Gahh, horse hunting, what do you guys think?

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Ozzie

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Basic story is, I bought my own horse four years ago, he had to be retired (due to injury) three years ago, and due to his livery bills ect, I couldn't afford another.

I can now comfortably afford another, but horse hunting is driving me mad! I found the perfect horse at the beginning of the summer holidays (literally, perfect!), who was about the 20th I had seen, had him on two months loan with view to buy, and he failed his vetting :(

Is it possible to find the perfect horse, not once, but twice?

I am looking for a 15 - 16hh, 5 - 8 year old (9 at a pinch) gelding, who is well schooled, safe, snaffle mouthed, but still athletic and potentially fab at dressage, been out and about, and situated in the South West. I like a thoroughbred type build, and would consider a TB if it was fairly sensible (I don't mind a little excitable, but I like being able to stop!!), but my parents prefer a partbred. The horse I had on loan was a 7 year old, 15.2hh tb x tb x welsh gelding, professionally schooled and done everything, that's how perfect he was... the whole time I was feeling that it was too good to be true, and turned out it was! :(

Another thing is, I absolutely adore Appaloosas... And as this is my shot at my dream horse, I'm wondering whether I should hold out for one.. But then, how likely is it that one of the right age and height will come up for sale in my area? And when it comes to appies, I'm picky about build and colour too, prefering a sportshorse type and nothing too roany... :rolleyes:

Sorry for rambling on and on for ages, but I'm just feeling that I will never find the perfect horse (again!), and being more and more tempted to just settle for something that isn't quite what I want... Am I just being too picky? Thing is, I'm really hoping to give this pony a long term, potentially life long home, I just want to get it right!
 
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I don't think the horse market is what it was, people aren't getting the prices they want and thus there is not as many horses on the market and the choice is more limited than it was say 4 years ago. Depends what your price range is, you describe what everyone wants and therefore demand is high for fewer horses and this raises the prices of these kind of horses.

Maybe if you have a good dealer in your area you go and have a word with them the good ones will try source horses in that would be suitable for you. Don't get me wrogn I'm not a big fan of dealers but there are some good ones out there.

P.S I agree with you I would compromise in some areas but for a next perfect long term partner I wouldn't compromise that much on age.
 
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I'm looking for one too. I am looking for a very similar horse to you, but around 16.2hh.

I had one vetted last week, but it failed. So I'm seeing a couple of other local ones this weekend, but tbh it is not an enjoyable experience at all. I'm suspicious of everything the owners say. I'm often grossly disappointed with how the horse moves and what it actually looks like after reading a great advert with a fabulous photo. But most of all it seems that it’s going to be hard finding one who will pass a 5 stage vetting! I'm also having xrays, just because I also own a retired 9 year old TB, who has developed some serious degenerative bone problems which would have been obvious at the time I bought him if I'd had him x-rayed.
 
Another Ossy :p

I agree, age and temperament are the two things I really wouldn't compromise on, that and it has to be a gelding. I would perhaps look at something bigger, colour doesn't matter, and I love thoroughbred's way of going, and they are usually fairly cheap.. I guess I would also look at something that hasn't been competed or schooled, though I would prefer one with a little more experience!

Budget would be the most I'd have ever spent on a horse (and I've had some real gems, so it's not like I just buy dobbins :p) but it's still not massive :p £5k inc tack absolute tops!

I know it was possible once, with my loan boy, but I feel that he was one of those one in a million horses, and I doubt I will find one similar within my budget..

I'm going to phone about these two, but the first is a heavier build than I want and the second hasn't really done much!

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_roun...s_15_3_hh_coloured_devon/advert/125250#review


http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-...rse/TB-x-QH-Gelding-----------__1-9-10-263851

I do know one good dealer, but the thing is, he charges an absolute fortune, for horses that haven't really done anything...
 
Misinterpreted, it's so hard! If I ever do find one I like (:p) I will definitely not have it on my yard until after it has passed a vetting, it's just too sad otherwise! Also, whereabouts are you? I might know of something! I much prefer a smaller horse, but I've seen one or two that might suit...

My other horse did pass his vetting, but our vet suspects he was on bute during it, as it is impossible he could have passed the flexion drug free!
 
Ozzie said:
Another Ossy :p

I agree, age and temperament are the two things I really wouldn't compromise on, that and it has to be a gelding. I would perhaps look at something bigger, colour doesn't matter, and I love thoroughbred's way of going, and they are usually fairly cheap.. I guess I would also look at something that hasn't been competed or schooled, though I would prefer one with a little more experience!

Budget would be the most I'd have ever spent on a horse (and I've had some real gems, so it's not like I just buy dobbins :p) but it's still not massive :p £5k inc tack absolute tops!

