Am I being unrealistic?

Zirach

Zirach

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As you may recall from one of my previous posts, we lost our lovely boy a month ago, after several months at the equine unit.
We have decided to start looking around for another horse, I was heartened as we dont have a massive budget as it is apparently a buyers market at the mo, but we cant seem to find anything suitable in our budget.

I am wondering if I am being unrealistic. As it is a while since I have purchased a horse, I thought I would ask you guys your advice.

we were looking for a well mannered horse 15.2-16.3h between 6 and 11 yrs to hack, dressage and with nice enough conf to local show. Shared with nervous mother (early 50's) to hack and for me (early 30's) to continue my dressage lessons, poss show. We are not interested in jumping nor do we expect to compete at Olympia or anything. But want something healthy and sound with no vices. Ideally not full tb unless laid back. In East Anglia. Our budget is iro £3500 - are we dreaming? The majority of horses in our area that fit the bill are £4-£4,500 unless we look at older horse.

What have you found in your experience????:confused:
 
I have just found a horse and my criteria were pretty much what you are looking for except I wanted 16.2 minimum height. I paid nearly double what you want to spend. Her price had been reduced by £2k. I did look at cheaper horses but they always had something wrong with them.

You should look at horses priced in the £5k range and make an offer. Don't talk money until you have seen it and tried it thoroughly.
 
If your having trouble finding the right horse, would you consider loan with view to buy? then you can find your ideal horse and save if need .

I wouldn't say your dreaming, a few people i know, myself included have bought horses around the 1600-2000 mark and they were perfectly sound.
 
Its because everyone wants something that age and straightforward... while I know the market is odd atm I paid double your budget for my boy as a 6 year old some 4 years ago and he would have fitted all your criteria at that time...

Why don't you try advertising your criteria? with the emphasis on a good home?
 
There is the perfect horse for everyone out there at the right price it just takes a little longer looking...

can you not travel further a field? I live in West yorkshire and horses seem cheaper here than most places?

Have Faith :p
 
Hmmmmm maybe we do need to up our budget.......... we would love to loan before buying, but I just dont think anyone seems to do that anymore - which is a shame, but I guess understandable.

We may have to travel further afield, we did see a beauty south yorkshire, but we hung about and she had gone - reasonable price as well.

Keep your comments coming - all much appreciated, its exciting but also a little scary buying a horse, especially as we knew and trusted our lad so much.
 
I think your problem is that you are looking for the same thing as everyone else. Thats why the prices are holding.

Go bigger or breeds that are slightly different to type and you may just catch a star.
 
It is REALLY scary buying a new horse. Because like you - I lost a horse I had owned for 10 years and I trusted her completely. In the end I put a wanted advert in HorseQuest. I had about 6 replies, some were for very expensive horses, but that is how I found my horse in the end. I did not put a price, I just said what I was looking for.
 
I'm also looking for exactly the same as you but just needs to be a tad bigger i.e. 16.2 to 17hh and also in East Anglia. I do have a slightly larger budget than yourselves but even so I have found zilch in the 4 months I've been looking. Some sellers are still asking very unreslistic prices for horses and in the past few weeks I've viewed several priced at over £5,000 who have done absolutely nothing, or have other major issues including one that had 2 dodgy sarcoids and shivers!!
 
I would definately go to see anything that looks suitable around £4k - £4.5k.

My budget was the same as yours, and my wish list pretty similar, although I also wanted something to also jump. Not a world beater, just a sane, willing all-rounder.

The seller wanted just over £4k last spring, & I took her home for £3,250.

She was a little greener than I was ideally looking for, 6yo, but is fab & coming on brilliantly. I'm glad every day that I found her.

My tip would be to ask every single person you know - farrier, RI, feed shops, friends, everyone. You never know what you'll come across that isn't on the open market yet. Mine was never advertised, but found through a friend of the lady who clips horses on our yard.

Good luck with the hunt, they are definately out there! :D
 
I'd deffo go down the advertising route, also where are you looking? there are some good horses advertised in tack shops, your probably already looking in there, but just incase your not, one of my friends spent months looking at websites and mags, she didn't think about tack shops.
 
I think you've got enough money. As someone said, look at the £4k horses. Winter is rushing up, and its the end of the season with people going back to uni - people will be having to drop prices or keep them over the winter soon... Keep looking. I'd drop my price for my horse to go to a good home anyway..(if I had one for sale!)xx
 
thanks guys, I have been looking in some of our tack shops, but they seem to be inundated with youngsters that need bringing on. I guess I need to dig a bit deeper and hang on in there and see what the changing weather brings..........

It really is a funny old market at the mo, I have seen a few posts on here the opposite end, sellers been unable to get interest.

There must be something out there for us without needing to remortgage grrr!
 
we love Irish horses, our last was an Irish boy, its just finding the time to go over and have a proper look, my dad is disabled and my mother is his carer so it is difficult for us to travel too far or be away overnight.

will keep on looking ......................:-)
 
upping our budget to £4 - £4500 k now, hopefully we will have more luck.
Anyone know any other good ad sites ? Ive been looking on horse mart and h&h
 
Hope you have had a good holiday, I may have heard for something that will suit you no where near 4k either, going to have a nose on Sunday and will let you know.
 
Try a wanted ad, offering good home etc. There are probably horse owners who are considering selling due to circumstances etc., but can't bear the thought of the whole advertising/viewing process. I have just sold a much loved horse to a great home through word of mouth, but would definitely have looked at wanted ads as the next step.
 
I have a friend who bought a beautiful horse for £2000 privately, a warmblood, virtually an identical horse another friend bought for £6000 , all in the uk.
Look and keep looking on horse and hound , also a girl at my last yard was given another beautiful horse another warmblood as the owner was getting divorced, it was a friend of a friend.
Also how about the charities Ada cole sometimes have super horses wanting a home.
Good luck,
You will find another horse xxxx
 
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