Buying from a dealer / riding school

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laura_nash

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Hi All

Just returning to horse ownership after 8 yrs of 'once a week' riding. I've looked at a few private horses but they're either a bit green/young, or I've been a bit messed about (owner decides not to sell, not as described etc). I've seen a horse I like on a website at a dealers / riding school and arranged to go and see him, but I'm not sure.

Does anyone have any general advice? He looks great on the website but they haven't much history (imported from Ireland). He's also been for sale for a few weeks, not sure if that's a bad sign. They've been using him in the riding school since he arrived, which I guess is a good sign that he's at least sound. I'm looking for sensible happy hacker, and don't want to end up with a load of trouble. Is buying privately better, and is there anything especially to check when I go see him beyond the basic handling/riding?
 
So long as its a reputable dealer you should have more come back than buying privately. A good dealer will exchange for another horse if the one sold is found to be unsuitable but get it in writing.
 
one thing to bear in mind is that most riding school horses change personality once they're no longer being ridden 4/6 hours a day!
 
[ QUOTE ]
So long as its a reputable dealer you should have more come back than buying privately. A good dealer will exchange for another horse if the one sold is found to be unsuitable but get it in writing.

[/ QUOTE ] i bought a horse from a reputable dealer, when i told her the horse was not as described she just fobbed me off, in the end i sold the horse myself at a £700 LOSS, BUT FOUND HIM THE RIGHT HOME. all i can say is don't rush into buying ask to go back as many times as you want, if the horse is genuine, they should agree.
 
I bought my mare from a riding school, they were very upfront with me and told me all her "issues" she has been a good horse still does have some issues but i wouldn't swap her for anything.
For a riding school to sell anything dodgy is not the thing to do as at the end of the day it is their reputation that will take the beating when it is being shouted from the rooftops that they have miss-sold a horse.
 
I bought my horse from a riding school.....she basically hated it, and wouldnt play ball there!!

Shes fab. I couldnt ask for a better behaved horse!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
one thing to bear in mind is that most riding school horses change personality once they're no longer being ridden 4/6 hours a day!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto this although if he's not been used in the school that long he may be ok!

I nearly bought my favourite RS horse but looking back, I'm glad I didn't as he was pretty hyper with the 2/3 lessons he did a day and would have been too much for me to handle on my own.

That said, 2 of my friends own ex RS ponies - one is a 12 year old that was used in RS's all his working life - he is a donkey, you can put a toddler on him but he is very stale when it comes to schooling and switches off to anything other than hacking or jumping. My other friend bought a 4 Y/O from a riding school - she's only been used in the school for a few months but again is very stale when it comes to schooling, needs a lot of leg to get her even to trot but again a fab, safe hacker and jumper which goes to show, they don't all turn into nutters when you take them out the RS!!!
 
I hope it isn't the same riding school in the West Midlands where I bought a horse. To say it was unsuitable is an understatement. I was told so many lies about it being used in the school for 6 months prior to the purchase which was very odd when they had only had it for less than a week!
 
Wherever it comes from, have it vetted.
Just working in a school does not mean horse would be vetted as fit for your purposes.
 
I bought my mare from a riding school. They were totally honest about her - i.e. she put as little effort as possible into everything apart from eating
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She is absolutely perfect for me. If you are thinking of buying from a RS just make sure the horse hacks out alone.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I would definately be getting him vetted whatever, made that mistake on my first horse. I bought her from a friend and had been riding her for 6 months so didn't get her vetted, then found I couldn't get any money out of the insurance company when she developed arthritis nearly 6 years later!

FinellaGlen - It's just outside the West Midlands (Monmouthshire). They've definately had him (or at least been advertising him with photos) 4 weeks, though of course that doesn't prove they've actually been using him as they say.
 
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