Getting slightly fed up with horse hunting will i ever find one :confused:

The trouble is, you seem to be looking for the perfect saint and they are few and far between. Most horses have some sort of problem or another, whether that is sweet-itch, splints, dust allergy, cheeky streak, difficult to clip, windsucking, not 100% in traffic etc., etc. Often you need to compromise in some way, especially if you want a totally well-behaved confidence-giving saint. I must say if the horse was perfect in every other way then the sweet itch would have to be absolutely horrific to put me off. I can understand being more concerned with taking on a horse with, say, navicular, laminitis or arthritis, because such conditions might result in the horse having to have time off work. However, I must say that I have known lots of horses with sweet itch and never known it bad enough for them not to actually be ridden.
 
Sorry I'll shut up after this - but this is my sweet itch boy on the July 31/Aug 1 weekend of this year:

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Jen_Cots said:
Sorry might be being thick here - but if its standard sweet itch, they are simply allergic to midge bites. So therefore if you rug them up and they don't get bitten you don't have a problem? It cannot 'get worse' as such

Mine is a 10 year old homebred, and he is what I consider to be a severe sufferer, but you'd never know it when you see him out competing. He has been to a show / party pretty much every weekend for past few years (I went a bit bananas about showjumping, and got stale before he did :D)
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Hi Jen_Cots - i am just going on what i have been told by someone who is a vet - sweet itch is an allergic reaction as you say and is only apparent in summer months and can be prevented by varying degree's eg fly sheets, topical shampoos up to steroid injections for the poor horseys who have it bad however it can never be treated. It normally shows at yearling stage however it can appear at any point in a horses life and can vary in its degree of severity at different points.

The horse that i have looked at has been treated by someone i know who has informed me to steer clear i trust this persons advice as they are a professional and keep horses. There maybe some other reason however this is what i have been told by a trusted friend.

It could for all i know have a type of allergic dematitis however this is what i have been told.
 
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Yep can sympathise with you entirely, have also been searching for months and nothing suitable! Same requirements as you too,though would like more of an allrounder to sj/xc when confidence is restored. People are hanging on to the good ones it would seem!
 
for those interested I was sent an email with a appaloosa for sale 16hh 8yr old...
this is the email:

Hi I am selling my 16hh 8yr old gelding. He is ridden in a snaffle, hacks out alone or in company, hunted with the EABH, played horseball, Showjumped and XC to about 2ft 6, Nice paces and does well at dressage. he's a forward going responsive ride, but never silly.

I have included some pictures of him for you. I would be happy for him to go on a three month loan with view to buy. He is currently priced at £4950, but on reflection I think this is to much for him in the current market so would be open to offers.

I have pics I could PM you...if your interested
 
You are searching for the holy grail of horses. They are about as easy to find as rocking horse poo. The kind of horse you are describing are either being sold for big wonga or else they never really get sold on the open market, as there is always a market via word of mouth for a paragon of virtue. You may need to look further afield and change your criteria a wee bit. Good luck. It's a mindfield out there. I have one of these horses but I bought her fresh from the field as a 2 yr old and did her myself and now, I wouldn't sell her for a gold pig.
 
KerryDevon said:
I have the below ad up in all my local tack / feed shops!!

Looking for SAFE ALLROUNDER

Lady looking for a confidence giving horse for sale.
Requirements are:-
• 15hh or over
• Gelding or Unmareish mare
• Aged between 7-12yrs (others considered if totally safe)
• Snaffle mouth at all times
• No health issues and NO vices and definitely NO rearing / bucking / napping /Bolshyness/stressyness.
• Must be 100% to handle in all situations.
• 100% in heavy/rural type traffic alone / in company and in open fields.
• Most of all he/ she MUST have a loving, soppy nature who loves cuddles!!
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A bit unrealistic isn't it?? Or am I being unfair?
 
What is your budget if you don't mind me asking?

I don't think it's unrealistic, but that would depend on how much you were looking to spend? £1k? £3k? £5k? £8k?
 
I havent read the whole thread but I know exactly what you mean. Ive been looking for another horse since September 2010 and Im getting fed up of it too.
 
I am still trying to find the "perfect horse" but I don't think that they exist, after my "perfect" little horse was put down following a horrific accident, I had a couple of "iffy" ones, I now have a little Lusitano X for the last 6 1/2 years and if I had known the problems that would lie ahead, I wouldn't have gone near him. , I could not think of ever getting rid of him even though I can't do the things that I really want to do, I have persevered with him because he is such a lovely person even though he is still a stresshead. Sometimes you have to accept 2nd best otherwise you willl never own a horse :o
 
The horse you describe is exactly my chap, however as others have said horses like him are like rocking horse poo to find or go for big bucks.
I have decided to loan him as have no time at the minute and realise I will not find another godsend like him again,I advertised him 2 days ago, the phone hasnt stopped ringing.
They do come up, but they are far and few between, maybe taking one with a 'fault' would get you the perfect riding horse?
I will add I bought my boy as a 2 year old he is now 10 and an absolute dreamboat, would buying a genuine youngster be an option for yourself?
 
