Finally in a position to look again

[Annagain]

Charlie finally went to a new home on Saturday. I have very mixed feelings as I loved him to bits but it was the best for both of us and he has a wonderful new home who have promised to keep in touch. He's settled well, already has a new best bud and has worked out his new herd's politics.

This means I'm finally in a position to start looking again in anger. Typically, six months ago there was lots I liked the look of but I've been keeping an eye on all the main sites for the last few months and have seen very little that interests me. I've been in touch with some sales livery places and have one lined up (all being well) once he's done his 2 week assessment in about 10 days time but he's 14 which is slightly older than I was aiming for - purely because this will very likely be my last horse so I was hoping for one that would see me thought to my retirement in about 15 years when OH and I intend to travel a lot more - so I need to look for others in the meantime.

Does anyone know of any reputable sales livery places / dealers I might not be aware of within 2 hours of Cardiff that I could contact and get ahead of the game please? Or have any friends thinking of selling?

I'm looking for a maxi-cob / chunky hunter type gelding for hacking, low level riding club activities and fun rides.
16hh ish
8-12 (although a bit younger might be ok if very sensible as I'm currently riding - and totally in love with - my friend's 6yr old moxi cob)
Kindness, honesty and sense far more important than talent or looks.
Must hack alone and in company and be good in traffic and open spaces.
A happy medium between a plod and Red Rum would be ideal but would rather err on the slower side if it's one or the other.

Extra bonus point for one by Avanti Amorous Archie although I appreciate these are rarely for sale as adults.

 

[BallyJ]

Can't recommend any, but I'm looking at the moment and I'm struggling to find anything (Slightly different credentials to what you're after)..
Hoping that as we come into winter a few more may come to the market!

 

[Annagain]

Can't recommend any, but I'm looking at the moment and I'm struggling to find anything (Slightly different credentials to what you're after)..
Hoping that as we come into winter a few more may come to the market!

I hate this process. It was bad enough 3 years ago before fuel prices were sky high, horse prices were ridiculous and my confidence had been wrecked. Hope you find something soon.
I contacted one sales livery place who said they had just what I wanted but he was 5 and very green with jumping (as in he's been over about 3 jumps in his life). They wanted £13k for him!

 

[Birker2020]

C

This means I'm finally in a position to start looking again in anger.

Was that a typo?

I've been following your story as you know for some time as I'm in a similar situation. I'm currently waiting until Friday for my horse to go in to the horspital for reassessment/medication. Then a pro rider to get on board when considered appropriate and to work him until I can get back on him again. But I'm debating even doing this as I am happy to admit I am terrified of getting back on him after my fall and thinking of going down the sales route with disclosure again.

Its a nightmare, I have been keeping an eye on the prices of horses and did feel a slight shift in a decrease in price which can only be good. I so want another horse so know how you feel, I hope you manage to find something.

Are these any good to you? Sorry, they are all South East so not sure that's much help to you.

All Horsequest:

278575
281028
280186

 

[Annagain]

No - doing something in anger means to do it with real intent (as opposed to the window shopping I've been doing even though I know I can't really move on anything.) Thanks for those references though I'll take a look at them now.

Hope you manage to get Lari right, either to get him to a place where he doesn't feel the need to drop you or to a place where you can get him sold to the right home. Sales livery was expensive, especially as he took longer to sell than I thought he would but I feel like I did right by him getting him to a place where he was working very happily (some of the videos I was sent of him on fun rides and hunter trials were a joy to watch) and selling him with full disclosure. I couldn't have done that with him myself so it was the best way to do it.

 

[Annagain]

Just looked and I've already seen and discounted all of them!

278575 - "needs a confident, quiet rider who can work him regularly". That's not me
280226 - in Scotland, plus someone I know has warned me off him - they know him from before.
281028 - I asked about him but he's about 6 hours away from me, a shame as he looks lovely.
280186 - "requires a quiet rider so he is not a novice or confidence giving ride" again, not what I need at the moment.

With fuel prices as they are I can't go half way across the country. I'm prepared to wait for the right one (but still want to be as pro-active as possible)

 

[Birker2020]

Just looked and I've already seen and discounted all of them!

278575 - "needs a confident, quiet rider who can work him regularly". That's not me
280226 - in Scotland, plus someone I know has warned me off him - they know him from before.
281028 - I asked about him but he's about 6 hours away from me, a shame as he looks lovely.
280186 - "requires a quiet rider so he is not a novice or confidence giving ride" again, not what I need at the moment.

