that didn’t happen. I know the rules, I’m just not a confident person in these scenarios and now I wish I’d have been more outspoken and insisted she did.

No I won’t be getting a 4yo, that was just an example that I used.

I’m on a few of the dodgy dealer pages on fb, I did search for name before I went to view but as she’s a private seller nothing obviously came up.

You live and learn though I guess!

I am so glad you walked away, this screams dodgy from a mile away. First the out of work thing means either injured and no one knows if he’s sound or not, or insane and no one wants to go near him. The owner not riding him first confirms the insane hypothesis. Then he reared and you fell off - never get back on in such circumstances. Generally you should get back on for confidence reasons, but not on an unknown horse, with so many red flags who has already decked you. People are desperate to unload unsuitable horses and will let you sit on dangerous maniacs without saying a word.

You want a horse that is in work, doing the kinds of things you want to be doing. See them walk and trot in hand first, some will be lame so walk away. Always get the owner to ride first. Only get on if you feel safe. Always ride in an arena first. If all goes well then try a little hack but beware of tricks, e.g. never let the owner walk in front of you. Stop and start a few times on the way out, stop as soon as you turn ack towards home, turn back away from the yard when you are nearly there’s. These little provocations will tell you a lot about the horse’s temperament. And check the horse out in traffic, get the owner to drive a car past and the yard tractor - horses that are shy in traffic are lethal.

I know you are Home Counties but try EJC Equine on FB. She is in Gloucester. She sells a lot of horses but looking at her page will give you a good idea of a sensible price range for the type of thing you are looking for.

MTF cobs gets a lot of recommendations.

Haha, yes retrainingaracehorse i reckon you can probably add another k or 2 on to my ballpark for a nice, safe but not world beating horse if it's also pretty and/or a fashionable breed (ie not a cob or TB!). Even the colour can probably add quite a chunk, duns, palominos and coloureds seem to be in vogue atm, although everyone on my yard is currently fawning over an otherwise fairly ordinary dapple grey ISH thats just arrived...

It's a marketplace like any other really? Horses are worth what someone will pay and what lots of people want will command a premium. The vast majority of riders in this country do it as a hobby and want a safe, pleasurable, no fuss experience. So it makes sense that those types hold their worth. Fair enough your friend wouldn't pay £3k for a cob (i speak as someone who has never spent more than £1k on a horse but have lived to regret several purchases at that price!) - no-ones asking her to - it's your money and your horse at the end of the day so have a little more faith in yourself

My friend has just purchased a lovely 14.2hh coloured cob and has paid £2000. She’s not the best looker in the world but will do most jobs safely which is the main thing, I think a £3k budget should get you something safe and sound.

I love cobs but I do find that lots of them are strong, bargy and rude. I wondered if it was a cob thing or more that they are owned by people more likely to accept the behaviour.

Personally I love a good native pony, a highland would be perfect if you could find one in budget.

Good luck finding something op.

Definitely see if you can find a highland in budget. Have owned horses and ponies for 20 years, been riding for 30.

Bought a baby highland 3 years ago. Shes now 5 and just starting work. Absolute dream of a mare.

You can sometimes find unregistered ones or ones with a bit of white on for your budget.

Don't be too hung up on a cob either. Some very nice horses get passed up because they aren't cobs. Cobs aren't always as easy as you think as a pp mentioned. Some are bred in numbers and never handled properly as babies. Some end up with novice or nervous owners because everyone thinks a cob is easy and they learn very quickly to take the piss.

Feathers can also be an issue. Mites cause problems and mud fever in the winter and they can be difficult to keep clean and dry. And you can struggle to get a saddle suitable when you have a short, barrel like pony and an adult rider. And saddle problems cause back problems.

Section Ds could fit your bill though I would say some can be quirky.

But don't discount a nice horse because it's not a cob. Not necessarily a TB type, but a hunter type or riding horse type could easily do what you want it to do. I saw a nice 15.2 bay mare advertised somewhere on fb yesterday. Was 12 I think, done a bit of everything, owner off to uni. Wanted 2k for her with tack and rugs.

