Anyone just given up when looking for a new horse???

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Runaground

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Good afternoon good people of H&H. Please excuse the moan...... words of wisdom would be appreciated


I know I carry some baggage with me from previous horse accident (broken back) so am trying to be realistic, BUT......... how many misdescribed, lame, sacrcoid ridden, doped etc etc horses are there out there!

I've been looking some time now, ( just over two months this year and four last year) and seen too many which are obviously being sold for the wrong reasons it makes me wonder what percentage of horses for sale at any one time are genuinely for sale without issue.

My problem is compounded I know by the size range I'm after 16 h to 17h and the fact that I don't have the experience or confidence for a young one and although I don't mind a young teen I really am not prepared to take on one with medical issues having had nothing but with my mare, ( owned 18 months ridden for 3 and finally having to be pts) so was thinking it's not unreasonable to at least start with a relatively clean slate.

Not after anything competitive either just schooled on the flat and fab to hack and yes I know that's what everyone wants, except perhaps most would add jumping and are looking for a smaller horse so yes I have a good budget, (not trying to get something for nothing)

So anyone else just thrown in the towel?
Asking only because I'm not sure how much longer I can go on clinging to the childhood dream of having my own and actually riding and heaven forbid having fun!!

Or someone tell me it's worth the struggle........ one or the other please!!
 
I don't know what your budget is (after all, what someone considers decent may not be what others call decent!) but I found these for sale that match what you want. Although it depends on what you define as well schooled dressage - to me that would mean elementary level!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...e__unit=4831&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497



http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...e__unit=4831&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...e__unit=4831&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...e__unit=4831&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497
 
I would suggest that about 5% of horses for sale at any point in time are without issues
I would put up some 'Wanted' adverts in your local tack shops and feed merchants.
 
I feel your pain it's a hard sort to find and with your need for height I bet that does limit it alot! Is there a horse locally you could share/loan until you find one for you? That way yo can enjoy horseriding and not just be waiting around for your perfect horsey partner. A lot of people sell due to issues but sharers/loaners can just be due to expenses or lack of time so maybe you would have more luck there? That's all I can think of sorry!

Hang in there if you can it'll be worth it when you sit on a horse and know they are the one for you :) x
 
Even though you do not want to compete most horses of the type you describe will either have a competitive record of some sort or being sold with the potential to do so as that is where the sellers will perceive the most value to be, a true all rounder that has the temperament, training and ability to perform even if it is only at a decent RC level. There will be a few that are advertised as well schooled happy hackers but they will be in the minority unless they have reason to be limited in what they do, jumping is much the same most will have the ability to jump even if the rider does not.

Your budget will need to be fairly decent, around £6k to my mind, otherwise you risk looking at numerous poor quality horses and feeling like you do that you will never find what you want, you may find a gem at a cheaper price but sifting through the dross is expensive and time consuming, it is worth it though when you find the one you have been seeking.
 
I'd second the idea of maybe trying to find one to part loan/share for a while, to give you your riding buzz and time to keep looking, plus if you're not currently plugged into the horsey world around you, you might find you hear of more horses for sale by word of mouth, or get more recommendations for where to look. They def are out there. I've never given up as once I make up my mind that I'm buying, then I always end up buying - not always 100% the right one mind you! I looked at over 50 horses during one search, took me a while and I clocked up some serious miles but it was worth it in the end.
 
Thank you all,
my budget started at 5 to 6k but I have to admit it's kind of gone up a bit recently so I've been looking to see ones from 4.5 to around 7k (although the more expensive couple were more not as described and not unsound)

Yes, be positive, (great name btw) I fully understand the value will be for abilities I don't need and had thought I'd allowed for that in the flexible budget. I find often the horse would be good for someone with more miles in the saddle as they are competition tuned and on their game whereas I'm rusty and 50!

I've also been thinking about the share route again, (had many over the years) so may pursue that again if all else fails.

Thank you all for your kind words and Bernster, I like you am not a quitter and have always achieved what I've set my mind to in the past either in business or personally so part of my "pain" is the idea of failure................can't accept that!!

Just to add, when I said well schooled on the flat I merely meant can work into the contact correctly in all three paces nothing more really as my riding is between happy hacker and riding correctly into the contact myself so it's more about temperament to accept my mistakes.
 
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Have you thought of getting someone to help you source a horse? There are people who do this. Obviously they take some sort of commission.

I have bought a couple nice riding club sorts through Southgate Farm so definitely give them a try. I think she sources for people too.

I think your budget is very reasonable to find what you are looking for. If you have confidence issues then it is a good idea to find something to share for a while to get back into it. Loans with view to buy are very hard to come by! Too many horror stories of horse being sent back broken etc. I didnt consider putting my horse out for loan with view to buy when I was selling last year as couldnt risk someone breaking him.
 
Runaground I understand exactly where you're coming from. I've been looking for a horse for months now. I've been looking for a gelding, I have a size in mind, about 14-17 years of age that has actually had some schooling. I think that at that age the horse should have some ability, some schooling & not be green as grass. I went to see one horse, he was 16 years of age & from what the seller told us he had evented, hunted done dressage so we were expecting something worth looking at. He was a nice natured horse but I have no idea which horse the seller was talking about but it certainly wasn't the one we saw. It was green as grass, knew less than a 3/4 year old, was tripping over its own feet. Had no idea what we were asking him for when given the aids. It was as though the horse had been broken years ago & was then just left in the field. The seller was a big fan of Monty Roberts etc & was dropping names at every opportunity but it didn't impress us. Needles to say we left having had a wasted journey.

Why people lie about the ability of the horse I don't know. Do they think that having someone travel a distance to view a badly advertised horse is actually going to result in a sale? How a 16 year old horse has had no education to speak of I cannot understand, what has the owner done with their time?.... Nothing!

