Buying a better horse than you actually need

[Birker2020]

I get this, Birker, and I used to face the same questioning as you do. I felt exactly the same until I hit my late fifties, when I bought a 2 year old expecting him to make 15.2. He's now heading towards 16.3 and I absolutely love riding him!
.

That horse the other Sunday with the broken wind, now being readvertised with 1K off him. Well he was at least 17.3hh - 18hh although he'd been advertised at 17hh. And I thought and I jumped off him onto the pebbled yard (used to getting off on mounting blocks a) how much it was going to hurt by back and b) how much I'd actually enjoyed being on such a big horse, even though he was no good to ride.

So yes, I get about your 16.3hh going from 15.2 expectation and I totally understand. 16.3hh is really the smallest I can go.

 

[Red-1]

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This one has got to be worth a phone call? It is where my previous horse came from, she was quality and bone.

 

[Birker2020]

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This one has got to be worth a phone call? It is where my previous horse came from, she was quality and bone.

Thanks, nice horse. I will enquire but previously his horses have been on the 15 - 17K mark and well over budget.
I must admit he looks what I am looking for.

 

[nikkimariet]

I'd just be conscious that established horses often don't automatically turn into schoolmasters.These horses are often used to very confident riders who balance them, get them the right speed and can place to them fences. I've seen SO many times people buying horses like this and thinking they will cruise around lower courses and it doesn't always turn out that way. it might, but not always. horses like that can turn into very tricky animals with amateur riders, the problems can range from them not being used to carrying unbalanced riders, to not liking riders with unsteady hands or aids. To just realising they not need to worry about knocking poles, or realising they can just run out. It all depends on the horses temperament. But there's no guarantee it will suit an amateur rider automatically.

I think with buying higher level quality horses your main thought has to be 'do I have the potential to be the rider this horse needs?' rather than 'can this horse downgrade to do a lower level'

I do really agree with this.

On one hand - the horse has NO idea of its potential, what they could fulfill etc.

On the other hand - this post… I see it in the dressage world all too often.

You really can’t beat a nice brain and a big heart these days. Plus, it’s not a bad thing to have a type. I like modern lightly built geldings. I can appreciate all horse types but that doesn’t mean I’d have every breed or build for myself.

 

[Birker2020]

I do really agree with this.

On one hand - the horse has NO idea of its potential, what they could fulfill etc.

On the other hand - this post… I see it in the dressage world all too often.

You really can’t beat a nice brain and a big heart these days. Plus, it’s not a bad thing to have a type. I like modern lightly built geldings. I can appreciate all horse types but that doesn’t mean I’d have every breed or build for myself.

Yes you both have valid points.

The last 4 WB horses I'd bought before (all from dealers) had been imports from Holland or Belgium. They were mouldable horses insomuch that they were very biddable and would do what I required which was well within their scope. The one that was a Grade B looked after me and never dreamt of running out which was very good of him because I'm sure I flung him over some 2ft 3's at a rate of knotts. But I trusted him implicitly and he never let me down till the one night at a lesson when the instructor got us to jump some really small skinny jump about 2 foot wide. My steering went all to pot, he simply didn't understand what was being asked of him and he put in the most polite slow motion run out I think I''ve ever seen in a horse. All my fault!

I might go and find I can't ride one side of this horse I like but feel like I ought to investigate or I will kick myself. Whilst I'm not a joy rider it won't hurt to try and see if this type of horse suits me.

Anyway if the lady doesn't come back to me I will probably find that it has been sold Saturday morning unless this is a ruse to make me more keen I don't know. I don't know anything anymore or who to trust and who not to. Its a total nightmare.

 

[Birker2020]

Ok the lady can't make the night this week I have offered to view in order to beat the person viewing on Saturday morning (if there really is a person) but now I can't make my mind up if the person on Saturday doesn't want him there must be a reason why. If the horse is lame or turns out to not be suitable on the day then so be it, we have wasted £13 on the toll and diesel getting there. But I am wary that people have not bought it because maybe its bolted with them or flung them on the floor......

I will also add that I have been approached by someone who had also wished to view the horse and has spoken to the seller and was told very much the same story as I have been told by her in terms of things which I can't go into in order to protect all parties. But she was offered to view the horse many weeks ago which is worrying. She decided not to in the end.

Is there any way you can tell on Horsequest just how long a horse has been advertised for as I can't see there is?

I will also add that there is nothing concrete to suggest the lady selling the horse is not legit, but I'm potentially about to part with more money than I have ever parted with before and it is very worrying to me.

 

[nutjob]

As far as I can tell on HQ they issue consecutive no's. So a higher no. should be at the top of your search. If, when you put your search criteria in there is an ad with a lower no. at the top this seems to be one which has been relisted. Sometimes I recognise these as the same horse I saw weeks / months before and now it's at the top as if it's a new listing. It's my own observation, not something I know to be true. I will also try to pm you with some stuff I have learned along the way!

