Buying horse with known issues?

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So the time has come to go horse shopping. Due to the enormous investment in our mare (investigations, injections and now retired) the budget is small, and we don't need an amazing PC all rounder as my daughter mostly enjoys hacking.

I don't want to spend mid 4s or higher only to end up with another horse that has hidden/undiagnosed problems (plus I really don't have the budget) and I'm interested in people's views on this, who know the current market better than me.

Would I be better looking for horses with known issues or limitations (who might therefore be cheaper)? Or if a seller is appearing to disclose such things should I run a mile? I really don't mind taking on a known physical problem as long as I know the full history and feel we can manage it.

(Bearing in mind the original plan was to have a companion from a charity, now not really possible because we need a horse that can be ridden. I know these exist from charities but they are vanishingly rare.)
 
Depends what it is, but I personally think too many people run a mile from honest horses with disclosures.

The main thing is to ascertain what level of management the horse currently gets, and to see evidence of this from vet records plus assure yourself that the horse is currently (and has been consistently doing) the type and level of work you will be doing.
 
ihatework said:
Depends what it is, but I personally think too many people run a mile from honest horses with disclosures.

The main thing is to ascertain what level of management the horse currently gets, and to see evidence of this from vet records plus assure yourself that the horse is currently (and has been consistently doing) the type and level of work you will be doing.
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Thank you, these are exactly my thoughts ☺️
 
I wouldn’t mind if these issues were reflected in the asking price but they aren’t.
I feel people selling horses with arthritic changes that are still expensive and saying they are managed by steroid injections are the most frustrating as steroid injections generally only have a limited effect time wise.
 
(And the reason I'm asking is I was discussing this with my auntie (ex AI) and she seemed really shocked at a couple of quite refreshingly honest ads from sellers, and worried by them. But she's used to a time before scammers and standard ad spiel when you could easily pick up a great horse for a few hundred quid!)
 
Ceifer said:
I wouldn’t mind if these issues were reflected in the asking price but they aren’t.
I feel people selling horses with arthritic changes that are still expensive and saying they are managed by steroid injections are the most frustrating as steroid injections generally only have a limited effect time wise.
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Agreed! I am talking about the rare occasions with a seemingly realistic seller where they are reflected in the asking price.
 
My Rigsby had loads of disclosed issues, and was dead cheap. The difference was, I suppose, that he was still in crisis and not in work, so was more of a gamble. That said, he has been the most amazing horse and is now a fit and chipper 20 year old, works at whatever I want to have him have a go at.

I would go for an older one no problem. One with managed issues, no problem. Just accept that their workload and management will have to be adapted. When buying him cheap and with no guarantees, I also found the pressure is off and there are no expectations. It is more about being with them and enjoying what you can do together without demanding it as a goal.
 
Depends what the issues are. We’ve got one with windgalls, price was dropped to reflect that, never had an issue.

Had an older boy who was £1500, arthritis, hock injection every 6 months and he was still galloping round sound.

So yeah, sometimes it works out fine.

I’d bare in mind that some insurance companies won’t cover existing medical problems
 
sarcasm_queen said:
I’d bare in mind that some insurance companies won’t cover existing medical problems
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Yes, mine is insured for 3rd party only, although I could have also done an external injury one. I didn't as he is built like a tank with elephant hide 🤣 and I could afford to cover the cost of most treatment. As he is older and compromised, he would not be having long protracted treatment.
 
sarcasm_queen said:
Depends what the issues are. We’ve got one with windgalls, price was dropped to reflect that, never had an issue.

Had an older boy who was £1500, arthritis, hock injection every 6 months and he was still galloping round sound.

So yeah, sometimes it works out fine.

I’d bare in mind that some insurance companies won’t cover existing medical problems
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Yeah, I'm not really worried about the insurance side of it after the experience with my mare ending up with absolutely everything excluded anyway 🙈
 
I tend to go for quirky ones or ones that have problems … because you know the sellers being honest . Also pay money that I can afford to loose if it all goes wrong and don’t bother with insurance other than liability.

Got some incredible mares this way that have far exceeded exceptions and no further issues (other than what I was warned about). The one time I have bought something that was described as amazing and cost a bit more got PTS as she was crippled within a year ( nothing to do with me as I never got her started)
 
If you just want a hack, don't want to spend much and don't mind the odd issue, look into retired polo ponies. There's a couple of groups on Facebook, one's called Chukkout Polo. They're pretty bombproof and dopes on a rope to handle but can still have plenty of go under saddle.
 
marmalade76 said:
If you just want a hack, don't want to spend much and don't mind the odd issue, look into retired polo ponies. There's a couple of groups on Facebook, one's called Chukkout Polo. They're pretty bombproof and dopes on a rope to handle but can still have plenty of go under saddle.
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Mostly southern England though I'm guessing??
 
In your situation, especially if your daughter is still growing you might actually be better looking for a horse on full loan (in which case it may be worth considering those with minor issues that limit their schooling / jumping abilities but make hacking ok on the theory that you are able to ask the owner to take the horse back if outgrown or if turns out to be unsuitable).

