Buying horses in Ireland

You need contacts, else you will be sold something they have had in a back field for years, very much "Caveat Empetor" and they will be transported with a load of others, so if they don't already have a good roaring infection they will get one on the journey over!
The are top producers in Ireland, but you will be swimming with sharks imho, you could be lucky, but it is more likely to be the "luck of the Irish"
 
It sounds weird, but it does. Most blokes here will think they can scam a woman, never mind one with an English accent (myself and YM both have Derbys/Yorks accents!) but will be more prepared to deal/barter with a fella with the right accent.

I have seen this in action many, MANY times.

Contacts are very handy but not essential - just know the right questions. Always make sure that you're shown the passport there and then (and double check the breeding, markings etc, watch for tippex!), don't let the "if you don't want it now, it's going to a fella in Tipperary in the morning" pressure you into a decision, and if at all possible get bloods done. Don't let on whether you really like the horse, play it very cool and start well, WELL below what you actually want to pay for the horse.

There're a lot of really nice horses going through the sales at the moment, but it's a bit of a lottery whether or not they're truly 'as described'.

Another way to go would be to get in touch with a trader and give them your wishlist. It may be, in the long run, a little more expensive but at least it's a bit safer and, in general, the transport is much better. A neighbour of mine buys a lot for English buyers and he gets some really lovely horses. He's very thorough, fair and if they turn out in anyway unsuitable they go straight back to where they came from. No infections on the transport either!
 
I am in the middle of doing this at the moment. Transport will cost £325 incl VAT from Co Meath to South Bucks just to give you an idea.

You have to know exactly what you want and I personally wanted something young but broken. They break them really young out there and seem to have all (take with pinch of salt) been hunted for 2 seasons before they reach 5!!

I was not looking for anything special, just a RC type 15 hander to have a bit of fun on - think if you are going to spend loads of money then you might need to go through a recommended dealer - try this lady http://www.irishsportequine.com/index.asp
recommended to me by my transporter. Take a look on "done deal" for an idea.

Anyway, he is due to turn up in a week or so - so, watch this space!!

Anyway, if he is not suitable for me I can take him on as a project and sell on... but I don't believe anything that has been driven and ridden will be too spooky!

If I don't write for a few days you will come and check I'm not dead won't you??? ;-)
 
Agreed, donedeal.ie is the place to start scouting to get an idea, but a lot on there are fairly drastically overpriced. Haggling is a way of life here ;)

If you're really serious, I'd suggest getting in touch with the Irish members on here as a good starting point as I'm sure most would be able to put you in touch with breeders, producers and dealers easily :)
 
gingerparkin said:
Have any of you ever gone over to Ireland to buy a horse? Is it a cheaper way to buy an irish?
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Depends entirely on what you are looking for. People have a gross misconception that all horses are broken at two, ridden hard, unschooled, poorly treated, rife with infection etc etc. Believe it or not we do have electricity and modern life over here now!! Use your cop on....when in a yard ask yourself would you buy from this yard at home?? If the answer is no then get outta there. There are fabulous breeders and producers in this country that are tarred with an ancient "urban myth" brush of how horses are sold here. If you would like to pm me with exactly what you are looking for I may be able to help. Re: transport I would highly reccommend pming measles on here. She regularly buys over here and transports back to the UK. Use a reputable transporter and you shouldn't have any problems. And please do not listen to grossly exaggerated misconceptions by people who haven't a clue. I could bring you to some of the roughest looking no frills yards and you will find your dream horse who is well started and a nice mannerly horse. Equally I could bring you to some amazing yards with all the extras but would not let you buy from them! I would not recommend Donedeal at all...you need to know the right people to do the relevant background checks/cut through the bull*****. Peruse it by all means but there are only certain types of horse to be found on it and again while there are some gems on it, there is alot of crap. Again ask yourself when looking at the ad if this was at home would I go view it...if the answer is no then don't!
 
I have no personal experience of buying direct from Ireland, however I did consider it and I was also given a recommendation for Irish Sport Equine.
 
for my next horse we've got contacts over there. cant remember where abouts it is but because of the money problems, people just give you their half starved horses. if you go to sales you could probs get them for a tenna too
 
MrsD123 said:
You need contacts, else you will be sold something they have had in a back field for years, very much "Caveat Empetor" and they will be transported with a load of others, so if they don't already have a good roaring infection they will get one on the journey over!
The are top producers in Ireland, but you will be swimming with sharks imho, you could be lucky, but it is more likely to be the "luck of the Irish"
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What load of rubbish!!!:mad:
 
Honestly, the rubbish that is spouted on here sometimes about Irish horses is quite incredible.

OP- It totally depends on what you are looking for & your own ability to pick out a good horse and spot any potential flaws. Obviously going through an established dealer gives you some fallback in case the horse is not suitable. But the dealers must make a living too and will have their profit margin built into the price.
My advice would be to do as you would at home, seek advice, get it vetted and have your eyes open.

