Buying a horse now is like a game where I don’t understand the rules. Advice please?

[regretsivehadaload]

When I bought my last horse he was advertised on Horse & Hound for £2.5k. Welsh’s Sect D 6yo. We paid a bit more to have him with his existing tack and rugs.

Had him for the rest of his life.

Im soon going to be in a position to potentially buy another horse.

Im looking on Facebook but it’s all so cloak and dagger. What does 2 🥕 mean? £2000?

Ive also seen ‘high 4 figures’ and ‘3 figures’ I presume people message to get the price but it’s so off putting.

I hate ‘no time wasters’. It’s a massive purchase - there’s so much to consider. If a buyer turns up and ultimately decides it’s not for them then surely that’s a good thing?

Dealers have been around forever, and auctions etc so I wouldn’t consider this but private buyers seem to be unapproachable.

I dunno. As I said it’s been over 30 years since I last did this.

Any pointers please?

For me (did used to do a bit of buying and selling and have friends who do so professionally)

Not reading the advert or stupid questions that could be answered by reading the advert and engaging maybe 2 brain cells. So many
“would they carry my 22 stone rugby player husband” for a 3yo 15hh TB…

”would they hunt with a novice” for a mare who had been explicitly advertised as prone to getting very excited and hot hacking in a group.

Looking for a school master for my 11 year old - just back four year old ISH.

Would you consider selling for £1k for a horse advertised for ten times that.

that sort of thing.

Then being flakey about viewings, if you find something else the weekend before fine, but please tell me then not 15 mins before you arrive after you’ve insisted you have to come at 8pm on Sunday.

not being honest about your experience before hand, if you are a nervous wreck I have no judgement at all, but don’t come and see a 4yo ex racehorse who’s been off the track for two months after making out like you’d make Tony McCoy look like a wimp.

if the advertised horse isn’t what you want don’t go and see it. If you need a gelding because of yard space don’t go and see a mare. If you need a 16hh weight carrier don’t go and see a 13hh Welsh B.

I wish I was exaggerating 😭

Oh and I don’t expect the first person to view to buy but don’t go and view stuff if you’re not seriously in a position to buy.

”he’s lovely but I need to wait for my nan to die to get inheritance to afford him”
”he’s great but im currently 203rd on the waiting list for the only yard in my area”
”I’ll buy him but I am having surgery,can you just keep him with no financial contribution from myself for 6 months while I recover”

so on.

This is so accurate!!

Argh, definitely... my personal favourite:

"Can I buy him on an instalment plan but also take him away from your yard to an undisclosed location in the meantime?" - er, no!

I bought my last two horses via Horsequest & Whickr. Neither passed a 5 stage vetting but we're not a competition home and my riding is intermittent, depending on my workload. I just wanted a middle aged, nice natured horse for hacking and lessons, which is what I got.

I’m so glad it’s not just me 😂😂
I bought a mare unseen from Ireland last year, advertised her, got one moronic enquiry, decided I’ll just keep her.