any one here bought a horse who was 100% as described?

My gelding was most definitely not as described - but given that he was described as unrideable I am quite glad about that!! In fact he is the sweetest horse ever, just been royally taken advantage of and pushed beyond his limits. He has only had me off once *touches wood* but that was entirely my fault
 
I bought one of our polo ponies off an irish gentleman who totally had the gift of the gab, and told me how wonderful, viceless, perfect she was - I felt sure she must have some fault. But no...she is perfect. Literally perfect. I can't fault her, she's my best pony, with the sweetest nature, the kindest bravest pony I've ever known.

Wish the same could be said for some of the others I've been sold over the years.....
 
hahaha yup! green with flatwork, snaffle mouthed hacked alone and in company, honest, will jump anything 4 yr old! but she did say you could leave rugs and things in his stable and hes fine with them.... er no hes not! if your late with turning out after breakfast you will get a bucket thrown at you! and anything within reach of his stable will end up in the middle of the yard!!!! LOVE HIM TO PIECES! wouldnt change him for the world!
 
I bought one who wasn't as described - in a good way!

I bought him as a riding club horse then found out he has an excellent Bsja and be record! Owner was very novicey so guess she just didn't really realise!
 
All mine were as described bar the pony from the rescue sanctury.

3 came from a local dealer, Merlin was described as quiet to ride and a ****** to handle which was very true when I first had him, Joe was described as easy to handle but bucked when ridden and he did have an issue with being mounted which led to him broncing, which was easily solved when he grew to trust people, Bailey was sold as headshy and he didn't know a lot else about her and she was headshy :D.

The two Fells came from Writtle College and were exactly as described, Winnie was green to ride and a little bolshy but safe and Faye was shy and just backed.

Fudge was 100% as decribed his owner and I exchanged several lengthy emails including pretty much everything so I knew he wasn't exactly what I wanted in terms of being well schooled, bombproof and super quiet to handle but she was honest enough and he met most of my criteria so I brought him.

I'd rather someone clearly explain their horses quirks than someone who lies and pretends they are selling the 100% horse. When I was looking to buy I tried, one who bolted and was lame behind, one that bucked and reared and it turned out was newly backed, two that had vision problems one of which span violently if you did anything on her blind side as well as two very green spooky ones when I had clearly stated that I wanted something that was a safe, quiet schoolmaster and asked a whole list of questions before viewing....
 
Yes. Most have been and are cracking but all unbacked (or not ridden in 5+ years) fair percentage unhandled when sold, little to describe wrong!

The only one not sold as seen was my barely handled 9yo. I was asked to get her loaded in a week to go to sales. Was told lots of stories about how dangerous she was and how she spent her time there on two legs or swinging at you with teeth or legs. I broke my finger on first day handling ( no problem with her or me, unfortunately I gripped lead rope and my finger snapped in 3places.)
Her reaction to that was to walk up to my oh and let him sort her out, she has been calm and hasn't left my side since. I was then gifted her, she walked straight on to trailer and 2 weeks later we were able to walk through our woods, beside a fast road no problem. She's ridden now and is a sweetheart, never spooky, loves learning new tricks (I turn up to find my fella teaching them all really 'interesting' things) and is nothing like the horse I was warned about and hasn't displayed that behaviour once since.

I think a huge problem with horses/owners is that they have their world's turned upside down and are then expected to get on with it and trust humans and horses they don't know and ride straight out in a strange place. We joined two herds together (about 15horses) a year ago and although they mixed, they spent most of their time apart. It's taken c. 11months and they are now acting as one herd for the past couple of months. So expecting them to trust you in days/weeks is a huge ask. When we ran a yard it was amazing how many people turned up once or twice a week, to ride and spent no time with the horse... Those were the ones with the problems.
 
Yes, my mare was exactly as described. Sold as having severe sweet itch, hard to catch, load, very hard to trim, incredibly nervous.

Hmmm. Ever looked back and thought maybe you were dropped on your head as a baby? Should add that all of the above were solved, although she'll always be more reactive I think. Went on our second solo hack ever, today and although she was tense, she was ever so good. Proud mamma!
 
So very nearly 100%! Everything about her temperament, level of schooling, shoeing, hacking etc was spot on. My only 2 areas that I didn't agree with was 'good to load' eh no, but that may have been cos she was fine with old owner in a spacious trailer when loaded regularly. I tried after having her a year in a gloomy trailer and it wasn't good. Took a year and a better trailer to get her to a good stage of loading. The other thing they skimmed over was good to clip. I asked if she was and they nodded but then said she never really needs it. So I translated that as 'they hadn't bothered for many years but was fine when younger' well she is a devil for clipping!! I doubt they would have known that if they hadn't done it for about 10years, so not a total lie, but its only once a year so I can cope with a vet sedation then. All in all she surpassed my expectations and I wouldn't be without her ever! :-D
 
with my current three, all have been exactly as described so have been lucky although 1 is having lameness issues about 8 weeks after buying her but dont think that is the previous owners fault. Have had a couple of horses that perhaps I didnt ask enough questions about only to discover some odd quirks (and I have learnt from these mistakes when purchasing others!!) Most people I have bought from have been honest to the point of too honest - one told me her mare hated the rain hacking out - hence when it started to started to rain on a hack I got stressy.... the mare was fine!
 
Yes, but I think probably due to luck more than anything. My confidence giver gelding, bought from a girl who was dabbling in selling and has since become a dealer. Exactly as described - quiet, safe, confidence giver, hacks along, pops a jump etc. And we went on and did so much together, he was one in a million.

I'd had a bad experience before then so I was fairly cautious
and looked for ads that specifically said bombproof etc. I know that's not a gaurantee and sadly seems like some dealers target novice owners which is horrid, but in my case it was true. She'd had him a year to bring on and sell so she did know his history and she'd done a lot with him.
 
My mare is quite considerably better than described about which I am constantly delighted. I bought her as an experience steady eddy after a very bad fall and she fulfilled that role perfectly and when I felt better and more confident she upped her game automatically and is happily operating on the next level up.
 
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