Buying again after serious bad luck- advice

[I don’t like mondays]

I’ve had bad luck with buying a pony for my daughter (first I over horses, second pony ended up with incurable issues a few months down the line). I’d prefer it if she gave up ponies but she still loves them.

So I’m faced with looking again and I’m hoping it’ll be 3rd time lucky. I feel paralysed with fear, doubting my judgement and not trusting anyone. I’ll be getting an instructor involved and getting a vetting etc. Horse buying is such a gamble (with your heart and your money). Any words of advice as to how I can stop myself making another huge mistake? Any killer questions to ask? I’m thinking of looking at the passport early on to see how many owners (to see if they’ve been passed around). Im worried because people don’t have to be honest and horses can pass a vetting even with issues. I’m not a novice but have a knack for making poor choices so I’m wondering if there are things to ask/check that I’ve missed before. Our other pony is a total gem, but I think a lot of this is luck. Thanks

 

[Gloi]

Are you in the pony club. You might be able to watch the ponies at rallys and find out if any are getting outgrown and coming up for sale or loan. People will know them and how they behave.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Are you in the pony club. You might be able to watch the ponies at rallys and find out if any are getting outgrown and coming up for sale or loan. People will know them and how they behave.

Sadly haven’t managed to join yet (will once we find the ideal pony

 

[Barton Bounty]

I agree with what @Gloi said sometimes kids outgrow their ponies or will have friends who are selling etc.. so if you join the pony club and put the feelers out , you may well find someone might have something or know of someone loaning or selling.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Join a pony club branch and contact the District Commisioner …be bold and ask for any loan for the rally days or ponies known for full loan. Many of my friends in pony club kept their children’s ponies and were delighted to loan to local known homes and there were a couple of well known ponies in our circle who were loaned for rallies/camp etc.

 

[ycbm]

I’m thinking of looking at the passport early on to see how many owners (to see if they’ve been passed around).

Just remember that lots of people never bother with the passport change when they buy a horse.

Sadly haven’t managed to join yet (will once we find the ideal pony

You don't need to own a pony to join. It would be a good idea to get known.

 

[Birker2020]

I’ve had bad luck with buying a pony for my daughter (first I over horses, second pony ended up with incurable issues a few months down the line). I’d prefer it if she gave up ponies but she still loves them.

So I’m faced with looking again and I’m hoping it’ll be 3rd time lucky. I feel paralysed with fear, doubting my judgement and not trusting anyone. I’ll be getting an instructor involved and getting a vetting etc. Horse buying is such a gamble (with your heart and your money). Any words of advice as to how I can stop myself making another huge mistake? Any killer questions to ask? I’m thinking of looking at the passport early on to see how many owners (to see if they’ve been passed around). Im worried because people don’t have to be honest and horses can pass a vetting even with issues. I’m not a novice but have a knack for making poor choices so I’m wondering if there are things to ask/check that I’ve missed before. Our other pony is a total gem, but I think a lot of this is luck. Thanks

I never had any issues with the five horses I bought off a dealer, but the two I bought privately have ended up a nightmare.
So my tip would be to use a dealer, it offers you more protection should anything go wrong and also have a five stage vetting with bloods.

 

[millikins]

I never had any issues with the five horses I bought off a dealer, but the two I bought privately have ended up a nightmare.
So my tip would be to use a dealer, it offers you more protection should anything go wrong and also have a five stage vetting with bloods.

I was going to post the same. We have one near us who sells a lot ponies, if I was in your situation I'd take my daughter along so dealer can assess her level and ask dealer to source something suitable. Ask on here and FB for recommendations in your area and as Birker says you have far better consumer protection rights.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Just remember that lots of people never bother with the passport change when they buy a horse.



You don't need to own a pony to join. It would be a good idea to get known.

Thanks ycbm that’s very true about the passport, I hadn’t thought of that

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I never had any issues with the five horses I bought off a dealer, but the two I bought privately have ended up a nightmare.
So my tip would be to use a dealer, it offers you more protection should anything go wrong and also have a five stage vetting with bloods.

Thanks Birker. That’s true about more protection (as long as they are a decent dealer)

 

[Rowreach]

You don't have to join the Pony Club to ask the question of your local branches, or to access the for sale ads on the PCUK website. Your local hunt is another resource worth tapping into. And riding schools, although be wary of buying a school pony because it won't be the same when it's in a private home.