Jim Derwin (Athlone, Co Westmeath) deals in a lot of horses from Ireland to England. We have sold to him in the past and he moves them quickly all over Europe, depending on what type of horse it is.

PM me if you need anything else. Best of luck.
 
MrsD123 said:
You need contacts, else you will be sold something they have had in a back field for years, very much "Caveat Empetor" and they will be transported with a load of others, so if they don't already have a good roaring infection they will get one on the journey over!
The are top producers in Ireland, but you will be swimming with sharks imho, you could be lucky, but it is more likely to be the "luck of the Irish"
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Oh dear MrsD123, sounds like you've had a bad experience!! Ireland like any other country has rogue dealers. Breeders who produce Sports Horses over there do so as a profession and as in all professions there are good and bad.

I have bought horses direct from Ireland since 2008, mostly from Sports Horse sales, yes auctions MrsD123 and have yet to have a bad one from the four I have bought. They have all travelled over with 'loads' of others, on a 'proper' horsebox and none have faired badly, not a roaring infection in sight...

As always buying a horse is a true case of buyer beware, if your not confident/knowledgable enough to do it yourself then take someone who has a good eye and keen ear :)

The fact that they (some) have worked from a young age imho (!) is fab, you can get on with them straight away instead of having to deal with a 4 year old from the UK that has just learned to wear a headcollar (waiting to be shot down in flames!)

To prove a point here are a few of them...

Jumping044.jpg


SCAN0001.jpg


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Totally agree with previous poster if you are experienced enough to buy from a sale in the UK you can also do so in Ireland, goresbridge sales this week has four days broken up into ponies, older horses, 3 and 4 year olds. The entry form is very detailed and can be seen on their website as can the catalogue. Vendors know that if the horse is not as they say in the catalogue there could be trouble, all the horses have vet certs which are read out and then the buyer has the option of re-vetting the purchase. Most of the 3 year olds (not all) are sold by breeders and are handled and lunging over a pole, they are not ruined, beaten, abused, starved and overworked since they were 2 as some people seem to think! Some buyers instead of going to the sales go to big yards or agents and some go to Dublin horse show qualifiers for the jumping, young event horse and the 3 year old loose jumping classes to spot potential stars to buy. Not everybody has the time (or stamina :D)to travel around the country looking at horses so sales like Goresbridge and Cavan is where they head where they have a variety of horses to look at in one place. While prices have dropped dont expect to find a nice horse or cob available for a tenner or free:eek:, that might happen at the smithfield market in Dublin city centre but no one trying to produce nice horses would bring one there. (rant over sorry it was so long!)
 
HorseGirl18 said:
for my next horse we've got contacts over there. cant remember where abouts it is but because of the money problems, people just give you their half starved horses. if you go to sales you could probs get them for a tenna too
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If you really believe this then please do not bother coming over here and insulting producers by trying to buy their horses for "a tenna" at sales. the sales here are reputable and quality...half starved horses are not let in! Animals have to pass the vet...they are seriously different to the likes of Melton Mowbray etc which I often think people must confuse them with. i am sick to death of the generalisation and misconceptions. The dodgy horses sold half starved are generally from cousins of the UK muppets who drowned a pony attached to a trap the other day. unless you have solid experience of buying in Ireland do not make yourself look stupid by posting the kind of claptrap that I quoted.
 
if you are really seriously looking for something good, why go over to dublin horse show?

there you will meet with serious breeders and have a golden opportunity to watch the showing classes and see in one place some of irelands top youngsters.

it could be said that it is irelands showcase of the horse
 
Eyes wide open ,ears pinned back..don`t believe a word you are told..duping English horse buyers is a national sport! However ,you can`t beat Irish horses,which all of mine have been!!:D
 
Not true East Kent, if you are breeding nice competition horses it doesn't pay to try and dupe any buyers no matter where they come from. There are crooks here, the same as in the UK, but they are in the minority! The majority of breeders are hoping that the horse they sell will go on and do well so that there may be repeat business;).
 
TBB said:
Not true East Kent, if you are breeding nice competition horses it doesn't pay to try and dupe any buyers no matter where they come from. There are crooks here, the same as in the UK, but they are in the minority! The majority of breeders are hoping that the horse they sell will go on and do well so that there may be repeat business;).
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I was`nt talking the competition type of market..more the general dealer over there, as said it is a national sport, in whatever type of selling, be it horses,dogs , whatever ,the Irish sense of humour is great.:D
 
I`ve just got back from Goresbridge, and I wouldnt buy any other way. The choice in one place is great!

As for some of the comments made earlier in the post.... Utter rubbish. There was not one immaciated horse in sight, and none changed hands for a tenner! There are rogues in every business and every country, but keep your wits about you and go with your gut.

I approached a man with a horse I was interested in and asked him for some info. I explained what I was looking for, and he told me that the horse was not suitable for me.
He could have lied, cheated, and let me bid on it, but he was genuine! Believe it or not, some people are.
 
