Advice please re horse shopping :)

[Coblette]

I’ve found a lovely pony for sale, can you all give me your wise thoughts on the points below please

Pros
Very safe all rounder that appears to tick all my boxes (hard to find these!!) apart from the cons!
Cons
-15 years old (which isn’t a problem in itself as I’d prefer something that’s done it and got the t-shirt) but it’s £5,500, which seems quite expensive??
- a few inches smaller than I’d planned (it’s 14.1 and I’m 5’2)

What would you do, would the size and price put you off? Bearing in mind it’s a 3 hours drive, I need to be pretty certain before I view.

Also planning on having a 5 stage vetting? Although at 15 I’m sure there will be something that shows up. Would you have vetted?

thank you all much appreciated

 

[smolmaus]

Speaking only as a person who is also 5'2", when I start properly shopping 14.1 or thereabouts is exactly what I'll be looking for. Are you just used to bigger?

 

[Coblette]

That’s interesting, yes my previous was a very fine 16.1 exracer. Not sat on anything under 15hh for over 15 years so finding it hard to visualise. This is a Connie so also a bit chunkier than I’m used to

 

[Coblette]

That’s interesting, yes my previous was a very fine 16.1 exracer. Not sat on anything under 15hh for over 15 years so finding it hard to visualise. This is a Connie so also a bit chunkier than I’m used to

To note I am looking for something smaller basically as a glorified happy hacker

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Another 5ft 2 who has a 14.1. The only time I found that too small was when I viewed a lovely connie/tb cross. He was just too fine and my legs were down by his knees! I’ve ridden my friends 12hh welsh and not looked silly because he takes up the leg. I wouldn’t be worried about the height until you’re actually on the pony.

without any other information I think the price is probably about right at the moment. I enquired about a just backed 4 year old connie straight from the breeder and was quoted more than £5,500!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

That’s interesting, yes my previous was a very fine 16.1 exracer. Not sat on anything under 15hh for over 15 years so finding it hard to visualise. This is a Connie so also a bit chunkier than I’m used to

Ah well then yes. If it’s a connie £5,500 is a very reasonable price! Pic of me on my 14.1 connemara for reference.

 

[ihatework]

My questions would be, what stamp is it - at 14.1hh provided it takes up the leg then no issue.

How long has it been in it’s current home and is there evidence of it being in continued work and doing well? If it’s a grown out of family pony with a genuine story the 15years wouldn’t concern me.

Yes I would vet, would ask for history, wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be squeaky clean.

 

[teddypops]

I’m 5’5” and my newest pony is an exmoor x TB who is 14hh. I feel fine on him. I also have a Welsh D and a connemara who are both 14.1 but they feel huge in comparison. Try the pony before worrying about the height. Can’t help on price as I only buy very cheap horses and all 8 of mine together were cheaper than £5000!

 

[Polos Mum]

Good safe and sound happy hackers are well worth £5-8k IMHO.

A smaller tougher model will happily go for 10 years or so - so the age would be OK for me.

Size wise I'm 5'4 and currently riding a 13.3 (on tip toes) - I feel massive but everyone says look fine and I agree from videos etc. Breadth would be key - if he can take up your leg you'll be 100% fine a fine narrow horse of the same size you might look too big

 

[Coblette]

My questions would be, what stamp is it - at 14.1hh provided it takes up the leg then no issue.

How long has it been in it’s current home and is there evidence of it being in continued work and doing well? If it’s a grown out of family pony with a genuine story the 15years wouldn’t concern me.

The girl riding him currently is 5’5 and doesn’t look too small... just trying to convince myself it’s not too small ??
Yes been in current home for 2/3 years was daughters 1st pony who wants to move up to bigger horse. Currently still out doing xc etc

 

[Coblette]

Ah well then yes. If it’s a connie £5,500 is a very reasonable price! Pic of me on my 14.1 connemara for reference. View attachment 57511

Yes looks a lovely size ?

 

[smolmaus]

without any other information I think the price is probably about right at the moment. I enquired about a just backed 4 year old connie straight from the breeder and was quoted more than £5,500!

Just from my idle window shopping, this seems to be the new normal lol I don't know if people are actually paying it or not!

If I was ready to buy I'd be snapping him up butcher108!

 

[MereChristmas]

Bought a Connie type last month 15 years 14.3. All good so far. Nowhere near that money.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Just from my idle window shopping, this seems to be the new normal lol I don't know if people are actually paying it or not!

If I was ready to buy I'd be snapping him up butcher108!

Tbf I am happy to pay it, I’m just not ready for another yet. It was more of a finding out if they did sell backed ponies and if so how much were they. I can’t imagine the cost of breeding and keeping ponies up to 4 years plus the backing work. I imagine I spend more than £6k on keeping my current mare over 4 years ? god knows how anyone sells youngsters for less and make any money!

 

[Wishfilly]

I’ve found a lovely pony for sale, can you all give me your wise thoughts on the points below please

Pros
Very safe all rounder that appears to tick all my boxes (hard to find these!!) apart from the cons!
Cons
-15 years old (which isn’t a problem in itself as I’d prefer something that’s done it and got the t-shirt) but it’s £5,500, which seems quite expensive??
- a few inches smaller than I’d planned (it’s 14.1 and I’m 5’2)

What would you do, would the size and price put you off? Bearing in mind it’s a 3 hours drive, I need to be pretty certain before I view.

Also planning on having a 5 stage vetting? Although at 15 I’m sure there will be something that shows up. Would you have vetted?

thank you all much appreciated

I'm 5'4'' and I've just bought a 14.1 pony, so the size wouldn't put me off. But if you're unsure about the size and age, and it's 3 hours away, I'm not sure I would go and view? It depends how many boxes it needs to tick!

Have you got videos of it doing everything you want it to? I would ask for these before going to view otherwise.

Everything seems expensive at the moment. I don't think £5,500 is unreasonable for a 15yo Connie at the moment if it's perfect in all ways.

 

[CouldItBe]

Mine is Connie x Welsh D and built like a tank, I’m 5ft 2in and have no issues with her size

 

[Coblette]

Ah well then yes. If it’s a connie £5,500 is a very reasonable price! Pic of me on my 14.1 connemara for reference. View attachment 57511

Do you find riding a pony this size comfortable as shorter strides compared to a bigger horse?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Do you find riding a pony this size comfortable as shorter strides compared to a bigger horse?

When I do grid clinics she finds it easier when we do it set up for a friends 15hh ISH/cob than when we do it with my friends 13.2 Arab/welsh. So in short she doesn’t have choppy pony strides!

 

[Merry neddy man]

3 hours is long way to go to find its 13:3 not 14:1 have another phone conversation to confirm its height before you travel, personally I would have it vetted it's a lot of money to pay and to have stood in a field .

 

[Wishfilly]

As a thought, can you arrange any other viewings in the area? If you make a weekend of it, it's less of a PITA than if you go to see one and that one doesn't work out?