With fuel prices as they are I can't go half way across the country. I'm prepared to wait for the right one (but still want to be as pro-active as possible)

Sorry I wasn't very good with that search was I? To be fair I realised the one was in Scotland and deleted it but not before you'd seen it.

I wish people were able to be more specific when they place adverts and put the first three or four digits of their postcode rather than North West or South East, as these can include be many counties and many miles.

 

[BallyJ]

I hate this process. It was bad enough 3 years ago before fuel prices were sky high, horse prices were ridiculous and my confidence had been wrecked. Hope you find something soon.
I contacted one sales livery place who said they had just what I wanted but he was 5 and very green with jumping (as in he's been over about 3 jumps in his life). They wanted £13k for him!

This is what I'm struggling with! Horses are a hobby for me, very much happy hacking, odd fun ride etc. Can I warrant 8-10K on that. I'm not sure! With a horse purchase I think I should be able to write the cash off!

Do you think you could convince your friend to sell?

 

[TheHairyOne]

http://www.amyderber.com/store/p202/Jim_Doyle.html

I think this guy is lovely (maybe too young?) but the grey mare she has also looks super other than a potential sarcoid (which i know is a deal breaker for some).

Ive not heard anything bad about her and would be well within your 2 hour drive.

 

[spacefaer]

Try Vicki Hancox or Lucie Turner - they're both very reputable and you could get to both yards on the same day if they had anything suitable. They both have a fast turnover though, so you'd need to be able to get up to them reasonably quickly.

Claudia Hegarty is down your way - she seems to have some nice horses too although I'm not sure if they tick all the boxes

 

[Annagain]

This is what I'm struggling with! Horses are a hobby for me, very much happy hacking, odd fun ride etc. Can I warrant 8-10K on that. I'm not sure! With a horse purchase I think I should be able to write the cash off!

Do you think you could convince your friend to sell?

Sadly not. She only bought him in January and is as smitten as I am.

 

[Annagain]

http://www.amyderber.com/store/p202/Jim_Doyle.html

I think this guy is lovely (maybe too young?) but the grey mare she has also looks super other than a potential sarcoid (which i know is a deal breaker for some).

Ive not heard anything bad about her and would be well within your 2 hour drive.

Yes, I've ruled him out due to his age but agree that Amy Derber has an excellent reputation. She has a stunning 6 year old that I love the look of but he's £19k and too good for me! I can't have a mare unfortunately as I'm on a geldings only yard (with my old retired boy). I can't have two in two different places time wise and I won't move him at 26 from the only home he's known for the last 17 years.

 

[Annagain]

Try Vicki Hancox or Lucie Turner - they're both very reputable and you could get to both yards on the same day if they had anything suitable. They both have a fast turnover though, so you'd need to be able to get up to them reasonably quickly.

Claudia Hegarty is down your way - she seems to have some nice horses too although I'm not sure if they tick all the boxes

Thanks for those two names. I'll take a look.

I know Claudia well, she's a lovely girl but all hers tend to be a bit sportier than I'd be looking for. She knows I'm looking though.

 

[Miss_Millie]

There's a nice looking 16hh maxi cob on 'Quality Cobs' on Facebook. I think they're in West Wales. He's only 4 though so perhaps not quite what you're after.

 

[Annagain]

There's a nice looking 16hh maxi cob on 'Quality Cobs' on Facebook. I think they're in West Wales. He's only 4 though so perhaps not quite what you're after.

The black one in Carmarthenshire? I'm slightly temped to go for a look as, depending where in Carmarthenshire, he might only be an hour away but 4 is too young really unless he's exceptionally sensible.

 

[Miss_Millie]

The black one in Carmarthenshire? I'm slightly temped to go for a look as, depending where in Carmarthenshire, he might only be an hour away but 4 is too young really unless he's exceptionally sensible.

Maybe keep an eye out on their page, they do sometimes get some older horses. Although admittedly, most of the older ones I've seen on there recently have been smaller than 15hh...

 

[millitiger]

Vicki Hancox
Lucie Turner
Mitty Hardy

All well within your travelling range and would have a variety to suit/try.

 

[Annagain]

Vicki Hancox
Lucie Turner
Mitty Hardy

All well within your travelling range and would have a variety to suit/try.

It was Mitty who sold Charlie for me! She has nothing suitable for me at the moment.

