Feeling disheartened

[Miss_Millie]

Trying to find a horse right now is so hard. The few that I have seen and liked the look of, either the seller hasn't replied or they have sold before I could view them. So many people buying unseen. Or putting a deposit down before viewing so no-one else can view before them. And some prices are taking the mickey. One pony was 9k, knocked down to 7k a week later because it was just so stupidly overpriced.

At this rate, I feel that I'll be lucky to find something in a year's time.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Just think - the longer it takes the more money you will have saved. This means that you may have a better budget, or that you’ll have more money saved to spend on said pony! (Or more money to keep safe for emergencies).
The right one will come up soon, and probably when you least expect it ?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Trying to find a horse right now is so hard. The few that I have seen and liked the look of, either the seller hasn't replied or they have sold before I could view them. So many people buying unseen. Or putting a deposit down before viewing so no-one else can view before them. And some prices are taking the mickey. One pony was 9k, knocked down to 7k a week later because it was just so stupidly overpriced.

At this rate, I feel that I'll be lucky to find something in a year's time.

Where abouts are you?

 

[eahotson]

It is hard at the moment.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Just think - the longer it takes the more money you will have saved. This means that you may have a better budget, or that you’ll have more money saved to spend on said pony! (Or more money to keep safe for emergencies).
The right one will come up soon, and probably when you least expect it ?

Thank you, that's a good mindset to have. I really hope so

 

[Miss_Millie]

Where abouts are you?

South Wales. I've been looking in Mid/West Wales too and South West England.

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

The market is crazy at the moment I live in Ireland a lot of uk buyers are spreading big money and buying unseen on very doggy dealers in Ireland. As my mother said what’s for you won’t pass you don’t give up your will find your perfect horse.

 

[LEC]

I just think you need to be clever as well.

Look on HQ advert and any which are unsold but slightly above your budget - ring them and find out if worth coming to look at. As I always say, don't get, if you don't ask.

Think slightly outside of the box and don't have narrow parameters.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

We were looking this time last year for my daughter and felt like you do … we eventually found one on HorseQuest but she was in the unaffiliated section although she was well-established at BE100. They also only had one very nondescript photo of a bay horse against a dark brown fence so the ad itself was fairly underwhelming. It’s definitely worth widening your search parameters - good luck

 

[Miss_Millie]

Thanks for the tips everyone

 

[Birker2020]

Trying to find a horse right now is so hard. The few that I have seen and liked the look of, either the seller hasn't replied or they have sold before I could view them. So many people buying unseen. Or putting a deposit down before viewing so no-one else can view before them. And some prices are taking the mickey. One pony was 9k, knocked down to 7k a week later because it was just so stupidly overpriced.

At this rate, I feel that I'll be lucky to find something in a year's time.

I feel your pain - I looked at three before I bought Lari. I was having my stable held, the yard owner was really kind and put hers in for the first four months and then I was having to start paying, which was fine. Anyway finally, along came Lari 4.5 months later and hugely out of pocket.

 

[splashgirl45]

what are you looking for missm? i window shop all of the time and many of the ones i think would be ok for me seem to be in the south west..

 

[honetpot]

I always used to buy after Christmas, when it's dark and deary, and people need money. There is less for sale, but the people selling usually need to sell. You then have until Easter to find out if it's the right one, and if not it can go on the market for the Easter holiday.

 

[racebuddy]

i have been looking the last 2 years , stopped during covid then retstarted the search , i have now found one , i was set in what i wanted , irish / connie , as want to take the pressure of my older boy now , i bought unseen well not unseen as just paid dealt with the buyers for 2 weeks they also vetted me also ect , negoated on price walked a way once but then met in the middle still again i had 10.000 budget and we have still gone over that , plust vetting , we are 7 hours hours so they sent me exactly everything and more , i still think i dodnt know if i am brave or stupid for buying something ive never even sat on but hey ho , i have got a 6 year old connie who fits in with our life just perfect , i wanted something a bit older at the beg ideally 8/9 but they were were piced over the 20.000 mark . good luck , pm if u need any further info or were i got my boy from they are highly reccommended thanks

 

[Miss_Millie]

what are you looking for missm? i window shop all of the time and many of the ones i think would be ok for me seem to be in the south west..