And if like me you are a bit heavier than 10 st don't assume that cobs are weight carriers. Lots I have seen lately have fantastic fronts but no rear end and not much bone. And what bone they do have is round (so round legs) rather than flat bone which is quality bone and will weight carry without causing issues. I would rather see 8in of good, flat bone than 10in of round bone poorly put together.

Have you looked at your local riding clubs fb pages? And maybe contact your local PC. Sometimes the DC will know of local families selling and word of mouth is one of the best ways.

Good luck, it's so exciting but don't rush. It took me 2 years to find my girl. That's her with my 4 year old on her. She was only backed in july by me, 40,fat and not ridden for 20 years. And am bringing her on with my very, very nervous 14 year old who although has had hours and hours of tuition over the last 10 years, is scared of her own shadow and had more or less given up. Definitely look at highlands.

Thank you all so much for replying, I really appreciate it.

boo I’m kicking myself now cause I know I should have insisted she rode first, I won’t be making that mistake again! She didn’t have a school so had to ride out in the paddock. I will most definitely be using this as a learning curve, I know the rules on buying a horse and I really need to learn to be more assertive. And yes, I will most definitely make sure I know the horse is in work. Thank you.

I follow EJC, MTG, CnG, Trina’s Cobs and Juliet Clark on Facebook and have done for a few months. CnG is too far but have good reviews so I follow her mainly so I can see the what she has and prices etc.

Thank you maxelly, your last sentence hit home really, I’ve always thought to myself ‘you may not spend that, but I would’ but again, my personality let’s me down as I tend to just go along with what people say. I think I need some assertive training! Or to grow a some balls and just speak my mind!

Grey I think you’re right about their behaviour, people just tend to accept it.

I’ve never thought about a Highland before, she’s just adorable Frouby. I’m definitely going to widen my search and keep and open mind. I love an Irish Draught but feel they’re too big and too much horse for me.

I did ask about mites when I went to view this horse cause he had a load of feather and I know it can be a problem. I’m not actually a fan of loads of feather so would keep them trimmed down anyway.

I did a lot of reasearch on Section D’s at the beginning of the summer as I think they’re stunning, but a lot of them are quite quirky, I haven’t discounted them though. I’m on a few Section D groups as well.

I’m definitely not rushing, this has really made me take stock and think about what I want. My riding instructor has deliberately got me riding all sorts of different horses so I can work out what I actually want, I don’t think she’s a fan of cobs and so was trying to make me see that looks aren’t everything (I don’t mean I want a pretty horse, I just love a stocky one and don’t feel drawn to skinny minnies!). But my search is most definitely going to widen now and I’m going to be more open minded and not scroll past if it’s not a cob!

Thank you all so much for your help and taking time to post.

You should never try a horse in a field, you need to be in an enclosed school - horse cannot then run off etc and softer landing if things go wrong.

Beware ones that have been out of work for a while - possible lameness issues, also ALWAYS get the horse vetted by an equine vet, not just someone from a normal practice.

Good luck!

I will keep my eye on my fb feed and if anything suitable pops up will pm it you.

Write yourself a list of questions to ask before you turn up to view. If they don't have a school (and lots dont) ask if there is a local one they can hire. Ask if the horse is at any competitions or events you can watch it at. Ask if you can have a lesson on it with your instructor. Ask if it's open to a 5 star vetting which will include bloods and full disclosure from its current vet.

It really is a minefield buying. I bought my highland unseen but I knew of the breeders and a 2 year old is very different to a riding animal. And when you do buy something, write your own reciept out saying what it is you have bought. So '15h 9 year old coloured cob, sound in wind and limb, suitable for pleasure and leisure riding' with the date, price paid and sellers name. And always screenshot and save the advert details.

Let us know how you get on, love a bit of horse shopping! My cousin is moving near us soon and is hankering after something similar to your list.

Many years ago a friend who wanted something pretty similar to you purchased an ISH ticked every box in and out of the stable and over the years I’ve seen many others with them I don’t think you can go wrong with one but a good one definitely won’t come cheap and anything around the 15.2 mark can be ridden by an adult or a older child thus increasing the demand.
Be careful of purchasing horses that are not “the best lookers in the world” if it’s conformation related, significant conformation faults in particular legs, very loaded shoulders short necks that last two especially in cobs are going to effect rideability as well as health. As a TB owner no one knows the importance of feet more than I do but it’s not just horn quality but shape many people seem to forget this. In a heavily built horse like a cob flat feet/ collapsed heals are very undesirable and could cause you much heart ache.

