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

[Birker2020]

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..

Yes 100%.

I wouldn't be happy. Its not your problem if they hand in their notice. They were pre-empting the sale a bit weren't they?

 

[Fielder]

Yes 100%.

I wouldn't be happy. Its not your problem if they hand in their notice. They were pre-empting the sale a bit weren't they?

Its upset me a bit - they were very low pressure come as many times as you want up until a vetting was discussed. I mean fair enough my bad if I gave that impression - but what if the horse failed the vet for whatever reason. I feel theres no way I can go ahead now its left a bad taste. EDIT - And I wont be pressured!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

walk, nay run, away!

 

[Fielder]

walk, nay run, away!

Yes 100%.

I wouldn't be happy. Its not your problem if they hand in their notice. They were pre-empting the sale a bit weren't they?

Thanks for confirming my gut instinct, the 'people pleaser' in me worried Id done something wrong. I'm doing my best to not be a timewaster but really want to find the right horse and not rush

 

[Clodagh]

From their POV you’ve had two rides, you like the horse, but you are still undecided. They might be fed up with you.
Just another angle. Buy him if you like him, with vetting. Imo.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Thanks for confirming my gut instinct, the 'people pleaser' in me worried Id done something wrong. I'm doing my best to not be a timewaster but really want to find the right horse and not rush

Thing is I can see it from their POV like what Clodagh has said, but this horse will take up a huge amount of your time and money, so if you aren't chomping at the bit to take him home, then you're trying to force yourself to want him imo.

 

[Squeak]

IME when I've been unsure about a horse, I've never regretted walking away. You have to like the horse enough that you want to ride it everyday and it's worth getting up at the crack of dawn and wading through mud, whilst getting soaked to the skin for.

 

[Fielder]

All fair comments, appreciate they are keen to sell but there's nothing to stop them finding another buyer, I haven't asked them to hold the horse or have first refusal but now it only has a field for another week its just fishy

 

[norolim]

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.

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

Sorry novice question, but can someone explain a bit more about the front legs please if you don't mind? For a learning for me point of view as I'm not sure what I'm not seeing!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Sorry novice question, but can someone explain a bit more about the front legs please if you don't mind? For a learning for me point of view as I'm not sure what I'm not seeing!

Long story short he's quite badly over at the knee, this can be a conformational defect and that's just how they're built, or the same visual stance can be caused by a hoof imbalance like YCBM says. Where he is standing on his tippy toes to take the weight off his heels to relieve pain. It's not always the end of the world depending on the degree of severity, but it can put huge amounts of additional strain on supporting joints/ligaments/soft tissues in general, especially in a horse of that size and that young. He has a huge amount of weight going through his legs. It can then also cause compensatory issues elsewhere, so you will often get back pain due to having to move differently or hold themselves differently to perform ridden movements, alongside very likely arthritis in the future.

 

[Birker2020]

IME when I've been unsure about a horse, I've never regretted walking away. You have to like the horse enough that you want to ride it everyday and it's worth getting up at the crack of dawn and wading through mud, whilst getting soaked to the skin for.

Yes 100%. The ones I've bought I've really been able to se myself on long before I put a foot in the stirrup.

 

[norolim]

Long story short he's quite badly over at the knee, this can be a conformational defect and that's just how they're built, or the same visual stance can be caused by a hoof imbalance like YCBM says. Where he is standing on his tippy toes to take the weight off his heels to relieve pain. It's not always the end of the world depending on the degree of severity, but it can put huge amounts of additional strain on supporting joints/ligaments/soft tissues in general, especially in a horse of that size and that young. He has a huge amount of weight going through his legs. It can then also cause compensatory issues elsewhere, so you will often get back pain due to having to move differently or hold themselves differently to perform ridden movements, alongside very likely arthritis in the future.

View attachment 126394

Thank you for the detailed explanation, really useful

 

[sollimum]

All fair comments, appreciate they are keen to sell but there's nothing to stop them finding another buyer, I haven't asked them to hold the horse or have first refusal but now it only has a field for another week its just fishy

Did you decide to walk away Fielder? Seems to be a bigger selection of cobs available now than in the summer.

 

[Fielder]

Did you decide to walk away Fielder? Seems to be a bigger selection of cobs available now than in the summer.

Yes didn't go ahead, yard mates think I'm being too picky but its me riding it not them. Looking at another on Friday 12 year old cob - perhaps something older thats stood up to workload and stayed sound would be a good option

 

[maya2008]

Yes 100%. The ones I've bought I've really been able to se myself on long before I put a foot in the stirrup.

I pretty much fall in love…or don’t…from their photos! Well…photos or a look at a little filly’s eyes from across the sales pens. I bought two because they were a sensible choice though, no emotions involved, and both strongly bonded to me - a TB many years ago, and current special feral one, who likes to walk me down in the field for cuddles and fuss. Both of those were natural herd leaders.

My son seems to get picked when he meets them. Little Welsh who his sister has now stolen, literally marched up and picked him at the viewing. Uncatchable? Doesn’t like people? Not when he chose one! Newest filly did the same - cuddled up to him in the sales pen and made sure he would pick her. Hilariously, she’s looking like she will be a combination of his two favourite ponies - the sporty jumper combined with the forceful, opinionated Shetland !

 

[Sealine]

In answer to the original question, very difficult when the seller cancels the viewing three times! A friend has arranged to view the same horse three times over three weeks and each time the seller has cancelled the same day or the day before. She'd booked a day off work for one viewing. She won't be giving them another chance. Seller has said she's not in a rush to sell but that doesn't mean she can mess people around.

 

[Birker2020]

Going to view a horse to buy next Sunday! Super excited but very nervous too! Feels very daunting.

If there's anyone BS that can look at winnings for me via PM I'd be grateful.

 

[Surbie]

Good luck Birker, hope the viewing goes well.

 

[splashgirl45]

Fingers crossed for you

 

[Jambarissa]

Very good, hope it goes well.

I bought the 3rd horse I saw once I started looking properly. Was going to buy the 2nd but seller turned out to be a crazy woman

Paid far too much for no. 3, done practically nothing and some health issues but I LOVE the horse so what can you do?

I did find plenty to look at at decent prices.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Good luck Birker

 

[Marigold4]

Going to view a horse to buy next Sunday! Super excited but very nervous too! Feels very daunting.

If there's anyone BS that can look at winnings for me via PM I'd be grateful.

Good luck! Hope horse is lovely and just what you are looking for.

 

[ycbm]

Going to view a horse to buy next Sunday! Super excited but very nervous too! Feels very daunting.

If there's anyone BS that can look at winnings for me via PM I'd be grateful.

I think you're very mean not letting us search for one for you, how dare you go and find one all by yourself !

Seriously B I hope he's everything you want and sails through a tough vetting.
.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Good luck, hope the horse is what you want.

 

[SO1]

Good Luck and how exciting.

 

[Squeak]

Going to view a horse to buy next Sunday! Super excited but very nervous too! Feels very daunting.

If there's anyone BS that can look at winnings for me via PM I'd be grateful.

Do you still need the BS record? If so ping me its name via pm and I can send over its results

 

[HollyWoozle]

 

[southerncomfort]

Good luck B! Exciting times!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Good luck!!!

 

[Asha]

Good luck, you are certainly due some.