 

[nikicb]

Is there any way you can tell on Horsequest just how long a horse has been advertised for as I can't see there is?

The date on the videos is 1st August if that's any help.

 

[Bernster]

I know what you mean but I wouldn’t be overly swayed by someone viewing first and not buying. I’d ask why, although you may not get a candid reply. But it’s very personal and can be very subjective and not necessarily a guide for whether the horse would suit you. Stick to stuff you can control, limits the stress involved which is high enough as it is ?

 

[Laurac13]

Someone mentioned the geldings name you’re viewing so I had a little google ? he was up for sale as a 5 yr old with Lambley house sport horses for £19.5k and at that time had 4 double clears bsja newcomers and ready to move up to foxhunter. There are 2 videos on the advert link it is Definitely him with his unusual blaze. I can’t see his recent showjumping record as I am no longer a bsja member but he is jumping much smaller jumps in his recent advert.

 

[Rowreach]

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This one has got to be worth a phone call? It is where my previous horse came from, she was quality and bone.

He definitely has the Holycross head! I rather like him.

 

[Annagain]

Ok the lady can't make the night this week I have offered to view in order to beat the person viewing on Saturday morning (if there really is a person) but now I can't make my mind up if the person on Saturday doesn't want him there must be a reason why. If the horse is lame or turns out to not be suitable on the day then so be it, we have wasted £13 on the toll and diesel getting there. But I am wary that people have not bought it because maybe its bolted with them or flung them on the floor......

I will also add that I have been approached by someone who had also wished to view the horse and has spoken to the seller and was told very much the same story as I have been told by her in terms of things which I can't go into in order to protect all parties. But she was offered to view the horse many weeks ago which is worrying. She decided not to in the end.

Is there any way you can tell on Horsequest just how long a horse has been advertised for as I can't see there is?

I will also add that there is nothing concrete to suggest the lady selling the horse is not legit, but I'm potentially about to part with more money than I have ever parted with before and it is very worrying to me.

I saw plenty of very nice horses that just weren't right for me. One was a bit too lively for my liking, another not lively enough, one I just didn't feel right on for no good reason! I wouldn't read too much into someone else not wanting him.

 

[Birker2020]

Someone mentioned the geldings name you’re viewing so I had a little google ? he was up for sale as a 5 yr old with Lambley house sport horses for £19.5k and at that time had 4 double clears bsja newcomers and ready to move up to foxhunter. There are 2 videos on the advert link it is Definitely him with his unusual blaze. I can’t see his recent showjumping record as I am no longer a bsja member but he is jumping much smaller jumps in his recent advert.

Wow thank you. That is very interesting.

Yes he is jumping much smaller, I noted that as she said he'd been jumping 1.10m. But then yesterday I had a barrage of videos/photos which was really kind of her and I can see he probably was jumping 1.10m, partner used to be a course builder Level 1 and agreed with me.

Arrrgh I hate horse hunting, I knew that it would never be pleasant because if I were horse hunting it would be because I was replacing (and I mean that in the loosest term) my beloved horse.

But I never knew it would be as stressful as it is. I've heard of people that have never dealt before that are now buying up youngsters, taking them to a few outings and selling them for a handsome profit.

 

[Birker2020]

I saw plenty of very nice horses that just weren't right for me. One was a bit too lively for my liking, another not lively enough, one I just didn't feel right on for no good reason! I wouldn't read too much into someone else not wanting him.

Partner said the other night he's getting fed up of telling people who ask how I've got on, that its another horse I've been to see and not bought. Gosh I've only been to three viewings in 4 months and 5 days! Like friend said, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince.

 

[Laurac13]

No problem Birker I do like a google! I can understand your stress ?
His BD record is available looks like only a handful of outings in 2018 and 2019 at prelim and novice but did well. His BE eventing history is also online quite a few eliminates at XC and Show jumping faults in quite a few- could be wrong rider or stale horse. No record since 2019 could be due to pandemic or horse injury or owners personal situation but I’d ask why he hasn’t competed in so long x

 

[nikicb]

No problem Birker I do like a google! I can understand your stress ?
His BD record is available looks like only a handful of outings in 2018 and 2019 at prelim and novice but did well. His BE eventing history is also online quite a few eliminates at XC and Show jumping faults in quite a few- could be wrong rider or stale horse. No record since 2019 could be due to pandemic or horse injury or owners personal situation but I’d ask why he hasn’t competed in so long x

The person who owned/competed him in 2019 is not the same person selling him. I have no opinion on the horse either way, but just wandered around the internet a little.

ETA I do think it can be an issue posting details of a horse you are intending to look at for all sorts of reasons. But it is always worth doing a little sleuthing of your own. Good luck OP whatever you decide to do.

 

[paddy555]

The person who owned/competed him in 2019 is not the same person selling him. .

yet per the advert it is a heart breaking sale but they have only had him 2 yrs or less? Birker can you trace the person who owned him in 2019 and see if you can get some history.

