Buying a pony/horse is an absolute nightmare

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billylula

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Which is a shame because I've basically been looking forward to this for the last 40 years :D

Looking for a 14.2+ for my oldest daughter, pref something I can hack in the week.

How do you KNOW that the sellers are telling the truth - you don't and it makes the whole thing fraught with worry. I am fairly novice too which doesn't help. I've been to see four and every time they've not been right - its like looking round someones house and then not buying it - one owner was really cross and unpleasant when I said we were not interested. I don't want to be a 'timewaster' but you do have to go and see these ponies and then if they aren't right surely you have to move on? I am trusting my instinct and am convinced that I will 'know' when I see the right pony but rapidly losing confidence. One seemed great but was a LOT of pony (big welsh) and daughter felt not right on him, one put in a couple of BIG bucks, one was lovely but very spooky in traffic (no good for us as we hack out a lot) despite being sold as excellent in traffic, one ticked all boxes but is really fast and rushy in the SJ ring (still in two minds over him as he was lovely otherwise). AND we have a good budget to spend! I want to employ someone to do it for me :p
 
WE have two ponies at the moment but they are both loans where you don't have that feeling of finality! And haven't made a huge initial outlay!
 
Well it sounds like you are doing fine. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. Just keep plugging away and stick to the plan.

I saw about 5 when looking for my current mare. Three of the five were TOTAL no goes, one started rearing and bucking with me on her and another reared really high with her current rider on her.

If folk are being nasty just say you will let them know and then drop them a text and say its not what you are looking for.
 
billylula said:
Which is a shame because I've basically been looking forward to this for the last 40 years :D

Looking for a 14.2+ for my oldest daughter, pref something I can hack in the week.

How do you KNOW that the sellers are telling the truth - you don't and it makes the whole thing fraught with worry. I am fairly novice too which doesn't help. I've been to see four and every time they've not been right - its like looking round someones house and then not buying it - one owner was really cross and unpleasant when I said we were not interested. I don't want to be a 'timewaster' but you do have to go and see these ponies and then if they aren't right surely you have to move on? I am trusting my instinct and am convinced that I will 'know' when I see the right pony but rapidly losing confidence. One seemed great but was a LOT of pony (big welsh) and daughter felt not right on him, one put in a couple of BIG bucks, one was lovely but very spooky in traffic (no good for us as we hack out a lot) despite being sold as excellent in traffic, one ticked all boxes but is really fast and rushy in the SJ ring (still in two minds over him as he was lovely otherwise). AND we have a good budget to spend! I want to employ someone to do it for me :p
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Take your time and do not rush into things is the best advice i can tell you, have seen too many people rush into buying something because it has been better than what they have seen previously. Don't worry about people getting angry at you if it isn't right, it simply isn't right you never have to see them again :) Just keep looking on all the websites they are updated daily :)
 
Thanks ffion. You know you see on all adverts 'no timewasters' - I am so paranoid about not being one :D

Almost feel like taking an ad out myself saying I wont be a Timewaster if you will be completely honest in your ad!

The ones that get me are the ones that say "6 year old Irish, 14.1, grey, has done PC and jumped 1.10 in schooling, easy to do a complete gent. NO TIMEWASTERS"

Like that's enough info to go on!
 
You do need to go and see them to find the right one, you should not be made to feel like a timewaster if you go with the intention to buy if it is everything it is supposed to be and you get the right feel once you try it.
Timewasters can also be the sellers so many horses are not as described in the ads, some seem to be more fiction than fact;)

I would be more thorough in the initial call, try and do this by phone rather than email, I find you can gauge the answers better, a hesitation before saying they are good in traffic can tell you alot, make a list and go through everything that is relevant in that call, only view if the answers are what you want to hear and you feel they are honestly given.
I also like to connect with the seller, it sounds odd but if you like the sound of them, the way they talk about the horse, you are then starting on a good friendly footing, you may not be planning on buying the owner but someone you can keep in touch with and ask later if there are any niggles can be a real bonus.

Good luck and hopefully you will find one soon:)
 
I did get someone to find me my newbie.

Different set of circumstances and different mindset but I made it absolutely clear via adverts in horse wanted and 'feelers' that I was not prepared to spend hours going round the country looking at rubbish. Seriously worth you contacting local Pony Clubs etc and word of mouth is worth 100 words in an advert. I brought the only one I saw but somebody else had already tried him for me.

IMO, the expression 'a good horse is never for sale' is pretty close to true in most cases. Pony club ponies which are good will almost certainly never be advertised unless priced out of the market.
 