 

[Abacus]

I went to see a horse at Amy Derber’s and was not impressed. She was quite short and rude. On the phone I asked her to tell me about him and she literally said nothing until I asked specific questions. She mentioned that a child had tried him and was small on him; when I asked the height of the child she said ‘about my height’. Not helpful. It probably doesn’t matter but the place is scruffy. I thought the horse was lame and when I said so, she didn’t seem surprised but just took him away. They wanted, I think, 8k for him and he was very backward, stodgy and dull to ride (maybe because lame, who knows). Obviously I stopped trying to work him as soon as I felt pretty sure that he was lame (it was noticeable particularly on a left turn so not immediately apparent).

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Rhydan Equestrian in Herefordshire and Emma Greenwood/Daresbury in Cheshire (bit further but has lovely horses).

 

[eahotson]

Charlie finally went to a new home on Saturday. I have very mixed feelings as I loved him to bits but it was the best for both of us and he has a wonderful new home who have promised to keep in touch. He's settled well, already has a new best bud and has worked out his new herd's politics.

This means I'm finally in a position to start looking again in anger. Typically, six months ago there was lots I liked the look of but I've been keeping an eye on all the main sites for the last few months and have seen very little that interests me. I've been in touch with some sales livery places and have one lined up (all being well) once he's done his 2 week assessment in about 10 days time but he's 14 which is slightly older than I was aiming for - purely because this will very likely be my last horse so I was hoping for one that would see me thought to my retirement in about 15 years when OH and I intend to travel a lot more - so I need to look for others in the meantime.

Does anyone know of any reputable sales livery places / dealers I might not be aware of within 2 hours of Cardiff that I could contact and get ahead of the game please? Or have any friends thinking of selling?

I'm looking for a maxi-cob / chunky hunter type gelding for hacking, low level riding club activities and fun rides.
16hh ish
8-12 (although a bit younger might be ok if very sensible as I'm currently riding - and totally in love with - my friend's 6yr old moxi cob)
Kindness, honesty and sense far more important than talent or looks.
Must hack alone and in company and be good in traffic and open spaces.
A happy medium between a plod and Red Rum would be ideal but would rather err on the slower side if it's one or the other.

Extra bonus point for one by Avanti Amorous Archie although I appreciate these are rarely for sale as adults.

Don't automatically discount a youngster.I didn't want a youngster, I was adamant but couldn't find what I was looking for.Someone recommended a dealer in cobs because a friend had one off her and she was thrilled with it.
I rang up and they had this four year old mare.I was reluctant but instructor and I went along.I was reassured that she was very quiet.When it was my time to try her a tractor with a trailer went past the school at speed.She wasn't in the slightest bit bothered.Instructor liked her and I didn't want to get off her.She is very quiet.The yard use her to escort young,nervous,spooky horses out hacking as they say she will go past anything.I do have a good instructor who helps with the schooling.She went to her first show the other week end and was a little star.

 

[Annagain]

Don't automatically discount a youngster.I didn't want a youngster, I was adamant but couldn't find what I was looking for.Someone recommended a dealer in cobs because a friend had one off her and she was thrilled with it.
I rang up and they had this four year old mare.I was reluctant but instructor and I went along.I was reassured that she was very quiet.When it was my time to try her a tractor with a trailer went past the school at speed.She wasn't in the slightest bit bothered.Instructor liked her and I didn't want to get off her.She is very quiet.The yard use her to escort young,nervous,spooky horses out hacking as they say she will go past anything.I do have a good instructor who helps with the schooling.She went to her first show the other week end and was a little star.

I’m not dismissing them completely but I think 4 is too young for me. I do enjoy a bit of jumping but don’t have enough confidence to tell a youngster doing it for the first time that it’s fun. A sensible 5 or 6 year old that has done a bit already would be great.

 

[sky1000]

I follow Juliet Clarke. Talk horses. on facebook. I don't know her personally but I enjoy watching her videos. She seems to have some sensible sorts, although they go quickly, and many satisfied customers. She might be a little over 2 hours away though. Might be worth a call.

 

[teapot]

http://www.amyderber.com/store/p202/Jim_Doyle.html

I think this guy is lovely (maybe too young?) but the grey mare she has also looks super other than a potential sarcoid (which i know is a deal breaker for some).

Ive not heard anything bad about her and would be well within your 2 hour drive.

I find it odd he's down as both for sale and sold...

 

[Annagain]

I find it odd he's down as both for sale and sold...

On one ad for him it says he didn’t settle and came back.