Anything I can do?

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Raych

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Well, my horse hunt continues, thank you for all the suggestions on my last post.
I have found some lovely ones who have been recommended to me, but i showed dad and he was shocked at the price.
previously we were looking at horses around the 3.5k mark, but this was in the spring so i am guessing the markets have changed since, and the horses i went to see weren't of a good quality or as supposedly safe as the ones i found.

So I have found some, who look amazing on paper and reflected in the price of almost 6k. Showed my dad and he just completley disregarded them, won't even consider veiwing them.
To be fair he is not horsey, noone in my family is, so doesnt really understand the type I'm after is so hard to find, and the owners can but the prices up. And to be fair to him aswell, he will be paying for most of its care.

But I think he expects me to buy a cheap horse and just get on with it, regardless of whether it suits me or not.
He knows you pay for what you get, but he doesn't see the point in spending all the money on something which you could could spend a lot less on, compromising a few factors; like safeness.
I thought him of all people would want me to be safe out riding :confused:
Im confused as well as he took me to a dealers where the rpices were just as high "just to look around", i dont see why we can't have a look around there either?

Anyway, i was just thinking, seeing as I'm 15 is there anything I can do to raise some money to put towards a better quality horse?
I'm 15 so not old enough to "work" as such, but any suggestions would be REALLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance xxxx
 
I found a good few horses for sale under 3k for someone else on a thread yesterday, they are about, you just have to do alot of sifting to find the right one and be prepared to travel.
 
Can you compromise on size or age? If you're small, you could get a largeish pony (14hh+) and that would drop the price. Alternatively, there are some super older horses who have done the rounds and would be fantastic for you - but are cheaper due to being over 12 or thereabouts.
 
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What was it you are after?

£3.5k should buy you a nice and safe horse, but not one who has been there done it all to HOYS standard.
 
Sorry if this sounds off, but if D1 was offered £3.5k to buy a new horse, and kept showing me ones for £6k with the immortal words "But nothing else is good enough/safe enough" etc. etc. etc., then said D1 would be getting bobber-all and I'd spend the £3.5k on someone else :D

There are thousands of horses for sale. Put what attributes you need/want in priority order and then go looking, being prepared to compromise on those attributes that are lower down your priority list.

If safety is your first point, there are pleanty of 'been there, seen it, done it' safe horses well within your budget. They may well be older, they may well have a quirk, there's bound to be something about them that keeps their price down, but that's the joy of horse buying :)
 
What do you need a £5k+++ horse for?

I think your dad is sensible tbh, I would think you could get a lovely horse for £3k ish, you could even make a bit if you can bring something on.

There are a lot of good, 'mid range' riding club/hunting horses around for £3k - £3.5k at the mo.

:) good luck
 
When i was 15 i would of loved for my parents to give me a decent amount of money to look for a horse, you should be grateful!! there are lots out there if you look carefully and are prepared to travel im sure you could find something a little over 12yrs in your budget which has probably seen and done everything such as a schoolmaster?
What type are you looking for?
 
I am incredibly grateful don't get me wrong!
I am so thanful for my dad even considering getting me a horse!

I am looking for a 15.2, good in open spaces and out xc, have a decent jump but i wont be competing at a high level, good hacking in company (do not go out alone) basically a been there done that with a bit of spark - i don't want to get bored of a horse, i want something safe but challenging.
So a hard find, i know.

edited to say - Oh and one more thing, i texted him this morning to tell him i found a good looking horse which suits athe above criteria, he asked for the price and it was 3000, then he asked why it was "cheap".
I really don't know what he wants lol.
 
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He probably asked why so cheap because you've previously told him he'd have to be spending 6K to get that!!!

Anyway from what you've said I think Birti on my initial list sounds like he'd fit the bill and well in budget! But he is 13 yr old
 
Well, if he isn't horsey, and you've told him you need to pay £6k for a horse that meets what you need (want), then he is going to ask why a horse that you're interested in is £3k....

Write your list. Talk it though with your Dad, explain your points - the must haves, the like to have, the definately not to have; that way he will have a baseline to use when you tell him about different horses.

Don't forget, to most non-horsey people, a horse is a horse is a horse. Big. Expensive. Smelly. One end bites, the other end kicks. Etc., etc., etc. :D :D
 
Well up till now i have been told i would need to pay that amount to get what i need. As the type I'm after is so wanted.