Eeyore.1 said:
I am still trying to find the "perfect horse" but I don't think that they exist, after my "perfect" little horse was put down following a horrific accident, I had a couple of "iffy" ones, I now have a little Lusitano X for the last 6 1/2 years and if I had known the problems that would lie ahead, I wouldn't have gone near him. , I could not think of ever getting rid of him even though I can't do the things that I really want to do, I have persevered with him because he is such a lovely person even though he is still a stresshead. Sometimes you have to accept 2nd best otherwise you willl never own a horse :o
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very true! I myself am maybe being a bit unrealistic in that I want a perfect horse but then at the moment Id compromise on something, not sure what tho! What about windsucking? I suppose it depends on how bad the vice is.

Oh and what a previous poster said about horses being advertised for 2 weeks or more there maybe something wrong with said horse. I think thats true. I went to see a horse that had been advertised for quite a few weeks and when I got there and he needed three people to hold said nervy horse down for me to get on found out why he was still up for sale.
 
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Actually on 2nd thoughts, why not go to a rescue centre, there are so many rescued horses and the staff are so particular about who they loan their horses to, they would not let you have an unsuitable horse so really you are saving yourself money and a maybe problem horse but you also have the chance to give a rescue horse a 2nd chance. :D
 
KerryDevon said:
I have the below ad up in all my local tack / feed shops!!

Looking for SAFE ALLROUNDER

Lady looking for a confidence giving horse for sale.
Requirements are:-
• 15hh or over
• Gelding or Unmareish mare
• Aged between 7-12yrs (others considered if totally safe)
• Snaffle mouth at all times
• No health issues and NO vices and definitely NO rearing / bucking / napping /Bolshyness/stressyness.
• Must be 100% to handle in all situations.
• 100% in heavy/rural type traffic alone / in company and in open fields.
• Most of all he/ she MUST have a loving, soppy nature who loves cuddles!!
• Must be open to full vetting and maybe a short trial period if possible?
If you think you can help and your Neddy fits the bill, please do get in touch, warm stable, Loving, and knowledgeable owner awaits..!!
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Although your requirements are totally reasonable if I had such a horse for sale I would hesitate in ringing you. There are too many NOTs and MUST have in your advert & I would think my (fictional) horse would not match your expectations - even if he did. Also if I had such a horse for sale I'm sure he/she would sell easily.

I would suggest toning your advert down considerably & weed out the un-suitable ones over the phone - at least then you might have a chance of hearing about more for sale in your area.

Hope you're not offended, just my thoughts on first reading your advert.:)
 
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i know of a gentleman 9 yr ID x tb.lovely horse. 16.1hh. He is a happy hacker as he has hock spavin. would hack all day. he in midlands
if you intersted then pm me and will pass you into his owner.
 
silverstar said:
Oh and what a previous poster said about horses being advertised for 2 weeks or more there maybe something wrong with said horse. I think thats true. I went to see a horse that had been advertised for quite a few weeks and when I got there and he needed three people to hold said nervy horse down for me to get on found out why he was still up for sale.
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I completely disagree with this. Many fantastic horses are for sale for months on end because for whatever reason they have not had the right person come to view them. It is rare to sell a horse within 2 weeks of putting them up for sale and part of that is down to the buyers. Many vastly inflate their ability and their confidence over the phone so although they sound ideal for the horse once you meet them in person you realise they are little more than beginners and think that a flighty horse is the one that canters without being kicked at the local riding school!
 
Go and have a little look at the horse with sweet itch. It is really easy to manage and you might be missing out on a fab horse. :)

This is my boy who has sweet itch - in the middle of summer! As you can see he is hogged (as his mane gets really itchy) but apart from that you would never know. He just wears a fly rug all summer and lots of avon skin so soft which makes him smell lovely.

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dixie said:
Although your requirements are totally reasonable if I had such a horse for sale I would hesitate in ringing you. There are too many NOTs and MUST have in your advert & I would think my (fictional) horse would not match your expectations - even if he did. Also if I had such a horse for sale I'm sure he/she would sell easily.

I would suggest toning your advert down considerably & weed out the un-suitable ones over the phone - at least then you might have a chance of hearing about more for sale in your area.

Hope you're not offended, just my thoughts on first reading your advert.:)
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Have got to agree with this. At the end of the day, horses are animals and you can never guarantee their behaviour 100%, however well-behaved they are normally. I suspect a lot of genuine vendors would be worried you would be on the phone to them complaining the minute the horse twitched an ear or shook his head. Also the bit about wanting a horse to be soppy and cuddly and you referring to it as 'neddy' does give the impression that you might be the sort to let a horse walk all over you and get into bad habits.