Oooo just had a thought depending on what end of the country you are in, someone i know is selling a gelding that fits your bill very well, he had been there and done everythuing. In Lancashire area, if you are anywhere up there message me and i will link you to his add. Although she had had him for a good few years so would want to be certain she can keep some contact :) He is up for about £6000 if that is out of your budget ??

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/pc-all-rounder-whp/

^^ Very nice boy.
 
My friend bought her first horse one year ago. 15hh bombproof cob type, great novice ride no vices. Lol. He was 5 years old, had not had any proper schooling, struggled with canter and was as green as green, and had no confidence. He is good in traffic but otherwise a load of lies. AND he'd had five previous owners not the two it was claimed! Oh, and he can throw in a great buck :o:eek: and he's 14.2hh not 15!
You are right to be wary as it seems sellers can have a difficulty with being honest.
Like you I have yet to own my own horse and the more I read about the pitfalls the more cautious I've become. I'm currently eyeing up a mare owned by a friend. I'd like her better if she was 16hh and not the 17+ and possibly not a mare. But our friendship is progressing so she might be the One. there's just so much of her:eek:

Good luck with your search.
 
I agree with Scarymare, they type you're looking for probably don't make it to an advert - they have a waiting list of new homes! Talk to your farrier, instructor, pony club, any local riding clubs and put up wanted ads that make it clear how particular you will be.

It's a major investment in time / money and safety for your daughter so there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking the time to find the right one - and sadly you'll just have to ignore people who think a timewaster is someone who comes to look and decides the horse isn't right for them!!

If you really like your loan ponies have you approached their owners about buying them - that's what happened to me, I'd have been happy for him to be on loan permenantly but the lady was really looking to own (for the same reasons as you) so I agreed (she'd shared him for 18 months, then loaned him on her own farm from a year so quite low risk for both of us.
 
I dont think you are timewasting at all, it is the owners that are wasting your time by lying to you in their adverts. As other people have said - try and give a thorough phone call with a big list of questions to try and give you a better idea of the horse/pony before you go and visit them.

One other thing I have thought of - could you ask the owner of the pony that rushes in the SJ ring if you could organise a jumping lesson (at their yard) with a trainer of your choice? It might be worth seeing if this rushing is something that can be worked on and solved relatively easily. There are not many perfect horses/ponies in the world, and if the pony is great in all other ways apart from a bit of rushing when he jumps, I'd try and investigate further if you really liked him. Either with a lesson for your daughter with a jumping instructor, or even see if you can have a loan or trial period to see how you get on.

But as everyone has said, dont rush into something that isnt right and dont feel bad for saying no. This is a huge financial investment you are making and it has to be right for both you and your daughter.

Good luck!
 
I always assume everything the buyer says is a lie. I don't mean I rudely say 'bull' to them. But I don't believe anything until I've seen it myself. And I always look for any sign of lies about what they've said. Write a list of questions, get instructor to help if needed, to go through before arranging a viewing. Then when you view, either take someone experienced at buying, or go alone first time & if you like it arrange to take someone with you for a second viewing. And viewing a horse & deciding its not for you isn't timewasting.
 
I'm selling at the moment & don't have a problem with people coming & just not liking him or not feeling that connection. I had a girl come to try him who was very up front & said they think they needed a bigger pony but wasn't sure until they tried one. As they were honest I let them come & even though they got on well, she decided to keep her smaller one for another year. You never know, she could mention him to someone else :)

Don't be put off by the timewasters thing. To me a timewaster is someone who is not even intending on buying anything (just wanting a ride) or someone who has no funds to purchase in the first place. You can't be expected to like everything you try & you will know when you find 'the one' . We knew it with our boy, but he's not everyone's cup of tea.

Another thing to think about is no horse/pony is perfect! I've had countless phonecalls from people looking for something that will go out & win a 1.30 class, be fast XC but then go steady out hunting, hack along an airport runway with a child who's been riding for 2 weeks, feed itself, crap gold nuggets & preferably be on loan to be moved to South America! - you get the gist :)

As someone else said, PC is a great way to find something. Ours would have stayed in our club without a doubt if we were members of a larger club in a more affluent area :(
 
tessybear said:
Oooo just had a thought depending on what end of the country you are in, someone i know is selling a gelding that fits your bill very well, he had been there and done everythuing. In Lancashire area, if you are anywhere up there message me and i will link you to his add. Although she had had him for a good few years so would want to be certain she can keep some contact :) He is up for about £6000 if that is out of your budget ??

