Dealers - How do you tell the good from the bad?

3Beasties

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I will hopefully be horse hunting soon, haven't ever bought from a dealer before but am wondering if it might be worth considering.

Whilst browsing horsemart to get an idea on what I'll get for my money I have come across what I think look to be 2 lovely 7 year olds. They are both from the same dealer in Staffordshire so might be worth me going to have a look...but how do you begin to determine what is a good dealer and which ones need avoiding?

I'm new to this horse hunting lark, have only looked for other people! All my previous/current ones have 'found' me :o :cool:
 
Easy. Just start a thread with their name in the title, asking if anyone has any experience of them. If they are good then you'll get replies in the thread, if they are bad then you'll get PM'd :)
 
I did that & got a "warning" off admin saying its in the t's & c's that its not allowed & the thread was pulled. Although there's thousands still on here if you do a search .....
 
I did that & got a "warning" off admin saying its in the t's & c's that its not allowed & the thread was pulled. Although there's thousands still on here if you do a search .....

That's what I thought would happen lol hence me not doing it! :p
 
If its the ones I think you will probably get just pms, there was a thread about them a week or so ago, sure to have been pulled by now ;)
 
hmm, I've seen plenty of them on here. I think as long as there are no defamatory comments in the thread then they are ok.
Have you tried doing a search for the dealer's name on the forum? Alternately, do a post asking for recommendations in your area (include this in the title).
 
You could probably get away with asking for dealer recommendations...and casually suggest a few you have come across ;) Out of interest what sort of horse are you looking for as know a few people around the area that do RoR and have some nice sorts (please note: I have no financial interest in any of them, just noticed they have some nice horses!)

As an aside...how's grey pony doing?
 
Ahh I'm with you :p :D

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=535932 :D :D

Vallin will PM you regarding the grey! I'm looking for something between 16.2hh - 17hh, preferably a gelding between 5-7. Ideally something that has done a little bit of hunting. Want something that will do a bit of everything really with the aim of hopfully doing some low level BS (or BD). I don't have a massive budget though and technically I'm not looking yet (although horses do keep catching my eye :o ). I don't mind something that is a bit green or needs bringing on as long as it is willing and isn't going to try and kill me :p :D
 
I've posted before about how difficult it is if people aren't allowed to comment, although I of course understand entirely HHOs desire not to get sued by dealers for negative comments! But personal recommendation is probably the best endorsement, so how do you get the info otherwise?!

See if you can search on here for non pulled threads. Then if that doesn't work, try a thread yourself but asking for recommendations i.e. positive replies only, and/or PMs if not positive. Is that a breach of the t&cs??

I posted a horse shopping thread asking for tips for ones for sale, and got some recommendations that way, inc the one who is selling the mare I currently have on trial :)

Otherwise, outside off HHO, it's asking locally from horsey folk you know and trust, or instructors in your area, or RC people and hunt secretaries in case they know of people selling.

Good luck! Let us know what happens :)
 
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