I know it was possible once, with my loan boy, but I feel that he was one of those one in a million horses, and I doubt I will find one similar within my budget..

I'm going to phone about these two, but the first is a heavier build than I want and the second hasn't really done much!

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_roun...s_15_3_hh_coloured_devon/advert/125250#review


http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-...rse/TB-x-QH-Gelding-----------__1-9-10-263851

I do know one good dealer, but the thing is, he charges an absolute fortune, for horses that haven't really done anything...
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oooh I like the the first one much more than the second, I would def give the first one a look. 5K should get you something decent just keep chin up and keep going its alot of money and I wouldn't part with that kind of money on something that wasn't quite right... I had to compromise on colour and sex in the end and through gritted teeth I bought a chesnut mare :eek: I wanted a compitition horse and I have certainly got one of those, it was a good buy in the end.
 
I think you do sound really picky!! I’m very unpicky when buying things though. I don’t really get how horsey people can be so picky if they like horses!
 
I know I sound picky xD

But you see...
Age: 5 - 8, I would go for an older horse but my mum has said 8 absolute tops, because if it will be sold it will be in 5 years or so, and I wouldn't really want to sell an older horse. Also I really would rather not have a youngster (as in 3 or 4 year old)

Height: 15 - 16hh, anything less feels too small, anything more I have trouble keeping uptogether! (have joint problem so weak wrists shoulders ect)

Build: Same as height, I find something narrower and lighter just more suitable to the way I ride.

Temperament: I would say I'm an ok rider, but definitely can't cope with something that a) is strong or b) is 'not a novice ride'

And it has to be a gelding, due to livery arrangements! We have four geldings already :o

I think I am being optimistic with the schooling/competing, and will just have to do it myself :p I don't want a world beater, I don't care if it's rubbish at jumping, I just want something I can really enjoy!
 
A friend once told me, whilst looking for my first horse, that there is no such thing as a perfect horse! There will be a set of criteria that you are looking for but I would prioritise them in order and be prepared to compromise, but not on important things such as vetting. Good luck and keep us updated!
 
I know what you mean op with regard to horse hunting. Ive been looking about a month and havent found anything although Im a bit fussy. I dont want a TB and am looking for an Irish Sports Horse type. Ive had 2 ISH's before and really like their temperament but there's nothing around at the moment.
 
There's nothing wrong with being picky, but the fussier you are, the longer you have to be prepared to wait and/or the further you have to be prepared to travel.

I wanted an arabian a couple of years ago. After seeing a few locally who were rubbish, I got impatient and bought a sports horse who ticked quite a lot of boxes. I sold my sports horse this year because she was very nervous in traffic and I was determined to find a 5 - 7 year old arab mare.

After 2 months of traveling the UK, a few no-gooders and two failed vettings later, I am the proud owner of a 4 year old arab gelding (I had to be a little less specific, lol). He really does seem wonderful though so I'm so glad the chain of events led to me finding him at the right time.

Hang in there for what you want, and do commit to traveling further afield. Its worth it to find the right horse. :)
 
Of the first two horse ads, I really liked the first one, despite not being an appy fan myself. Lovely horse you could have fun on. Didn't look that heavy to me. Second one was nothing special at all for that price. Painted ponies TB looked lovely, and great price. Flame's ad for the appy seemed really over priced for what it was.. Good luck!
 
"A friend once told me, whilst looking for my first horse, that there is no such thing as a perfect horse! There will be a set of criteria that you are looking for but I would prioritise them in order and be prepared to compromise, but not on important things such as vetting. Good luck and keep us updated! "

Yes, I know this really XD I think I have been spoilt by having that boy on loan for two months, because he honestly was perfect... He just shocked me with everything, in terms of how well behaved he was, how he was to hack, how forward going and responsive he was, because he wasn't advertised as such! I miss him! :( I'm sure when I find the right horse I will know, but it's just seeming like a long process!
 
He had kissing spines :(

He was just super, and I think I would have been able to do affiliated dressage with him, and I haven't seen one apart from him that I feel would be ready for that in the next few years! I suppose I could go for something a bit green and school him to the way I like to ride, but I've just waited so long that I want to get out and compete (even just tiny local things) right away...
 
Ozzie said:
He had kissing spines :(

He was just super, and I think I would have been able to do affiliated dressage with him, and I haven't seen one apart from him that I feel would be ready for that in the next few years! I suppose I could go for something a bit green and school him to the way I like to ride, but I've just waited so long that I want to get out and compete (even just tiny local things) right away...
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how could they tell he had kissing spines just in a vetting? or did you get him xrayed?
 
"how could they tell he had kissing spines just in a vetting? or did you get him xrayed? "

Vet said there was something not quite right in his back, so we had an x ray of the area of back that was sore!
 
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