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

[starbucker]

Could you suggest a LWVTB? Letting him go when it's not permanent might be easier for her...and once he's gone temporarily, letting him go permanently might be easier.

Turns out the delay is because her horse has currently got a injury from a field incident.. given option to 'loan' and help with rehab but now seems like a risky endeavour. I went to view another was advertised to be 15hh but I doubt they're even 14hh.. owner completely unaware of how far off their estimate is of height is makes looking harder..

 

[Jambarissa]

I empathise entirely with this. I have a height stick and very nearly everyone on my yard thought their horses were higher than they are. Several are suggesting my stick is wrong

I'm looking for a 15hh+ so very wary of travelling to see anything under 15. 2.

 

[spacefaer]

Good luck to you all looking - I'm about to come at it from the other side and advertise one for sale.
Let's hope I find nice straightforward buyers as you lot!

I've gone and done a thing...
Sold one
Oops
Bought two

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Details and pics are following I assume?!

 

[spacefaer]

Details and pics are following I assume?!

I won't jinx the 2nd cos he's not here yet but the first is the sweetest, most laid back horse I've had in a long while. He's a 17.2 bay 9 yr old. Been out of work for a while, so just hacking for the moment.
First picture is his previous very unsuccessful career.
Second pic is just after he arrived

 

[blodwyn1]

I have bought a pony! She is being delivered wednesday! My age was seen as experience this time not a handicap!

 

[Lexi 123]

I empathise entirely with this. I have a height stick and very nearly everyone on my yard thought their horses were higher than they are. Several are suggesting my stick is wrong

I'm looking for a 15hh+ so very wary of travelling to see anything under 15. 2.

My mother tells everyone that my horse is 16.2 . My horse was advertised as 15.3 I would say that is correct because she bigger than the 14.2 hands pony that had a stick to it because of showing they had to prove they had the hight to it but isn’t as tell as the 16 hand tb .

 

[starbucker]

I dont think it was done maliciously just not a clue! Lovely horse just a full hand too small... lovely 10 year old bought it the next day!

 

[SO1]

Congratulations tell us about your pony.

I have bought a pony! She is being delivered wednesday! My age was seen as experience this time not a handicap!

 

[Widgeon]

I won't jinx the 2nd cos he's not here yet but the first is the sweetest, most laid back horse I've had in a long while. He's a 17.2 bay 9 yr old. Been out of work for a while, so just hacking for the moment.
First picture is his previous very unsuccessful career.
Second pic is just after he arrived

Oh he really is lovely! I like his shape very much.

 

[ycbm]

I won't jinx the 2nd cos he's not here yet but the first is the sweetest, most laid back horse I've had in a long while. He's a 17.2 bay 9 yr old. Been out of work for a while, so just hacking for the moment.
First picture is his previous very unsuccessful career.
Second pic is just after he arrived

Nice! Not unlike mine, a bit taller but very similar shape. Have fun!

 

[spacefaer]

Thank you @Widgeon and @ycbm
he's got a lot of muscling up to do and needs a bum but we have the Shropshire hills to walk up for that.
I'm just over the moon with his temperament - everything else is workable

 

[Errin Paddywack]

He looks very nice indeed, you should have fun with him.

 

[exracehorse]

Prices have dropped. But the good ones are still selling. Agree it’s a minefield. My friends daughter is selling a cracking 14h Welsh as she’s outgrown her at 5.9. Absolute superstar. Real mother daughter share. And a superb Pony Club pony. She’s done it all. She’s not cheap. But worth every penny. So will be iminteresting to see how the sale price holds

 

[blodwyn1]

She has arrived! 5yr old unbacked section c mare advertised as full up 13.2h but is actually barely 13h. Very sweet nature.She will be allowed to settle and then be sent away to be backed.

 

[Kunoichi73]

She's a lovely colour!