 

[splashgirl45]

when you get on a horse you normally know if he feels right for you. when i was looking i tried a couple of perfectly nice horses which ticked all of my boxes but for reasons i cant explain, they didnt feel right for me. neither of them were unsound or badly behaved but i didnt want them. when i viewed my last horse i liked her even before i got on, and it was confirmed when i rode her. so dont imagine that there were problems if the viewer on sat doesnt want him. from the sleuthing that has gone on he still sounds like he would do your job happily as long as you dont want to compete at a high level....if its meant to be it will happen

 

[splashgirl45]

yet per the advert it is a heart breaking sale but they have only had him 2 yrs or less? Birker can you trace the person who owned him in 2019 and see if you can get some history.

you can fall in love in less than 2 years. i had my loan horse for 2 years and i was heartbroken when i had to give her back, so it happens

 

[Birker2020]

The person who owned/competed him in 2019 is not the same person selling him. I have no opinion on the horse either way, but just wandered around the internet a little.

ETA I do think it can be an issue posting details of a horse you are intending to look at for all sorts of reasons. But it is always worth doing a little sleuthing of your own. Good luck OP whatever you decide to do.

Yes well I didn't expect the post to reach such epic numbers but I'm grateful for the help.

If I was selling a horse and found out that someone had done due diligence I'd think they were pretty smart to be honest and had a level head. I'd rather somebody took the trouble to find out the history of a horse. I would know they cared.

I didn't come on here to critique the horse at all I just mentioned that I liked him and would be making an offer never actually thinking that I would get that far even. Its post has kind of took on a rolling down the hill thing.

 

[Birker2020]

yet per the advert it is a heart breaking sale but they have only had him 2 yrs or less? Birker can you trace the person who owned him in 2019 and see if you can get some history.

They've had him just over a year. She is selling him for a reason I am not prepared to go into on the forum, but it is a genuine reason that could happen to anyone and as she is loaning out another at the same time and I believe what she says.

She is such a nice lady and I think she is genuine but you can understand my concerns.

 

[Laurac13]

Birker look at his BE eventing history if you wish to try to contact any previous owners it’s easy to google and there names are on there? a chap rode him a few times in late 2017/2018 (he competes a few horses ) and a different lady competed him BE 2019 who is different to his current lady owner I believe . The horse may have been passed on as he wasn’t going to be an advanced eventer which wouldn’t be a problem for you

 

[splashgirl45]

i think you are better to go with your gut feeling and take note of things people have said, but dont let them cloud your judgement. none of us know how you ride and what you want from a horse, you are the only one that can decide. i hope you get to try him and even if you dont feel he is the one, it will help with future viewings..

 

[splashgirl45]

Birker look at his BE eventing history if you wish to try to contact any previous owners it’s easy to google and there names are on there? a chap rode him a few times in late 2017/2018 (he competes a few horses ) and a different lady competed him BE 2019 who is different to his current lady owner I believe . The horse may have been passed on as he wasn’t going to be an advanced eventer which wouldn’t be a problem for you

this is exactly what i feel, he seems to be good to a certain level and when they tried a novice with him he obviously decided it wasnt for him, he seemed to be fine at 90 with a couple of blips in 100..and i think this is the level OP is happy doing herself..he could be a really fun horse for the lower levels

 

[ycbm]

yet per the advert it is a heart breaking sale but they have only had him 2 yrs or less? Birker can you trace the person who owned him in 2019 and see if you can get some history.

Errrrrr ..... I'd be heartbroken if I had to sell Joe right now and I've only had him 5 months and only just sat on him.
.

 

[splashgirl45]

Errrrrr ..... I'd be heartbroken if I had to sell Joe right now and I've only had him 5 months and only just sat on him.
.

it took me and my loan horse about a year to bond properly and even though i gave her up over 2 years ago, i still think about her and would have her back in a heartbeat if i had my own place a could afford to get the heavy work done..

 

[Annagain]

Partner said the other night he's getting fed up of telling people who ask how I've got on, that its another horse I've been to see and not bought. Gosh I've only been to three viewings in 4 months and 5 days! Like friend said, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince.

I saw 25 I think, I lost count to be honest. It took 14 months - although I took a bit of a break before Christmas and then lockdown hit so I only saw one in 6 months in the middle of that.

 

[HashRouge]

.........

 

[splashgirl45]

the link is earlier on in this thread

 

[HashRouge]

I've just found it, thanks! OP, I used to work with Larry back in 2014/2015/2016, so I knew him when he was first backed. He was started by an SJ rider but owned by a private owner, who I think had ideas about owning a few SJ horses. I remember him having scope but not being top level. Personality wise he is very, very sweet, a really cuddly chap. I think I must have hacked him out a bit because I did most horses there. He deserves a lovely home, I hope he finds one!