Frustrated - feeling ready to move on, but can't find anything to go and see ...

nikicb

nikicb

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Am I just being really fussy, or is there a lack of decent horses out there at the moment? Anyone else getting frustrated as well? I pretty much know every advert on horsemart, horsequest, H&H, PC, BD, BE, NFED and probably a few more. I really think I am going to have to consider driving 2-3 hours just to go and see some. :(:confused:

ETA I don''t want to appear to be a timewaster out for a jolly, so a horse has to really look like the one before I want to go and see it, so have been asking for videos etc of quite a few, but there is nothing I think fits the bill yet.
 
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I would say, travel. I have twice travelled about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from home to see a horse, and each time found something just exactly right. The annoyance of the long drives is soon forgotten but the great horse with luck remains for years. I am just an amateur, fun rider, but it is still imho worth the effort to find the right one.
 
nikicb said:
a horse has to really look like the one before I want to go and see it, so have been asking for videos etc of quite a few, but there is nothing I think fits the bill yet.
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The perfect horse often doesn't tick all the boxes you think it should, so don't rule out those that you don't think fit the bill! I'd say you should go and look at a few, even if they don't immediately strike you as "The One", to get your eye in - and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised!
 
I would go and see some local ones even if you think they don't sound ideal from the advert- my daughters pony which we bought was completely advertised incorrectly as a forward 2nd pony for experienced child.

We had not even considered it until we had looked at loads near and far with no luck. Then just thought what's another one :rolleyes: and so glad we did! He's a fab leadrein pony and so calm and gentle exactly what we wanted! :)
 
Auslander said:
The perfect horse often doesn't tick all the boxes you think it should, so don't rule out those that you don't think fit the bill! I'd say you should go and look at a few, even if they don't immediately strike you as "The One", to get your eye in - and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised!
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You're right - I just sent you a whingy ramble on FB. :o

I've been planning this time for so long, and now it's arrived I'm scared of getting it wrong. I need to man up and get out there. :eek::p
 
blackislegirl said:
I would say, travel. I have twice travelled about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from home to see a horse, and each time found something just exactly right. The annoyance of the long drives is soon forgotten but the great horse with luck remains for years. I am just an amateur, fun rider, but it is still imho worth the effort to find the right one.
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Horses24-7 said:
I would go and see some local ones even if you think they don't sound ideal from the advert- my daughters pony which we bought was completely advertised incorrectly as a forward 2nd pony for experienced child.

We had not even considered it until we had looked at loads near and far with no luck. Then just thought what's another one :rolleyes: and so glad we did! He's a fab leadrein pony and so calm and gentle exactly what we wanted! :)
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You're both right - I need to widen my horizons. I just don't want to be that timewaster that everyone posts about on here. ;)
 
So far, I've found "the one" always tends to be something that on paper isn't what you said you wanted and that someone might have to give you a dig to go and see. Or the horse that is at the same yard as another one you think is what you want that they didn't plan to show you as you said you wanted.....but seeing as you don't like what you're being shown you may as well look.

For example, when I was 12 and into show ponies I wanted a 4 year old bay with no arab blood. After refusing for weeks to go and look at "a real stunner just up the road" I went to see it under sufferance (mum lied about where we were going) and came home with a 6 year old grey part bred arab who I went on to own for 20 years, pony of a lifetime :)

Then, after losing what to me was the most perfect creature ever, I went looking for a 6 year old small hack - bay preferred, would like part bred arab as adds another showing class. I came home with a 3 year old warmblood. Another bl**dy grey.

Then I acquired a full TB because she has a face you cannot resist. No, I didn't need and wasn't looking for a second horse.