Please give me a break.
I have been told by people I am going to have to spend a bit more because what i want is what everyone wants, so i've been following their guidelines!
I've never bought before and this is a new experience for me so please, just give me a chance yeah?
 
when i was your age and got my first horse i worked on my livery yard every sunday which covered the cost of my livery bill. Could you do something like this? Then maybe he wouldn't mind spending a little more if he knew you were willing to help out with the upkeep? Although having said that I think there are plenty of horses under £3.5k that meet your requirements! For £6k i would be expecting something at least competing at affiliated level tbh :) there are so many on horsequest in the allrounders under £3k category
 
You should fine something decent within that budget. When I was your age, my horse cost me £500. Paid in instalments cos we couldn't afford her :D I still have her now (so no, it wasn't a million years ago, I'm not that old :P ). We've had great fun together, but I do have to admit that she wasn't exactly the safest type...

I'll try and have a look for you later, if work is still quiet this afternoon :) What area are you in?
 
Raych said:
He does look lovely, but "experienced home required" :/
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Everyone's going to say that!! If you can convince them that you are going to keep him on a yard with experienced people to guide you (or part/full livery) and take an experienced person with you to back this up, I'm sure they'll consider you. No one is going to WANT to sell their horse to a numpty (not saying you are at all!), but everyones a 1st time owner at some point. You just have to proove yourself trustworthy!
 
galaxy23 said:
Everyone's going to say that!! If you can convince them that you are going to keep him on a yard with experienced people to guide you (or part/full livery) and take an experienced person with you to back this up, I'm sure they'll consider you. No one is going to WANT to sell their horse to a numpty (not saying you are at all!), but everyones a 1st time owner at some point. You just have to proove yourself trustworthy!
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Thank you, I emailed them. I help out at my local riding school so i know all the basics, and i told them this.
Looking forward to the reply. thanks x
 
Obviously we don't know who has told you that you need to spend that amount :).

Have you put a search in the horse selling websites, with your maximum amount of £3.5k and no other criteria, and seen what comes up? You might be pleasantly surprised :D

When I was first looking, I wanted a 17hh plus, four or five year old gelding. Was looking through Horsequest (think it was that one), page after page of horses.... Suddenly one caught my eye :D. I ended up with a three year old just backed 15hh mare :D. Didn't matter, fell in love. One of the things I loved about her was when I tried her. We were in a field on top of a mountain (well, a big hill lol) and she was as calm and steady as a rock :D. I have a thing about being bombed off with, hate it :(. That alone would have swung the deal :D

Do you have an experienced friend that you trust to go looking with you? Or an instructor that you're comfortable with?

ETA: sorry if I/we sound heckling, don't mean to :) Have a hug and a hot choccy and let us help you find a good horse :D
 
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I know of someone selling a nice coloured mw cob, 14.3hh, hacks alone or in company, safe etc although not for a complete novice, very forward, jumps brill, does xc and has hunted and been a star. She wants £2850 for him, hes rising 6.
PM me for more details if your interested :)
 
If your dad is now concerned that ones you are looking at are 'cheap', explain that you have done some research and are being more realistic about what you are showing him as you understand 6k is too far over budget. Explain that you are sure you'll find a horse within budget which is suitable, and that you're grateful to have 3.5k to spend ! Tell him it's a buyers market at the moment so a really good time to buy as you'll get something within budget that is very good value .. also, it may be worth finding an instructor or experienced friend to take with you as well :)

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/4-details-horses-for-sale_249316.htm - slightly smaller at 14.3 but really nice looking/sounding type ..

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/4-details-horses-for-sale_249379.htm - again slightly smaller but looks/sounds nice ..

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/4-details-horses-for-sale_249115.htm - this looks safe and fun and is a bit bigger than other 2 and very pretty ..

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/marketplace/classified/4-details-horses-for-sale_248344.htm

Dealer-wise - I would also reccommend Julia Greenall of Southgate farm (she has a website if you google southgate farm) - PM me if you'd like her number, as well as Steve Lamb (also has a website if you google him) - PM me if you'd like his number - neither of them have tons on their sites so worth giving them a call.
 
 
Thank you, I really need something 15.2 as i am tall but get over horsed easily.
I shall have a look at both sites. Have been to a few dealers already, all been brilliant but nothing has grabbed me yet.
Thanks x

And thank you competitiondiva, they do look nice xx
 
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All i would suggest is to be a bit more open minded and try some horses outside of the ideal you have in your mind. If you don't want to compete to a high level then you don't need to pay alot to get a nice horse, a less talented but genuine one will be much better for you and you're less likely to be overhorsed. Also don't be too obsessed with the height, i've known 15.2's that only pros can ride and an 18hh tb a muppet can (and does) ride
 
Have only done a v quick search and can see why you're struggling. All rounders in Kent do seem to be going for quite a lot of money! But they're all "all rounder with competition potential" which doesn't sound like what you want.

I like the look of this little mare though. She's only 15hh but looks as though she will take up your leg nicely. Not flashy, but looks like a lovely honest type, pretty face. She's slightly over budget, but probably room for negotiation there. I'd have her!

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/6_yrs_15_0_hh_fleabitten_grey_other_kent/114763
 
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