Of course there is always the risk of the owner suddenly wanting the horse back or wanting to sell them which can cause heartache but might work if you found the right person/ horse combo
 
Boulty said:
In your situation, especially if your daughter is still growing you might actually be better looking for a horse on full loan (in which case it may be worth considering those with minor issues that limit their schooling / jumping abilities but make hacking ok on the theory that you are able to ask the owner to take the horse back if outgrown or if turns out to be unsuitable).

Of course there is always the risk of the owner suddenly wanting the horse back or wanting to sell them which can cause heartache but might work if you found the right person/ horse combo
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We've done a loan before and tbh it's really stressful because you're constantly responsible for someone else's horse, and if that horse has any issues it's even more stressful! Non-negotiable here is our mare needs a companion so we have to balance that as well. Lots to think about 😊
 
Ceifer said:
I wouldn’t mind if these issues were reflected in the asking price but they aren’t.
I feel people selling horses with arthritic changes that are still expensive and saying they are managed by steroid injections are the most frustrating as steroid injections generally only have a limited effect time wise.
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This is the part I'm interested in (i.e., what constitutes a reasonable price) as I'm potentially looking at an older horse to buy. I saw one ad which said they wouldn't allow flexions for vetting. Maybe not a problem for some homes/types and level of work but I don't know if £10k still quite expensive?
 
Lilly-Mayspookatbags said:
I tend to go for quirky ones or ones that have problems … because you know the sellers being honest . Also pay money that I can afford to loose if it all goes wrong and don’t bother with insurance other than liability.

Got some incredible mares this way that have far exceeded exceptions and no further issues (other than what I was warned about). The one time I have bought something that was described as amazing and cost a bit more got PTS as she was crippled within a year ( nothing to do with me as I never got her started)
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This, or else get a standardbred, they tend to be cheap and sound, just need a bit of reschooling if they are just out of racing.
 
I never have a big budget. I’d take on sweet itch happily (and have done) but we have plenty of experience and haven’t found it to be a huge issue when managed well. It knocks a huge amount off the price too. Locking stifle also yes (but often confused with stringhalt which can be degenerative and more of an issue).

We went looking a month ago with well below mid 4s to spend, in need of a rideable, competitive pony for this season. Pony we had was proving too sharp for the (competent but not at adult level of knowledge) child. Found one - huge behavioural issues on the ground that we felt confident taking on and green but uncomplicated ridden work. Pony was seriously hard work for the first few weeks but is amazing now and hacks like a dream as well as definitely wanting to jump (which was the plan!).

Last summer I picked up a little cob cross from our local riding school who was cheap because she hated it there and was running off with the kids. Very happy in a private home and I hacked her out from the day after she arrived.

Would suggest ex polo pony also.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
This is the part I'm interested in (i.e., what constitutes a reasonable price) as I'm potentially looking at an older horse to buy. I saw one ad which said they wouldn't allow flexions for vetting. Maybe not a problem for some homes/types and level of work but I don't know if £10k still quite expensive?
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It is in my book! If you're buying something iffy, you don't want to spend more than you can afford to lose and how many can lose £10k? I paid £1500 for my oldie 18 months ago so not too painful on the pocket if she popped her cloggs tomorrow but pre lockdown, I'd have probably bought her for a third of that at most, possibly for nowt.
 
Tiddlypom said:
The ex polo ponies are mostly pretty damn broken. Be very wary.

They carry on playing them for as long as they can get them to hobble about geed up by adrenaline.
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Hi

I have 2 ex polo ponies. They are not broken. One has slight arthritis, the other recovered well from a tendon issue , and the owner wanted to retire him to a good home to enjoy a slower pace of life . I also had one previously, he took a while to settle to his new home . I had him for 8 years .
I would get another polo pony in an instant. Lovely horses.
 
If you are near West Sussex I know of a really lovely horse that is beautifully schooled but who's showing career (RIHS & HOYS) ended due to some sarcoids popping up who is up for sale for £5k (owner set price, not me!) 16.1hh 11yo gelding. He is on HQ. Hacks but can have a spook, is really lovely on the ground to do everything with.
 
I bought my horse knowing he didn’t jump (well, he could jump a solid wall but had zero respect or want to jump a small x pole) I don’t jump at all so this was a compromise I was willing to make. Many would think he can’t jump to mean something was wrong, but he is just not built for jumping being an elephant.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Polo ponies are indeed mostly lovely ponies.

I stand by my assertion (backed up by various vets I know who have worked with polo) that many ponies that are still playing are very shut down and broken, let alone the ponies that are discarded to be rehomed.
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I'm sure it depends on who they come from, as with all horse owners, some are better than others. I recently saw one advertised on one of the polo groups unsound with knee arthritis and the advertiser was rightly told off by several people.

Mine has surprisingly clean legs apart from slight windgalls and a lump on the side of a hind cannon bone, her worst scars are old kick injuries, she literally has a hoof print on her bottom. She is Argi, though tougher than those who've come from racing. She wasn't much of a pet at first (but lots of treats and fuss has changed that) but I would say she was shut down. My previous polo pony I had 20 years ago but he was only 7.
 
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