ETA: here is a gratuitous picture of their cute little faces http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l601/suziq77ponies/DSCF1813.jpg

I know it's hard when you need to find something for you and your son and it needs to be ready to go rather than something which needs work but keep an open mind and he or she WILL find you soon :D
 
nicicb - you're in exactly the same boat as me, I have my budget, I know what I want but I'm so scared of getting it wrong I'm now doubting my riding ability putting myself off one. I need a good dealer with a nice big range to try a few & get out there to look. All the ones I like are either mega bucks, halfway across the country or at a dodgy dealers lol
 
Suziq77 said:
So far, I've found "the one" always tends to be something that on paper isn't what you said you wanted and that someone might have to give you a dig to go and see. Or the horse that is at the same yard as another one you think is what you want that they didn't plan to show you as you said you wanted.....but seeing as you don't like what you're being shown you may as well look.

For example, when I was 12 and into show ponies I wanted a 4 year old bay with no arab blood. After refusing for weeks to go and look at "a real stunner just up the road" I went to see it under sufferance (mum lied about where we were going) and came home with a 6 year old grey part bred arab who I went on to own for 20 years, pony of a lifetime :)

Then, after losing what to me was the most perfect creature ever, I went looking for a 6 year old small hack - bay preferred, would like part bred arab as adds another showing class. I came home with a 3 year old warmblood. Another bl**dy grey.

Then I acquired a full TB because she has a face you cannot resist. No, I didn't need and wasn't looking for a second horse.

ETA: here is a gratuitous picture of their cute little faces http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l601/suziq77ponies/DSCF1813.jpg

I know it's hard when you need to find something for you and your son and it needs to be ready to go rather than something which needs work but keep an open mind and he or she WILL find you soon :D
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Aww - very cute faces!

The bit in bold - you hit the nail on the head. If I was looking just for me I would be more open as to what I need, but it's the responsibility of getting it right for my son that is making me feel nervous.
 
Before both my long horse-viewing journeys I subjected the poor vendor to a long and detailed interrogation by phone.....the patience with which all my questions were answered contributed to my willingness to make the long trips. If I had felt my enquiries were being evaded or met with vagueness or bluster I wouldn't have gone. And I think the vendors realised from my questions that I was being thorough and honest about my own ability and experience and so not a timewaster.
 
elliecjno1 said:
nicicb - you're in exactly the same boat as me, I have my budget, I know what I want but I'm so scared of getting it wrong I'm now doubting my riding ability putting myself off one. I need a good dealer with a nice big range to try a few & get out there to look. All the ones I like are either mega bucks, halfway across the country or at a dodgy dealers lol
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Exactly - we need a massive warehouse full of horses where we could just go down the aisles and pick the right one!! If only it was that simple. :rolleyes:
 
Re the "Timewaster" concern. It makes me spit with fury when people go on about timewasters in relation to someone turning up and trying their horse, but not buying it. If the horse is not right for you, and you don't buy it, that does NOT make you a timewaster. Quit panicking - I've said I'll help, and help I shall xx
 
I agree with auslander on both posts. Sometimes the right one isn't what you'd necessarily say you wanted. I spent months helping a non-horsey friend look for a second pony for her daughter, I went to look at a cheap project for me & it turned out to be a fantastic pony for a child once we'd taken off the harsh tack, badly fitting saddle & got its teeth done. If I hadn't been looking for a project we wouldn't have been viewing £300 ponies!
Likewise, my 7yr old has a rising 5yr old I bought as a £10 yearling. Not what I'd choose on paper but they are a brilliant match.
 
Have you tried putting a 'wanted' ad on horsequest or elsewhere? I know a few people who have ended up with lovely horses that way :) Are there any well respected dealers down your way?

Good luck :)
 
As always, what Auslander said, with a side order of rhino please.

I don't know why I bother posting on here anymore. I'm just a yes man these days :o
 
nikicb said:
Am I just being really fussy, or is there a lack of decent horses out there at the moment? Anyone else getting frustrated as well? I pretty much know every advert on horsemart, horsequest, H&H, PC, BD, BE, NFED and probably a few more. I really think I am going to have to consider driving 2-3 hours just to go and see some. :(:confused:

ETA I don''t want to appear to be a timewaster out for a jolly, so a horse has to really look like the one before I want to go and see it, so have been asking for videos etc of quite a few, but there is nothing I think fits the bill yet.
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sorry if you've answered this but what are you looking for?
 
rhino said:
Have you tried putting a 'wanted' ad on horsequest or elsewhere? I know a few people who have ended up with lovely horses that way :) Are there any well respected dealers down your way?

