Buying a horse with help of an agent

[Minty45]

Looking for experiences good and bad of using an agent to buy a horse? What does it cost usually and is it worth it? I've had a bad buying experience recently, so when I'm ready to look again I want to try to find somebody with trustworthy contacts and an experienced eye. Not sure where I would even start! For context I'm an experienced amateur rider looking for a horse to event to BE Novice level, either something younger (5-6) to bring on or something ready to step down from higher levels (11-12ish). Thanks!

 

[Patterdale]

It generally costs 15-25% of the purchase price and can work REALLY well, or REALLY badly.

Do a huge amount of research on the agent first, and I mean a huge amount. If you find the right person then it can be a good investment if you need guidance on buying, and if it’s a big purchase.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Id only recommend it if you have been personally recommended someone by a friend etc...not just an advert on facebook!

 

[Skib]

I still have the name and contact details of the local yard owner and manager who offered to come with me to try any horse I was thinking of buying. I trust her.

 

[eahotson]

Looking for experiences good and bad of using an agent to buy a horse? What does it cost usually and is it worth it? I've had a bad buying experience recently, so when I'm ready to look again I want to try to find somebody with trustworthy contacts and an experienced eye. Not sure where I would even start! For context I'm an experienced amateur rider looking for a horse to event to BE Novice level, either something younger (5-6) to bring on or something ready to step down from higher levels (11-12ish). Thanks!

Do you have a good trainer that you trust.They may have sources and be prepared to come with you and advise.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I've never used an agent, so maybe I'm wrong but the reason I haven't is I can't get over the feeling that they'd have a huge incentive to talk me into looking at horses that aren't quite what I'm looking for. Horse-hunting has spells when there isn't anything on the market that is exactly what you want & the correct advice would be "just wait".
For the same money you could pay for a professional to help you. Just set things up so they get paid by the hour & still get paid if the advice is "don't look at any of those". Someone on here might be able to recommend people to do it.

Roughly where are you?

 

[eahotson]

I've never used an agent, so maybe I'm wrong but the reason I haven't is I can't get over the feeling that they'd have a huge incentive to talk me into looking at horses that aren't quite what I'm looking for. Horse-hunting has spells when there isn't anything on the market that is exactly what you want & the correct advice would be "just wait".
For the same money you could pay for a professional to help you. Just set things up so they get paid by the hour & still get paid if the advice is "don't look at any of those". Someone on here might be able to recommend people to do it.

Roughly where are you?

I agree.When I was looking for my old boy, and having had a bit of a rough time I took my instructor with me.I paid her for each visit.She turned two down on my behalf having given me the reasons why and then we struck lucky on the third time.