Just keep looking. What is your idea of a project horse? I have bought a couple through Irish sport equine. (Gerty Tynan) She runs an interesting business, adverts in H &H & Horsemart. A typical Gerty horse will be green, safe, a bit rough around the edges. You buy from videos, etc, & she ships to UK. Not too expensive but not dirt cheap. Open to vetting & I would never buy a horse without vetting. Good luck!

As moanranger says, what is the aim of the project, a riding horse for yourself or to bring on and sell? And why the 15.2+ requirement? If it's for yourself, what do you ultimately want to do with the horse, compete (what discipline) or just general leisure activities? If it's for yourself an ex racer might fit the bill, you'll find them competing at all levels and they can also make great hacks and RC horses if you choose wisely. Obviously they usually have next to no commercial value and aren't always the easiest to keep and train but very rewarding for an experienced person. Try contacting some of the ROR charities if interested?

Racehorses are easy to come by. Ex National Hunt horses are usually a bit more rideable than ex at horses.
There’s a racehorses for sale page on FB which has some very knowledgeable people on there too. I’ve only had ex racers for the last 13 years, brilliant and rewarding horses.

I found I was missing some lovely horses because my searches were narrowed to under 16hh, don't discount the slightly taller horses as you could be missing a gem. I was looking for weeks and did find a 15hh in the end really locally, just popped up one weekend on fb had to be super fast though!

To compete in what discipline and at what level? Do you have experience of competing at this discipline/level? Have you brought on youngsters before?

In each discipline there is a certain breed and type of horse that tends to do well. Certain lines are also more likely to be talented, e.g. a Donnerhall lines Hanoverian is more likely to be a dressage prospect than a Fjord (which are lovely horses, but not for dressage). If you can narrow down the breed, type and ancestry of the kind of horse you want there are plenty of breeders with youngsters.

Just google racehorse rehabilitation and you’ll get loads of specialist charities.

Buying horses is a nightmare. It took me 7 months and I saw some I would not get on. Found a fantastic, lovely one but much more £ than I set out looking at. Please be careful there are some very dodgy people out there, and always have it vetted.

As Booboo says, if it's a serious competition prospect you are after, your best bet is a nicely bred youngster with the right lines for your discipline and preferences (e.g. some lines are known as 'hot' or difficult whereas others make better amateur rides).

What's your budget? You can get very nicely bred weanlings and yearlings for very little really, and even unbroken 3 and 4 year olds can be relatively affordable, but obviously it will be a long wait to actually compete and a risk - even people with a very good eye can't always predict what their eventual size, confirmation, talent and temperament will be from how they are as youngsters. Plus unless you are very experienced you'll need to pay to bring in professional help with breaking and bringing on, so it's not as cheap an option as it sounds at first! But it is how many serious amateurs without a huge budget or small time pros without owners to send them nice horses end up with their competition horses. A trip abroad might be a good investment, Germany or Holland for dressage horses, Ireland for eventers?

But if 3-4 years of bringing on a youngster is a bit more 'green and needing training' than you were after I stick by my suggestion of an ex racer, this link tells you pretty much all you need to know, www.ror.org.uk/rehoming-and-sourcing

From what you describe I would go for a young horse which has been backed, of the type you want (e.g ISH, warm blood). These are less expensive, but you will spend money on getting training assistance. The big advantage of a green horse is that they won’t have been wrecked beforehand. (lots are!) RoR an option if you are comfortable with the pros & cons of TBs

Not sure where in the country you are but someone I know is selling a fanatic ex racer, quiet hack but nice mover. Needs a bit of work but will be lovely.

What’s your budget? My trainer has a few youngsters at the moment. They are usually nice horses - I had one from her 5 years ago that’s just gone medium (was bought for eventing but I don’t jump when I’m pregnant so we’ve had a few years dressage due to that). PM me if you’d like details

Click the three dots then hit pm on the menu that appears - I think!