Breeders/private sellers - looking for older youngstock

[zoon]

I’m looking for an unbacked 4/5/6 year old.

14.2-15.3hh

Any sex, I’m not fussed (can even take a stallion, but he would be gelded)

Very flexible on type - I’m after a nice all rounder that’d turn their hoof to anything. I’m into classical dressage and working equitation, but I also like a blast down the beach, xc and jumping clinics (up to 90/100 max so nothing huge). Zero competitive aspirations, just love the training and trying different things

My only deal breaker is I will not consider a grey

4 figure budget, located on south east coast but willing to travel in England

 

[shortstuff99]

There is quite a few in that range on the Spanish horses UK Facebook page.

 

[maya2008]

You just need to be super careful they haven’t tried to back in the past, had issues and turned away.

 

[Abacus]

Would you consider bringing one in from Ireland? Less risk of them having been started and proved difficult so sold as unbacked. You could get a nice Connemara in your height range that would probably do everything in your list. Try Thomas Duffy or Kevin Reilly (both on FB).

 

[zoon]

You just need to be super careful they haven’t tried to back in the past, had issues and turned away.

Yes, I’m worried about that

 

[zoon]

Would you consider bringing one in from Ireland? Less risk of them having been started and proved difficult so sold as unbacked. You could get a nice Connemara in your height range that would probably do everything in your list. Try Thomas Duffy or Kevin Reilly (both on FB).

I’m not sure I could afford it. Now it’s so much more expensive to bring them over I think it’d be too much

 

[maya2008]

Yes, I’m worried about that

You’re looking for a needle in a haystack really. I do back older ponies, but we ensure they haven’t been started before by acquiring feral ones - if it’s unhandled, definitely no one has sat on it! There will be some out there who haven’t been started due to their owner’s ill health or lack of time, but most people would back before putting up for sale. So maybe a wanted ad would be more likely to find you what you’re after? You can then look at the person’s social media to see, as best you can, if they are telling the truth.

 

[ihatework]

I’m not sure I could afford it. Now it’s so much more expensive to bring them over I think it’d be too much

I’m not sure it would be any less risky from Ireland.

You want a little private hobby breeder that doesn’t have the time and money to have it done and has left horse sitting in paddock at home.

Honestly anything 4+ claiming to be unbroken from trade sellers I’d give blanket avoidance of.

Post on all your local horse Facebook pages

 

[Abacus]

I’m not sure it would be any less risky from Ireland.

You want a little private hobby breeder that doesn’t have the time and money to have it done and has left horse sitting in paddock at home.

If you find a breeder (like the ones I mentioned) and follow on FB you can see that their business model is to sell unbroken (albeit more aged 3 than 4 or 5), so quite unlikely they'd have done anything with it. Kevin Reilly for example seems to have several per month. But appreciate the OP's point that it may be too expensive; I haven't asked for prices for a while.

 

[ihatework]

If you find a breeder (like the ones I mentioned) and follow on FB you can see that their business model is to sell unbroken (albeit more aged 3 than 4 or 5), so quite unlikely they'd have done anything with it. Kevin Reilly for example seems to have several per month. But appreciate the OP's point that it may be too expensive; I haven't asked for prices for a while.

3 year olds maybe. But op wants 4+
I’d be very cautious of any trade sale offering 4+ unbroken, irrespective of Ire or UK

 

[Caol Ila]

It's all the way in Scotland, but my horse's breeder has unbacked youngsters of that age. They won't have much handling in general.

 

[zoon]

It's all the way in Scotland, but my horse's breeder has unbacked youngsters of that age. They won't have much handling in general.

What breed are they? Can you send me details?

 

[asmp]

5 yr old reg welsh sec D gelding

Full details on the NFED Classifieds - www.nfed.co.uk #horses #ponies #equestrian

www.nfed.co.uk

 

[Cloball]

I often see unbacked arabs for sale? https://www.arabianlines.com/for_sale/index.htm 8th down Zizi?

 

[Caol Ila]

They are PREs. I've sent you a PM.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Have you seen the Brecon sales thread on here? It’s probably quite a trek for you, but there were some proper bargains last weekend.

