Cambridge Sale - yay or nay for buying a companion?

catembi

catembi

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My 35 year old mare will probably be pts very soon as her age has v recently caught up with her.
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After my post yesterday on Shetlands, I've decided to get something bigger. The next Cambridge Sale is on Fri 18th & I was wondering about going.

Would I be able to get a cheap companion from there? All I want is something 14.2 ish, quiet & not a walking vet bill. Doesn't need to be rideable.
What sort of money would I be looking at as a rough idea?
Do you have to pay cash?

Any suggestions/info on auctions/info on Cambridge Sale appreciated. Adrian is going to go nuts by himself & I really don't want him jumping out & 'visiting' the horses across the fields. Therefore I need to find him a friend without too much messing around.

(I looked on the veteran horse society website but there are lots of hoops to be jumped through & I don't have time for hoop jumping because A will be fretting & upset. Also after losing my mare, I doubt if I'll be in the mood for having people poking round my yard & finding fault with it.)
 
Could you not advertise for a private owner to have their older horse on loan? I would have jumped at the chance 3 months ago with mum's pony.
 
What about taking on one from the ILPH or one of the other rescue centres? I know they are always crying out for people who are willing to take on a non-rideable neddy and that way you will know more about the background of whatever you end up with. If you call the rescue centres and explain your predicament, I'm sure one will be willing to fast track your application.
 
Ask at local riding schools if any of their older ponies could go out on companion loans. Or as suggested by others try ILPH and Redwings and such - always need homes for companion esp bigger ones. They have always been very quick when I have dealt with them.
 
I agree you should ask round first, I got my little welshie for free as he's got a bad knee and is unrideabe, just asked local mad 'horse woman' (you know the type - collects them but can't really afford to keep them properly) - she was glad to have one less mouth to feed I think!
 
My old yard had some cracking and not so cracking ponies from Cambridge for use in the RS

ILPH and other charities tend to take ages to get sorted - not what you need - worth a go at riding schools but if you're buying from Cambridge go with your eyes open - alot of not so good local dealers often get the bidding up

Edit to add - not been for years so no idea on price - bit late for the weanling stuff which often tend to be v cheap (meat money)
 
I know of an aged 13.2 ex RDA pony that needs a companion home, not seen him but been told he is fit and healthy.

He is near Royston atm

PM me, having met you I feel you could provide a nice home for him.
 
There are loads of companions in rescue centres, as mentioned above, please do try them.
We are not all bad, pokeing our nose in and finding fault! We are human too.
We have 100's of people wanting the perfect eventer - wrong place i'm afraid- but very few after a companion.
The right companion can be matched from a rescue centre and you would be freeing up a place for another intake.
Worth a try. And most would be very understanding.
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I have been to Cambridge and made a mistake of buying something because I felt sorry for her! She kept my vet busy for months and then I managed to rehome her. If you want a companion, definitely try the rescue centres first and explain the urgency time-wise. Also put an ad in the Free Ads (www.adtrader.co.uk) - a friend was in the same situation as you and did this and got a super companion pony. I know it is a horrible situation to be in, but you are obviously being very realistic and practical about it.
 
Try Wood Green Animal Shelter at Godmanchester (A1198) near Huntingdon. They usually have companion ponies looking for new homes.
01480 832815
 
Sorry, Silver_Florin, didn't mean to sound aggressive. I had a horrible experience with Wood Green about 15 years ago. My first husband had left me & I applied to adopt a dog. The woman that rang up was really, really awful & aggressive, & made me feel as if not only was I not fit to have a husband, but I wasn't fit to have a dog either. The whole thing upset me for ages (I was only 22 at the time) & I wish I'd written to complain. NOT about the decision but about being made to feel like an evil person & about an inch tall for daring to apply. (Sorry Suechoccy)

cp1, I looked on project horses a couple of days ago but they were either quite a long way away, had quite significant health probs or were actually lame. Thanks for the suggestion - I will try back there again if I need to.

Am currently following up Thistle's suggestion, so thank you Thistle...and everyone who replied. It constantly amazes me how kind & helpful everyone is on here. Much appreciated.

Tracey & Adrian x
 
If you need a temporary companion until you sort something more permanent out, I have a 13.2 NF pony. Recently featured on here as was attacked by a dog! He needs a few weeks off while I decide what to do with him. I can deliver tomorrow if you needed him.
 
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