Another failed vetting - success stories please!

[Katie92]

Hi all, I’m wallowing in a bit of self pity here. I’ve been searching for a horse for 7 months now, and just had a second horse fail the vetting today.

It is what it is, and although I’m sad I know that the right (and sound!) horse will turn up eventually, but I really am feeling fed up now. I’ve seen a lot of horses this year, some seemingly perfect but that haven’t worked out (failed vettings, sold before I could organise a vetting) some lovely but just not quite for me, and some down right not as described.

Please indulge me and tell me your success stories in terms of searching for a horse over a long period of time, I’m a strong believer that the right horse will turn up when the time is right, but the whole thing is starting to take its toll now.

 

[doodle]

Horse shopping is a nightmare. It took me months and months. Found the “perfect” horse. He didn’t fail the vetting cos we didn’t get to that stage as the vet stopped it almost as quickly as he started!

More months and I saw a horse who was fine. But footy. Didn’t have shoes on. Asked seller to put front shoes on and I would pay for if I bought him. Didn’t hear any more. Couple more months and I messaged again. He had been shod and still for sale. On paper he was what I wanted. Passed vetting and came home. We hated each other. Sold him (huge relief) 5 months later.

Started searching again. Went to see one. Not that keen.

Went the next day to see another. Saw him and immediately loved him. Didn’t really have to ride him as I knew he was coming home. Was sensible and went back to see him again. Arranged vetting then and there. He passed. Next day he came home.

That was 7 years ago and he is the most amazing horse ever.

 

[Red-1]

7 months and 2 failed vettings isn't that unusual.

My worst luck was going to see a lovely horse, vetted within a couple of days, passed flying colours. Paid and fetched home the next day. Travelled beautifully. Half an hour later he dropped dead. Well, not exactly dropped, there was groaning, fighting for breath and thrashing around involved.

I wish he'd failed the vet!


ETA - I have 2 lovely ones now! One not vetted and on paper would not have looked good. He was cheap. The other passed the vet flying colours.

 

[Flame_]

I think every time I've bought a horse it's been the third one I've have vetted. Weird that, but it really has been the pattern.

My current horse is absolutely spot on what I wanted, so was my previous horse. If you know what you want and what you need, you're half way there, keep on looking. Also, my main advice is, travel, don't expect the perfect horse to be half an hour away unless you're super lucky.

 

[SEL]

7 months and 2 failed vettings isn't that unusual.

My worst luck was going to see a lovely horse, vetted within a couple of days, passed flying colours. Paid and fetched home the next day. Travelled beautifully. Half an hour later he dropped dead. Well, not exactly dropped, there was groaning, fighting for breath and thrashing around involved.

I wish he'd failed the vet!


ETA - I have 2 lovely ones now! One not vetted and on paper would not have looked good. He was cheap. The other passed the vet flying colours.

That's awful!

My usual transporter had to divert to the vets carrying someone's new horse that started to colic in the back of her van. She felt awful even though obviously not caused by her driving.

What did they fail on OP? I was clear with sellers when I was buying that it would be a 5 stage vetting before I even went to see the horse. One person told me not to bother coming.

 

[ycbm]

A friend was looking for a long time while I went along as another pair of eyes. Two failed the vet. We travelled many miles to see horses that were clearly lame.

Finally one came up not a mile from her home and he has been just perfect.

The right horse will find you.
.

 

[Katie92]

That's awful!

My usual transporter had to divert to the vets carrying someone's new horse that started to colic in the back of her van. She felt awful even though obviously not caused by her driving.

What did they fail on OP? I was clear with sellers when I was buying that it would be a 5 stage vetting before I even went to see the horse. One person told me not to bother coming.

Funnily enough both (6 months apart) failed on lameness in the left hind stemming from pelvis/hip. First one made it to ridden stage, second didn’t. Clearly I have a type!

 

[Patterdale]

You won’t find the perfect horse, just buy a nice one and make it what you want it. 7 months means you’re too fussy!!

 

[Red-1]

You won’t find the perfect horse, just buy a nice one and make it what you want it. 7 months means you’re too fussy!!

I took longer, don't think I was too fussy. Can't think many people would have bought Rigs anyway, he had a string of faults, but he was right for me.

New one was an internet purchase, unseen other than on video. Perfect for me.

I saw many, many who were not right for me. Many who were lame. Many who just didn't enthral me enough to get up at crack of dawn in the wind and rain to do them.

I used to buy professionally and that was easier as I had a job description for them. For my personal horse though, it has to enthral me. That bit is individual.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I had 2 fail a vetting, 3rd one passed with flying colours. Still have her 10 years later, shes had her fair share of soundness issues over the last few years but wouldnt change her for the world

 

[Katie92]

You won’t find the perfect horse, just buy a nice one and make it what you want it. 7 months means you’re too fussy!!

