Advice Pls - To buy or not to buy?!

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BerryT24

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Hello,
I wondered if I could call upon some H&H'ers opinions if I may?! I've been on here for a few years now but tend to just lurk! But have found myself in a bit of predicament and am not sure what to do!

I sadly had to have my boy put down 2 months ago, fairly unexpected to so was a bit of a shock, and after initially saying "nope not getting another one, just moved out etc want to enjoy my money.. blah blah" my instructor threw me a curve ball two weeks ago and said to me "make me an offer" on her horse, who was home bred by her dad, who was an international SJ, he unfortunately died last year. The horse is 13 years old and is impeccably schooled, has only been out to a handful of shows but has 2 DC's in BN and DISC, hacks alone or in company, loads fine, has a lovely workman like attitude. He has a sarcoid by his sheath but other than that is in perfectly good nic.

Previous to this, I was starting to feel the itch to get another one, but was a bit dubious about going out to look again, obviously I know this horse’s back ground so makes it a bit easier... but what the hell do I offer?! One without paying over the odds and 2 for not offending anyone!

I also have been offered a 4 year old selle francis mare that has been sat in the field behind my granddads small holding in Cornwall for the past 2 years! I wouldn’t have to pay out for her, her owner would be happy for her to go to a long term loan home to me (she is a friend of the families) but then that would mean some sort of agreement drawn up wouldn’t it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance
 
Well I guess it depends what you want to do. Whether you'd prefer to go out competing straight away or would be willing to wait and bring on and produce a youngster.

It also depends how much you're willing to offer and your instructor is willing to take for the older horse. You might find you're poles apart. I'd have thought the older horse was worth around the £4k mark.

If you decide to go for the loan horse, you can print off a standard loan agreement from the BHS website. Which you should definitely use. You should also think about what happens if you produce the horse for a couple of years and then the owner wants to sell it... would you expect to get some of the sale price? You should clarify all those sorts of things before going ahead.
 
Firstly I think you have to consider if you want to buy or loan. They sound like competition horses and would you want to put a lot of work into a ' loan' horse only for the owner to see its success and sell it.

Secondly re your instructors horse, you presumably have known this horse a while and have you previously wanted him ? If the thought has never crossed your mind maybe he's not the horse for you, and its just your instructor has sown the seed.

Only you know if you're ready for a new horse tbh but it sounds as if you're only considering it because you've been offered.

Money wise I'd offer £3k. The horse sounds nice but hasn't done an awful lot, is 13 and has a sarcoid ? which may need vetinary treatment at some point.

IYKWM i'd consider if I really wanted a new horse and if I did I'd look to buy elsewhere and search thoroughly.
 
You have really asked 'which horse should I get?' rather than 'I don't know whether to get one again'! You can never be free of horses once you're in!!!

If you're umming and arrr-ing about whether to get another horse or not, why don't you ask your instructor if you could do loan with view to buy? As for price I wouldn't really know, but I don't think it should be oodles considering his age and the sarcoid (although it shouldn't bother him and doesn't bother some people but others won't touch sarcoids with a barge pole!).

In relation to which horse to get, it depends what you want to do? The 4yo will need a lot of work, whereas the older horse you will just be able to get out there and enjoy. Tough decision, but in the end it's only you that can make it, sorry!
 
Hi, it depends on what you want to do with the horse I suppose. A horse is only ever worth what someone else is prepared to pay for it!

I would consider a few points:

1. How much ££ can you part with?
2. What do you want to do with the horse - compete, bring it on? That will point you in the right direction of which one you prefer.
3. Have you ridden your trainers horse before? - could you pick up a ride from a professional rider?
4. Why is she offering him to you?

The answers to those sorts of questions should point you in the right direction. Hope that helps! :)
 
I always think it's very unfair for someone you know to say 'make me an offer' as you're straight into 'possible offence' territory! If it's someone you don't know it really doesn't matter if you offend them with your offer as you'll probably never see them again! :p

If you're genuinely interested in the horse, I'd sit down with her and have a chat about the price she has in mind for him - because I can assure you, she will certainly have one! :)

ETS: Off here you will get every price suggestion from £2.50 to over £10k. At the end of the day it's what you can afford to pay and what he's worth to you.

Good luck!
 
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I agree it's really tough to avoid not insulting your trainer! Def worth asking about a trial period if they want a suitable home and seeing as you know them well etc.

All depends on what you want to do. Comp season is in full flow and the weather is great so would be nice for you to have a horse you can get on and do things with straight away but on the other hand bringing one on yourself is very rewarding.

Price wise- just go with what you can afford and don't feel pressured or worried about going in too low......he doesn't sound that special so IMO wouldn't be worth £££££

Tough situation but exciting!! Keep us updated!! :)
 
I haven't noticed anyone mention it, but a sarcoid by the sheath, I have seen this go bad a couple of times, and end up in lots of vets bills, so I'd be a bit worried about that. I'd also want to know why your instructor is selling her horse.
I also think that you're possibly thinking about the mare because the thought of getting another one has come up.

Think about whether you really want another horse and then if you do, make sure either of those is the one you want before you make a decision. There's lots of beautiful horses around for small money these days.
Good Luck.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies!

LLE your comment on "You can never be free of horses once you're in!!!" Is so true, although my other half would like to think not :p I just dont think I could be without them in my life!

I was thinking between £3k-4k and have ridden him once when he turned up as a just backed 3 year old, down the beach and twice in the last 2 weeks, although I havent jumped him yet, I've seen him jump on numerous occasions.

He's always been a lovely horse but have always thought she would never sell him, but her cirumstances have now changed.
In her eyes it would be ideal because he'd have a home for life and she would still teach me but I know she would let me get on with it as well.

I could really crack on with him and get him re affiliated and have a nice time! The thing with the 4 year old is the time issue, although It would be nice to have a clean slate but then the 13 year old is really un spoilt to and I know what I'm getting into... think I may have answered my own question?!

Thanks everyone, will defo keep you posted!
Ooh I'm excited again!!
 
As long as you really love the 13yr old horse. Don't buy him just because you have the idea in your head, he's nice and your instructor wants you to have him.
Just make sure he's 'the one' so to speak :)
 
BlueCakes said:
Think about whether you really want another horse and then if you do, make sure either of those is the one you want before you make a decision. There's lots of beautiful horses around for small money these days.
Good Luck.
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This is the other burning question in my head or my heart, whichever one is confusing me... :rolleyes:

But I do feel like I havent quite had enough of them just yet! I'm still willing to have a few more years of being broke and not buying new shoes for myself :D
 
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