 

[WelshHoarder]

@zoon would you consider a 4yo Welsh D mare? PM if you want more info

 

[Barlow]

Not sure what your circumstances are but another option could be buying an unbacked 3yo that you like the look of and then keeping it with the breeder on livery until you are ready. Not sure if you’ve got the luxury of time though!

 

[Glitter's fun]

I know it's not what you asked but if you went for a 3 year old the choice would be huge & the risk far less. By the time you've looked and looked for the rare thing you want, your bought now 3 y.o. would already be three and a half!
You might even be able to save money on travel & put that to a loan to ride in the meantime.

 

[maya2008]

I know it's not what you asked but if you went for a 3 year old the choice would be huge & the risk far less. By the time you've looked and looked for the rare thing you want, your bought now 3 y.o. would already be three and a half!
You might even be able to save money on travel & put that to a loan to ride in the meantime.

I assumed the OP had an objection to riding 3 year olds, so didn’t suggest this. In reality, whether it’s 3 or 6, you’re not looking at riding really until October time once you’ve found the right one and put a couple of months in to back it (when any 3yo would be 3.5yo), competing next summer.

We backed a 6yo, a 10yo and two 3 yos this Spring. Didn’t really notice much difference. Backed a 5yo once though … never, ever again. I’d just leave until they turned 6 in future - which is what we did with our current 6yo. Horses are supposed to be fun, and dealing with the Kevin stage with no prior relationship established is just not fun!

 

[Glitter's fun]

I assumed the OP had an objection to riding 3 year olds, so didn’t suggest this. In reality, whether it’s 3 or 6, you’re not looking at riding really until October time once you’ve found the right one and put a couple of months in to back it (when any 3yo would be 3.5yo), competing next summer.

We backed a 6yo, a 10yo and two 3 yos this Spring. Didn’t really notice much difference. Backed a 5yo once though … never, ever again. I’d just leave until they turned 6 in future - which is what we did with our current 6yo. Horses are supposed to be fun, and dealing with the Kevin stage with no prior relationship established is just not fun!

For clarity, I'm not suggesting OP rides a 3 y.o. I'm suggesting she buys one now, puts it in a field for a year then begins whatever she has in mind to do with her 4 year old then.

 

[Cloball]

How about a young broodie

 

[zoon]

How about a young broodieView attachment 142112

If that mare is 14.3, that man is a giant!

 

[nagblagger]

Or this?

15h 4 year old Traditional Gypsy Cob Mare

Category:​ Project Horses & Ponies Offered​ ​ ​ ​ Advert No:​ 183131​ Posted:​ 29/06/2024​ Location:​ Jade Rosina Southampton Hampshire​ 07714205145​ Phone Only - No Emails ​ Description Lack of time and change of circumstances forces sale of this wonderful mare. Just turned 4 ready to back and start her ridden career. Fantastic temperament, not phased or bothered by anything, great with children, dogs, farm machinery and other horses. I just cannot give her the time she needs and will be wasted as a field ornament. Good to box, not travelled a lot due to age but always has happily, good with farrier, up to date with teeth, jabs, lives in or and is a good doer. A pleasure to own. Absolutely heartbreaking sale so please no time wasters I want the best home for life for her. £2500.​

Edit or Delete
	Link: www.nfed.co.uk/ad.php?ref=183131​

 

[Cloball]

@zoon I was thinking that but mine is a short arse so everything looks big compared to her.

 

[Cloball]

 

[Caol Ila]

That's a nice stamp of a QH, Cloball.

Nope, need a third horse like a hole in the head.

 

[Cloball]

You like your duns @Caol Ila

 

[Caol Ila]

You like your duns @Caol Ila

Hah. 'Cause it's the best colour.

 

[Lois Lame]

I assumed the OP had an objection to riding 3 year olds, so didn’t suggest this. In reality, whether it’s 3 or 6, you’re not looking at riding really until October time once you’ve found the right one and put a couple of months in to back it (when any 3yo would be 3.5yo), competing next summer.

We backed a 6yo, a 10yo and two 3 yos this Spring. Didn’t really notice much difference. Backed a 5yo once though … never, ever again. I’d just leave until they turned 6 in future - which is what we did with our current 6yo. Horses are supposed to be fun, and dealing with the Kevin stage with no prior relationship established is just not fun!

I've never heard about the Kevin stage before having read about it here on the forum. What is it about 5 year olds, I wonder