Help! -Buying new horse - whall a bit confusing.

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SplashofSoy

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I have recently lost my boy prematurely at 15 following complications from nerve block to remove a tooth, seems to have caused brain damage. Its all been awful, i am a one horse person and he was my best friend, he managed to baffled the equine hospital. He was an odd horse in life and in his death! He was my star although nothing special i am sure to anyone else, standard RC allrounder ex racer, totally safe and looked after you but nothing special (would like to roll a pole, dressage was average etc who i had from 7. He would have been with me till his end but wasn't expecting this so soon so am a bit lost with where i am. I would like to get a new horse but not sure what i should be looking for. Would like to be more competitive than with my old boy but also am realistic that i am far from a great rider and I don't want to be out competing every weekend.

I am not a novice but am not great, Sj up to 1m, BE80, novice dressage, have done a bit of everything (trec, endurance etc) but wouldn't feel comfortable with anything too sharp or with a good buck/rear. My old boy was definitely more the kick along type despite his breeding but i would like my next horse to be a bit more forward thinking but need to find a balance.

Have a budget of no more than £6k. Its all a bit baffling, my old boy came via a friend and was v.cheap having done very little other than hack, he was my first horse. Are prices fixed or do people expect you to make an offer? What sort of ability would you expect for my budget? This horse will be with me for life so would prefer something younger to do lower level affiliated BS/BD/BE. Not after a world beater just something that may win the odd frilly now and again. Must be good to hack alone and company is the only absolute rule as i love to hack as well as compete. Must be over 16.2 as i am 5'10".

Is now the right time to look or wait till next year? Would dealers be a good way to go or private sellers? Have an experienced friend who will come with me but don't want to drag her to loads of horses.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Firstly so sorry to hear you've lost your boy.

I personally prefer to buy private and generally through word of mouth where I can. The majority of sellers expect you to make an offer and tend to advertise at more than they are willing to take (IME)

I'm not sure where in the country you are but it does still seem to be true that you get more for your money up North. You've got a decent budget and there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get what you want for that sort of money.

I would say yes now is the time to look - people struggling with paying additional winter costs are generally looking to sell at this time of year.

I'd say go on your own to first viewings - if you like something then take experienced friend/instructor with you for a second viewing.

I've just had a quick scan of some adverts and found these - all well within your budget!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ight__min=16&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ight__min=16&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ight__min=16&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ight__min=16&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497
 
Thanks Madlady, based in Yorkshire so hopefully being in the north will help! :)

Problem is am not sure what i want, I think i would prefer something that already had a bit about it schooling wise but not sure for £6k what i can reasonably expect it have done especially if i am after the most popular ages of under 10.

Good to know second viewings are possible and i could do a bit of haggling, aware of the post purchase costs, vettings, saddle fitting, tack buying all soon adds up on top of purchase price.
 
Write out your ideal horse description, then put time in for some internet shopping to get an idea of market value. £6K is a decent budget for an all rounder. My vetting cost me £460 but then I did ask my vet to travel for a couple of hours to do it for me.., then petrol, etc. Horse everyone wants is a bay gelding 5 - 8 16.2, with some competition experience and that would be (roughly) 6-8K. If you start to look slightly outside of what everyone wants (so bigger, or a mare) you will find more choice for your money. I bought a bigger horse who was perfect for me and that way he stayed within my budget. I looked at around 10 horses before finding what I wanted in a dealers. Dealer had a good reputation. Google is your friend if you are looking at a dealer, check names and numbers, check "dodgy dealers" on FB. Bit of haggling is expected but not too silly. I would go once myself or with a friend, then back with my trainer. Then vet. Good luck with the search!
 
SplashofSoy said:
Thanks Madlady, based in Yorkshire so hopefully being in the north will help! :)

Problem is am not sure what i want, I think i would prefer something that already had a bit about it schooling wise but not sure for £6k what i can reasonably expect it have done especially if i am after the most popular ages of under 10.

Good to know second viewings are possible and i could do a bit of haggling, aware of the post purchase costs, vettings, saddle fitting, tack buying all soon adds up on top of purchase price.
Click to expand...

