Buying a horse unseen - experiences?

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missparis

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After missing out on a local horse this morning, wondering if and what everybody's experiences are buying a horse unseen? Did it work out or was it not so great?
 
Personally I wouldn't do it.

So you missed out this time but its not worth the risk and potential heart ache.

Another horse that will be suitable for you will be along soon.
 
Unless you are mega experienced, can sit on anything and have endless pockets for vet bills I wouldn't consider it!

I know how hard it is to miss out on a really nice horse, it happened to me before I got MIcah however ask me now if I would swap him for the one I missed!! NO WAY MIcah is ace and so so much more of a quality horse than the one I missed.

What are you looking for? where are you?
 
I am either looking for an experienced BSJA horse or a horse that could do BSJA, pref a bit older as I am coming back into riding after a 5 year break. There are horses around, but they are being snapped up quickly and most people these days are wanting to sell without vet check?

I did purchase a horse from a horse dealer over the weekend (I left a deposit), only to discover when the vet showed up for the pre-arranged vet check, they sold him to somebody else who didnt require a vet check. So I am being somewhat doubtful on the UK Market at the moment, but I am sure not everybody sells horses like that :)
 
I don't think it is a good idea. Especially as you are returning to riding after such a long break. It took me 5 months to find my new horse. I was very fussy. Some horses were not as described, some very very over priced, one failed the vet and some I just didn't like. In the end I put a wanted ad on HorseQuest and found a lovely horse. Do not be tempted to buy a horse without having it vetted, it really is not worth it.
 
Yes have done a fair few times - but only with youngsters (under 3 years) much more re-trainable if need be - would never do it with an older horse!
 
Sometime last century a seller assured us this Highland pony colt had stallion potential, we knew its (supposed) breeding so bought him unseen. As the courier took him off the lorry I thought how smart he was and how lucky we had been, only for him to turn round at the bottom of the ramp to display a lovely (not!) white sock. :mad:
 
Ooohhh.. OK. I dont think I will risk it then :) Hopefully something will come my way in the next coming months, just so tempting when you see these lovely show jumpers up north at very reasonable prices...
 
The navicular horse I have was sold to the previous owner unseen and unvetted as jumping 1.40m (photos too apparently), safe hack/hunter/jumper and pink papered hanovarian to boot. She thought she got a bargain for £3k

While she was handing over the cash they loaded him into the back of her box so she didnt see him til she actually got him home and he was crippled. Traced him back to the owner before that and his history became very clear. Had severe navicular and prognosis was 'very grave'.

This was from dealers somewhere in the Midlands.

So my advice... NEVER buy unseen!

There is a good dealer called John Whinnet who I can recommend to buy the sort of horse you are after http://www.johnwhinnett.com/ never heard a bad word about him and have a few friends who have bought horses from him.
 
missparis said:
I am either looking for an experienced BSJA horse or a horse that could do BSJA, pref a bit older as I am coming back into riding after a 5 year break. There are horses around, but they are being snapped up quickly and most people these days are wanting to sell without vet check?

I did purchase a horse from a horse dealer over the weekend (I left a deposit), only to discover when the vet showed up for the pre-arranged vet check, they sold him to somebody else who didnt require a vet check. So I am being somewhat doubtful on the UK Market at the moment, but I am sure not everybody sells horses like that :)
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This happened to me - I purchased a horse and arranged the vetting, the owner in the meantime sold him to someone else who didn't want him vetting. I was absolutely furious and it does make you doubt every seller's integrity but be patient, you will find another horse. I certainly wouldn't advise buying a horse unseen. People can tell you absolutely anything over the phone and even if the horse passed a vetting, it doesn't man that it is the horse for you. Best of luck finding the right one! x
 
Bought a beautiful cob mare years ago on the strengh of a photo,lovely mare,schooled into a brilliant hunter,but way too strong for me,she needed a more competitive home.Not her fault though..she was a honey.
 
I have bought a Spanish horse on the strength of some piccies and a video and a long correspondence with the sellers, had it vetted and shipped over to UK without ever seeing it in person, and it turned out to be the best horse I have ever ridden in my life :D absolutely love him!!! I've been riding for the last 14 yrs and was prepared to deal with difficulties/sell him on if anything, and also I just fell in love with him and couldn't reason with myself :) it could easily have been disasterous though! so if you aren't a complete lunatic like me I'd say seeing a horse is always a better option.
 
Friend of a friend (very novice at the time) bought a horse unseen from a dealer called Judi someone. Cracking, cracking cob - they've still got him now, seven years later. Love him to bits.
They were cacking themselves, but as they'd already bought one horse from her and liked it, they just took the risk. Fortunately for them, it paid off.

I do think they got their own vet to do a Five Stage after it arrived too.

I personally wouldn't do it, but I suppose if you trust the seller then you might be more inclined to take the risk.
 
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