Birker2020
Well-Known Member
Putting a deposit down, no matter how small tells the vendor you are serious about buying the horse. It is a good will gesture, to say that you are prepared to take the purchase to the next stage, and by giving the vendor money against the horses value you are assuring he or she that you are serious about your prospective purchase. It doesn't have to be a huge amount or a percentage of the horses value. £20 is sufficient.
I have to say that the people I've always bought off with the exception of the first horse have been dealers, the same dealer or from someone else via the same dealer for three of the six horses, and two separate dealers for the other two. Maybe buying from someone privately makes the vendor more wary I don't know. If I was selling my horse (God forbid I'm ever in that position) I'd be happy to hold the horse for a few days until the vetting could take place for a deposit of £20.