I'd say have a good trawl through pre-loved, because it's free lots of people advertise on there. Good luck! I'd also say don't be put off by travelling to view - there are plenty of horse transporters around who are reasonably priced. We've been as far as Devon (from Saddleworth) before now for a childs pony :)
 
Sorry you lost your boy.

I think you have a decent budget for what you want. Now is a good time of year to start looking, take your time and don't be disheartened if it takes a while.

Unless a prospective horse is really close then I would ask for some pictures of the horse stood up naked iykwim, and then a short video of all three paces, preferably unedited, before I would travel any distance :)
 
Sorry to hear you lost your horse under such horrible circumstances.

I think you will get a really lovely horse for much less than your budget if you look carefully and also because of the time of year.
 
I think you have a great budget for what you are looking for. I wanted the same as you, at the same levels ect and I ended up with a nice 4yr old for 2,500 but with your budget you could get more of a schoolmaster. I think if people put ono after their price they are open to offers. I would always ask in my first phone call and I think people expect you to assume an offer is 10% ish less. E.g if someone puts 6,500ono they are probably expecting 6.
Another way is if you see a really nice horse you love that's 7k, you can ring up and say your budget is 6 is that something they would consider. They can always say No.
I bought one horse that was advertised for 5k for 4k and another that was advertised for 3.5k for 2.6k. It's like anything people normally put a higher price because you never know you may get it but realistically they know if they want to sell the market will dictate right price :).
 
So sorry you lost your boy too soon. Have you considered getting an ex.racer from somewhere like theThoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre in Lancashire? Worth giving them a ring as they don't always put all their horses on the website.

I am also going to pm you.
 
Thanks Tammytoo, last boy was an ex racer, genuinely don't think i could have another, have already found myself turned off chestnuts as my boy was orange. Probably stupid but do fancy a change to something different but not sure what.

Had a bit of a scout round but not rushing, still feel worried I will make the wrong choice. Thinking:-
16.2 or over
6-10 yrs old
Any colour (possibly not chestnut as first choice)
Gelding or mare
Forward thinking but not silly - likes to work.
Must hack alone and in company
Preferably with a bit of experience or schooling, i don't want a raw project - In an ideal world would like to get up to (in time) dressage elementary, jump 1m courses well and BE90. Not concerned with winning or championships but being in with a chance of a placing occasionally would be nice. A horse i would enjoy competing which to me is doing a pleasant calm test or a nice clear round even its too slow in the jump off.
No vices
Good to do on ground/good manners
Preferably a good doer - seems daft but last horse was dreadful and although kept a weight it was blinkin hard work and a constant worry.
Decentish conformation - nothing really odd and decent feet would be a pleasant change.

Sounds like an impossible wish list now i write it down.
 
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SplashofSoy said:
Thanks Tammytoo, last boy was an ex racer, genuinely don't think i could have another, have already found myself turned off chestnuts as my boy was orange. Probably stupid but do fancy a change to something different but not sure what.

Had a bit of a scout round but not rushing, still feel worried I will make the wrong choice. Thinking:-
16.2 or over
6-10 yrs old
Any colour (possibly not chestnut as first choice)
Gelding or mare
Forward thinking but not silly - likes to work.
Must hack alone and in company
Preferably with a bit of experience or schooling, i don't want a raw project - In an ideal world would like to get up to (in time) dressage elementary, jump 1m courses well and BE90. Not concerned with winning or championships but being in with a chance of a placing occasionally would be nice. A horse i would enjoy competing which to me is doing a pleasant calm test or a nice clear round even its too slow in the jump off.
No vices
Good to do on ground/good manners
Preferably a good doer - seems daft but last horse was dreadful and although kept a weight it was blinkin hard work and a constant worry.
Decentish conformation - nothing really odd and decent feet would be a pleasant change.

Sounds like an impossible wish list now i write it down.
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound impossible to me. I am sure you will find something within your budget, without too much trouble.
 
If it makes you feel better - your lit isn't impossible I just bought a nice wb mare who ticks all your boxes (and nowhere near 6k) I found her through word of mouth tho
 
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