about to buy my first horse...how to make an offer without offending vendors?

Oops, apologies to the OP, my post seems to have taken your thread off track.

xspiralx said:
Something better?

3k will not get her something under 12 of the quality that this horse is. You certainly won't get something schooled properly for dressage up to flying changes, with good lateral work, BSJA winnings etc - and certainly not if its a novice ride, and a nice all round person either. For the calibre of this horse if it was a 10yr old the asking price would probably be 8-10k at least. This isn't some knackered old dobbin they are trying to palm off - it is a quality animal.Take away the tack and rugs and this horse is already only about £1300, which if you ask me, is a very fair price for a sound, well schooled quality schoolmaster to learn the ropes on.
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I hadn't suggested he was a knackered old dobbin....rather crude language. I am sure he is a lovely boy and in his day amazing.

I am not sure how relevent BSJA points are to an 18 year old who is not in the best condition, and needing (according to vet 8 months of work). Admittedly he is experienced, but he can only share that with his rider whilst he stays sound and his temperament remains the same...if it does post rehab.

However I still believe for 3K you could buy a quality animal under 12 with the potential to learn solid lateral work and do BD comfortably for many years to come. I suppose from my personal point of that is what I would choose over a quirky been there and done it, who may not last me long and cost me a bomb in retirement. But that is just me.

Best of luck Freya I am sure he is lovely, just as I said in my original post please go in with your eyes open.
 
Not just you, but plenty of people on this thread have implied that this horse is just an old crock - and he is anything but.

He is older yes, but he is obviously very sound and healthy, or he would not have passed a 5 stage vetting with flying colours. There's no reason he won't have plenty of years useful work left in him.

Yes you could get a nice younger horse with potential - but you could not get something established to teach you the ropes, so that's not much good to a novice buying her first horse.

I don't see how the horse's age makes his BSJA winnings irrelevant?
 
Are you really supposed to make the offer subject to vetting? That's not how we did it with my mare, although she was admittedly the first one we ever bought and we didn't really know what we were doing! But anyway, she was vetted first, then we spoke to the owner about some issues the vet had mentioned that would cost us money to sort out and made an offer of £950 (she was advertised for £1100), which was accepted. What I would suggest is that you speak to the owners, mention one or two points that will cost you money to resolve, and make an offer in line with that. Do not mention that he is in poor condition or will need work to get him to the level you'd like as you're likely to offend the owners and make them less likely to accept your offer. Say something like, for instance, "in light of the fact that he needs his jabs doing/ to be shod, I would like to make an offer of...". Being overly critical will get you nowhere, but be prepared for the fact that your offer may be rejected and that if you really want this horse it may be best not to quibble.
 
lastchancer said:
After 3 visits and a passed vetting I would tell a buyer to sod right off if they did that.

OP, it's a bit pricey but if you have your heart set on him then go ahead and buy him at the asking price - only next time remember to make an offer before you have a vetting :-)
And good luck with him x
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I agree if someone had tried the horse three times it would be taking the Mick. I still think 1500 is quite a lot for this horse but thats only from the description we have been given
 
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