Buying a horse: head vs heart (talk me out of it please)

[druid]

If he was listed as SOLD tomorrow how would you feel?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Life is far too short.. buy the pony! (Another con)

I went through a whole stage of what ifs when I bought Orbi, but not a single day goes by that I regret getting him. He is pure joy .
At 3 years old the horse still has 3 more years at least of growing and filling

 

[shortstuff99]

Oh. My. Goodness! She grew up LOVELY.

Thank you so just because they're fugly now doesn't mean they will always be

 

[Shinx]

Life is far too short.. buy the pony! (Another con)

I went through a whole stage of what ifs when I bought Orbi, but not a single day goes by that I regret getting him. He is pure joy .
At 3 years old the horse still has 3 more years at least of growing and filling

This warms my heart!

 

[Shinx]

If he was listed as SOLD tomorrow how would you feel?

Oh I would be DEVASTATED!

 

[Shinx]

I bought my spotty bub on a whim and it was the best thing I ever did. Think I’d put down a deposit within an hour of seeing the advert… went and saw him a week later.

How wonky are we talking? If he’s reasonably priced I’d be inclined to do it and chuck him in a field for a year and then re-assess. Of course there’s risk involved but I think that’s common theme with horses anyway

He’s not too wonky. It’s not even something I would have worried about except that all his field mates are nicely uphill, so then I started comparing them and wondering if he’s just the ugly duckling at the moment or if he’s fundamentally downhill. He’s a good price for what he is imo regardless.

 

[Sanversera]

You NEED this horse

 

[Sanversera]

Oh I would be DEVASTATED!

This says it all. Buy the horse.

 

[Shinx]

I’m going to sleep on it again!

 

[Jenko109]

Best call up and buy him now.

 

[Jenko109]

Sleeping may mean you're too late.

 

[Jenko109]

DO IT NOW!

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, BUY THE PONY!

 

[SpotsandBays]

He’s not too wonky. It’s not even something I would have worried about except that all his field mates are nicely uphill, so then I started comparing them and wondering if he’s just the ugly duckling at the moment or if he’s fundamentally downhill. He’s a good price for what he is imo regardless.

Buy him. Don’t compare to others. Mines 6 and still filling out, slow growing type. Do it do it do it!

 

[IrishMilo]

Do you have time to break in a youngster and all that goes with it? I understand the allure, but it's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows. A lot of having a youngster is very boring, time consuming, and not all that rewarding for the amount of work that goes in!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Remember what you first said about him, that he’s ‘like two different sized horses put together’.

You sure that you want a cut and shut? How much more would a more conventionally proportioned nice youngster cost from the same stud?

 

[Barton Bounty]

DO IT NOW!

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, BUY THE PONY!

THIS

JINGS HE MAY BE GONE TOMORROW!

Dont put off what you can do today

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I’m seriously worried I’m going to buy this three year old (mentioned in previous thread). My head and heart are engaged in a battle of wills.

Cons: I don’t need another horse.

Pros: If I did need another horse, he’s just what I would want.

I can afford it.

He’s still young, so no pressure to ride two at the moment, he can have some time to grow.

He would have a nice life with me.

I’m obsessed with him and keep watching the videos and gazing longingly at the photos I took. Even bum high he’s just a stunning horse and my head is fighting a losing battle.

But I don’t need another horse! One horse is just right, so easy, so much less pressure on my time and wallet.

Someone please talk some sense into me before I cave and give them all my money. Alternately, please tell me how you bought a horse you didn’t need and it was the best thing ever.

I was like this. 2 months ago and earlier in year I said will start the search in October when problems are sorted.
No I started searching in September
I had a set thing Draught - steadier pace
mare-
no melanomas
no pink nose
no sports horse
max 16.2hh. ( Too much with my knee replacement )

So saw several draughts but got pipped to the post, then this mare came up on Horse Quest. advert read no one was interested in her so I thought wow I might stand a chance here.


end result

I got her as previous post of mine explains
she is a mare
she is a sports horse
1 small melanoma
pink nose
16.3hhvery forward going

4 days after I got her she zoomied on lunged went lame. still not ridden her since i tried her now going to rehab tomorrow then she will be up for sale.

