For those actively looking to buy a horse - how hard is it now?

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Hideous front legs.

Yes, I spotted the knees too, but I meant more the type (not being fussy as I'm not looking to buy)
Such a shame on such a gorgeous stamp of a horse.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

To be fair to AA she did make that comment responding to a description by someonecelse characterising warmbloods as having "quick legs and slow brains", and those do exist. I agree that any mass categorisation of warmbloods as dumbloods is out of date these days when the breeding is very mixed indeed. In the early days of continental warmbloods in this country, 30+ years ago, it was very apt.
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My old boy whom I lost last year would have been 28yrs old this year. He was my heart horse.

Some are definitely hot but it’s still a generalisation and as no one will be buying a Warmblood over 30yrs old it’s not particularly relevant.

I do think dressage lines are a lot hotter and their movement isn’t great for those of us who are older and stiffer. As always you’ve got to look at the individual rather than be completely wedded to a particular type.

I’ve just bought a 5yr old non Warmblood Welsh/Arab/ID/Han mix and he’s definitely more of a pickle on the ground than either of my warm bloods and doesn’t have an awful lot of respect for my personal space. I’m working on it but the lack of spatial awareness and slow response to backing away is something I’m not used to. Yes he’s greener but some of it’s down to his personality.

 

[Birker2020]

He is on field rest until Tuesday when vet will come back to review. He was sound again including on flexion on Thursday when vet came back to review him. He couldn't find anything obvious wrong with him though his stifle did lock twice on the lunge which has not happened before. So he said field rest him and then he will check him again on Tues and we will go from there. At the moment he thinks his stifle might have locked badly and that might have caused him to be 6/10 lame when he came on the Saturday and the few days rest and bute settled it. I think he is possibly have a growth spurt and filling out he is less bum high and looking more chunky. He gets more turnout/grass than he did on his old yard.

I hope he comes good for you, you've had such a struggle finding the perfect one, fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Birker2020]

You'll have to forgive me I'm afraid,. I was fooled by three things.

Somebody else quoting your stated criteria having stripped off the part where you said you weren't buying yet.

You listing five horse adverts without saying why you were listing them.

The fact you said you are paying to keep your stable free while also paying livery somewhere else for Lari. It simply never crossed my mind that you would do that for 6 months and not just keep Lari where he was if you weren't buying another. I made the incorrect assumption that you were prepared to buy sooner.

I will look forward to you doing a proper horse search in the spring.
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Just a misunderstanding no drama.

Nope I didn't want Lari to stay with me on livery until I got another for various reasons, mainly for his benefit. I wanted him out with a herd at retirement once I'd made the painful decision to distance myself.

I'm no longer paying for my stable as y.o has put her mare in there which has returned from competition livery meaning I can save more money and I'm not feeling pressurised by getting something straight away.

I put the horses adverts on here to say these were the type I was after. I wasn't intending to look at anything although if Edward had been closer I may have gone.

I'm more than happy to wait until the Spring unless something falls into my lap.

 

[ycbm]

Yes, I spotted the knees too, but I meant more the type (not being fussy as I'm not looking to buy)
Such a shame on such a gorgeous stamp of a horse.

I'd stake my pension on him having sore heels and a barefot rehab bringing those legs straight when his feet don't hurt to stand on them.
.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Anyway @Birker2020 dont listen to my advice I buy on a whim unseen

 

[Birker2020]

Mind you, i saw one at 23,500 i nearly choked

When I first lost Bailey and was looking for another horse I rang up about one as it had no price and they asking £30k. I kid you not it had less experience and less competition results in its whole body than Bailey had in one hoof!

Some people are just chancers

 

[Goldie's mum]

Anyway @Birker2020 dont listen to my advice I buy on a whim unseen

Damn it, now I'm shocked again!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Damn it, now I'm shocked again!

Dont be going burning rubber now

 

[Goldie's mum]

When I first lost Bailey and was looking for another horse I rang up about one as it had no price and they asking £30k. I kid you not it had less experience and less competition results in its whole body than Bailey had in one hoof!

Some people are just chancers

It works- Some people presume that something at a higher price has more value.

Oft-told tale
Rich man takes up sheepdog trialling. Goes to buy his first dog. Seller brings out a black dog, tells him what it can do & that it's price is £250. Man says he is looking for something a bit more up-market. Seller goes round the back, counts to ten, comes back with the same dog "this one will be more what you want, it's £1000. Man buys it & goes away happy.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I'd stake my pension on him having sore heels and a barefot rehab bringing those legs straight when his feet don't hurt to stand on them.
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I would hope so, but I don't have £20k for a punt - or he'd be in my stable in the next 3 hours! Problem is too that even if it's a simple imbalance, it's such a lot of horse going through the joints/hooves, will it have had a compensatory affect already?