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/pc-all-rounder-whp/

^^ Very nice boy.
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I've seen him :D he looks absolutely fab (although a bit small at 14hh, she's 13 and still growing). We are about as far from Lancs as it is possible to be though :(
 
tinap said:
Another thing to think about is no horse/pony is perfect! I've had countless phonecalls from people looking for something that will go out & win a 1.30 class, be fast XC but then go steady out hunting, hack along an airport runway with a child who's been riding for 2 weeks, feed itself, crap gold nuggets & preferably be on loan to be moved to South America! - you get the gist :)
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:D:D:D

so funny.

I have asked the hunt plus everyone I know at PC, they are sick of me asking I think! i don't mind not winning at SJ but I would like a clear round occasionally. Our current loan pony refuses - a lot - which I thought for 6 months was my daughter's crappy riding :D but since then I have seen her ride a few other ponies and she has absolutely no problems. Because his refusing is quite 'dirty' she has lost her confidence on him and yet put her on a more whizzy pony and she flies round. He's a lovely hunter though - he likes to follow the herd, hence being very unsure SJ.
 
Am sure I'm just going to end up rewording a lot of advice which has already been given but here goes anyway...! You're not a timewaster- you want to make sure you spend your money on the right horse and good sellers should not only understand that but they should be working with the same aim in mind, because if you buy the wrong one not only does it cost you time, money, confidence and heartache but it also unsettles the horse, sends him/her backwards and puts him in a more vulnerable position to resell (i.e. could end up going to the meat man!). It also gives the seller a bad reputation, especially if they are a dealer. Trying to dissect the adverts is one of the first minefields - I was looking for a 15.1ish cob gelding for my first horse after ponies and ended up seeing several that were barely above 13hh and at least one that was nearer 16.2hh! The wording of the advert can tell you a lot about the horse, the seller and their relationship and I always tend to lean towards ones that show they care about the horse as a family member because they will (usually) want to make sure you're the right owner. Once you do get them on the phone ask LOTS of questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question because once you start assuming you get in to muddy waters (one I went to look at I was told was "bombproof, you can drive the biggest lorry or bus past her." Yes you could, but if a pushbike was on the opposite side of the road you stood a fair chance of going under the lorry or bus!). Also the way the seller talks about the horse can tell you a lot - do they use affectionate terms, the horse's full or stable name, do they sound genuinely sorry to see it go? When you're looking for pony club types most of them are for sale reluctantly because the little ones grew out of them. Also ask about the horse's history - has it done pony club, if so which one and how long ago? How did it cope? There are very few perfect horses out there so I made a list of things I could tolerate (not hacking out alone was one of my "can live with" deals) and things I couldn't cope with (a horse that rears or won't load for example). This will help you decide where you can and can't compromise. Keep plodding through the ads, put word of mouth out about what you're looking for and keep an open mind - I never did get a 15.1hh cob gelding, I got a 16.1hh recently retired through injury racehorse who I had 8 wonderful years with before he was PTS due to cancer and he taught me the world, if it feels right trust your gut and if it doesn't walk away, because the one that is right is waiting for you!
 
Polos Mum said:
I agree with Scarymare, they type you're looking for probably don't make it to an advert - they have a waiting list of new homes! Talk to your farrier, instructor, pony club, any local riding clubs and put up wanted ads that make it clear how particular you will be.
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This ^^^

I eventually found my mare before she was even up for sale ;) All the good ones I know are sold before advertised, that is when good connections with RC and PC are invaluable and something I was lacking when I was first looking so like you, was trusting adverts. Just to give you an example.. my baby is 8 months old and should he take to ponies (he has a wee shettie already) then I already have a saint of a 11hh pony lined up for him that would be suitable in 4/5 years time!!
 
Try a wanted advert. We put one up when looking our new horse. We were inundated with responses and people were far more willing to spend a lot of time emailing info, videos and pictures to us before we went to view. The perfect one is out there.
When we were looking for our old pony we looked at over 20 most people were fine as long as you were honest and let them know quickly if they were not suitable. He would have been exactly what you are looking for but was sold by word of mouth. Go to shows and watch and if you see something you like approach the owners especially if child looks big on pony!! Good luck
 