Goodness, what a lot of prejudice in one place.
What happened to the opinion that Irish bloodlines are some of the best in the world, and that Irish horsemen.women are some of the best also. There used to be some kudos in having an Irish horse, obviously not these days. Obviously there are rogues there, just as there are here.
Personally I would take the same sort of care that you would over here. Good luck, I hope you get something nice.
 
Look all I can really say is watch this space... I have never done this before but believe I might have found a really nice sort. I wasn't looking for what Lisamd looks for (nice horses Lisamd!!) as I do not want to compete at her level. I just wanted something that I could have fun on at a local level, hunt, xc and hack out safely.

I THINK I have found him ...... but although vetted (passed flying colours) he is bought unseen and untried (apart from several vids and photos...). He is only 4 -broken to harness at 2ish I believe, very well covered!! Certainly no starving going on there. Fully passported (told transporter to check these details before handing over money but as he goes over there every week he knows all the wrangles...

As for picking up something infectious during transport - well, that could happen to anyone at a show in the collecting ring. These transporters have their livelihood to think of and they are certainly not only transporting hairy Irish traditionals (sorry hairy lovers) back and forth. They are also picking up top quality sport horses and racehorses from Ireland and Europe - you never know who your new baby would be travelling with!

He will be quarantined for two weeks at his new yard!

I looked and looked over here and could not find anything for his type age and experience for under £2,5K! I have picked him up for 1,000 euro (incl full set of brand new harness which I intend to sell for a profit or possibly keep and dabble with driving myself) + £300 for transport to my door. He needs all his jabs but 1st tet and flu will be done on at the port by checking vets.

I was given some good advice by the transporter - he told me to avoid certain areas of Ireland - not sure if that is fair but I took his advice and stuck close to Dublin. I also did not believe a word any of them said but again I wouldn't in England quite frankly! I know of rogue dealers and private sellers over here that I would NEVER trust! I trust my eyes and not my ears!

It is all very "manyana" too over there - no immediate rush to do anything! God, I would love to live that type of lifestyle!

If they have the horse up for 2,000 start offering at 750! They will always take an offer but don't take the pee.

I love the fact that all the horses seem to have done everything at such a young age. Sorry! But I do - 6 year olds over here unbroken and virtually unhandled - what's that all about!

He arrives next week ..... yes, I am nervous!!
 
I've had no broadband for 3 weeks.

Today I made a cup of coffee and came on here, and the first posts I see are the "do you ride in a snaffle" one, filled with posts written by people who clearly know f all about bits and bitting, followed by this one which, with the exception of a few knowledgeable comments, is filled with just so much b*****ks that I am going outside in the pouring rain because it's preferable to sitting here getting my blood pressure up :(
 
Two of mine i bought from Ireland, I flew over to try the first, he arrived a few weeks later.
I then bought a youngster unseen from the same breeder.

I have two friends who regularly go to Goresbridge to buy, always youngsters and have had some crackers!
 
ok so dont shoot me down in flames, i am considering going over to ireland to pick up a yearling or 2 later on in the year. the reason is purely the price! in scotland the prices are ridiculous. i am simply looking for 1 or maybe 2 young cobby types for myself. looks unimportant, to make around 15hh. and completely have no clue where to start. but however i will be asking a reputable transporter for their advice, not started looking into it yet but find some parts of this thread interesting :)
and yes there are very bad dealers everywhere x
 
We've bought at Goresbridge and privately - we go with our eyes wide open and get them vetted. Having said that, we've had straighter, more genuine horses from Ireland than several we've bought in England from people we've known.

In fact, the last horse we bought from Goresbridge, where you can't try them and you can only watch them on the flat and jump - usually with a professional "sales" rider, is the most straightforward, genuine and talented horse we've had for a long time. He's a real dude :D

I think every horse we've bought in the UK, the seller has been less than honest at some point during the sale.

We certainly know what we're looking for, and are very fussy :P
 
Come on guys it's time to confess. We put them ALL in a sulkie when they are yearlings and trot the legs off them on the roads, we don't feed/stable or rug in the winter - after all they are only horses and can get food from the hedges if there is no grass left, anyway surely they will condition up in the spring so why waste money (anyways none of have any - theres a recession on don't you know). ALL are ridden and jumped as high as they can ( with lots of help from the whip and lunge whips) when they are 2. They are ALL hunted in the autumn/winter of the year they turned 2. The most common method of grazing is tethering them on the long acre - saves us carrying out that foreign notion of 'poo picking' our fields. We ONLY grow a nice, pretty yellow flower called ragweed in our fields. Oh I nearly forgot one of the most important lessons we learn at pony club is lying to anyone without an Irish/Norn Irish accent.
I think this just about sums it up - this is how we produce world class horses over here. Sorry gotta go now the yearling is awaiting his harness.

PS Horsegirl - if you've got 'a tenna' I've got a couple of bales of good quality hay I could let you have. Couldn't possible charge you that much for an 'Irish' horse.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
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