Good luck :)
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A wanted ad sounds a good idea - I was initially reluctant as I know with estate agents they have a habit of sending details of town centre flats when looking for a house in the country. :rolleyes: But it does seem like they can work.

Not many reputable dealers in this neck of the woods - Victri Sports Horses is about an hour away, but they don't have anything. Plenty of non reputable ones though! There are several good ones over in Sussex but that is a good two hour drive so wanted to try and look locally and privately first.
 
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I would definitley consider travelling further afield. I travelled near 3 and a half hours to see my mare :eek: so glad I did though :p having said that I would of been a little annoyed if I didnt like her, cost a hell of alot in petrol to get there and back
 
I found through my own experience there were plenty of horses around close to home but the prices were horrendously high. I drove for 6 1/2 hours one way to view my boy and picked him up for around half the price I would have paid for something similar close to London. Having spoken to other liveries they found the same thing and have all since found theirs by heading off on long road trips.
My fella looked awful in the ad pics and certainly didn't resemble anything like my ideal horse, but sounded great on paper. In the flesh he was amazing and 1000 times better than the dodgy photos posted on his advert. Just went with my gut feeling and thought what the heck, if he's not the one at least I've had a nice weekend away with the OH.
 
Contact Ali16 on here. I went to see one of her horses a little while ago and was really impressed. She does Sales Livery, she doesn't do much advertisng so best to ring her or check out her Facebook page as it is more up to date than her web-site. Hurston Dressage and Eventing. She is over your way, near Wantage.
 
Thanks everyone - I really appreciate your input.

I have placed a wanted ad on horsequest and already received a couple of responses so at least people are looking at it and taking note. :)

ttt - thanks for the suggestion. Coincidentally I was in touch with Ali yesterday and she knows my requirements. :)
 
I had nine people out to view my horse, and apart from the one who rode three times then said it wasnt suitable to her needs I wouldnt have called any of them time wasters, some had come 140 mile round trip (if they had asked me if she was the next HOYS prospect I would have told them she wasnt :(). It's all part of having to sell your horse. I'm currently looking at l200's within a 100 mile radius and thank god they're only mechanical! Be patient, the right horsey is around the next corner!
 
to sort of give you hope in a weird sort of way...

2 of the best horses i bought were after MONTHS of looking at incorrectly described rubbish

unfortunately the more glowing the description the more rubbish it appears to be (bit like a Murphy's law) as if its ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL you're talking to a dodgy dealer

one of our local dealers has fields full of 'a million percent' equines who all 'jump like stags'

one of the most interesting questions i was ever asked by a potential purchaser during the initial phone call was 'what is the worst thing about your horse?'

i thought this a very cute question as virtually no-one will have an off pat reply to that, and all horses have at least one foible.
the response to the question could tell you a lot about the honesty of the person you're dealing with

good luck in your quest
but i agree the best thing is to just get out there looking, and be prepared for a (possibly) long and frustrating quest
on the bright side - at least you sound like you're pretty savvy so won't fall for any of the classic first time buyer dealer tricks
 
As others have said keep looking, we wanted a bay gelding and ended up with a chestnut mare! We are currently horse hunting and have been to see a few, hoping the right one will turn up soon. We spent months looking for my oh's horse, travelled miles only to find the perfect horse 6 miles up the road.
 
Id go and see anything that's vaguely suitable and local just to get a picture of what you really do and don't want and you never know one of them may turn out to be everything you dreamed of. But i would say to be prepared to travel. I bought a new one a month ago and travelled 3hrs for her and thankgod I did!!!! Lol best of luck though its a tiring task horse shilling
 
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