Gah...horse buying. Is anyone out there honest?

Twiglet said:
You bought the horse from Shane Walsh I had my eye on :p He doesn't have anything else in at the moment I don't think....will call him again at the weekend though.

Re: buying young and schooling up. I know it's a possibility but I just don't want to. I bought Buzz as a 5 year old and put two years of blood sweat and tears into bringing him on and whilst I enjoyed (nearly) every minute, I now have a retired 9 year old who's broken my heart and spent over a year in the vets. And I'm still not out eventing. I know this can happen with any horse at any age, but I really just want to go out and have fun, and enjoy having my own transport and a functioning horse for the first time.
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I absolutely know how you feel, I had excatly the same. After a while it get depressing watching everyone else going out and enjoying themselves. Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to an older been there done a bit so will be starting from scratch again. That possibly why i'm putting off looking for a while among other reasons.
Anyway try D&L horses in Swindon, the nicest people going and might be able to find you something. John Whinnett gets a few in at a time but id often often in Ireland so might be able to source something for you. Best of luck :)
 
vam said:
I absolutely know how you feel, I had excatly the same. After a while it get depressing watching everyone else going out and enjoying themselves. Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to an older been there done a bit so will be starting from scratch again. That possibly why i'm putting off looking for a while among other reasons.
Anyway try D&L horses in Swindon, the nicest people going and might be able to find you something. John Whinnett gets a few in at a time but id often often in Ireland so might be able to source something for you. Best of luck :)
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I have already PM's Twiglet about Sam and Julia...I think Podge would fit the bill quite nicely. Not sure if you saw him, he's the 17.1hh jet black stunner that plays fetch! :)

Anyway - there you go Twiglet, I didn't want to mention Vam by name, or the other HHOer that has a horse with them, but I can guarantee that they are honest to a fault!
 
_GG_ said:
I have already PM's Twiglet about Sam and Julia...I think Podge would fit the bill quite nicely. Not sure if you saw him, he's the 17.1hh jet black stunner that plays fetch! :)

Anyway - there you go Twiglet, I didn't want to mention Vam by name, or the other HHOer that has a horse with them, but I can guarantee that they are honest to a fault!
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That's who I was thinking of, he was rather yummy. They really are fab and I spent far to much time standing around chatting!
 
vam said:
That's who I was thinking of, he was rather yummy. They really are fab and I spent far to much time standing around chatting!
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Tell me about it. I pop in regularly and end up having to get Dan to do the horses because 6 hours have disappeared and I've eaten two meals, spent hours in the school/yard and not actually noticed, lol :)
 
Well Podge/D&L get very glowing reviews all round! I saw the vid of him on FB and think he might be worth the trip down the M4....
 
Twiglet said:
Well Podge/D&L get very glowing reviews all round! I saw the vid of him on FB and think he might be worth the trip down the M4....
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I absolutely love him to pieces. He's a superstar and no matter how handsome you think he is on the ground, when you see Sam or Julia ride him, he'll really show his looks off :)
 
Twiglet said:
Re: mares....let's just say the budget is flexible before the gender is! It's totally personal preference, and I've no doubt there are very non-marish mares, and a lot of people prefer them. But for me, I'm a boy's girl - I don't get on with female animals generally, I find geldings a lot less complicated and easier to be around, and I don't have the time or the inclination to 'ask a mare'.
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I do think you should consider mares as you are really limiting what there is. You just need to ask if the horse is mareish and see them several times out competing. I am very much a gelding person, I would always prefer a gelding by choice and I think a mare had to try harder for me to consider her, but among my geldings, I have 1 mare who is not mareish at all. She is exactly the same all the time, in fact I did a show the other day with her and only realised she was in season when she peed just before going home! The mare I had before her was he same, I could never tell she was in season. So I wouldn't write them off completely... Also, you never get a bad grey is one of my own personal rules!! (and yes I currently have 2 WHITE ones!).
 
MagicMelon said:
I do think you should consider mares as you are really limiting what there is. You just need to ask if the horse is mareish and see them several times out competing. I am very much a gelding person, I would always prefer a gelding by choice and I think a mare had to try harder for me to consider her, but among my geldings, I have 1 mare who is not mareish at all. She is exactly the same all the time, in fact I did a show the other day with her and only realised she was in season when she peed just before going home! The mare I had before her was he same, I could never tell she was in season. So I wouldn't write them off completely... Also, you never get a bad grey is one of my own personal rules!! (and yes I currently have 2 WHITE ones!).
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I get that, I do - and I do understand why people prefer them. It's just a personal preference/taste.