 

[Lexi 123]

Before you start viewing you really should be having regular lessons and ride different types of horses. Don’t shoot me but I think since you have lost a lot of money you might be better to consider a full loan as you still own a horse in retirement and instead of destroying your savings because the type of horse you’re looking for is expensive probably more than your budget. I do agree with others you might be better with an Irish sport horse with a lot of ID as they are are more chill and Chucky horse.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I think that horses have been under priced or too cheap for quite awhile though. Some of the prices nowadays are more realistic to me. You do have those that are outrageous, or are genuinely over priced, but training, feeding, keeping a horse takes money, they shouldn't be cheap. Just my opinion, and I'm going to run now

 

[sportsmansB]

I think there can be a significant misconception that because a horse is a bit older and has seen the world that it will be easier to ride / easier to manage.
I 100% agree that if you want to know what you are getting and not have any potential behavioural changes through the 5/6 yo years, a horse of 8+ is the way to go. But if I was looking for a nice all rounder horse to jump at 1m and mess about at dressage etc, I'd be looking in the 'allrounder' sections and not the 'competition horse' ones. Even the most civil of competition horses will still have the potential to react more quickly and have too many extra buttons / moves. They are used to being kept in consistent heavy work and ridden by talented, fit, brave riders who are ready to nip any notions in the bud.
We have 35 horses or so on the event yard where my horse lives, and there are about 3 that I would consider suitable for someone who was not 100% riding fit and on the ball.

Why even look at a ferrari if its a range rover you need?
Buy a horse who is already doing the job you need with someone like you and then you know what you are getting.

If you need a weight carrying horse you shouldn't be choosing it based on the size of a trailer. Put the extra money for the difference between the all rounder and the competition horse towards a bigger trailer and keep your sentimental value one as an accessory.

 

[I'm Dun]

Hideous front legs.

Hes very pretty and shiny but those legs are scary, and on a big heavy horse like that I wouldnt even consider him.

 

[I'm Dun]

If you need a weight carrying horse you shouldn't be choosing it based on the size of a trailer. Put the extra money for the difference between the all rounder and the competition horse towards a bigger trailer and keep your sentimental value one as an accessory.

As someone who previously struggled with weight it is absolutely awful to have a horse and be too heavy for it, and its not much more fun being within the weight limit but still having this nagging feeling you are too heavy. I lost 5 stone and then sold my little mare anyway due to the latter.

 

[Birker2020]

If you need a weight carrying horse you shouldn't be choosing it based on the size of a trailer. Put the extra money for the difference between the all rounder and the competition horse towards a bigger trailer and keep your sentimental value one as an accessory.

I have never been too heavy for any of my horses, being within the recommended weight limit with all of them.

I am not in a position to get rid of my trailer, if I have to get a bigger trailer I will need a bigger towing vehicle. You are talking thousands of pounds, its out of the question at present. I am quite happy to buy a horse up to 17.1hh I really don't need anything bigger than that! As long as its not a full ID an ISH or WB type will be fine, especially as I have now had the trailer remodelled at a great cost.

I certainly don't need people to tell me what I should or shouldn't be choosing based on something that is out of my control, thanks all the same.

 

[sollimum]

Im looking for a cob 14.2 ish .. half Ive turned up to arent even 14hh. Found a '15hh' who is a good height though she did admit was 15hh measured to the bum.. (fingers crossed viewing 2 goes well)

How did you get on with your second viewing? I think 14.2hh is optimistic in lots of cases!

 

[ycbm]

I would hope so, but I don't have £20k for a punt - or he'd be in my stable in the next 3 hours! Problem is too that even if it's a simple imbalance, it's such a lot of horse going through the joints/hooves, will it have had a compensatory affect already?

God no, as he stands (because he isn't, he's perching on his toes! ) he should be a vet failure bilaterally lame on front flexions.
.

 

[sportsmansB]

I have never been too heavy for any of my horses, being within the recommended weight limit with all of them.

I am not in a position to get rid of my trailer, if I have to get a bigger trailer I will need a bigger towing vehicle. You are talking thousands of pounds, its out of the question at present. I am quite happy to buy a horse up to 17.1hh I really don't need anything bigger than that! As long as its not a full ID an ISH or WB type will be fine, especially as I have now had the trailer remodelled at a great cost.

I certainly don't need people to tell me what I should or shouldn't be choosing based on something that is out of my control, thanks all the same.

I didn't actually suggest that you were not within a recommended weight limit?

Just that if you need a bigger horse then being constrained by a trailer isn't ideal for several reasons, not least that being on the very limit of size / weight for towing is not ideal. I was just suggesting a sensible redistribution of finances to open more doors to a suitable horse.

 

[Fielder]

How did you get on with your second viewing? I think 14.2hh is optimistic in lots of cases!

