Dealer Question

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bluetigger

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Hello I'm a newbie so go easy ;O) I am thinking of buying my first horse when I move to West Yorkshire. I always had a pony to ride until I stopped at 15, 15 years ago! but have never owned my own. I do have exerience on a yard though helping look after 3 horses. I have considered sharing but have the time to commit to my own horse just now. I have plenty of experience but expect to be very green.

I just want a horse that will do a wee bit of everything - mainly hacking and jumping. I'm not to bothered about competing. I like the dutchwarmbreds for their floaty paces. But (and there is always a but) I really can only affoard a couple of grand. Ideally I'd like something around 15h and around 9-11 years. I'm not bothered if a horse has some quirky points - most of the horses I have ridden have been like this.

Are dealers a big no no?

Sorry if this question is asked a lot - I am out of touch with horsey people though
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There are some good dealers and some bad ones - proceed with caution. There are some good websites - horsemart and horsequest are the first two that spring to mind, and tack shops and feed merchants usually have an advert board with horses for sale/loan. I would also recommend that you have any new horse vetted.

Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum!
 
I bought a horse about 9 weeks ago. by Private sale, in this mag.

Its really a minefield out there. The best thing would be if you have any contacts in the horse world now, to put out loads of feelers, and perhaps put a big email out to all memebrs of the local riding club, the person who sends out the newsletter could do that, but try to get references so someone knows the horse who doesn't mind whether you buy it.

I had a Dutch warmblood until late May, he was floaty, gorgeous, fairly hardy, good conformation, did a good test but simply didn't try for me, bone idle and was nappy too, you couldn't (always) hack him alone. I have heard that that is one of their traits. They are usually one of the most expensive types.

For floaty paces, a little bit of Arab is nice, hardy and real triers. Go all day too! Less money because some people hate them! I don't know why.

We have an ISH (TB/pony) which was cheaper than advertised because it failed the vetting in flexion. That happens a lot.

Don't rush it. For me I don't enjoy the searching, you may enjoy it!

Make a list for ticking off what you really have to have, in questions you will have to ask each vendor. As a private vendor/owner they will want to to be careful, if they really want the best for the horse.

I would avoid the "seen at...." being sold on behalf of a client situation, that could be because the person is scared to ride it or can't get a tune out of it for some reason. Also there will be a mark up and lots of faffing around.

I tried a dealer which was recommended, the nice thing is they didn't mind too much whether I said yes or no. The horse wasn't necessarily cheaper than by private sale. The only thing is, it was not schooled at all, virtually unbroken, and being ridden for me by an expert made it look better than it felt. The horse had had a lot less experience than she told me over the phone.

The good thing with a dealer though, having said all that, is that if they have a decent reputation, you could always exchange the animal if it ends up being completely wrong.

Good luck, I hope you end up with something that makes you both very happy!
 
I've had my last 2 from (different) dealers and they were both 100% what I wanted. I had 4 1/2 very happy years with the horse in my avatar before he succumbed to a disease that was no-one's fault & I'm very pleased with my new horse.

There are good dealers & bad dealers & the tricky bit is telling one from the other!! TAKE YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITH YOU when you're looking!!!
 
Thanks fot the kind words.

I had considered an Arab & may have found a arab share if I can do the travelling. The horse is only 6 and was broken late so am a wee bit nervous after a long break from riding. The arabs are quite fine horses and I prefair something a bit heavier. Maybe an Arab Welsh Cross would suit me better?

Do the Dutchwarm breads need a lot of stableing and rugging in the winter also?
 
I have a dutch WB and although he is perfect for what I want to do (some BSJA and BD), he does not hack out very well(this is apparently quite common) and I have recently discovered that he is much better suited to a proper stable routine (ie in at night and out in the day, ridden daily) than if he is chucked out in the field 24/7. I wouldn't want to leave him out or unrugged in the winter, either. That's just my horse, but I think he is pretty typical
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Arab x's can be nice - some Arabs have more bone than others, too. They also have the nice floaty paces you like and are pretty versatile. Also, IDx's can be lovely and have wondeful paces. I'm sure you'll find something - just don't rush into anything!
 
I agree that not all dealers are bad, my friend got a tb from a local dealer, he turned out to be not as described, so she returned him for another horse which was loads better.

Try taking horse on loan first
 
Thanks for the information. Am presuming if the Warmbreeds don’t hack out very well then they also won’t be good for doing XC on either? That’s probably my long term goal.

What about size as well. I’m 5 foot 7 and my weight has never pushed 11 stone – more around the 10 stone. Would I get away with a horse around 14hh?

I am going to be living around Hebden Bridge area of West Yorkshire. Can anyone recommend some where to have some refresher lessons and also a good livery yard please?

Sorry – so many questions. Once I am back in the saddle I hope I will be able to contribute to this forum rather than just asking questions!
 
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I agree that not all dealers are bad, my friend got a tb from a local dealer, he turned out to be not as described, so she returned him for another horse which was loads better.

Try taking horse on loan first

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I'd be worried if I loaned a horse I'd fall in love and never want to give it back. I have pretty much ridden outgrown ponies all my teenage life and didn't feel I had much say in the decisions being made for my pony.

Is loaning different then? Also most loans are saying MUST STAY ON PRESENT YARD - why is this? Is it usually coz the owner wants to keep an eye on their horse or is it beacuse the horse is happy there?
 
Warmbloods do hack out and warmbloods do do XC. But like all horse breeds/types you get good ones and bad ones.

If I was you I would look for the horse rather than the breed/type.
 
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