I wouldn't get another female cat either, but that's a different story :D
 
Welcome to the world of the Dodgy Horse Dealers. I have finally found a new horse after 10 months and quite a few wasted journeys. You are right, people just lie on the phone and to your face. Ive seen unsound horses, horse most definately not as described, one horse that had my pro rider friend off after 50 seconds. Buying a horse is not the pleasure that people think it is.
 
only_me said:
OP - I know this horse and would be worth a look! :)
http://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/stunning-palomino-mare-for-sale/10039971?offset=3
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Sounds lovely, but really not for me....other than the gender and the distance, I wouldn't have a palomino as a first choice :D

Thank you anyway. I know I sound uber fussy but I've had a really rotten run of luck with horses for the last couple of years, and I'm finally at the stage where I have the budget and the support to buy my 'ideal' horse, so I am holding out for the one that ticks at least most of the boxes.
 
Luci07 said:
They are out there and yes I did buy exactly what you want from Shane Walsh very recently. Irish horse imports has a lot of cracking horses...but you said 6 and with a record and David specialises in good green 4 and 5 year old. Market is picking up now. My YO had 2 x 4 year olds she produced on and are ready to go and they both went in a week of being properly advertised. Could be worth a call to Shane because if he hasn't got what you want, he might well know someone who has. Persevere with contact as his phone is always ringing and it took me a bit of time to get hold of him. Another random option could be...buy a green horse from Irish horse imports and put some more of your budget to have it produced on and then boot camp yourself as well once the horse is going well. You might have more options then. It was something I was seriously considering as couldn't find what I wanted but I am on a small pro event yard and know how the horses are produced.
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What a good idea. My horse came from Irish Horse Imports originally as a 4 year old. I bought him from a lady eveter who had him for 2 years and bought him on. He is lovely and we are very pleased with him.
 
Oh dear - really do not want my mate to read this - am currently trying to persuade her that not EVERYONE selling horses is dodge and that she should go and try some. Her criteria is similar to yours in a similar area with the exception of capable rather than proven (and thus a slightly lower price tag!). But having been stung with the previous one who despite yrs of trying was never fully sound and was PTS in Feb...she's a bit reluctant. I will keep trying!!
 
onemoretime said:
What a good idea. My horse came from Irish Horse Imports originally as a 4 year old. I bought him from a lady eveter who had him for 2 years and bought him on. He is lovely and we are very pleased with him.
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Sorry - I do appreciate the replies, I really do, but this really isn't what I'm looking for at all. I want an established straightforward horse, that I can take out nearly immediately, even if it's just to an unaff SJ. I have no desire to spend months on the flat with an unbalanced horse, introducing something to fillers, steps, water, ditches or traffic - I've done it all, relatively recently, and I don't want to go down that road again anytime soon.
I know any horse I buy can break its leg in the field the next day, and no horse is entirely 'straightforward' but i am increasing my chances of getting out and enjoying riding if I buy something that already knows what it's doing.
 
stilltrying said:
Oh dear - really do not want my mate to read this - am currently trying to persuade her that not EVERYONE selling horses is dodge and that she should go and try some. Her criteria is similar to yours in a similar area with the exception of capable rather than proven (and thus a slightly lower price tag!). But having been stung with the previous one who despite yrs of trying was never fully sound and was PTS in Feb...she's a bit reluctant. I will keep trying!!
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Ha - I'm sure they're not all dodge....I think I'm just a bit frustrated at those I'd been planning to see this week, not being what they're advertised as. I don't even think it's just dealers, the private ones seem nearly as bad!
 
Twiglet said:
Ha - I'm sure they're not all dodge....I think I'm just a bit frustrated at those I'd been planning to see this week, not being what they're advertised as. I don't even think it's just dealers, the private ones seem nearly as bad!
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Someone one told me, never trust anyone selling a horse! I am sure there are genuine ones but I think my friend finds the trawling through ads then travelling to see something that's not as described. Plus she is being everso picky....'too small (even tho within her height requirement)....too big (same!)....owner looks like a wrong-un!!' If you spot anything decent in the south east that's low mileage and SOUND...and around £5k let me know : )

That said....i do know of one horse for sale thats been out eventing this year altho his price tag is £12k i think. Will check your requirements again and will let you know if it ticks all your boxes : )

Edited to add....looks like he ticks all the boxes but an unusual colour! Handsome chap tho http://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/121881
 
stilltrying said:
Someone one told me, never trust anyone selling a horse! I am sure there are genuine ones but I think my friend finds the trawling through ads then travelling to see something that's not as described. Plus she is being everso picky....'too small (even tho within her height requirement)....too big (same!)....owner looks like a wrong-un!!' If you spot anything decent in the south east that's low mileage and SOUND...and around £5k let me know : )

That said....i do know of one horse for sale thats been out eventing this year altho his price tag is £12k i think. Will check your requirements again and will let you know if it ticks all your boxes : )

Edited to add....looks like he ticks all the boxes but an unusual colour! Handsome chap tho http://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/121881
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Do you know what, every time I've helped a friend horse shop I've thought just HOW fussy they were - one answer was "I don't like his ears" - but now I'm looking again, I've realised that you have to be. Having tried a few on the smaller side (and I'm talking 16hh - 16.1hh so looked big enough on paper), I've realised I just don't like riding smaller horses, and even an inch or two makes a lot of difference.

