gah horse hunting - I give up

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silverstar

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Ive been looking since around end of September and Ive still not found a horse. Ive been pipped to the post on two horses who I thought sounded nice and have seen 3 horses that weren't as described. Maybe its just slowing down now before Xmas and its better to start looking in the New Year but there's nothing out there.

Sorry to rant, getting fed up of being stuck at home.
 
Only since September?
I have been looking since January! I'm so picky over horses, but I know something will come along soon. I'm not rushing and I'm completley happy having nothing at the moment, I want to make sure my first horse is something I look forward to riding, not just buying it because its vaguely what I'm looking for.

Don't give up, theres not much out there at the minute, just keep your eyes open!

Where abouts are you? and what are you looking for, I could raid websites for you ;) x
 
Hang in there. Given the slow market at the moment, you as a buyer are in a far better position to be buying, than the seller is to be selling. And they know that.
Perhaps look a touch out of your price bracket, then if you like a horse, offer what you can afford.
 
Don't give up yet! I had been looking since june of last year! I had several shares since then but i wasn't suited to any of them. I found my loan boy last month and he is perfect. He was well worth the loooong wait!
 
get hold of Darley retraining of racehorses you can loan it for 3 months and see if you like it and if you want it they only cost £100, beautiful well bred ex racehorses already reschooled what more could you ask for.
 
penfold said:
Ive been looking since around end of September and Ive still not found a horse. Ive been pipped to the post on two horses who I thought sounded nice and have seen 3 horses that weren't as described. Maybe its just slowing down now before Xmas and its better to start looking in the New Year but there's nothing out there.

Sorry to rant, getting fed up of being stuck at home.
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I've been looking since January! Not found a decent horse in my area tbh that I like the look of:( I have given up until the spring now probably but still keeping an eye out. I have spent so long every day looking and am now fed up :( People have said the right horse will find me anyway...hopefully!
 
Im after an ISH/ISH type, 16-1 to 16.3, sane and sensible allrounder, dont mind a youngster, the usual good to hack in traffic, shoe, box, load to do rc showjumping and maybe a bit of BSJA. Budget of 3k. Chester area but willing to travel to West Midlands/North West.

Maybe Im too picky and impatient but had my fingers burnt in the past so wont go near dealers.

Rowenna - where are you? I have a feeling you may be too far from me. Im having to pay to ride at a riding school, where the neds are brain dead & not like riding a responsive horse.

Oh and dont want a full TB, I tried one in the summer it was way too much for me.
 
penfold said:
Im after an ISH/ISH type, 16-1 to 16.3, sane and sensible allrounder, dont mind a youngster, the usual good to hack in traffic, shoe, box, load to do rc showjumping and maybe a bit of BSJA. Budget of 3k. Chester area but willing to travel to West Midlands/North West.

Maybe Im too picky and impatient but had my fingers burnt in the past so wont go near dealers.

Rowenna - where are you? I have a feeling you may be too far from me. Im having to pay to ride at a riding school, where the neds are brain dead & not like riding a responsive horse.

Oh and dont want a full TB, I tried one in the summer it was way too much for me.
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I'm looking for the same thing, maybe a tad smaller. I too won't touch dealers unless they have a very good reputation and do not want a full TB. TBH that was about my budget too, but after so long searching I have decided to wait and save a bit more. Horses like that are still selling for quite a bit I think.

I am thinking of saving up so I have a budget of about 4-5k now.
 
Raych - You have a point I may have to save a bit more but my box needs doing up so have to put some money aside for that this winter. Ive seen a nice one for £3750 but really dont think the owners would be willing to come down in price and feel a bit cheeky asking for that much of a reduction.
 
penfold said:
Raych - You have a point I may have to save a bit more but my box needs doing up so have to put some money aside for that this winter. Ive seen a nice one for £3750 but really dont think the owners would be willing to come down in price and feel a bit cheeky asking for that much of a reduction.
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If you don't try you'll never know!
 
I am not after a full TB as they are too narrow for me really. However there are plenty of chilled out TB's that are so calm that kiddies can ride them out in open fields/jumping etc. Similarly I know plenty of ISH types that are a right handful and I would have no chance in hell of stopping them out hunting etc. Could you have a look at a few more TB's? Not all of them are handfuls, and plenty are going for peanuts!
 
There's a girl I know has a nice horse for sale Cheshire way - is that anywhere near you?

Then there's this one in Cheshire too that I like - not exactly what you're after though lol

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http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75228&id=1613160056
 
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It seems more difficult these days to find a horse, the last one I went actively looking for took me 6 months to find, dont give up.

I know of a very nice little 5yo coloured mare light weight in the midlands but not what the OP is looking for , always the way LOL
 
Put a "Wanted" ad on Horsequest, we have just done this and had over 70 replies via either phone or email and have bought the 4th one we saw and so far so good she is everything we want.

I found my last horse 4 years ago via the same way, it just sometimes jogs somebody that has not advertised their horse as they maybe cannot bear to sell them and then they read the advert and think that sounds like the sort of home they would like for their horse.