I've yet to view a horse that is as described, but I live in hope. ;(
 
Don't give up. I flew to Gatwick (from Scotland!) and viewed a lame horse with a fellow HHOer driving miles to come with me to see it! That really sickened me.

However then I found my absolute dream horse. No she isn't exactly as described but they are out there so just keep looking.

Why do you need such a big horse?
 
It's good ( not really of course) to know I'm not alone in seeing lame horses it's just hard to keep faith that any advert is honest ..........must make it a nightmare for honest sellers too! I get to the point of having to nag myself to phone if it sounds too good to be true!

Size is because I'm 5' 11 and long in the back so look and feel taller in the saddle I imagine a nice 15.3 might be ok

If anyone has used a horse buying service I'd be interested to know.....I'm south Hampshire if that makes a differene
 
Well best thing to do is a wanted ad and see want comes your way also ask if they will do a trial. You see when I sold my boy I have a trial to the new owners to make sure he was happy and that they were happy. I had nothing to hide he was what I said.
 
I take it you look on NFED? Mine came from there and I viewed a lot from there. A higher proportion seemed to be as described than those I viewed from other sources.
 
Have youlooked at horses advertised as hunters? There are a lot of very nice horses on the hunting field who work reasonably correctly, and tend to be sensible sorts who have seen a bit of life. They often don't pop up on regular searches, or are pigeon-holed. All my favourite hacks have been hunt horses
 
"Horse buying service"? Isn't that a dealer? That's where I would go, to a REPUTABLE professional dealer and give him/her your list of requirements. Buying from hobbyists is what tends to throw up the unsound/unrideable/spoilt/mental/too small/too big/deluded owner types. Second the suggestion of looking at hunters also. Good luck! And never give up, your horse is out there...........
 
Great idea about the hunt horses...and also why not consider something either half or full gypsy cob. They are the most sane, reliable type especially if you need to get your confidence back. I had a bad fall - rodeo type, bronced off - broken collarbone. I took a gypsy cob on loan once I had recovered and he gave me my confidence back. I knew he would never buck, rear, go gaga on me and that really helped. A few months later I was happy to hop up on a much more blood horse. Honestly though if you just want to pleasure ride why not consider a sensible draught or gypsy horse - they can be sensible and also have some go in them. Why put yourself through hell trying to ride some flash blood horse who is prancing along the road, when yoou can take the safer, armchair route with a nice cob!
 
Hunter idea is a good one I think, I did go to one recently, not far off being right except for the buck of course! Cortez, a reputable dealer is high on my list each week. I've been in touch with a couple and had much the same kind of response..........hard to find schooled on the flat and good to hack and or they don't tend to get my size in as most people want smaller, however I did get a good feeling from them and will keep in touch certainly with Emnma Hinckley having visited one of hers who was close but too blood for me at the moment. My ideal would be ISH half and half BUT that would be dream stuff and I'm a pragmatist. Anything would be considered , but, full tbs would be more horse than I am rider, ( I know there are exceptions) as long as one day I can aspire to ride from the seat and not so much leg and hand as now.
 
I spent 9 months looking for a new horse. Lost count of how many were lame or just in terrible state, I felt like giving up a few times then went to see the next one and bought him.

Keep going. There are good ones out there

4vOoTze.jpg
 
I recently had to buy 3 quiet horses for work, I looked at 4 and had 3 suitable horses bought within a month. It's more than doable :) two I found after placing a wanted ad on Facebook and one was from a dealer near gatwick.

Yes we probably didn't get a 'bargain' in that we paid top prices but that wasn't the aim, safe, sensible and soon were the priority :) good luck and I definitely recommend the reputable dealer angle it makes life much less stressful.
 
It can take a long time to find the right horse it took me 6 months of looking and increasing my budget.

I think what you are looking on the budget you have is doable, maybe ask around local riding clubs to see if anyone can recommend a horse or a dealer who might have something suitable.
 
Yes it does seem to take a long time for most of us....benz is obviously a super shopper! I guess it doesn't help that I started last year in early July and took around 3 months or so off over winter as I was moving and needed to "take a break" so to speak. Even then amidst the moving I couldn't quite stop looking at ads, so it feels like longer than it has been really. I have put a wanted notice around my RC, but, that was a month or so ago so will try them again. Thanks.
 
Did you look at any of the links I posted?

Would be nice to know if that is the sort you are looking for.
 
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What type of thing are you wanting the horse for? You wanting to compete or just general riding & hacking?
 
Sorry only-me I have looked. The 12k horse would be way way over budget and a full tb is not really the kind I'd feel comfortable with. However the other two, especially the hunter look good. I've been juggling husband's Birthday dinner toinight and H&H ing so haven't rung either yet, but, will do. Thanks
 
It is worth the struggle! When I was initially looking, I saw about seven horses and had one vetted which did not pass a stage two vetting. Decided to wait til the following summer and have a look. Ended up looking at 24 in total, had another that did not pass a stage two vetting and was very ready to give up! I remember seeing one who was skin and bones (spine was protruding!) one that was about 12hh despite the owner telling me she was 14.1hh! I had a reasonable budget (£3k) and only wanted a new forest pony to do local shows! In the end, on the whim with a friend, I went to see a yearling near me and fell in love with him! But I had probably spent around £1k on failed vettings, petrol and payment to instructors to come and view horses with me. If you asked me would I do it again, probably not. I would go down the route of buying another youngster because for me it is a lot less hassle and I'm happy to put the work in. Also I would always follow your gut instinct, despite what everyone else might be telling you. There was one I viewed that I was told not to buy and I wish I had not listened to my instructor. I said to myself if the pony ever came back on the market I would buy her! Good luck with your search!
 
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