Buying privately or through a dealer

Michen

Michen

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What do you prefer? I'm starting the (rather depressing) hunt for a horse as although I would prefer to not buy until autumn, finding the right one could take months.

I have never bought from a dealer but I would assume you would be more covered legally if it was not fit for purpose, and the good ones would want to maintain their reputation? I'm looking at irish horses, mainly connie and ish and I do wonder if I'd do better going to ireland myself and hiring an agent but it seems a bit much for a RC all rounder!

Getting quite disheartened with the number of people I've spoken to privately who talk absolute rubbish.

If anyone knows of a sane, safe but fun all rounder who can hunt/do RC but also look nice in the process (I'm a snob!) for around 4k send them my way! I thought my budget was reasonable but it seems not...
 
You have more protection when buying from a dealer - a private sale is a case of "buyer beware" and if there's a problem the onus is on you to prove the horse was deliberately mis-sold.

A reputable dealer will want to do all they can to protect their reputation so regardless of the legal position will want to help you find the right horse for you. Finding the reputatble dealers is the challenge!
 
There are many genuine private sellers out there and each of my 3 horses was from a private sale. You can easily tell a genuine sale by answering the right questions over the telephone.
 
I have bought 4 horses before. First one from a well known dealer in scotland and horse was completely mis-sold to me, an experience I hate to remember but I did manage to get my money back although lost the cost of transport and vetting. After that I looked privately and found a lovely mare for sale due to teenager going to uni so it was a genuine sale and I had been 2nd to view so put deposit down straight away. The trick with private sales is finding the genuine ones as a lot of people dance around the truth in their ads.

The next two I bought from a reputable dealer and have been happy with my purchases. I did travel all the way to the South East of england from North East Scotland for them though. Not saying there isnt reputable dealers closer to home but I decided to go on an intensive horse search trip rather than travelling around Scotland seeing private sales here and there.
 
I have just found a new horse after 10 months of searching, being mislead, told lies, shown dangerous horses and being messed about by dodgy people in general who didnt want my vet to vet the horse. I like Jo Jo was sold a drugged up horse by a well know dealer in Scotland, we did manage to get our money back and also take her for 3k in costs but it was not a nice experience and for someone who is a VC of the BHS was a pretty disgusting act. I found my horse by placing an advert on Facebook and it was a private sale.

The only dealer I would recommend is Julia Martin at Southgate Farm in Bolney near Hickstead in Sussex. She has all rounders and RC type horses as well as pure connies and Irish crosses. It may be too far for you though as I dont know which area you are in. Good luck with your search and please please have the horse thoroughly vetted by an independant vet.
 
onemoretime said:
I have just found a new horse after 10 months of searching, being mislead, told lies, shown dangerous horses and being messed about by dodgy people in general who didnt want my vet to vet the horse. I like Jo Jo was sold a drugged up horse by a well know dealer in Scotland, we did manage to get our money back and also take her for 3k in costs but it was not a nice experience and for someone who is a VC of the BHS was a pretty disgusting act. I found my horse by placing an advert on Facebook and it was a private sale.

The only dealer I would recommend is Julia Martin at Southgate Farm in Bolney near Hickstead in Sussex. She has all rounders and RC type horses as well as pure connies and Irish crosses. It may be too far for you though as I dont know which area you are in. Good luck with your search and please please have the horse thoroughly vetted by an independant vet.
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Just spoke with Julia earlier but she doesn't have what Im after in at the moment but will be keeping in touch. Oh it will be vetted for sure!
 
I prefer going to a professional, I have always bought from a dealer or breeder; I have been to see a few horses being sold privately but didn't buy them, as none of them were as described.
Some one with a good reputation wants to keep it & you can sometimes see several horses in one visit.
 
OK, you will need to keep ringing Julia as she is very busy. Glad to hear that he will be vetted or she. Also Martin's Irish Horse near Canterbury in Kent have a good reputation, I have never dealt with them but know quite a few people who have, may be worth a call.
 
I have just tried to send you a pm, only to find we both have full inboxes!! mine is now mucked out can you do yours so I can send it please.
 
I think it depends on honesty of the person rather than dealer or private. An honest dealer will know what they have and they will be priced accordingly and priced to sell and you will be able to try a few. Beware though I started horse hunting 2 weeks ago thinking it will take months and I've got a vetting booked for Monday lol!
 
Jango said:
I think it depends on honesty of the person rather than dealer or private. An honest dealer will know what they have and they will be priced accordingly and priced to sell and you will be able to try a few. Beware though I started horse hunting 2 weeks ago thinking it will take months and I've got a vetting booked for Monday lol!
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Haha typical! I've still got a project pony to sell and he can't go anywhere till he bursts an abscess from a bad injection. I categorically said I would not buy one before he sold but.... Here we go ;)
 
I bought my first 2 privately and got Jazz from a small dealer. All lovely horses with very genuine sellers, but I think I've been lucky!

My sister's 2 both came from dealers - the first one from a very big yard, the second one from a small one. Again, lovely horses but there were some issues with the first as we insisted on a vetting and the sellers didn't seem to think it was necessary ...
 
ntequine.co.uk have lovely Irish horses/ponies. They compete them etc before being advertised. Really recommend as used to ride a few for her
 
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