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

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Fielder

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Definitely prices have gone down. This is purely due to the fact I bought a young cob in June having waited and waited, that is smaller that I had originally wanted and unbacked. However he is a sweetie and is growing. Suddenly lots of adverts have appeared for bigger cobs - although they may not be bigger as people have a strange way of measuring/ don't bother to measure. So I should really stop looking at adverts.
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)
 

Birker2020

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So many nice horses. They all have a common theme, bay with mostly white faces lol

1 and 3 are my favourites although not 100% certain about 1
 

AShetlandBitMeOnce

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So many nice horses. They all have a common theme, bay with mostly white faces lol

1 and 3 are my favourites although not 100% certain about 1

How can number 1. be a 5* eventer in the making at 8yo?
Ref: number 2 - I believe horses with **-Z in the breeding can be quirky/hot, although there are a million variables, I'm sure someone who knows more than me can confirm/deny.
I like number 3, they have turned him out very well. Lot of front and not so much behind, but may just be the photo angle. Love his face, and clearly he is doing the work already!
Number 4 is veeeery straight behind, but I'd want more photos really for a £10k+ horse.
 

dixie

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I think number 3 looks tricky to jump myself - but that’s for me.

I like Edward and the last one looks very genuine and smooth to jump.
 

ycbm

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So many nice horses. They all have a common theme, bay with mostly white faces lol

1 and 3 are my favourites although not 100% certain about 1


Tosh is near me if you want me to go and take a preliminary look at him.
 

Birker2020

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I think number 3 looks tricky to jump myself - but that’s for me.

I like Edward and the last one looks very genuine and smooth to jump.
Edward's a darling. If he'd been nearer I might have been tempted to have a look.

He reminds me of Bailey. I know that is not enough of a reason but he's the right breed/height/age is upper limit, and hacks on his own. Heart of gold. ❤❤
 

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Zoeypxo

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Just having a quick look and this one looks very nice on a quick glance at the ad, and local to you.
 

spacefaer

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1 - looks like a lot of power there. And cribs. Given your recent vet history, I wouldn't start with a horse with possible ulcers.
2. At that age- how much wear and tear
3. Not oversold on the back conformation. And "thrives off the confidence the rider " Nope from me
4. Sounds green for his age. Would need more information before travelled.
5. Also green for age. Looks very strong on the (carefully edited) xc video. Need more information and some flatwork vids
 

ycbm

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B, please, please don't take this the wrong way, and if you do please don't PM me in anger about it.

As I got older I was forced to realise that I was no longer capable in terms of core strength and stamina, of riding the kind of horses I had ridden when I was younger. Post menopausally, I lost the kind of gumption that enabled me to do the stuff in my avatar.

It looks to me, from the horses you are considering, and please don't get angry if I'm wrong, that you are trying to go back to the days of jumping Bailey. It might be time to accept that those days are gone, and that a horse which is a bit more Riding Club and a bit less "sports horse with huge potential" could give you far more happiness at this stage in your riding career.

Apologies again if this is not a welcome message but I think it needs saying. Please take a few deep breaths and count to a hundred before you respond, it is written with your future happiness in mind.
.
 

spacefaer

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@ycbm
i couldn't agree more with what you've written as I'm in the same place myself. I look at beautiful and talented horses and can imagine myself doing all sorts on them as i used to 20 or even 10 years ago ( for some reason, big hedges in particular!) .and in the cold light of day, I realise I don't want to do it any more.
Which is why my latest acquisition is with a 5* eventer and being prepped for sale!

I could do it once, I wish I still wanted to do it but I know that even given the opportunity, I'm not going to do it.

@Birker2020 if this is not applicable or relatable, please feel free to ignore me 😁😁
 
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Errin Paddywack

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B, please, please don't take this the wrong way, and if you do please don't PM me in anger about it.

As I got older I was forced to realise that I was no longer capable in terms of core strength and stamina, of riding the kind of horses I had ridden when I was younger. Post menopausally, I lost the kind of gumption that enabled me to do the stuff in my avatar.

