Have you bought a LOU horse?

LEC

LEC

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Just wondering if anyone in here has bought a LOU horse and what it was and how much you paid?

Just trying to get a feel for the market. I have a super horse that is LOU (Arthritis in its hocks) because its not going to do the level of eventing I want (Novice/Intermediate) but is going round BE90/100 easily, schoolmaster, good to hack, excellent dressage, wonderful hunter etc. I am fed up with loaning it out and being messed around.
 
I think LOU through an injury that is now healed and causing no pain (e.g. ex polo pony who lost an eye in a field accident) is probably quite different to LOU through a degenerative, painful and potentially expensive to treat condition.

Could you get a (or even two) sharers at the yard you are currently on so as to be abelt o keep more of an eye on things?
 
A friend of mine has just be given a LOU horse, it has early signs of navicular, he is sound again now so she is bringing him back into work (eventing) she is just hoping he stays sound but it is a 50/50 chance.

I wouldn't pay any money for a LOU but may take one on if he/she could hack out nicely.

I know what you mean about being messed about with people loaning your horses, one of mine has just come back, the girl ran out of money :mad: so now I have one too many :(
 
The hocks have fused - better the devil you know. The horse has been treated correctly as I had hoped he would come back and do the level I wanted but he will not.

This horse is still useful now. I am not based on a yard and I would loathe sharers. I am fed up with loaning so basically you are suggesting a bullet. Seems a shame when he has a lot to offer!

As I said the horse is LOU because it will not show jump to a high enough standard over 1.15m courses.
 
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cant you advertise it online, be completely honest about the LOU and state it's for a hacking home only.
For the right price i am sure someone would take it on, but would have to be prices VERY sensisbly.
 
Its definitely not hacking only! - its doing BE90 this month. The LOU is because he cannot do novice eventing as he will not leave the fences up.
 
I can't see that you'd have much problem selling, wouldn't have a clue about price though. Certainly arthritis in hocks wouldn't bother me as most of the horses I work with have it and doesn't stop them doing a full days hunting.

Try word of mouth round local riding clubs / pony clubs, should be a nice horse for someone who doesn't have a massive budget.
 
LEC said:
Its definitely not hacking only! - its doing BE90 this month. The LOU is because he cannot do novice eventing as he will not leave the fences up.
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sorry i typed that in a hurry so couldnt explain what i meant.

We all know horses advertised as hacking only never actually just hack, i think if you advertised as capable of BE90 he would eventually be used to go higher - people get ambitious.

Advertise as suitable for hacking, schooling and local level competition and you will probably find a home that wont ever over stretch him.
 
LEC said:
Its definitely not hacking only! - its doing BE90 this month. The LOU is because he cannot do novice eventing as he will not leave the fences up.
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Not sure why you would want to take a horse which can't go Novice safely (presume he can't cleanly do XC either) BE90. Or is it just me?
 
scarymare said:
Not sure why you would want to take a horse which can't go Novice safely (presume he can't cleanly do XC either) BE90. Or is it just me?
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There is a massive difference between Intro and Novice.

I don't know how much he would be worth and the home is obviously very important as he does enjoy going to shows. You just need to find the right person for him.
 
dieseldog said:
There is a massive difference between Intro and Novice.

I don't know how much he would be worth and the home is obviously very important as he does enjoy going to shows. You just need to find the right person for him.
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Oh, Ok then - both look massive to me since I've got older and joined the 'cross poles' club. However I wouldn't like to miss at an intro spread with a horse that can't 'clear' novice SJ, would you?
 
I would buy a horse like this if I felt owner was honest and it met all other criteria. i love competing but lost my nerve and a good reliable horse is a godsend. Some people know their limits and this horse may meet them so i dont see why you cant find someone to give him a second chance at a level he still still do and enjoy. good luck :-)
 
I don't think your market will be the RC teams/BE90/BE100 bunch because to be honest if you are putting in the effort and investing in entries etc. you would want to be fairly sure the horse was going to stay sound enough. I know he is sound now but if he was campaigned at that level I think potential purchasers would be justifiably wary of his continued soundness. Equally anyone wanting to BD isn't really going to want hock issues.

That said I do think he has a market, but I would think it most likely in the RC geared towards hunter trials/sponsored ride types and hunting where a bit of hock stiffness isn't a deal breaker.

Pricewise I think you are bang on at advertising at £1500 ono and being prepared to negotiate if you really like the potential home.
 
Basically the horse has tonnes of ability it does not jump cleanly round 1.15m. It will have poles. It finds the Sjing canter needs more power at that height which is compromised by its hocks. At xc speed the canter is longer and flatter so hence is easier for this horse as they do not flex their hocks as much.

Novice sjing is 1.15m (3ft9)
Intro is 90cm (3ft) so a BIG difference!!
 
He might also make a super hunter. I'm sure there are tons of good hunters out there that have the odd ache or that aren't going to pass a 5*. It's just difficult to know where or how to advertise hi to get the right home.
 
Oh well I can but try!

I am sure there is someone out there for the right money.
 
I have a LOU horse - a brilliant schoolmaster for my daughter.

I was dubious but went ahead because:

he was very well known in PC and by instructors
I knew his full history and previous owners
he is still fully insured, including vet's fees, with company that paid out on LOU, (with endorsements)
I spoke to 2 vets about him prior to purchase
he was v v cheap - I'd say about a fifth of non-LOU value.

I may or may not buy another LOU, I accepted it was quite a high risk, which has paid off. He did compete at BE novice, now competing PC level 4.
 
Whether or not your horse is still able to event doesn't alter the fact that he has had an insurance payout for loss of use. To expect somebody to pay a reasonable amount of money for him because he is still capable might be asking too much. Despite the fact that he still has a usefull life, if somebody did want to event, then getting vet fees insurance on him might be difficult and put people off.

I agree with previous posts that have said advertise him as a good hack/ RC horse and that way, hopefully you wont get somebody who will try and push him too far.

Sorry but you have to make up your mind whether you want a good home or more money for him.
 
I thought LOU horses could not get full insurance covarage? It will be very difficult and put people off.Who wants a horse that cannot be insured?
 
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