Actually have heard of one that looks like it could be in your friend's remit - how does she feel about ex-racers?
 
Twiglet said:
Sorry - I do appreciate the replies, I really do, but this really isn't what I'm looking for at all. I want an established straightforward horse, that I can take out nearly immediately, even if it's just to an unaff SJ. I have no desire to spend months on the flat with an unbalanced horse, introducing something to fillers, steps, water, ditches or traffic - I've done it all, relatively recently, and I don't want to go down that road again anytime soon.
I know any horse I buy can break its leg in the field the next day, and no horse is entirely 'straightforward' but i am increasing my chances of getting out and enjoying riding if I buy something that already knows what it's doing.
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Oops, I do recall having the same list and wanting something ready to go out now. After seeing a few that didn't quite hit the mark, I ended up falling for a slightly green 5yo. Now where was that list when I went shopping?! I do know what you mean though, if you are strict with yourself, then you're more likely to visit the right ones (at least some of the time) rather than have your head turned. That said, mine's turning out to be super duper and I'm having fun doing clinics and lessons and teaching him stuff, which is new to me, so it's worked out ok so far, phew !
 
Twiglet said:
I saw this ad actually - very striking looking chap. Looks to tick a lot of boxes, may well give them a call if tomorrow's viewings don't come up with the goods.
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He is really stunning. I think she's had him since he was baby and given his obvious talent was put with a pro rider. I think he was placed 6th at a BE 100 about a month ago, so its definitely paid off! I dont know the horse personally but know he's been fit and competing this year as friends with the owner on FB. : )

As for my friend and ex-racers - it changes like the effing wind!!! As you said i dont think she wants anything to go through the basics with, she wants something that she can go next month to a Riding club clinic on and not be fearing for her life. So something thats been re-schooled, also something that was low mileage racer as has had 2 pts inside 2 yrs....really cant blame her for being picky!
 
Twiglet said:
You bought the horse from Shane Walsh I had my eye on :p He doesn't have anything else in at the moment I don't think....will call him again at the weekend though.

Re: buying young and schooling up. I know it's a possibility but I just don't want to. I bought Buzz as a 5 year old and put two years of blood sweat and tears into bringing him on and whilst I enjoyed (nearly) every minute, I now have a retired 9 year old who's broken my heart and spent over a year in the vets. And I'm still not out eventing. I know this can happen with any horse at any age, but I really just want to go out and have fun, and enjoy having my own transport and a functioning horse for the first time.
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Sorry...I didn't mean to come across as being a smug wotsit as was exactly in the same position as you. I am really enjoying the new boy though and for the first time in a very very long time...went XC schooling and enjoyed it. I too have wasted time trying to get going so wanted a horse proven in all areas that I could ride. Not a horse who needs a pro to keep it ticking, not one I had to hope would enjoy all the elements. He passed my vet (who is stringent) and my YO (who is even more so) but he really did come with no surprises.

However, having said all that, I would have gone down the route of a young horse who had been boot camped because that's how I see my YO produce on. Her last 2 were really green (mare had been backed for 10 days only). Mare had a break and a chance to settle and then was given a broad educational base for eventing, culminating in escorting racehorses on the gallops and helping others go XC. Point is the mare has now been sold with the owner knowing the mare has talent in all phases. The other horse was bought as a high class RC horse by an owner but she found him too load back, so again,boot camped and sold on as a genuinely laid back and safe horse. Final work for these horses are that their riders then start to change so that they can be sold knowing they don't need the constant tweak of a pro to maintain them.
 
This one just popped up on my FB.

CLASSY DRESSAGE / SHOW JUMP / HUNTER
Classy looking 16.2hh Grey Gelding by the world class stallion Indorado. He is a fantastic all rounder who has 3 big rangey paces. He is working at Elementary level dressage at home with established lateral work and counter canter. He is soft in the hand and stays in a outline. He has competed at Novice level with scores in the 70%. He also takes after his sire and has a huge scopey jump. In limited outings he has won £58. He has 2 discovery double clears and competed up to Newcombers level. He has the potential to be competitive at Fox/1.30 level in the future. He has hunted last season with the South Shropshire proving a good hunter, jumping everything he was pointed at. He looks very smart in the field and is always well admired. He has been ridden and produced by a girl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP_HlLu_YJk
£10,000
 
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