I'm sure that's not the case, but just the impression that your advert gives out!
 
dixie said:
This looks nice:-
http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_36741.html

or

http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_36404.html

or http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_37269.html
or http://www.adhorse.co.uk/horseforsale_37237.html

http://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/equestr...arabian_horse/7763769/handsome-gentleman/view

Apologies if someone has already posted these, but nothing on tv so I'd thought I would have a quick look.
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Thanks Dixie for that, a couple i have already enquired about and arent suitable or im awaiting further info however there was one i had overlooked so will contact them...thanks again. k x
 
I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Very loving, genuine, sweet 3 year old for sale. Going to be backed in spring. Beautifully bred, lovely movement, unblemished, good enough to show. Should be fab jumper. Mother very straightforward, no issues, was used as lead horse at pro-event yard from age of 4 as she was so sensible. She will make someones dream horse (bred in the absolute purple to event), just such a lovely person & will be very straightforward to produce. Agree as youngster not right for someone who needs confidence giver, but just because she is young people think you should be selling for silly money.

This girl in a couple of years will be absolutely fab, so would rather keep her & bring her on from home than waste time & money advertising with people ringing up & offering a stupid price assuming I am desperate to sell her. She was bred to be sold, & will be sold, but when the time is right & to the right home. She is dearly loved & her future is very important to me.
 
Point is though ,if you do own a paragon you hang on to it..even if it is a field ornament..as they are just so hard to find.Mine did go on free loan to restore someone`s confidence ..but oh dear..the fuss when I wanted MY HORSE returned .Never again,for actually wanting my mare back was made to feel a criminal.
 
It is difficult finding the right horse.
But keep looking, keep phoning and keep visiting, it may take time and you may have to travel.
But dont see it as wasted time or miles, it will help your search.
You have to kiss a few frogs to find a prince!
 
dixie said:
Although your requirements are totally reasonable if I had such a horse for sale I would hesitate in ringing you. There are too many NOTs and MUST have in your advert & I would think my (fictional) horse would not match your expectations - even if he did. Also if I had such a horse for sale I'm sure he/she would sell easily.

I would suggest toning your advert down considerably & weed out the un-suitable ones over the phone - at least then you might have a chance of hearing about more for sale in your area.

Hope you're not offended, just my thoughts on first reading your advert.:)
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Have to agree with Dixie. I've owned /ridden some lovely horses over the years but never found one that fulfilled all your criteria. If he/she is out there you'll need very deep pockets. Hope you find something close to you ideal though.
 
I've had a 14 year old, 15 hand, lightweight skewbald cob mare for sale for a couple of months now with little response. She is a perfect happy hacker, spent the last 5 years as a broodmare so just need some time to build up her fitness. After 3 years off I tacked her up and hacked her out alone- didn't put a hoof wrong. However she will never pass a vet as she dishes, at under £1000 she ticks most boxes and has never needed a vet in the 4 years I've owned her.
 
crellow4 said:
However she will never pass a vet as she dishes, at under £1000 she ticks most boxes and has never needed a vet in the 4 years I've owned her.
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What make you think that she wouldn't pass a vet because she dishes? It would have to be an extremely bad dish for a vet to fail a horse because of it. I know lots of horses that dish and have passed a full vetting!
 
To be honest I just always thought this would present a problem if vetted! She's a real sweetheart, never going to set the world on fire but safe and honest. When people phone she's either been too old, too small, too unfit.....the list goes on. I've even had one lady turn her down unseen simply because she's bred a foal??
 
As others have said, for a horse to fit your criteria most people would keep hold of it rather than sell. Have you tried local dealers?

I too would tone down your advert as horse's are animals and should never be expected to 100% all the time. For instance, most horses would be stressed when they have been relocated to a new yard/new owner/new routine.
 
LaurenM said:
As others have said, for a horse to fit your criteria most people would keep hold of it rather than sell. Have you tried local dealers?

I too would tone down your advert as horse's are animals and should never be expected to 100% all the time. For instance, most horses would be stressed when they have been relocated to a new yard/new owner/new routine.
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I think the OP is being relistic in what she wants, and imo its refreshing that some body is being honest, and happy to hold out for thier perfect horse rather than over estimating thier abilities, im sure she is more than aware that a horse has its own mind and its not goin gto be 100% perfect all of the time, I think what she is trying to do is get as close as possible to finding herself a relible horse that she can build her confidence and experiance on.

theres horses do come come up for sale, and its not like op is a NOVICE owner. she is again just being sensible in her own abilites whilst coming back into horse ownership.

Its is never wise that a first time owner buys a horse with vices/issues/health problems. Maybe if more people were as relistic and stuck to their guns, there wouldnt be so many horror stories, over horsed owners or horses getting messed up!
 
jhoward said:
I think the OP is being relistic in what she wants, and imo its refreshing that some body is being honest, and happy to hold out for thier perfect horse rather than over estimating thier abilities, im sure she is more than aware that a horse has its own mind and its not goin gto be 100% perfect all of the time, I think what she is trying to do is get as close as possible to finding herself a relible horse that she can build her confidence and experiance on.

theres horses do come come up for sale, and its not like op is a NOVICE owner. she is again just being sensible in her own abilites whilst coming back into horse ownership.

Its is never wise that a first time owner buys a horse with vices/issues/health problems. Maybe if more people were as relistic and stuck to their guns, there wouldnt be so many horror stories, over horsed owners or horses getting messed up!
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Couldn't agree more. There's just not a lot of these kind of horses out there, so OP could be looking for quite some time if she 'sticks to her guns'.
 
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