Explain me Ashford market

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TbLover

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so title tells

In germany it gives usally only auction for horses above the 10k price how works that here

Is it a visit worth?

Is vetting allowed?

oh please give me some informations

Many thanks
 
I may be wrong but I don't think Ashford is an auction for quality horses. Look up Adorable Alice, I think she's knowledgeable about auctions. If you have transport, google Ascot bloodstock sales. Good luck.
 
It's years (mid to late 90's) since I've been to Ashford but it was always a fairly low end market.Not as bad as Southall at the time but still not great. In every sale there would be a few that were worth a look but that was all. I used to go for the tack auction and then have to sit on my hands to avoid bidding in the horse ring.:D

Some of the horses were sold with a warranty that allowed you a week to have them vetted/tried and you could return them for a full refund. There used to always be some transporters outside so you could get anything you bought home. Let's just say, pricewise that taking £1k with you would allow you to come home with two or three horses...

http://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/CF/?pa...7&SaleTypeId=7&CatAvail=Any&Link=AuctionsMenu

The next sale is 21/2 and the final sales list should be available online after the 14/2 - just having a look at the older lists they have hardly any horses for sale, when I used to go they were always a hundred or so up for auction.
 
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Been several times - and no it is not generally for quality horses.

The condition of many of the horses going in can be horrendous.

But if you have a good eye sometimes you can find something decent :)
 
My experience of Ashford market is it auctions the bottom end of the market where some may go for meat while others are snapped up fairly cheaply.Having said that i know people who have bought some cracking youngsters there at a great price.Some of the local pony breeders send their unsold youngsters there too.
 
Sorry but those saying they go for meat clearly haven't been there for the past year at least - most of the horses don't sell because they have a reserve, those that do sell for a fair price above meat value.
I bought my mare there a year and a half ago and have been to most of them since (not looking to buy again!). You really need your wits about you or take someone experienced as you could easily end up with something dangerous, but equally you could get a bargain!
 
If you look at Hobbs and Parker website they will tell you any conditions you want to know.

I havent been for the last year of auctions. But used to go regularly. There is a lot of gypsy ponies, entire colts.

I bought this little lady as wanted a project to work on while I wasnt sure what I really wantd in a horse.
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Hopefully home for life :) Couldnt sell her. It took so long to get her to what she is now, I dont want anyone to ruin her and put her back in the state she was when I got her(she needs a little understanding;) ).


I have also ridden and help bring on a few horses from Ashford but tbh the stock is very poor now. There is a lot of ponies, veterans and 2yo broken to ride and drive. I had a ex racer and hunter from Ireland through there amazing horse unfortunately put down with kissing spines in 2008 but I doubt you could find somthing similar there now.

Have never knwon vetting there BUT if you buy a horse that is SOUND IN WIND EYES AND ACTIONS I think you have some rights should the horse be ill/ lame/ you do however only have 7 days to have a vetting done I think.
 
thanks to share your experience with me so more problem horses than bargains
I never was there but I will go there to have a look ( and sit on my hands);)

What was the Problem with your lady from there?
 
TbLover said:
thanks to share your experience with me so more problem horses than bargains
I never was there but I will go there to have a look ( and sit on my hands);)

What was the Problem with your lady from there?
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Got her home and once she was no longer a brood mare (bought with colt at foot) she reared at anything she didnt want to do including feet etc, planted, scared of everything, wouldnt tie up, I doubt she had ever been ridden as implyed but definately driven at full trot everywhere. Oh and she was riddled with pinworm. Took 2 years just to have a canter on her and be able to tie her up in the yard and walk away from her!!!!! But she is a true mare at heart very loyal which is why I don't think I can part with her. You couldn't catch her but she comes flying over to me why a neigh.

Oh and her passport says 15hh shes barely 14.1hh good job I didn't actually measure her that day otherwise I doubt she would be here now!!!!!!

The ex hunter and racer was brilliant couldn't fault him he was covered in scars and had a weird chunk missing under his elbow but I loved that horse and jumped everything I put infront of him.


I paid £800 for her and foal that day.

Paid less for the hunter.

Seen broken ponies go for £50
 
Agree with SF. With that sort of money and not looking for a finished horse, why are looking at poor things on Preloved and markets? There's plenty of good breeders out there with nice youngsters.
 
I live near Ashford and the market breaks my heart.

Definitely not the place to go unless you are very experienced and willing to take a huge gamble.

Toffee44, your girl is lovely, do you have any 'after' pictures of her?
 
We bought 4 at the last sale at Ashford. All ponies, largest is 13.2hh. All of them are very sweet. Two are now in a friends riding school, one I still have and am doing a bit with and the other is a little unbroken mare who I presume to be in foal so she's turned out. I've bought some really nice ponies from there, it's not somewhere I would buy proper horses from, but smaller ponies are normally ok. We paid £1500 for our 4 last time. Bit over the top but I'm a regular buyer and know what Im doing and sadly if people see me bid they tend to bid it up a bit as what I buy is normally alright!
 
Millikins said:
I may be wrong but I don't think Ashford is an auction for quality horses. Look up Adorable Alice, I think she's knowledgeable about auctions. If you have transport, google Ascot bloodstock sales. Good luck.
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Sorry not me. The last horse I bought at auction was in 1976 it was a dotty fruitcake and put me in hospital. All mine have been off dealers, studs or private homes.
 
horrible story alice but I think it doesn't matter where you buy that can happen everywhere,
I remember a horse 10 years ago was in my stable that I break it the first 4 weeks everything was fine than one hack and the horse was of the middle of an hill in canter and he grew with the front I slided to the back horse turns and put his hoof on my hand, broken hospital but I rode her home

other case I sat on my lovley loan horse we were in the arena an other horse pass us kicks and meet my knee, hostpital again

but end of story is that not always are the horses guilty it depends on owner how good they was to them because HORSES NEVER FORGET!!!
 
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