Friends ex-horse being advertised as something it isn't...

zoeshiloh

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Joined
23 January 2006
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Location
Suffolk
www.stowmarketanddistrictridingclub.com
About six months ago a friend of mine got into financial trouble, and had to sell her old gelding as a companion. He was 21, and was sold to a seemingly lovely lady that just wanted something to keep her other horse company. My friend even went to visit her yard etc and everything was fine.

I have just been cruising horsemart, and have seen my friends horse advertised for sale - not by the lady who originally bought him, but by a well known (and well discussed on here) dealer. They are claiming he is 14yo and is rideable (he isn't due to kissing spine and related injury). I have called dealer, and am certain it is the same horse. My friend is not interested - as callous as it sounds, she has tuned her back etc on horses and wants nothing to do with them.

Should I just sit back and hope he goes to an experienced home that wont get hurt? He bucks like mad when someone tries to get on, and could really injure someone! Not just that, but he is much older than they are stating. I don't want to interfere at all, but I am worried about whoever ends up with him being hurt.
 
Ring trading standards. Tell them what you know about the horse, and the fact that it is being advertised as 14 when it is 21. And leave it with them.

Another tragic tale.

Poor lad.
 
I can see your problem. On the one hand its not fair to the horse or to a new owner not to know its history but I doubt the dealer is going to act much differently if you fill him in on the horses problems.
 
Yes, the registered name on passport is exactly the same, and dealer claims he bought from a lady in Norfolk that was struggling to keep two horses (location etc correct). When I started pushing him, and said what I know about horse, he got very cagey and said that age was an estimation (for some reason has never been recorded on passport, even when my friend had him). When I pushed him more, he admitted that horse "could be as old as 21" and "has shown signs that he has a buck in him". He said he would do me a deal, so that I would know he was in safe hands, but I told him I was not interested. He hung up on me after that.
 
Dealer is selling as rideable, but being sold from field - no ridden trial allowed... OK, so the more savvy of us would know to avoid, but the novices and people out for a "project" or trying to make a quick buck could be sucked in... Will give trading standards a ring and see what they say.
 
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how can this old owner be your friend?! very callous to even sell a 21yr old with KS!

(im in a grumpy mood!)

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OP stated friend was having financial difficulties
 
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how can this old owner be your friend?! very callous to even sell a 21yr old with KS!

(im in a grumpy mood!)

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She had her reasons sadly - no I did not agree with them, but nor did I have the money to take him off her hands, and to keep him for the next x amount of years. I did suggest he was PTS, but she said she couldn't make that decision.

In her defence, she thought he was going to a forever home, and even vetted the home etc before sale. I truly believe that the woman who bought him has now run into difficulties herself, as she seemed very genuine. Also, horse is now advertised for less than she paid my friend, so hardly out to make a profit off him (she must have sold to dealer for less than he is now asking)
 
its a very sad story and the only one that is suffering is the horse.

I can read thanks GinaB!


Sorry if I sound catty just cant believe someone would do that and then not care what happens, you are doing all that you can 'zoeshiloh' and its a relief to see.
 
Could you possibly buy the horse, then contact trading standards. He would then definatley be prosecuted as he has actually sold something not fit for the purpose sold and not sold as described?

You could then claim compo and make sure he goes to a good companion home or to redwings
 
Zoe, this is an awful story and I think your friend is very naughty not to be doing something about it. Lots of people are in financial difficulties but this is head in the sand syndrome.

Please please call Trading Standards.
 
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Dealer is selling as rideable, but being sold from field - no ridden trial allowed... OK, so the more savvy of us would know to avoid, but the novices and people out for a "project" or trying to make a quick buck could be sucked in... Will give trading standards a ring and see what they say.

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HUMM i know how you are taking about not nice I would speak to trading standards and the ILPH to see if they can help??
 
i'm not sure if you all remember than post where a lady's horse had been bought and sold on to a dealer? I rang the orginal owner and told her and she contacted both trading standards and the police who both said basically its tough. Its awful, and after being duped by a dealer myself and unsuccessfully taking them to court (they did a runner) even then trading standards weren't hugely helpful. However it is appalling and i hope something can be done.
 
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does advert have a picture of horse jumping but not being ridden? i think i know which one you are talking about. PM answer if you like

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I've just seen that one too!!

Thing is, as a dealer, they would have to conform to the sales of goods act! They are I would ring trading standards, tell them that you have toll him the horses full history, including that he is unridable, and that they are still tryong to pass him as something else!!

Good luck!! Poor horsey
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I've just seen that one too!!

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I think that is the one she is talking about.

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Like the fact he states "no warranty" I wonder why!!!!
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I know who you are on about also!

Its disgraceful that this is aloud to go on if i had the money and room i would pick the poor horse up now.

I hope maybe someone can help to buy him and get him a proper home away from this evil dealer.

What about trying watch dog to see if they will cover a story on them to?
 
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