It looks to me, from the horses you are considering, and please don't get angry if I'm wrong, that you are trying to go back to the days of jumping Bailey. It might be time to accept that those days are gone, and that a horse which is a bit more Riding Club and a bit less "sports horse with huge potential" could give you far more happiness at this stage in your riding career.

Apologies again if this is not a welcome message but I think it needs saying. Please take a few deep breaths and count to a hundred before you respond, it is written with your future happiness in mind.
.
I would agree here. Having not ridden in a good few years I had not realised to what extent my nerve had gone and for no reason other than getting older (62 at the time) and out of practice. Took on a pony on loan in 2010, only 13.1 and aged 16 and found to my horror that I was a quivering wreck when I got on her. I was so disappointed. If I had worked at it I might have regained some confidence but I didn't so am unlikely to ever get on a horse again. Hope I am wrong and this doesn't apply to B but if not already doing it I would suggest having lessons on that type of horse before buying one.
@Birker2020 please don't take offence if I am talking rot.
 

Barton Bounty

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@ycbm
i couldn't agree mwith what you've written as I'm in the same place myself. I look at beautiful and talented horses and can imagine myself doing all sorts on them as i used to 20 or even 10 years ago ( for some reason, big hedges in particular!) .and in the cold light of day, I realise I don't want to do it any more.
Which is why my latest acquisition is with a 5* eventer and being prepped for sale!

I could do it once, I wish I still wanted to do it but I know that even given the opportunity, I'm not going to do it.

@Birker2020 if this is not applicable or relatable, please feel free to ignore me 😁😁
I agree too… I even second guessed myself with a 3 yo but damn I got lucky 😀
 

Goldie's mum

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I find myself looking at Goldie-alike horses that would be the end of me now , while old lady safe options look a bit meh! So I'm not looking atm while I re-set my head! (Riding a share)
 

scats

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The thing about a lot of these sporty competition types advertised as potential SJ or eventers is that they are often in a fairly decent amount of work and don’t always adapt well to a home that may not give them that same level of work, or a home where there can be a lot of days off when life gets in the way.
This is when people find themselves with a very sharp and silly horse that they end up frightened to ride.

Someone who just wants to enjoy riding and hacking and wants to pop to a local comp every so often isn’t always the best fit for these types. I’d have loved those in my teens and twenties, but I’m approaching 40 now and not even I would buy one of those.

The impression I get Birker is that you’d love a horse that you enjoy riding and can do a bit of everything on, but that’s going to cause you minimal worry or stress. I really wouldn’t be looking at any of the above if that’s the case. I’d go for a decent all rounder that can pop a jump, do a dressage test and enjoys hacking. I really wouldn’t be looking for something with amazing jumping scope.
 

twiggy2

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B, please, please don't take this the wrong way, and if you do please don't PM me in anger about it.

As I got older I was forced to realise that I was no longer capable in terms of core strength and stamina, of riding the kind of horses I had ridden when I was younger. Post menopausally, I lost the kind of gumption that enabled me to do the stuff in my avatar.

It looks to me, from the horses you are considering, and please don't get angry if I'm wrong, that you are trying to go back to the days of jumping Bailey. It might be time to accept that those days are gone, and that a horse which is a bit more Riding Club and a bit less "sports horse with huge potential" could give you far more happiness at this stage in your riding career.

Apologies again if this is not a welcome message but I think it needs saying. Please take a few deep breaths and count to a hundred before you respond, it is written with your future happiness in mind.
Wiith the original wish list on this thread (I confess I have not read it all) I did think the list of 5 were not aimed at that list but a much more athletic competition level.
 

Goldie's mum

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This is Birker's original wish-list

  1. I'm looking for something between the ages of 6 - 12.
  2. An ISH or a sensible WB or a cross of the two, but more likely an ISH because I need a middleweight, weight carrying type.
  3. 16.3hh - 17.1hh, certainly no bigger. Might consider 16.2hh at a real push.
  4. A gelding
  5. It HAS to be okay to hack on its own (most advertised are)
  6. Something capable of doing riding club stuff on, unaffiliated SJ/Dressage, etc.
  7. It has to be sound and sane
 
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