I really don’t feel I’m being fussy. Particular, yes, this horse needs to suit both mine and my 67yr old mum’s needs, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with rejecting a horse that doesn’t feel right?

 

[Cowpony]

10 months and 3 failed vetting here. I feel your pain!

 

[Patterdale]

I do think that if you have spent 7 months looking for a horse then either yes, you are being too fussy, OR you are looking for something that doesn’t exist. Just something to consider when you continue your search

 

[Upthecreek]

I really don’t feel I’m being fussy. Particular, yes, this horse needs to suit both mine and my 67yr old mum’s needs, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with rejecting a horse that doesn’t feel right?

There is nothing wrong with rejecting any horse you are not 100% sure about. We invest serious amounts of money and time into our horses and the emotional upheaval and stress if it goes wrong is huge. A horse has to have a certain feel when ridden for me to love it so I never buy unseen and it has to pass a vetting. It has to have a good temperament. Other than that I’m pretty flexible on my requirements and don’t have a long list of things it must do or must not do. Are you quite flexible on what you’re looking for or do you have very specific requirements so not that many horses are for sale which meet your specifications?

 

[Katie92]

I do think that if you have spent 7 months looking for a horse then either yes, you are being too fussy, OR you are looking for something that doesn’t exist. Just something to consider when you continue your search

Okie dokie.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I do think that if you have spent 7 months looking for a horse then either yes, you are being too fussy, OR you are looking for something that doesn’t exist. Just something to consider when you continue your search

I don't think 7 months is really that long I've known people looking a lot longer, nothing wrong with wanting what you want why settle for something that just might do.

 

[Katie92]

There is nothing wrong with rejecting any horse you are not 100% sure about. We invest serious amounts of money and time into our horses and the emotional upheaval and stress if it goes wrong is huge. A horse has to have a certain feel when ridden for me to love it so I never buy unseen and it has to pass a vetting. It has to have a good temperament. Other than that I’m pretty flexible on my requirements and don’t have a long list of things it must do or must not do. Are you quite flexible on what you’re looking for or do you have very specific requirements so not that many horses are for sale which meet your specifications?

Thanks, I think I’m being flexible enough but maybe my idea of flexible is different from other peoples!

I’m looking for age 4-10, 13.3-15.2hh, safe to hack & can manage a canter in the school on both reins, but green is fine, and my budget is decent enough (mid to high 4 figures).

The number of horses I’ve been to see that look perfect on paper & in videos but either aren’t as described or can’t actually canter in the school (with the seller on board!) has been eye-opening.

I just want a low-level allrounder that’s safe and has decent ground manners so my 67yr old experienced mum can enjoy it too. I’ve also had the help of my long-term instructor & people at the yard and we’ve still struggled to find anything (sound) that’s suitable!

I completely agree that ‘feel’ both on the ground and in the saddle is a big part of buying the right horse.

 

[Bobthecob15]

You are in older child/teenager criteria there, it's really hard to find anything in those heights as so many never make it to advert...so I can understand how hard it is! 14.2 is the holy grail of heights...and prices to match!!!

Best of luck, hopefully you'll find something soon x

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Hi all, I’m wallowing in a bit of self pity here. I’ve been searching for a horse for 7 months now, and just had a second horse fail the vetting today.

It is what it is, and although I’m sad I know that the right (and sound!) horse will turn up eventually, but I really am feeling fed up now. I’ve seen a lot of horses this year, some seemingly perfect but that haven’t worked out (failed vettings, sold before I could organise a vetting) some lovely but just not quite for me, and some down right not as described.

Please indulge me and tell me your success stories in terms of searching for a horse over a long period of time, I’m a strong believer that the right horse will turn up when the time is right, but the whole thing is starting to take its toll now.

I feel your pain. I had one fail today too.
But, the last two horses I have bought passed their vettings, so although I am down I am not OUT
Good luck in your search

 

[Caol Ila]

It took me less than a month both times I was looking (about two years ago), but my standards were pretty low.

 

[SO1]

I am really surprised that if you have a nearly 10k budget you have not found anything. I know good hacking horses are hard to find but I expect there would be plenty of cob and native types that would fit the bill.

How about this one.

Smart Part Bred New Forest

Full details on the NFED Classifieds - www.nfed.co.uk

www.nfed.co.uk

Thanks, I think I’m being flexible enough but maybe my idea of flexible is different from other peoples!

I’m looking for age 4-10, 13.3-15.2hh, safe to hack & can manage a canter in the school on both reins, but green is fine, and my budget is decent enough (mid to high 4 figures).

The number of horses I’ve been to see that look perfect on paper & in videos but either aren’t as described or can’t actually canter in the school (with the seller on board!) has been eye-opening.

