And so the search begins!

alsxx

alsxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2006
Messages
3,223
Location
Moved to Devon!
Visit site
Very dauntingly starting the search for next horse. For anyone that happened to read a previous post I made, I had a gelding that was looking like he'd need to be retired at 6. Unfortunately following an arthroscopy before Xmas, he was diagnosed with severe chondromalacia of the stifle, so that's that!

I don't have a massive budget at all, so I know this is going to be a really tough search....mid 4's really. I suspect for that it will probably be something unbroken/lightly backed. I don't really want to buy very young again and then wait, plus need to have vetting done. I'm also rodeoing around with the idea of an ex racer, but feel that's perhaps just knee jerking, am viewing 1 this weekend.

I've also got a potential viewing on something else, but I'm so paranoid about soundness now that I'm starting to wonder if I see things that aren't there!? I'm seriously doubting my own ability to spot things, even though with my gelding I spotted it a few years ago and kept repeatedly being told by vets he was fine.

Ultimately looking for something that's 15hh upwards (don't need huge, I'm 5'6 and 8.5stone) and will be an all-rounder with a bias for dressage, and hopefully work up levels even if that's just to ele.

Thoughts, recommendations, ideas all welcome!
 
You would probably find a just backed Welsh D for that budget. Worth posing on some Welsh FB pages?

HQ360492
 
Last edited:
Ooooohhhh I'd say exciting but as someone who is also tentatively looking, its not at all is it? Infact its downright stressful and having also got one that's in the process of being retired and rehomed as a companion after just 12 months the adage of "once bitten twice shy is never more true"
Can I follow though just for some help in looking?
 
Prices are quite frightening these days, the more you spend, the more you risk losing, that's why my more recent purchase was an oldie.

What's happened to our horses? 15/20 years ago you could look through the for sale pages and find many normal, well behaved, useful horses that were affordable. Now it's such a minefield, they all seem to have a dodge, either show some undesirable behaviour or have some sort of health issue yet most have a substantial price tag. I look back at the horses I've had in the past, the numerous horses my dad & stepmother had, friends, etc, none of them bucked (we did have a rearer once, though but this was disclosed), all would win you a rosette for something, most went on for years and none were expensive.
 
Kirstd33 said:
Ooooohhhh I'd say exciting but as someone who is also tentatively looking, its not at all is it? Infact its downright stressful and having also got one that's in the process of being retired and rehomed as a companion after just 12 months the adage of "once bitten twice shy is never more true"
Can I follow though just for some help in looking?
Click to expand...
Feel free!!

It definitely should be exciting but nope, fear inducing probably a better description!!
 
TheMule said:
An ex-racer is a good call, YT be super fussy about how it’s put together. There are tonnes out there but most I would not touch with a barge pole. It needs to be uphill with a good neck set, have a nicely shaped back and have good, strong limbs. Don’t buy trouble!
Click to expand...
I've had one before so I'm not totally closed off to the idea, although would need a better temperament than he had! Well if you happen to spot a good one, please let me know!! I've scrolled through so many and most I just think, nope. I'm having second thoughts on the one I'm supposed to be viewing Saturday.
 
ihatework said:
You would probably find a just backed Welsh D for that budget. Worth posing on some Welsh FB pages?

HQ360492
Click to expand...
I might be looking at a just backed WPB actually but I am very much wondering what the catch is. Seems too good to be true. Always open to having some eyes on a video if anyone is good at this kind of thing!
 
I have been looking since Nov, its honestly a nightmare, I have expanded my criteria and budget and still not found anything, seen lots of vids of lame horses and had sellers mess me around. Meant to be going to see one on Sat but think the weather might put a stop to that

Good luck though. I have seen a lot of horses that look nice closer to you, a lot of my issue is my reluctance to travel
 
marmalade76 said:
Prices are quite frightening these days, the more you spend, the more you risk losing, that's why my more recent purchase was an oldie.

What's happened to our horses? 15/20 years ago you could look through the for sale pages and find many normal, well behaved, useful horses that were affordable. Now it's such a minefield, they all seem to have a dodge, either show some undesirable behaviour or have some sort of health issue yet most have a substantial price tag. I look back at the horses I've had in the past, the numerous horses my dad & stepmother had, friends, etc, none of them bucked (we did have a rearer once, though but this was disclosed), all would win you a rosette for something, most went on for years and none were expensive.
Click to expand...
Because people are less knowledgeable, aren’t brought up with horses and so don’t have a ‘feel’ for them or the back up from experienced friends or relatives. Many are now kept on livery yards either part or full which costs ££££s. the yard owners are frequently needing to make a living from their business. Gone are the days of the friendly farmer prepared to rent a field and supply decent quality hay when required. Unless you can keep horses at home or as part of another enterprise the books need to be made to balance in whatever way they can.
 
alsxx said:
I've had one before so I'm not totally closed off to the idea, although would need a better temperament than he had! Well if you happen to spot a good one, please let me know!! I've scrolled through so many and most I just think, nope. I'm having second thoughts on the one I'm supposed to be viewing Saturday.
Click to expand...

Give me your criteria and I'll have a look! Age, height, vague location etc
 
gallopingby said:
Because people are less knowledgeable, aren’t brought up with horses and so don’t have a ‘feel’ for them or the back up from experienced friends or relatives. Many are now kept on livery yards either part or full which costs ££££s. the yard owners are frequently needing to make a living from their business. Gone are the days of the friendly farmer prepared to rent a field and supply decent quality hay when required. Unless you can keep horses at home or as part of another enterprise the books need to be made to balance in whatever way they can.
Click to expand...
Agree with this especially the less knowledgeable bit and dont have the back up. So many young horses are spoilt right at the start of their lives and then are left with issues. Dont know what the answer is really as people dont want to be told anything these days.
 
If you're not closed off to not being the official owner, have you spoken to any of the ROR sites that offer lifelong rehomoning schemes? Not for everyone but work brilliantly for others.
 
gallopingby said:
Because people are less knowledgeable, aren’t brought up with horses and so don’t have a ‘feel’ for them or the back up from experienced friends or relatives. Many are now kept on livery yards either part or full which costs ££££s. the yard owners are frequently needing to make a living from their business. Gone are the days of the friendly farmer prepared to rent a field and supply decent quality hay when required. Unless you can keep horses at home or as part of another enterprise the books need to be made to balance in whatever way they can.
Click to expand...

I've never bought a horse from a dealer, producer or breeder and the horses I've had from professional yards have been cheap or free because they were cast offs so I can't see how "balancing the books" applies. Agree with you otherwise.
 
Thanks all, I'm definitely looking at native crosses, that's what my gelding is. But I'm now ultra wary on the hardiness side though, from recent experience.

Pinkvboots said:
Would you consider an Arab they tend to be cheaper to buy and you are light enough they are a lot tougher than people think mine are great fun, cheap to keep barefoot don't need hard feed they prefer to live out.
Click to expand...
So many, many years ago (back in the 90's 🥴) I actually used to help exercise some endurance Arabs, so I like them as a breed and yes they are so tough! But I think for what I want to do, it wouldn't be the right breed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top