Whereabouts are you?

 

[Rowreach]

Thanks ycbm that’s very true about the passport, I hadn’t thought of that

If it's been regularly vaccinated you can often trace its life based on the location of the various vets, which is a useful indicator.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Join a pony club branch and contact the District Commisioner …be bold and ask for any loan for the rally days or ponies known for full loan. Many of my friends in pony club kept their children’s ponies and were delighted to loan to local known homes and there were a couple of well known ponies in our circle who were loaned for rallies/camp etc.

That’s sound advice. Can PC be quite competitive in terms of who gets the ponies that come up? I’m probably looking for the same as everyone else (14-15 saintly all rounder)

 

[Rowreach]

https://classified.pcuk.org/classifieds/browse-ads/?category_id=4

 

[maya2008]

Get videos and ask people to look at them on here for a second opinion maybe? Pm obviously. There are plenty of experienced people on here who can spot potential issues.

I always look for a kind, relaxed, open face. Gives you a good basic temperament but also guards against physical issues too - horses who are in pain do not have a relaxed face, it’s a little pinched/tense.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Get videos and ask people to look at them on here for a second opinion maybe? Pm obviously. There are plenty of experienced people on here who can spot potential issues.

I always look for a kind, relaxed, open face. Gives you a good basic temperament but also guards against physical issues too - horses who are in pain do not have a relaxed face, it’s a little pinched/tense.

Thanks Maya that’s a great idea, yes some really experienced people on here. Would anyone be willing to take a look at some videos if I pm please?

 

[I don’t like mondays]

If a pony ticked every box but had recent arthritic changes and hocks injected recently would you still have a look? (it’s an older pony so probably to be expected). My other pony is older, has hock injections (after we bought him) and is a gem. Is this a big no-no? I’d ask for vet history to check if other things like si ruled out and if ever lame. Sorry I’m doubting myself so much

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

What area are you and what are your requirements? We may know someone between us all

 

[millikins]

If a pony ticked every box but had recent arthritic changes and hocks injected recently would you still have a look? (it’s an older pony so probably to be expected). My other pony is older, has hock injections (after we bought him) and is a gem. Is this a big no-no? I’d ask for vet history to check if other things like si ruled out and if ever lame. Sorry I’m doubting myself so much

Given your history of unsuccessful purchases, I'd say no to this one. It sounds as though it's been injected to make it saleable, neither you nor the sellers can know if the injections will have helped whatever issues led to the intervention. One that's had hock injections but has ridden history following on, maybe.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Given your history of unsuccessful purchases, I'd say no to this one. It sounds as though it's been injected to make it saleable, neither you nor the sellers can know if the injections will have helped whatever issues led to the intervention. One that's had hock injections but has ridden history following on, maybe.

Thank you milikins, I think you are right

 

[Dexter]

You want one thatis currently kept the way you keep yours, and that is in the same level of work you want yours to be. And for that to have been the case for a substantial period of time, an absolute minimum of 6months but ideally years. And the perfect solution would be a personal recommendation, but I understand that's not always possible.

Its not a guarantee, but it does tip the odds in your favour. Its what I did after my PSSM horse.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Are there any local well respected riding schools? Often they will sell a couple a year to get younger ones in
I worked at riding school we sold some cracking ponies to make room for new youngsters and to give older ones a new life out of the RS!

 

[maya2008]

I’ll happily look at ads - and my husband is beyond amazing at spotting lameness/issues on video. I make him audit every one I go to see for my kids, and he’s done us proud so far. We buy bargain bin end of the market too, so plenty of potential ‘danger’ at that price range! He recently did the same for a friend - she really liked the horse despite the issues we saw so vetted anyway. Vet picked up everything we had seen!

 

[marmalade76]

If a pony ticked every box but had recent arthritic changes and hocks injected recently would you still have a look? (it’s an older pony so probably to be expected). My other pony is older, has hock injections (after we bought him) and is a gem. Is this a big no-no? I’d ask for vet history to check if other things like si ruled out and if ever lame. Sorry I’m doubting myself so much

Would depend on the price for me, if it's cheap, that leave you money in the kitty for further treatment if required or not so much if a loss if it needs to be retired.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I’ll happily look at ads - and my husband is beyond amazing at spotting lameness/issues on video. I make him audit every one I go to see for my kids, and he’s done us proud so far. We buy bargain bin end of the market too, so plenty of potential ‘danger’ at that price range! He recently did the same for a friend - she really liked the horse despite the issues we saw so vetted anyway. Vet picked up everything we had seen!