I just want a low-level allrounder that’s safe and has decent ground manners so my 67yr old experienced mum can enjoy it too. I’ve also had the help of my long-term instructor & people at the yard and we’ve still struggled to find anything (sound) that’s suitable!

I completely agree that ‘feel’ both on the ground and in the saddle is a big part of buying the right horse.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

We re looking for a new horse for my daughter and had a couple of disappointments (withdrawn from sale morning after viewing/seller refusing to allow 5 stage vetting because horse had just had one with another potential buyer). Daughters trainer is suggesting a youngster, just backed for her to work with..which Im not sure about but we re in it for the long haul. Keep the faith OP!

 

[Trouper]

Keep the faith - the good ones are probably out there having Summer fun with their owners but come the late Summer some teenagers may be off to University or folk may just not want to face another winter of keeping their own so there may be more on the market.

 

[hock]

I can’t help with the failed vettings, apart from sympathise. All that bloody money!

What I will suggest is getting as much info as possible before you even consider going. I don’t sell many (2-6 a year) but when advertising I have full confirmation static shots, walk trot inhand front and back etc shots and then if backed a proper video showing mounting etc. It’s something I’m constantly improving so people know exactly what the horse is or isn’t. It works really well for me as I hate selling and I don’t want to waste time or my horses with viewings that are unrealistic. So far this system works, I’d suggest if someone isn’t prepared to go to the effort to show you this detail they aren’t worth the trip to see. FaceTime as well, photos of them on a stick et etc.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Just want to say I disagree that you are being fussy. If you had failed to find one to view, that would be fussy. Them failing the vetting, though? What is a "non-fussy" person meant to do - buy a lame one?

 

[Glitter's fun]

Sorry - you asked for success stories.
I put a very specific "wanted" ad. in HHO.
So specific that I only got 2 replies & one of those was someone chancing their arm with one that wasn't suitable.
I viewed the second & bought there and then. Didn't want to get off ("can I just try her a bit more!")

 

[splashgirl45]

Thanks, I think I’m being flexible enough but maybe my idea of flexible is different from other peoples!

I’m looking for age 4-10, 13.3-15.2hh, safe to hack & can manage a canter in the school on both reins, but green is fine, and my budget is decent enough (mid to high 4 figures).

The number of horses I’ve been to see that look perfect on paper & in videos but either aren’t as described or can’t actually canter in the school (with the seller on board!) has been eye-opening.

I just want a low-level allrounder that’s safe and has decent ground manners so my 67yr old experienced mum can enjoy it too. I’ve also had the help of my long-term instructor & people at the yard and we’ve still struggled to find anything (sound) that’s suitable!

I completely agree that ‘feel’ both on the ground and in the saddle is a big part of buying the right horse.

What you want is like gold dust, you stress safe which I completely understand but you have put age 4 to 10 , for a safe horse that will do what you want I would thing you need to extend to 14years.. if you were looking for a high level performance horse I wouldn’t look over 10 either but a safe sensible horse to do low level stuff can be older. They can all break . Out of interest I put what you required in the search section of horsequest and couldn’t find hardly anything that fitted the safe condition. I then increased the she to 12 and a couple came up . As I don’t know how far you are prepared to travel or where you are I didn’t take a note of the ref numbers, why not do a search yourself? They also had videos showing all paces

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I haven't bought a horse for years my 2 were given to me so I don't know how I would get on probably not that well, although I only really have Arab's so the choice is dramatically reduced

 

[Ample Prosecco]

You might be able to flex the 'can canter in the school' bit depending on the age of the horse. There are plenty of professionally backed horses who can w/t/c on the school a few weeks after being backed and move very nicely. Then they get sold to unbalanced riders who can't cue a canter with good timing and run the horse into canter. And then unbalance the horse IN the canter too. A horse that is sold on the basis of being super-safe may attract less confident and experienced riders so they detrain the canter and then eventually it looks like an unbalanced mess. But that's the riders not the horses. If you take a good trainer with you, they might ne able to establish canter well enough and then you can work on that at home. Or get a pro to re-establish it very easily and quickly. Literally just 2-3 sessions of cueing canter, slowing the horse when he starts to run, cueing again till they re-learn how to pop up nicely, not fall into it.

And I'd agree to widen the age limit. There is a sweet pony, 14hh, being sold by a friend if you want the details. Only 4 so super green but very safe and being ridden by her 12 yrear old daughter.

 

[Katie92]

Thanks for all your replies and stories, some have definitely cheered me up and encouraged me to keep going.

I think the thread has gone a bit off track now but I appreciate people are just trying to help (I already have the help and advice of several experienced buyers behind me who understand the reasons behind my criteria, which I’m very grateful for and lucky to have)!