The other benefit is that you are not in a buying race with other people if the horse is not advertised so you are not pressured into making a hasty decision by "Other people viewing this afternoon" sort of trick!

Write an honest advert about what you are looking for, be honest about your riding abilities and also what sort of home you could offer and see what happens, cost £10 which is a bargain and so much cheaper than all the petrol you use on wasted trips to see unsuitable horses.

Good luck.
 
I find this quite incredible, I have a lovely 15.2 fully registered connemara for sale who is a dream, only minus he hasn't done a lot since backing so needs nurturing on. He is polite, lovely to ride, no vices etc, etc, All I get to come and look at him are people whose first question is, " What will you take for him", He is priced really low because of market and I only want a good home for him but I am damned if I will give him away to someone because he is cheap. It goes both ways and I am afraid because of the media making the market what it is people are getting very greedy about spending the right amount on good horses. Rant over.
 
penfold said:
Im after an ISH/ISH type, 16-1 to 16.3, sane and sensible allrounder, dont mind a youngster, the usual good to hack in traffic, shoe, box, load to do rc showjumping and maybe a bit of BSJA. Budget of 3k. Chester area but willing to travel to West Midlands/North West.
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I am going to look at one of these tomorrow. I do believe that horses will "find" you. This one has found us whether we like him will have to wait and see. It is a buyers market at the moment if there is something you like go and look even if out of price range...........make an offer and wait. People are desperate to sell and nothing is moving for sensible money....be cheeky. I always find horses when I have no money, knee deep in mud and running out of hay.....but if I like I buy....at the right price.
 
At my horse's yard there is a part bred Arab 14.2 for sale or loan I think.
Also possibly 2x ex racers (but really mellow) and a IDx -not sure on those 3
 
Tell me about it!!
Took me 6 awful months to find Koko, tried so many horses which almost killed me and severly knocked my confidence :(
Then I find the perfect horse and he gets taken from me so suddenly,

So back to square one going to see horses again!! Does a talented but safe horse exist in this world? I know one used to but he's gone now :(

Just hang in there if I see any nice ones in Chester whilst I'm looking I will PM you :)
 
kokopelli - Its not much fun horse hunting. Im really sorry to hear about koko. There are some nice horses around just not in my area, but Ive come to the conclusion that it just takes a little time.
 
penfold said:
Im after an ISH/ISH type, 16-1 to 16.3, sane and sensible allrounder, dont mind a youngster, the usual good to hack in traffic, shoe, box, load to do rc showjumping and maybe a bit of BSJA. Budget of 3k. Chester area but willing to travel to West Midlands/North West.

Maybe Im too picky and impatient but had my fingers burnt in the past so wont go near dealers.

Rowenna - where are you? I have a feeling you may be too far from me. Im having to pay to ride at a riding school, where the neds are brain dead & not like riding a responsive horse.

Oh and dont want a full TB, I tried one in the summer it was way too much for me.
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I know of a 15.3hh (is that too small??) she is ISH type - she is irish bred (not full tb) She is 4 and backed this summer being ridden away now - has hacked on own and with others over cannock chase, has cantered in arena - she is lovely sort and is brave - i think all rounder type - hasnt done jumping other than a ditch which she just popped! Loads fine, been in hand showing - not bothered by kids, tanoys, etc. Real genuine type. she is 2.5k i think. if interested can give you owners tel number. (she is in s staffs by way)
 
Horse hunting is a nightmare! This is why I only buy youngsters now or bargain basement projects that I can turn into what I want. I think if I paid a few thousand for something my expectations would be huge. Buying something for a few hundred quid means I don't mind sorting the quirks at all. I do have the patient of a saint though, and TBH I enjoy working with issues more than riding, so not an option for everyone :)
 
Mrs_Wishkabibble said:
Put a "Wanted" ad on Horsequest, we have just done this and had over 70 replies via either phone or email and have bought the 4th one we saw and so far so good she is everything we want.

I found my last horse 4 years ago via the same way, it just sometimes jogs somebody that has not advertised their horse as they maybe cannot bear to sell them and then they read the advert and think that sounds like the sort of home they would like for their horse.

The other benefit is that you are not in a buying race with other people if the horse is not advertised so you are not pressured into making a hasty decision by "Other people viewing this afternoon" sort of trick!

Write an honest advert about what you are looking for, be honest about your riding abilities and also what sort of home you could offer and see what happens, cost £10 which is a bargain and so much cheaper than all the petrol you use on wasted trips to see unsuitable horses.

Good luck.
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Ditto this, found my supersafe, supersmart horse through a wanted ad too.
 
If you want cheap,then you may have to lower your expectations. We hear all the time about this buyers market, but it can mean that a lot of good horses like the one your after, are not going onto the market and sellers are waiting for things to improve instead.

Ask yourself in all honesty, if you were selling such a good honest and safe all rounder yourself, just how much would you be asking?

I know I for one would want a fair price.
 
i got a lovely green 16.3 bay gelding 5 yrs. good all respects. done fun rides, been cubbing, still growing by poetic justice. would take 4.5 k for him.
 
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