Buying a horse from Ireland (while on holiday)

[Waxwing]

There are a number of adverts on Horse Quest at present from a holiday company in Ireland that also sells horses I just wondered if anyone had purchased a horse via this route; I could find a lot of reviews of their horse riding holidays but not any reviews from anyone who had purchased a horse. Many thanks

 

[smolmaus]

I know the company, I have gone on a few treks up there (the Sheans side of the business) but I can't speak to the purchasing side of things either unfortunately. I've looked at their pricing and it is a bit bonkers imo.

From my own personal point of view they are looking for new horse owners who need a steady-eddie proven safe pony that knows their job and the buyers don't know enough to dip into the sales market themselves. It has to be a good market for them as they do seem to sell quite a few but you will be paying "over the odds" for that as a buyer.

I really fell in love with one of the horses I rode there, he was a super pony and they're all safe, happy, well cared for horses but I still wouldn't be paying 10k for him on top of the £150/day holiday.

 

[Annagain]

Waxwing, you and I are clearly looking at the same ads! Their prices certainly seemed on the steep side - and weirdly based on height rather than ability / experience. I get they're trying to be generic on the website as they don't advertise individual horses but that struck me as a bit odd. I would at least expect them to take the price of the holiday off the purchase.

I'm sure someone on here was looking to do the same in Devon not so long ago, or was that a Facebook group?

 

[cold_feet]

Free rein in Wales also sell their horses, not sure if they advertise though. I guess it’s a natural opportunity for horse holiday providers, people go for a holiday, fall in love .......... so they can charge a premium.

 

[M&M&G]

I know someone who bought through a similar route though probably not the same business. From their experience I would say to just bear in mind that a good trekking pony may not translate to a good hacking horse in another environment. Particular things to check are whether they hack on their own (if that is what you will want to do) and whether the workload and routine will be similar. A quiet trekking pony that is worked hard and field kept may not adjust well or be similar in temperament if they have little work and are stabled for part of the time.

 

[Jenko109]

I don't know who these adverts are with but Flowerhill do cracking holidays on super horses and they often have a few for sale too. I would contact them if you are looking to combine a holiday and a purchase.

 

[Waxwing]

Hi thank you for the responses; Annagain I think we are looking at very similar ads. The problem I am finding is where I am based in the country a lot of adverts for type of horse I would like to buy are with sellers linked to certain notorious dealer in Essex.

 

[Annagain]

And where I am, there's nothing!

 

[SEL]

I know someone who bought through a similar route though probably not the same business. From their experience I would say to just bear in mind that a good trekking pony may not translate to a good hacking horse in another environment. Particular things to check are whether they hack on their own (if that is what you will want to do) and whether the workload and routine will be similar. A quiet trekking pony that is worked hard and field kept may not adjust well or be similar in temperament if they have little work and are stabled for part of the time.

^^^^ yup. My friend bought a welshie from a trekking centre and he wouldn't hack alone. Spent too many years going out in a gang and following another horse's bottom. He also piled on the weight when he wasn't doing many, many hours a week.