I'm looking for around 15hh, under 12, budget up to 7k. Just to hack and have lessons on

 

[splashgirl45]

similar to what i would like but as i am old i would look at up to 16yrs old...

horsequest ref.267364 might do the job, he is close to bristol

 

[Kaylum]

A girl I know is buying anything and selling it for double she paid within a week. Not checking the passports or anything about them. Basically if they are standing she will buy it.

 

[Miss_Millie]

A girl I know is buying anything and selling it for double she paid within a week. Not checking the passports or anything about them. Basically if they are standing she will buy it.

This is super depressing. The market is absolutely bonkers at the moment.

 

[Miss_Millie]

similar to what i would like but as i am old i would look at up to 16yrs old...

horsequest ref.267364 might do the job, he is close to bristol

Thank you, I had a look, it seems he has been available for about a month which always makes me wonder if there is something wrong in this market of horses selling within a few days.

 

[mini_b]

I always used to buy after Christmas, when it's dark and deary, and people need money. There is less for sale, but the people selling usually need to sell. You then have until Easter to find out if it's the right one, and if not it can go on the market for the Easter holiday.

i like your style!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I feel your pain we are in the same boat...failed vetting today for one we liked. Its so depressing!

 

[Miss_Millie]

I feel your pain we are in the same boat...failed vetting today for one we liked. Its so depressing!

I'm so sorry to hear that, completely heartbreaking How long have you been looking for?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Only a few weeks but I insist on taking my daughter with me to try them, I know some people buy them untried for kids but no way am I doing that...so she sets her heart on them all! Hard for her when they turn out to have issues x

 

[Miss_Millie]

Only a few weeks but I insist on taking my daughter with me to try them, I know some people buy them untried for kids but no way am I doing that...so she sets her heart on them all! Hard for her when they turn out to have issues x

Sounds really stressful, I hope that you manage to find something else soon

 

[Bobthecob15]

Sounds really stressful, I hope that you manage to find something else soon

Thanks, you too!!! We tried to buy a house this summer and it was just as stressful with a bonkers market...horses seem just as bad!!! I refuse to go significantly over budget because I'm struggling to justify prices already!

 

[Meadow21]

I was in a similar position to you until a month ago when I found my boy. I even had a horse sold from underneath me and had to threaten the owners to get my deposit back and refund the vetting. It really is a minefield so don’t rush into anything, and try the ones local even if you don’t think they’d suit. I only found my boy because I turned up to view another and the yard was yet to advertise him.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I was in a similar position to you until a month ago when I found my boy. I even had a horse sold from underneath me and had to threaten the owners to get my deposit back and refund the vetting. It really is a minefield so don’t rush into anything, and try the ones local even if you don’t think they’d suit. I only found my boy because I turned up to view another and the yard was yet to advertise him.

That sounds horrific! How very stressful. I'm glad that you found a horse in the end, I hope I have some luck eventually.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Thanks, you too!!! We tried to buy a house this summer and it was just as stressful with a bonkers market...horses seem just as bad!!! I refuse to go significantly over budget because I'm struggling to justify prices already!

I know what you mean. I do feel that some people are taking the mick and pricing extremely average horses way above what they're worth too. It must be the worst time to be looking at the moment.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Are deposits more of a thing now? Surely if you arrange a vetting within a day or so of seeing something you like that is enough?

 

[Miss_Millie]

Are deposits more of a thing now? Surely if you arrange a vetting within a day or so of seeing something you like that is enough?

I think that deposits are to show that you are serious and are not going to pull out of a sale or of going ahead with vetting. If the vetting fails you get given back the deposit, but you will have paid for the vet by that point so will still be out of pocket. It is definitely a seller's market at the moment.