 

[blodwyn1]

Yes she is a stunning golden dun with four white socks the only problem is she has two blue eyes which some judges hate but they are not as obvious as a cremellos eyes.

 

[blodwyn1]

She has a big white face very dist8ñctive.

 

[Clodagh]

Oh she is stunning @blodwyn1

 

[southerncomfort]

Oh she is lovely!

 

[Birker2020]

She has a big white face very dist8ñctive.

She's lovely, well done x

 

[SO1]

She looks bum high I expect she may grow and when the front catches up with behind she might well make 13.2.

Lovely colour very striking with the white on her face too is she for you to ride and what do you plan to do with her?

She has arrived! 5yr old unbacked section c mare advertised as full up 13.2h but is actually barely 13h. Very sweet nature.She will be allowed to settle and then be sent away to be backed.

 

[blodwyn1]

Today new pony has been wormed, had a bridle on and had saddle rested on her back. She wasn't impressed with the bit so will have to get her a sweet iron one.

 

[Jambarissa]

I viewed 3 horses over the weekend, which is a first for me, I usually just buy the first one and fix any issues.

One was probably a hand smaller than advertised. One was too green and reactive, never been off the yard at 6 (despite advertised as a hacker) . One was on sales livery and there were too many red flags for me to follow up on.


I feel the sales livery one could have been good, and that the place were doing a terrible job of presenting him for the owner. He was filthy, doubt even a flick over for days. The stable was filthy so unpleasant for me to look him over and pick up feet. In his own tack but didn't seem to fit well, particularly overly tight bridle which made him keep rubbing it on his leg. Sold as hacker but nowhere to even ride out for a short hack just half a mile of gravel track straight onto a 60 mph dual carriageway.

The search continues, but prices are OK.

 

[spacefaer]

So 2nd one has arrived and so far exactly as described (phew!) I haven't done much with him yet as his shoes are only holding on with the power of prayer but I've got pics for you all!

He's a 7 yr old French bred horse who last won over fences at Punchestown.

 

[spacefaer]

@ycbm i appear to have a type.....

 

[Errin Paddywack]

He looks a nice sort, good luck with him.

 

[ycbm]

@ycbm i appear to have a type.....

I don't know why they all come with that muscle down the sides of the tuber sacrale on the top of the bum missing. Must be something about race training I guess.

I'll look forward to seeing him when he's got the topline, he's got a lovely frame there to hang it on.

My first one from the auctions was French. Toughest little horse ever, with a big pop. Went to BE Intermediate with the girl I sold him to.

 

[spacefaer]

I don't know why they all come with that muscle down the sides of the tuber sacrale on the top of the bum missing. Must be something about race training I guess.

I'll look forward to seeing him when he's got the topline, he's got a lovely frame there to hang it on.

My first one from the auctions was French. Toughest little horse ever, with a big pop. Went to BE Intermediate with the girl I sold him to.

That's exactly the conversation I've been having with my OH. Why do jump trainers not train to build appropriate jumping muscle?
I've got 3 now. One a week out of training, one 18 months since his last race and the most recent last ran in April. Why don't any of them have any evidence of past top line or jumping muscle??

 

[FAYEFUDGE]

Hi

Just wondered what the situation is with buying at the moment?

The second half of 2021 was a total nightmare, prices shot through the roof and trying to get a viewing was almost impossible unless you were prepared to go in the week and take time off work or first thing on a Saturday morning, usually by Sunday whatever you were interested in had long gone.

I had countless replies to my 'how much questions' to horses advertised on FB and the amount of money people wanted was bordering on the ridiculous - one horse I enquired after had less talent in one of its hooves than my lovely Bailey had in her whole body and they wanted £30K for it!!

Please tell me its calmed down somewhat ......I am going to start looking mid to late September now as we've booked to go away on holiday third week. But I am dreading it.

I only managed 4 viewings in four months last time, dotted all over the country, whereas prior to buying Bailey I could buy another horse in about two weeks flat on my doorstep!

Very!!