Waxwing
Well-Known Member
Hi
On the advice of another forum member who has given me some very good advice I would be interested to hear the experience and view points of anyone else who may have been in similar to the one I find myself in. I purchased a horse within the last two weeks from an established dealer with a good reputation. I did a lot of checking on Facebook and Google etc; I had a five stage vetting completed prior to purchase and attended the vetting. The horse was passed as suitable for the activities I outlined; essentially a low level all rounder. He has presented very differently when ridden since getting home; fine on the ground and he has settled in well on the yard; my instructor has seen him ridden on three occasions and raised significant concerns about his presentation particularly in canter; we had the vet out yesterday and they identified that the there is a definite problem that could be linked to his back, neck or sacroiliacs; they also advised that it was going to be difficult to pinpoint and a number of tests and scans were likely to be required that could end up being inconclusive or finds something that not treatable. He is also lame behind. The vet has recommended a poor performance assessment; I contacted them earlier to ask what this would entail and was advised it would depend what turned up in the initial tests, but could run into lots of money . I sought advice from the BHS Legal Helpline who said I had a right to seek to return him under the Consumer Rights Act as it was less than thirty days since purchase . I spoke to the dealer earlier in the week and they weren't very receptive. I was advised to see if I have legal cover with my home insurance which I have; I made an initial call today and I am waiting to hear back. I feel like I did everything properly; checked the dealer's reputation; had the horse vetted and was there when the vetting took place but I have lost the majority of my savings and have a horse I can't ride and could only legitimately rehome as non-ridden companion. I took insurance out the day we purchased him but for the first two weeks only accidental injury is covered so any I am responsible for all vet fees. He was meant to be for my daughter to ride as well; she is currently experiencing some significant issues with her emotional well being and its really important that she has a horse to ride. The dealer's view is that he passed a five stage vetting and consequently any issues have occurred after purchase; the vet who saw him yesterday is very clear that the issues are not attributable to poorly fitting tack or anything else that is easily addressed. I spoke to an equine solicitor this afternoon who said it would be worth sending a legal letter to the dealer and seeing how they responded ( I am still waiting for feedback from my home insurance provider re legal cover - I am covered for issues related to buying and selling goods.) . If anyone has any advice they can share it will be gratefully received; I am feeling like a total idiot at present and got sent home from work sick yesterday as I was so stressed. If there isn't an option to return I am going to have some very difficult decisions to make over the next few weeks. I appreciate things can do happen with horses at any point but I didn't expect this within a week of purchasing him.
On the advice of another forum member who has given me some very good advice I would be interested to hear the experience and view points of anyone else who may have been in similar to the one I find myself in. I purchased a horse within the last two weeks from an established dealer with a good reputation. I did a lot of checking on Facebook and Google etc; I had a five stage vetting completed prior to purchase and attended the vetting. The horse was passed as suitable for the activities I outlined; essentially a low level all rounder. He has presented very differently when ridden since getting home; fine on the ground and he has settled in well on the yard; my instructor has seen him ridden on three occasions and raised significant concerns about his presentation particularly in canter; we had the vet out yesterday and they identified that the there is a definite problem that could be linked to his back, neck or sacroiliacs; they also advised that it was going to be difficult to pinpoint and a number of tests and scans were likely to be required that could end up being inconclusive or finds something that not treatable. He is also lame behind. The vet has recommended a poor performance assessment; I contacted them earlier to ask what this would entail and was advised it would depend what turned up in the initial tests, but could run into lots of money . I sought advice from the BHS Legal Helpline who said I had a right to seek to return him under the Consumer Rights Act as it was less than thirty days since purchase . I spoke to the dealer earlier in the week and they weren't very receptive. I was advised to see if I have legal cover with my home insurance which I have; I made an initial call today and I am waiting to hear back. I feel like I did everything properly; checked the dealer's reputation; had the horse vetted and was there when the vetting took place but I have lost the majority of my savings and have a horse I can't ride and could only legitimately rehome as non-ridden companion. I took insurance out the day we purchased him but for the first two weeks only accidental injury is covered so any I am responsible for all vet fees. He was meant to be for my daughter to ride as well; she is currently experiencing some significant issues with her emotional well being and its really important that she has a horse to ride. The dealer's view is that he passed a five stage vetting and consequently any issues have occurred after purchase; the vet who saw him yesterday is very clear that the issues are not attributable to poorly fitting tack or anything else that is easily addressed. I spoke to an equine solicitor this afternoon who said it would be worth sending a legal letter to the dealer and seeing how they responded ( I am still waiting for feedback from my home insurance provider re legal cover - I am covered for issues related to buying and selling goods.) . If anyone has any advice they can share it will be gratefully received; I am feeling like a total idiot at present and got sent home from work sick yesterday as I was so stressed. If there isn't an option to return I am going to have some very difficult decisions to make over the next few weeks. I appreciate things can do happen with horses at any point but I didn't expect this within a week of purchasing him.