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Over the years sis and I have bought a good few horses between us and looked at others with friends. There are two memorable occasions where we watched the seller ride and then declined to get on, the first one was a tb type who was advertised as a calm sensible ride - after a few minutes, sis came up with memorable line 'it is too forward going for us' and we thanked the seller and left. the other one was a beautiful Appaloosa which we nearly bought on looks alone but I was recovering vfrom a broken leg and needed to be able to get on and off at my own pace from a mounting block. We watched the owner hop round the field with one foot in the stirrup and regretfully said that the mare wasn't what we were looking for. The owner did try to persuade sis to get on but we were firm and polite and left.
If you choose carefully the ads that you respond to, ring and chat to the seller and still feel that the horse could be suitable, it isn't you that is timewasting, if when you get there it either isn't as advertised or it does 'something that he has never done before' while you re there.
You shouldn't feel guilty for walking away but it might be easier to say 'Thank you we will go and have a think about this and let you know in a couple of hours'. Then you can either ring or text, saying that you have decided that the horse is too much (or whatever) for your daughter. Always best IMO to sound as if the fault lies with you, rather than the horse, unless it has done something ridiculous - it leaves the seller with some dignity and you will never have to see them again.
 
I agree you don't sound like a timewaster, just someone who wants to make the right decision. Def don't be pressurised into anything else.

I might be too trusting but I kind of get a sense of whether I trust the seller from asking them qus. and being around them and the horse. The more they know and can prove with pictures, records, history etc the more likely I am to listen. Still sceptical though so I would view at least twice, take instructor, 5 stage vetting, and ask for short trial.

As for the good nags, it's sooooo frustrating but it's def true that local referral and word of mouth is probably your best bet. Will take you longer though but better take the time for the right one than rush into the wrong un!
 
Honestly don't worry about it I had exactly the same thing. I looked at four but weren't right for various reasons I was buying for my daughter so really wanted to get things right. I had one woman be rude to me when I said I didn't think the horse would be suitable for my daughter she had a go at me and told me it definitely was suitable for my daughter??? I had another woman phone me up after I had left her a message enquiring about her advert and she was drunk, I couldn't get her off the phone she was insisting I buy her horse before I'd even seen it, needless to sayi didn't bother looking at that one. I went to view my boy as he was a bit more local than the others although he was slightly smaller than I had in mind and i did say no greys :D but I fell in love and knew he was right. Don't get me wrong he isn't perfect but my daughter has really bonded with him and he's defiantly the one :) good luck don't give upthe right one is there waiting for you.
 
Thanks all this thread is so interesting and helpful. I am going to see something on Monday and taking a friend with me - bit worried he might be a bit much for my daughter but I know my daughter would disagree - she wants to start flying whereas I think she's still walking! In the meantime someone has rung me with details of a 13hh schoolmaster who sounds perfect for my middle daughter - but oldest daughter will be FURIOUS if her sister gets a new pony first....:rolleyes:
 
ive been trying to sell one of mine, i took him off the market for the moment though as nothing is selling it seems! but of the 4people who came to view, 1 didnt turn up 1 rode but was way too novicey and 2 looked and said no. only one of these i would say was a timewaster!

hes be great for a teenager but he is fast and quick! which i think is a good thing, he beat 20 horses the other week sj as can turn on a dime!
 
billylula said:
Thanks all this thread is so interesting and helpful. I am going to see something on Monday and taking a friend with me - bit worried he might be a bit much for my daughter but I know my daughter would disagree - she wants to start flying whereas I think she's still walking! In the meantime someone has rung me with details of a 13hh schoolmaster who sounds perfect for my middle daughter - but oldest daughter will be FURIOUS if her sister gets a new pony first....:rolleyes:
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Will you be my mum too please? :D
 
billylula said:
Thanks all this thread is so interesting and helpful. I am going to see something on Monday and taking a friend with me - bit worried he might be a bit much for my daughter but I know my daughter would disagree - she wants to start flying whereas I think she's still walking! In the meantime someone has rung me with details of a 13hh schoolmaster who sounds perfect for my middle daughter - but oldest daughter will be FURIOUS if her sister gets a new pony first....:rolleyes:
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Not sure whereabouts you are but how about trying a GOOD dealer (I know there are lots of bad!), Clip Clop have a good rep on here I believe and at least you shouldn't get lied to, this one looks sweet if a little big http://www.clipcloptraders.co.uk/RosiePosey.html :)
 
After a couple of years of pony owning I have come to the conclusion that one of the main things we need is good manners on the ground. I find it really hard at the moment coping with a food obsessed NF (actually he's pretty good apart from being aggressive with other ponies around food :rolleyes:) and a section a who quite frankly is too much for me and my daughter - brilliant ridden in a school but so attached to our other pony that he is a nightmare to hack out alone or indeed do anything with if he can't see the other pony - he's really strong and throws himself about , it is quite scary!
 
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