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.

I got the location wrong, thought it was Blackpool but it’s another place starting Black and only 2 and half hours away, much easier to get to.

Maybe I’ll message them.

Do it. Do it!

I have to upgrade the membership which costs £5 as the advert is less than 12 days old . I know it’s only a fiver, but still!

If you like the look of him pay the fiver a minuscule amount in comparison with the daily cost of horse ownership. Explain your situation say your really interested but obviously don’t want to travel 2 1/2 hours to find hes not as described. Ask to see a video of him being ridden, standing square without tack ion and being trotted up from the front and from behind, ask to see a picture/video of his feet especially if he has feathers and picture of his passport. Go over every detail on the phone e.g. “so the add says he’s 15.2” is that correct? Good in traffic have you got a video of him being ridden in traffic? Ask how he’s currently kept will the current regime match yours a horse living out 24/7 on minimal grazing is likely to be quieter that a stable horse. Only go if you really feel confident that the owner is being honest. Never forget caveat emptor!!!

I did it and have messaged them.

I’ve just asked for more photos and videos but when I have contact I will ask every question under the sun!!

I think I’ll get caveat emptor tattooed on my head .

I’m going to really struggle with trust now though, how do I trust them and believe what they say?

Well done! Have the conversation with the seller. You know all the questions - how many homes has he had, what does he do, does he hack alone, any vices? etc. If you feel it's worth the trip go visit him. Get the seller to get on him and only once you've seen him ridden decide whether you want to get on. No problem with saying 'no he's not for me so I won't waste your time' and leave it at that.

Thanks Jam, we’re texting now and a few photos from him being ridden today have been sent over. He’s stunning. A 13 year old novice is riding him out in the open and he’s on his own. I’ll obviously ask a thousand questions and want videos as well.

I most definitely feel confident enough to say ‘no thanks’ if it gets to the point where I’m getting on and don’t feel confident to or it doesn’t feel right. Especially after what happened last week!

Can I just say viewing as a single parent is not the worst? For my last purchase I had to take the kids who were being utter twats and leaping off the top of the fences, falling off gates and squealing etc. She didnt bat an eyelid!

Yes that’s very true actually!

I’ve got a load of videos, his breeding info and photo of passport, looking good so far

That sounds really positive - good luck!

Thank you. She’s offered to do more videos at the weekend to send me, I’ve asked for him being tacked up/feet picked out/being mounted. Fingers crossed. He isn’t my usual ‘type’ which I think may be a good thing as I feel really quite put off my fat coloured cobs

if any of us are nearby maybe someone could have an initial look to save you a journey?

-Coming late to this thread. I have owned two highlands. the first, a gelding, was pretty bolshy and badly behaved, as a novice I should have known better. He was straight out of the field and I strongly feel now that he had not been schooled enough after being started to learn any manners. The second was my dream horse, expensive for those days. She was only six but had been shown quite a lot which meant she was familiar with crowds, flapping things etc. and was spook proof, also great in traffic. I drove all the way from Gloucestershire to just outside Edinburgh to try her out. I didn't stop to think that being invited to ride her in the field without anyone else demonstrating was a bad idea, she just happily cantered round on the buckle as advertised, and did a few dressage moves very well. She was so comfortable she just felt like part of me when I rode her - not a feeling you often get. Sadly she had some arthritic problems that developed after a couple of years and had to be retired. As she had top notch breeding I was able to find her a home as a brood mare with a Highland stud.
I'm likely to be looking again in a year or two and although recently I've been riding a variety of horses with my current riding school ( 13hh to 18.2!) There is nothing I like as much as a highland pony. I did a Coast to Coast ride in Scotland where I had a 14.2 Highland which reminded me of just how special they are. I will save up because I know my next one will be eyewateringly expensive if I go down that route, but the right Highland is a very special creature - there is also the advantage that they cost very little to feed.

Thanks Eve. The horse is based in Blackwood, Wales.

Thanks for that Stay, lovely to hear. I’m on a few Highland pages and keeping a look out for any over height ones.

How did you get her back home? Did you the do the journey again with box or pay someone to do it for you? That’s the part I’m worried about, the distance of getting him home if all goes well.

There’s a quiet looking fell type on horsequest, nowhere near show quality but seems sweet enough!

What’s the ad reference number please? Thank you

Don’t be put off by preloved....lots of people use it to buy and sell horses, in fact I bought mine from there 3 years ago.
Also, don’t let your nerves or phone anxiety stand in the way of your dream or indeed of making an informed decision.
Good luck!

Don't be put off by a 14h highland! They take an awful lot of leg up, are probably stronger than the equivalent 15.2 cob and ride big.

My girl is probably about 13.3/14h. DD is a very lanky 5ft 3in and looks like a dot on her. I am 5ft 5in, between 12 and 13 stone and have no worries whatsoever about riding her.

It's true they can be a bit of a handful if you let them. My girl is without a doubt the cleverest pony I have ever met, and that's after years of riding and 10 years of clever welsh ponies. She also is desperate to please, incredibly food orientated which makes her very trainable. All desirable traits in a ridden animal.

Another photo to show you how tiny dd looks.

Lovely pony Frouby. I prefer a decent native pony, and will happily ride 14hh or a bit smaller. Ponies are deceptive and can 'ride big' and take up your leg.

She’s gorgeous. I don’t mind smaller ponies, I ride a 13.2 in my lesson occasionally, but I’m 5ft 7 and I feel a bit unbalanced on a smaller pony. I’ve a very long body and I feel like a giant as well .

Woah (no pun intended!) - if you are quibbling over a fiver how on earth can you afford to keep a horse??

Judgemental much Maybe read the full thread before replying.

I have read the full thread. Horses (as I'm sure the OP knows after over 30 years experience) are very expensive. I repeat - if a fiver is an issue when buying a horse then she should reconsider.

Nag try and find a highland to try. My last horse was a 16h hunter. Many years ago but still. I feel really good on my hipo, tje stirrups are on the same hole for me and dd.

If I get chance I will hop on (if dd can be prised off her) and get a photo done of me on her just to show you what a fat arse adult looks like.

She has a very good front so you don't feel perched. Mates D cob is a similar height and I felt under horsed on her.

And if someone paid me 5k you couldn't persude me to look on preloved. Am sure there is the odd bargain, but no one reputable I know advertise in there. Same goes for Dragon Driving.

A fiver is not an issue, if you read the full thread you’ll see I paid it and am in contact with the owner. It was just a comment I made as I wasn’t expecting to have to pay as I thought it was all free.

Thanks Frouby that would be great, thanks. I think that’s the word I was looking for... perched.

This is where I struggle, everyone has their own opinions in the horse world, but who’s right?! I think I need to form my own opinions, be confident with them and stick to them!

The boy I’m messaging the owner about is a 15h WPB. He looks lovely but I won’t get any hopes up just yet!