Can finding a new horse be so hard???

H

HOWEN

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 September 2005
Messages
193
Visit site
For the past few months I have been helping a good friend find a new neddy. Sadly she lost her horse at the start of the year, and she has decided the time is right is find something else. But can we heck find something. Now are we looking for something that doesn’t exist or the budget will not stretch to the sort of horse she wants?

These are her requirements.

16.2hh plus
3-4 year old maybe slightly older that’s just backed and needs bringing on
Mare
100 % Not Grey
Not Full TB (probably been put off by my two)
Think Warmblood, Dressage type.
Budget £2500 -£3000
Oh and preferably in the North

Hopefully one of you lovely people may be able to help and be a better horse hunter than me.
 
I too thought it was meant to be a buyers market at present. I also have been trying to find the impossible for a friend with a decent budget too. Can't help you but I do sympathise.
Sorry to piggy back, but we are looking for a different sort to you.
We are looking for:
Coloured pref skewbald
Mare or gelding
Good all rounder but will be aimed for affiliated dressage eventually. So it needs to have potential.
100% in everything, as she is a good rider but needs her confidence building again.
Up to 12 year old, again pref younger to be able to train to higher level of dressage.
Budget of £5,000
South West and South area, but will travel.
 
Sorry I should of put north england, she would be willing to travel if the horse sounded and looked close what she is looking for. So any ideas or adverts would be great if you have anything in mind.
 
I too am finding it a nightmare. I want a sane 16.2 plus horse for hacking and BD. I have a decent budget, but all I see are horses who are not what they said (on the phone).
 
I am another one not seeing the buyers market. And where have all the Geldings gone? I to thought it would be easier than the norm, but everything seems to be snapped up and sold within a couple of days of advertising. Obviously everyone thinks it is a buyers market so are buying!

Another to piggy back the thread but if anyone has the following i am looking
Budget of £4000
15.3 to 17hh
Gelding
4-9 years old
looking more at 5 year olds that have done a little been to a few shows etc. but still needs bringing on. Looking to eventually XC / ODE
If closer to 9 then it will have to be more experienced XC / ODEs
Not to fussed on breed although would rather have a good doer type

Thought my budget was quite resonable for a 5 year old, but they still seem to be 5k plus :( Or all mares.
 
So it wasnt just me then.... in the buyers market?? and of course all those people that are going to sell due to high price feed etc.?? 22 horses later I gave up! I havent looked for past couple months as I got so fed up with the big porkers despite my telephone & face to face interrogations most were not as wonderful as the advert stated, and i met quite a few as soon as I said NO were oh are you nervous etc etc. I am enjoying brushing and visiting my old boy who would make a fab companion.

Busy roads seem to let most of the horses down for me!

I keep adding to the ££ pot but I dont necessary think an expensive horse means a good horse.

For me I offer a good home for life for right horse I just cant find right seller. But hey ho I am enjoying not looking. Suprised you cant find a youngster as there seems more of those around? Good luck I can totally understand the frustrations!
 
im on the other end! im trying to sell!!
I have a lovely 15.2 8 yr old mare that has just started competing BD! Is perfect in every way and will make a fab allrounder! she is soon to start jumping some fences. Shes a fab little compact horse. and due to the market she is ony up for 2.5k! but we are down south west ;-)
 
I can't find a buyer!! Have a quality 15.3hh chestnut mare, 5 years, stunning paces, brilliant jump, csuccessfully competed Dress/SJ/XC ,fab BE prospect, snaffle mouth, £3750, not had a call!!
 
ladyt25 said:
Have you tried Judi Thurloe? She generally has a fair few decent horses in of varying prices to suit different abilities
Click to expand...

^^^this. Got mine from them and they are very good to deal with. Also will exchange within the first 3 months if you are not happy. Just had a quick peek at the website and there are some nice ones on there.
 
I hope your friend finds a nice new neddy. I too am on the look out and have tonight seen a cracker, but I dont have the funds yet :(

It is tough finding the right one and at the right time for the right budget, hope your search with your friend is successful soon :)
 
wouldnt touch a dealer - every horse is there for a reason and if they were that good theyd have been sold by word of mouth. I walked off Judi Thurloes yard Im afraid.
 
Yep i found hardly anything that fitted what i wanted. I dont agree its buyers market, i dont believe there are any bargains out there!
 
NeverSayNever said:
wouldnt touch a dealer - every horse is there for a reason and if they were that good theyd have been sold by word of mouth. I walked off Judi Thurloes yard Im afraid.
Click to expand...

I know everyone has good and bad experiences of most dealers - I have a good friend who doesn't rate Judi either but we have bought a horse and a pony from her over the years - ok the horse turned outto be pretty unsuitable for us looking back BUT that was nothing to do woth Judi, more our inexperience all those years ago. The pony though (my sister's) was fantastic and i don't think he was there 'for a reason' to be honest. Also, I am more inclined to go to people who have a track record in actually getting out and about competing the horses they sell.

There is of course Helen Bell as well who will have some very nice horses too but I don't think they will be very cheap.

I certainly don't believe all dealers are bad BUT I do think you need to know what you want when you go.
 
