Buying from a riding school

McNally

McNally

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I am thinking about buying a horse from a riding centre- He's working livery but i think he does quite a lot (although isnt overly fit?)
I first rode him about a year ago when my horse was injured and really liked him- I had lessons in the school. At this point i believe he had only recently been in that environment.
I asked if i could buy but was turned down! anyway the owner recently contacted me to say he was up for sale.
Knowing i like him in the school and hacking being more important to me anyway today i hacked him out- we did a very busy main Rd, busy village, gates and had a canter- all good and well behaved.

Is there anything i should be aware of? I am thinking he could be completely different ridden less- although he was blowing and very sweaty after a short uphill canter so i wondered if he's not ridden as much as i thought.
- Would you buy a 13yr old TB? 13 has always been just over my cut off when looking to buy...but i really like this little horse
Any thoughts?
 
You've had the best trial possible, really.
If the reason he's for sale is genuine enough, he passes the vet and is a reasonable price then why not? If you havent tried any other horses though, it may be worth doing so just to check he is all that you want.
 
One thing I would check is if the horse is good hacking alone, I remember someone once buying a horse from a riding school but couldn't get the horse to go out alone as he was so used to following in a group. Although saying that it depends if you want to hack alone, maybe you don't. Anyway its just a thought.
 
tbh a vetting would cost me more than the asking price! I will get my boss to look at it for me- he is VERY knowledgeable.

Yes trial wise i have been lucky- I tried today to put him in the situations i thought could be an issue (we were alone aswell)
The reason he is for sale seems genuine, the lady is moving away with a new job and cant take him, also they said he's had enough of school life.
As for other horses... i'm not actually in the market for a horse really, its just they rang and i thought why not because i liked him, i wont go out and buy for the sake of having another.
My horse is lame on and off and my daughter wants me to accompany her to fun rides etc
 
I would echo Quartz's comments - as riding school horses and ponies are often worked in groups - it isn't uncommon for them to be a bit nappy on their own. BUT that doesn't mean, even if that should be the case, that it will be a major issue - most are straightforward types that take to new routines very quickly.

I would happily buy an ex riding school pony for either of my daughters - they have seen and done pretty much everything and I know of several that are now in private homes that attend riding club events and are just fab!
 
McNally said:
tbh a vetting would cost me more than the asking price! I will get my boss to look at it for me- he is VERY knowledgeable.
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are you sure about that?, its no use taking on an unsound horse, it will end in tears and/or vet bills, so fork out £200 and get it vetted, this forum is full of people who didn't, asking for advice on what to do next.
 
normally i'd be wary because being a school horse can put them in a certain mindset that is sometimes hard to get them out of! ie my daughters old pony who flatly refused to school on his own:rolleyes:
But in your case you already know him, you've ridden him previously and liked him and i presume you're still liking him after hacking him, sounds like he's a reasonable price too so go for it:D
 
i bought my pony from i riding school and he used to be a right bugger but hes now a supper star getting placed in everything he does. as long as you get it vetted go for it as you already know the horse etc....
:)
 
The riding alone thing was something i had thought of and as i often ride alone and will have to especially when i have 2 and only one daughter that was the reason for my hack today.
I went alone today to be sure he was happy and not nappy and he didnt once show any sign of nappiness at all, so i am very confident in his ability to work alone- also the lessons i had were either private or semi private which was also interesting as i saw he listened to me still rather than being distracted by the other horse.
I can also loan first so that might be a good option to see how he settles with my little gang!
 
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MrsD123 said:
are you sure about that?, its no use taking on an unsound horse, it will end in tears and/or vet bills, so fork out £200 and get it vetted, this forum is full of people who didn't, asking for advice on what to do next.
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I know! and i would say the same myself. The horse is sound and like i say i will get him checked out. The only horse i've ever had vetted is the horse i had the most problems with and cost me an absolute fortune
I had thought tho as my other horse is due jabs soon that i would get my vet (who is very obliging) to give him a check over while he is out and before i have parted with any cash.
 
McNally said:
I know! and i would say the same myself. The horse is sound and like i say i will get him checked out. The only horse i've ever had vetted is the horse i had the most problems with and cost me an absolute fortune
I had thought tho as my other horse is due jabs soon that i would get my vet (who is very obliging) to give him a check over while he is out and before i have parted with any cash.
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Ask your vet for a two stage vetting, it won't cost a lot and covers eyes heart wind and probably most things you will need for a hack, but as you don't own the horse you will obviously have to ask permission.
 
I wouldn't worry overly about a vetting if you're not paying much and have known of the horse for a while. Especially if you can take it on loan and your vet can have a little nosey before you buy it. I know what you mean about vettings - one of mine threw up allsorts of things that the insurance now exclude even though the issues have never raised their heads since!
 
I would get it vetted, and I would also think about what it was like in less work. In addition to that, taking on a TB in a climate where hay is at a premium and feed is only going to go up - I'd want to be sure I had the extra finances monthly to cover the inevitable injury or two, and the extra feed/hay over winter, on top of what I already have.
 
It sounds like the the owner and the riding school are bending over backwards to get this horse a good home (trial, loan etc) - have a listen to his heart and if you can't hear any twanging or gurgling (just in case it's not just unfitness) grab him now!
 
The riding school where I used to keep my horse closed down and they sold most of their popular horses to clients - I can't think of one that hasn't been an absolute gem for the person who bought them and none of them have had any significant soundness issues - I still know half a dozen of them.

I would probably do a two stage vetting but have had the same problem as you in that I've had a 5 year old pass a 5-stage and within 6 months I had major problems and in two years he was PTS. My current horse I never had vetted - I looked at him and thought he would never pass the vet but I wanted him any way. 6 years on and he's still going fine although I have had some soundness issues but have never regretted it.
 
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