Bit late for that It most definitely wasn’t a soft landing! My neck is sore today, I landed on my back so think I have a bit of whiplash.

I’d never consider getting a horse without it being vetted first, I think it’s foolish not to.

Thank you Frouby I’d appreciate that. And yes I screenshot everything, this ad states never bucked or reared... famous last words! I’m going to keep an eye out and see if she’s still trying to sell him and whether the ad will change. She did say she’ll hold onto him now but who knows.

I’ve just joined a Highland and Natives group on fb so will keep an eye out on there as well.

I’ve always been put off ISH’s as everyone I’ve known has been a bit loopy! So it never even crossed my mind to look for one either, I do see a lot advertised though. As I said, my search is widening so I won’t rule anything out.

I’m quite good at looking at conformation and feet etc, whilst I’ve never owned my own I’ve ridden a very long time so come across some horrors in my time.

This is definitely a minefield and my head feels a bit all over the place as whilst I thought I knew what I wanted, it might not be what’s best suited for me and I just feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Forget about the breed. You are not going to show, nor are you going to compete in an area where the wrong breed is likely to be at a huge disadvantage.

Height and build are relevant as the horse needs to be able to carry you. Age I would say 8 minimum so that it has been out and seen the world and can look after you, maximum is up to you but 12 seems reasonable.

Now write a list of the things you want to do with the horse in order of importance. I assume hacking will be the main activity, so good in traffic, has breaks in open spaces. Then add any schooling or fun competing you want to do in whatever discipline. Then look on horsemart, horsequest, horse and hound , etc. for horses that fit this bill in your area.

Spend a lot of time of the phone with sellers. First figure out the history of the horse. Are you talking to the owner/rider or someone else? Have they had the horse long? What have they done with the horse (any affiliated results will be online, unaffiliated they should have test sheets, rosettes etc)? Why are they selling? How often has the horse seen the vet and why? Has it had any time off? Check there is an arena at the yard, plus the owner will ride the horse and that you can go for a short hack if you like it.

Aim to call a lot of people and you may need to view about 15 horses before you find the one. You are more likely to see rubbish horses than if you were buying a competition horse for 12k, so be on the look out for the horse someone is trying to offload.

I could find something within all your parameters, including shipping, apart from the 'cob' bit! (Nothing against cobs, I have a fantastic section D). To give you an example - only an example as I wouldn't part with him in a million years - I got a 9 year old 14.2 grey gelding with lovely manners, no vices and an very easy to keep for €900. He's a cruzado which means he's a Lusitano but without being registered. Even including shipping to the UK you'd be within budget.

Forget about the colour. As another former pony-clubber said here - when I was a kid coloured horses were the lowest of the low and it's always been a personal rule of never fucking ever!

I've just bought a skewbald bay tobiano.

Anyway my point is I've bought a number of horses over the years and this is the first I've tried and thought "fuck yeh". She'd not been ridden for 2 months and I took her straight to work on grass. I was serious impressed with her attitude.

The majority of the ones I've bought before I've hmmmned and thought "well I can work on this".

I had no pre-defined budget... Wasn't shopping but a friend put her up for sale so she was a known quantity - but had I gone to a dealer I was expecting to pay around the 5-7k mark. They always say to buy from a friend - but how often is a friend off-loading a quality nag?

Jack-Thomas Watson is another dealer with a good reputation although he's mostly dealing in IDs over 16hh on the younger side - but his reputation is very good. Up in Northumberland mind.

Definitely look outside of your area, we are in south yorkshire. Would probably find something decent oop north for that budget. And transport isn't as bad as you think. I had the highland brought down fro Aberdeenshire to just outside Sheffield for less than £300 and that included a 3 night sleepover at Gillies yard, the transporter I used. There are usually shared loads up and down the country every week.

Yy to transport being easy to arrange. Said skewbald travelled 400 miles and it cost not much more than a tank of fuel.