I liked him but on second viewing looks more 14.1 at a push.. cob type so takes up the leg but just a little frustrating when wanting something a tad bigger. Am i being overly picky if he ticks other boxes (minus being a bit more leg on than had hoped) or keep looking? Cob weight carrier type

 

[sollimum]

I liked him but on second viewing looks more 14.1 at a push.. cob type so takes up the leg but just a little frustrating when wanting something a tad bigger. Am i being overly picky if he ticks other boxes (minus being a bit more leg on than had hoped) or keep looking? Cob weight carrier type

How does he feel - stride wise, I think that is probably the most important thing. Is he comfortable?

 

[Fielder]

How does he feel - stride wise, I think that is probably the most important thing. Is he comfortable?

He rides big in trot to be fair - going back again to get some pictures on board and a 2nd opinion bringing a friend along. Trying not to be a height snob and miss out on a nice pony..

 

[I'm Dun]

He rides big in trot to be fair - going back again to get some pictures on board and a 2nd opinion bringing a friend along. Trying not to be a height snob and miss out on a nice pony..

Theres an awful lot of red flags for PSSM type 1 in your posts. A good fondle of the pony's bum muscles would be quite telling. Muscles should feel like jelly, if they are tight and hard then you've got an issue. I'd walk away if I suspected it, but if you are very keen it would be worth asking if you can test before purchase or at least give the vet strong instructions to look for signs, although that is very much hit and miss.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

https://theequestriannoticeboard.co...r-genuine-allrounder,4159.html#dj-classifieds

I am utterly utterly in love, if he was liver chestnut he would be my absolute dream horse. I love big, ginger IDs. Wow!

I'd stake my pension on him having sore heels and a barefot rehab bringing those legs straight when his feet don't hurt to stand on them.
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£20K for a 5 year old who has done what? A bit of hunting? I’ll bet he has some growing to do, too!

Theres an awful lot of red flags for PSSM type 1 in your posts. A good fondle of the pony's bum muscles would be quite telling. Muscles should feel like jelly, if they are tight and hard then you've got an issue. I'd walk away if I suspected it, but if you are very keen it would be worth asking if you can test before purchase or at least give the vet strong instructions to look for signs, although that is very much hit and miss.

I’d insist on a blood test and walk if the seller refused. I walked away from the most amazing looking cob years ago because the seller refused a vetting. Massive red flags every which way!

 

[Clodagh]

I liked him but on second viewing looks more 14.1 at a push.. cob type so takes up the leg but just a little frustrating when wanting something a tad bigger. Am i being overly picky if he ticks other boxes (minus being a bit more leg on than had hoped) or keep looking? Cob weight carrier type

I cannot bear idle horses and like one to stride out and show enthusiasm for its work, so no he’d not be for me.
And why are some horses so slow’. It could be a schooling or fitness issue but could also be a health problem.

 

[sollimum]

He rides big in trot to be fair - going back again to get some pictures on board and a 2nd opinion bringing a friend along. Trying not to be a height snob and miss out on a nice pony..

Good luck with the second viewing.

 

[Marigold4]

I think your approach to horse hunting sounds really sensible, Birker. I had a break from horses while I had small children, then bought an older (aged 14) retired show jumper (grade B). She was far too big for me (I am 5'3" and she was just under 17hh). She was just what I needed though. She was so experienced and wise you could take her anywhere and do anything on her. I hacked alone for miles and miles, did hunter trials, SJ - everything. She had seen it all and didn't turn a hair at anything. I had 8 good years with her until she was PTS at 22 with a strangulated lipoma.

 

[Birker2020]

I didn't actually suggest that you were not within a recommended weight limit?

Just that if you need a bigger horse then being constrained by a trailer isn't ideal for several reasons, not least that being on the very limit of size / weight for towing is not ideal. I was just suggesting a sensible redistribution of finances to open more doors to a suitable horse.

Okies thanks but if I get the same sized/type of horse I will be around 375kg inside my max towing weight. I wouldn't mind finding around a 16.3hh because I'd be well inside.

We've replaced the flooring from planks to buffalo board which is stronger but lighter and has given us slightly more headroom on the 7ft 2" we already have. I'd love to get a ladies box but I'm just not in the position to at the moment and I love towing anyway, I've been doing it since 1994

 

[Fielder]

I cannot bear idle horses and like one to stride out and show enthusiasm for its work, so no he’d not be for me.
And why are some horses so slow’. It could be a schooling or fitness issue but could also be a health problem.

I went back for second viewing and did like but this morning said wanted to go away and think about it (if they sell in the meantime not meant to be) and now they've apparently put their notice in on the yard and need to be out the field by next week. This pressure tactic has put me off 100%, right? I feel awful as I did ask about vetting which they said would be fine would fly though but no deposit left nor vetting booked or date for leaving discussed. This is pure pressure tactic isnt it..