Thanks maya2008, that’s unbelievably kind of you

 

[marmalade76]

I never had any issues with the five horses I bought off a dealer, but the two I bought privately have ended up a nightmare.
So my tip would be to use a dealer, it offers you more protection should anything go wrong and also have a five stage vetting with bloods.

Children's ponies are a completely different ball game, they're much better bought from a longterm home where they've been outgrown.

 

[millikins]

Have you looked at Morrigan's Lease Ponies on FB? Prices seem to be about another £100 on top of whatever your livery costs are but no upfront purchase or concerns about soundness before you commit.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Have you looked at Morrigan's Lease Ponies on FB? Prices seem to be about another £100 on top of whatever your livery costs are but no upfront purchase or concerns about soundness before you commit.

Never heard of them but sounds like a good idea. I’ll take look, thanks

 

[Bobthecob15]

It's so hard, we went through this a year ago for our daughter. We were in a PC but never saw one pony through PC connections...people round here pass them between friends when outgrown! We tried 6, vetted 2 and ended up with a total diamond of a pony. We were VERY lucky but we did have to drive all over the country and ended up buying him from a home 4hrs away ? we found him on a Facebook selling page and I could tell on the phone he would be ideal, we only got him because 2 other booked viewings fell through, we offered the full price there and then! We had him vetted and haven't looked back.

I learned when it comes to first ponies there are very few true first ponies, they are literally gold dust. You are looking for the hardest type to find, 14hh is the golden size! However a lot of 14hh ponies for sale are more suitable as second ponies from experience, which makes the search harder.

Are you having ongoing lessons somewhere? Does the instructor know of anything? PC is probably your best bet but until you start going to rallies and Competitions you won't get to know anyone who might he thinking of selling...or loaning as a lot of these horses get loaned rather than sold. Its really hard! It's definitely worth posting wanted ads on Facebook etc but people do talk absolute rubbish to sell their horses so it really is about reading between the lines...I'd definitely recommend something older with experience...its amazing how many people were selling 6yr olds who had allegedly done loads despite 2yrs of covid and limited competitions etc! There are a lot of people who will try and sell you younger ponies as children's First ponies and they simply aren't experienced enough. Wishing you lots of luck its horrendous! Dreading when mine outgrows ours as we'll never get one as good as him again!

 

[marmalade76]

It's so hard, we went through this a year ago for our daughter. We were in a PC but never saw one pony through PC connections...people round here pass them between friends when outgrown! We tried 6, vetted 2 and ended up with a total diamond of a pony. We were VERY lucky but we did have to drive all over the country and ended up buying him from a home 4hrs away ? we found him on a Facebook selling page and I could tell on the phone he would be ideal, we only got him because 2 other booked viewings fell through, we offered the full price there and then! We had him vetted and haven't looked back.

I learned when it comes to first ponies there are very few true first ponies, they are literally gold dust. You are looking for the hardest type to find, 14hh is the golden size! However a lot of 14hh ponies for sale are more suitable as second ponies from experience, which makes the search harder.

Are you having ongoing lessons somewhere? Does the instructor know of anything? PC is probably your best bet but until you start going to rallies and Competitions you won't get to know anyone who might he thinking of selling...or loaning as a lot of these horses get loaned rather than sold. Its really hard! It's definitely worth posting wanted ads on Facebook etc but people do talk absolute rubbish to sell their horses so it really is about reading between the lines...I'd definitely recommend something older with experience...its amazing how many people were selling 6yr olds who had allegedly done loads despite 2yrs of covid and limited competitions etc! There are a lot of people who will try and sell you younger ponies as children's First ponies and they simply aren't experienced enough. Wishing you lots of luck its horrendous! Dreading when mine outgrows ours as we'll never get one as good as him again!

Is 14h the new must have size? Why's that? Always used to be 14.2. My current pony is 14.1, might bring her on a bit & sell her (if I were to put on weight, I'd have no choice, I'd have to get something bigger/ chunkier), would there be less interest at that height?