Buying a youngster from a stud

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Hi All.

I am after your opinions (and any recommendations) about contacting reputable studs re purchasing a youngster (3 - 5) with a view to doing show jumping, a bit of dressage and some low level one day eventing - ie a really nice allrounder with reasonable scope/ability.

Am so fed up with horse hunting (and the mainly the lies) that I am beginning to wonder if I would be better off buying direct from a reputable stud/breeder who knows the horses full history, can prove it's parentage and is honest about the fact the horse has been bred to either become a Grade A show jumper or sell if they don't think it will make top level.

I am not after a worldbeater so am happy to accept that the mega horses they breed would be unlikely to come to the open market but just wondered if people thought this was a good way to go?

I am also wondering if this is the time of year with the new foals starting to arrive soon when you will see breeders starting to sell off their 3/4 year olds.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
Hi,

We did this last year when we were looking for a Highland pony and all we wanted was a family pony that the girls could take to local shows if they want when they are older. It might sound like taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut but we were after a saint and very few of them come on the market and certainly not at a price we could afford ready made. At the time my girls were eight and five and we were looking for an animal that was pretty laid back but affectionate. What we wanted was hard to get and we were happy to take on a veteran or something with health issues as long as it was a dope on the rope.

In the end, my instructor suggested we invest in a Highland after we fell in love with one being used for RDA on our yard. We went to a stud about two hours drive from us just to talk about the possibility of getting a youngster and whether or not we would be able to handle one (we've only owned one horse in the past and she came to us ready made) and ended up buying a two year old gelding.

The stud owner has been amazing and she was very clear about which animal she felt would be right for us - it was lucky for us it was the one we clicked with! His temprement is exactly what we asked for and he is already a big, cuddly pet. The girls are relaxed and confident around him and the stud owner and I email each other once a month to talk about progress. He is going back to her in September to be backed and I will be going with him to learn the ropes. She has done everything possible to make sure he settled in easily with us, even bringing him onto the yard and handling him daily for a month so he would have manners when he came to us. She has given me constant reassurances that she will take him back if we are not happy and has offered to drive out to us and help if we run into problems. We have had some settling in problems but nothing we could not handle.

Of course, I don't ride much at the moment but I am happy to do groundwork and spend a year and or so getting to know him. He did cost us a bit more than we originally budgeted for but considering he is a pony for life and we could have 20 odd years with him its worth the investment to get the right one for us. My girls would be heartbroken at selling even an unsuitable animal, so we had to be cautious about what we brought home to them. As I say, the stud has been brilliant - we were honest about what we wanted (good conformation, possible local show potential, no more, but (SO important) an amazing temprement in an animal we hoped would become a big pet and give the girls some happy childhood memories), she was honest about what she had, and our boy does exactly what it says on the tin!

Based on our experiences I would say go for it, but do ask around for personal experiences of the stud. Stud owners breed their animals physically and mentally for a job so they are more likely to tick all your boxes. Plus, you know they have not been given any bad habits. I found it a lot more reassuring buying from the stud then I did a private owner.

The best of luck!
 
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As a small breeder myself, I'm only too happy to bore the pants off prospective buyers by showing them photos of the baby being born right up to competition. I don't know why more people don't go direct to the source. It should be possible to see sire or dam or both, and other siblings if any. I always try to go back to the breeder directly if I buy anything, and get the true story. I'm in a unique position, as some of my youngster's parents were competed by me as well, so I know chapter and verse what their strengths and weaknesses are!
 
I bought my event bred youngster from Touchwood Stud and they were fantastic. My boy had such a great start and Gemma was honest about everything relating to him. They breed a good mix of general sports horses as well as more specialist dressage/jumping lines. Worth taking a look at their websitehttp://www.touchwoodstud.co.uk
 
I purchased from a stud and it was the best way I've bought a horse. As you say, I was told everything about the foal, from a very honest, knowledgable breeder. The vetting, exchange of money/receipts/etc was all done properly. I knew the breed and kind of blood lines I wanted so did plenty of research before hand, went to one stud and saw around 10 from foals to 3 year olds, (including a full sibling to the girlie I bought) so plenty of choice without trawling the country. Other positives were that all foals were well handled, had been fed correctly and it's very nice keeping up with what the dad/other siblings are up to! I know I can also contact the breeder with any questions and she would be happy to help!

Would definitely reccomend it!
 
I definitely would. That way you have the responsibility for ensuring (as much as you can influence) that your horse turns out how you want him. You don't inherit other people's problems, and as you are buying a youngster you build up a fantastic bond with them before you even get on them, which can only be a good thing. I love having a youngster, I know his history, have lots of pictures of his mum and dad, and he has had a great start in life. Now it is my job to ensure that continues...........
 
I bought all of current equines from studs, and agree with other people that the stud owner is much more likely to be honest and up front as they have an invested interest in the horse and it's well being, and their stud name.

I bought Rosie, the Welsh D in my Avatar from a stud for the same reason as the OP. I'd had 3 or 4 other horses/ponies that each time the seller had lied about. The horse before Rosie had just about killed me with its bolting efforts. That one cost me double of the previous horses and was supposed to be my last ditch effort to buy my 'dream' horse.

Rosie cost me 1/8th of the bolter to buy as a 2yr old. She was halter broken and was living in her herd.

The stud chap was very keen to sell me a horse that was suitable for a young lady, doing everything on her own, and one that had good limbs because I wanted to do jumping on my cob. He wouldn't sell me either of the 2 black colts he had for instance - he said they'd be too much for me!!

Anyway, Rosie has got her quirks, but to me she is THE BEST! I've had her 16yrs now, and the analogy of picking the cob with the best legs! (conformation) has been a gem because she's not had a day of lameness apart from accidents and the odd foot abcess.

If were to do it again, I'd try to buy a 3-4yr old so I could start the backing process straight away....
 
I bought both of mine (Trakehner and Haflinger) direct from the stud as just backed 3/4 year olds and they have been great - no anxiety issues from being through lots of different homes and no being messed about with their training. If you want a sport horse, I bought the Trakkie from Woodcroft Trakehners and found them to be very honest and a pleasure to deal with. They have both home breds and imported warm bloods of various types.

http://www.woodcroftstud.co.uk/home.php
 
We bought the 2 in my sig direct from Trevoulter Barton Stud, we bought the roan as a 4yr old and her full brother as a 2yr old. We had the roan for 2 yrs before buying her brother so had realised they seem to have a bit of talent. It's been good having a relationship with Karensa (stud owner), she is very keen to follow what they have been up to. Sadly we seem to be at the end of the Trevoulter mob atm, we sold the roan 2 yrs ago and now have the boy up for sale. But you never know................
 
Wow - thank you very much for all the replies.

I am so please they are all positive too.

I am looking for a horse for life and reading the replies so far I definitely think this is going to be the way to go.

Time so start researching studs I think :)

Thank you all again - very much appreciated.
 
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