Think long and hard and don't make snap decisions

 

[Shinx]

I was like this. 2 months ago and earlier in year I said will start the search in October when problems are sorted.
No I started searching in September
I had a set thing Draught - steadier pace
mare-
no melanomas
no pink nose
no sports horse
max 16.2hh. ( Too much with my knee replacement )

So saw several draughts but got pipped to the post, then this mare came up on Horse Quest. advert read no one was interested in her so I thought wow I might stand a chance here.


end result

I got her as previous post of mine explains
she is a mare
she is a sports horse
1 small melanoma
pink nose
16.3hhvery forward going

4 days after I got her she zoomied on lunged went lame. still not ridden her since i tried her now going to rehab tomorrow then she will be up for sale.

Think long and hard and don't make snap decisions

Oh dear, I’m so sorry. Rushed decisions can absolutely be full of regret! I hope she comes right for both of you

 

[Shinx]

I’ve messaged the breeder asking if I can come back down in two weeks. And in the meantime I’ve very sternly told myself not to look at his videos again until then. I think it’s the best I can do to ensure I definitely want to bring this youngster home!

 

[exracehorse]

Out of interest. How long is the journey from Spain to travel the horse

 

[Shinx]

Do you have time to break in a youngster and all that goes with it? I understand the allure, but it's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows. A lot of having a youngster is very boring, time consuming, and not all that rewarding for the amount of work that goes in!

It’s a massive commitment, hence my trepidation! But yes, I’m familiar with bringing on youngsters. Part of me wants to do it again before I get old enough where it’s not fun anymore!

 

[Shinx]

Out of interest. How long is the journey from Spain to travel the horse

From southern Spain it’s about a four day journey if I recall correctly. They stop each night and are stabled comfortably until the next morning, so while it’s a long journey they’re only stood travelling during the day.

 

[exracehorse]

My scrap of a 2 year old. And then a few years later. I didn’t need a youngster. But she’s turned out to be the best horse I’ve ever owned.

 

[blitznbobs]

My only and lasting comment

 

[I'm Dun]

I wouldnt. If everything else looks good and this one is a cut and shut its a huge risk. Have you ridden something croup high? Its horrible! Never mind the saddle fitting issues and lameness risk.

People are posting pics of fundamentally correct just fugly looking horses who turned out, as expected, to be quite nice. They arent posting pics of a 3.5yr old cut and shut that turned out nicely. You are assuming this is a growth spurt, but why then are the stud pricing him lower than everything else? I think that says it all.

If they can produce a young foal photo of him looking correct, then maybe, otherwise not even with someone elses money.

 

[I'm Dun]

Do you have a photo so we can see what your looking at? Theres a difference between a growing baby and a bg conformation issue.

 

[Peglo]

When I bought my 3rd one I really didn’t need another horse. 3 was too many!! I wasn’t really actually looking!

Best thing I’ve done!! Same as you, I was obsessed with her. Took the chance. Every day I’m grateful.

Oh and mine was from Italy

 

[Pinkvboots]

I think when you just can't stop thinking about one you have to buy it because that feeling doesn't come along often does it really.

You will regret it if you don't just go buy him

 

[Pinkvboots]

Arabi was a bit of an odd shape for years he had a lovely front and neck but the back end was weak and it took my years to build him up he always found the canter work hard.

We did quite well showing when he was younger his 20 now and still in work.

Honestly his the best horse I've ever had I love him so much I'm so glad his been in my life for the last 18 years, I hope I have many more years with him I can't imagine him not being here.

I remember going to see him at the stud he was a 2 year old colt he was tied up in his stable just bathed and looking gorgeous, and we just had to have him I have never had that feeling since with any horse.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Would you like me to email you the spreadsheet I keep of every penny Dex has cost me since the day I bought him? That should deter you plenty...
(Spolier alert, it would have been cheaper for me to pay the mortgage on a £400k house with a 10% deposit this year, than pay for him!)