There are plenty of bargains, particually if you want an unbacked youngster or an ex-racer. Quality ridden horses that are the talented but safe type are still commanding good prices.
 
Bustalot said:
I am another one not seeing the buyers market. And where have all the Geldings gone? I to thought it would be easier than the norm, but everything seems to be snapped up and sold within a couple of days of advertising. Obviously everyone thinks it is a buyers market so are buying!

Another to piggy back the thread but if anyone has the following i am looking
Budget of £4000
15.3 to 17hh
Gelding
4-9 years old
looking more at 5 year olds that have done a little been to a few shows etc. but still needs bringing on. Looking to eventually XC / ODE
If closer to 9 then it will have to be more experienced XC / ODEs
Not to fussed on breed although would rather have a good doer type

Thought my budget was quite resonable for a 5 year old, but they still seem to be 5k plus :( Or all mares.
Click to expand...
Hello, sorry new to this forum chat stuff! Just been reading your post with interest. I work on a large TB stud farm and we have a selection of horses for sale. There is one in mind who i think might be what you are looking for.

Do you have a email which i can send some photos ?
Many thanks Russ
 
NeverSayNever said:
wouldnt touch a dealer - every horse is there for a reason and if they were that good theyd have been sold by word of mouth. I walked off Judi Thurloes yard Im afraid.
Click to expand...

I would hope that isn't always the case. We have a livery yard and a small number of horses in on sales livery, they are all very honestly described and we try hard to match horses to suitable owners. It is hard enough for us to sell horses and we are effectively set up for it, it must be even more difficult for a private owner..which is why some ask us to deal with it for them
 
the watcher said:
I would hope that isn't always the case. We have a livery yard and a small number of horses in on sales livery, they are all very honestly described and we try hard to match horses to suitable owners. It is hard enough for us to sell horses and we are effectively set up for it, it must be even more difficult for a private owner..which is why some ask us to deal with it for them
Click to expand...

I agree with you there - there is good and bad in everything but in some ways I think the dealer (a decent one) has no reason to want to sell you a lie when it comes to horse. I just think people have to realise that horse dealing is a business and I reckon a bloody hard one at that and, for all the normal, decent potential buyers they see they must have to put up with a good deal of numpties, joyriders and people who exaggerate their own abilities. You have to be realistic about what you want, your abilities and what you can afford when you go to a dealer. A genuine one will want to pair you with the right horse.
 
ladyt25 said:
I agree with you there - there is good and bad in everything but in some ways I think the dealer (a decent one) has no reason to want to sell you a lie when it comes to horse.
Click to expand...

i do agree with this ^^^ I'm not saying every dealer is dishonest... but I do still think that the real gems are sold without owners having to go down this route; no matter how busy they are or lacking in facilities.Unless you are buying a competition horse,I always think it's better to see a horse in a private home/routine rather than one that is being schooled by professionals, ridden every day etc. For the average horse owner who doesnt have such facilities or the ability to create the same routine, its a gamble to see what the horse will be like out of this environment. I know it all depends what you are looking for at the end of the day.
 
Last edited:
The only reason I went to a dealer is I thought they would want to protect their reputation. Private owners can (in my experience) tell you anything to get a sale. I bought from a dealer, it went pear shaped, so I took him back and they gave me a refund. I just want a quiet, 16hh ish horse to hack. Not fussed about looks, ability etc, but must be safe. Definately not a buyers market for this type!
 
Sis bestest horse came from a dealer but had one horse from another unscrupulous dealer this horse was mental and got it shot(reckoned it was doped etc etc).
 
I share your pain, have never struggled to find pony before but pretty much given up looking for new horse for son till the spring now after seeing so many not as described
Best one is a complete nutter that we saw that totally tanked with my son on the bottom hole of three ring gag, now readvertised with same owners weeks later £500 more :eek:and always snaffle mouthed :eek:pity the poor child that tries that out in a snaffle :confused:
 
I bought my 17hh, 9yrs old chestnut gelding, Irish draught cross in July this year from a dealer that has not got a good reputation on here!
Best horse I could have bought! Bit of a bargain I think at £4k.
Has evented with decent results, done a bit of BD, ok in his younger days - but now jumping affiliated BS and doing well in newcomers and hoping to do a fox course or a 1m20 by end of the year!
He is sane to hack, good in stable - ok he likes to be in a routine and gets a bit upset if this changes , but no horse is perfect!!

So, yes, the right horse is out there for everyone! As my instructor said, there are millions for sale, enjoy looking and you will find the right horse you just have to put the miles and hours in.
 
Spent many hours and 5 months looking for my daughters horse. Eventually bought from a small dealer and he is a superstar. Feel your pain though cos we looked at so many horses who were not as advertised ..... and some quite depressing because they were very obviously welfare cases.
Worst one was a Warmblood who had a rug on. Owner warned "he's a bit thin but has been on another yard and just wants a bit of grass" OMG when that rug came off! Poor horse was so thin he could hardly stand and was asked "do you want him tacking up to have a ride". Will leave it to your imagination as to my reply!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top