Help! Still looking for a new horse

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Beth88

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I've been trying to find a suitable and sound horse for more than a year! I did buy a horse in March from someone who sells horses as a business. The horse was not as described, and had to go. It's really out of desperation born of hundreds of miles travelled, at great expense, to see unsuitable horses, that I'm asking here if anyone knows of a horse for me. Firstly, I live near Reading in the Southeast, so I want to keep the distance travelled to see a horse to no more than 60 miles. I'm looking for a horse that's 15'3 - 16'1 and from 7-12 years old. I want to hunt, do hunter trials, and showjump to 1.10. The horse should be absolutely safe, sensible and sound (!!). Ideally it will have hunted. I am an experienced rider having showjumped to 1.25. I now want an easy life with a kind horse I adore. I have had to retire my 23 yo who I've owned for 15 years. He is a saint, and I wouldn't have sold him for any price, ever. So, basically I think I'm looking for the horse no one wants to sell! I offer a superb home with 5* care and accommodation in case anyone knows of a horse for me.
 
Beth88 said:
I've been trying to find a suitable and sound horse for more than a year! I did buy a horse in March from someone who sells horses as a business. The horse was not as described, and had to go. It's really out of desperation born of hundreds of miles travelled, at great expense, to see unsuitable horses, that I'm asking here if anyone knows of a horse for me. Firstly, I live near Reading in the Southeast, so I want to keep the distance travelled to see a horse to no more than 60 miles. I'm looking for a horse that's 15'3 - 16'1 and from 7-12 years old. I want to hunt, do hunter trials, and showjump to 1.10. The horse should be absolutely safe, sensible and sound (!!). Ideally it will have hunted. I am an experienced rider having showjumped to 1.25. I now want an easy life with a kind horse I adore. I have had to retire my 23 yo who I've owned for 15 years. He is a saint, and I wouldn't have sold him for any price, ever. So, basically I think I'm looking for the horse no one wants to sell! I offer a superb home with 5* care and accommodation in case anyone knows of a horse for me.
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I think there are horses out there, especially if you are prepared to travel. That said I think all of mine have been bought from within around 60 miles even if I looked further afield. It all comes down to matching your expectations with your budget available though. Are you being realistic with what you want to get compared with what you want to pay?
 
Don't despair, I have found lots more horses falling into my original budget now and I have finally bought one after looking all summer! I kind of wonder why I bothered looking in summer to be honest as if I had found one it would have been much more expensive and not half as nice as what I bought!
 
nikicb said:
I think there are horses out there, especially if you are prepared to travel. That said I think all of mine have been bought from within around 60 miles even if I looked further afield. It all comes down to matching your expectations with your budget available though. Are you being realistic with what you want to get compared with what you want to pay?
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Agree this.We had a hefty horse buying summer and it got frustrating at times.My wife knew what she wanted and what it would cost,bought the first horse she saw !
I'm less experienced,wasted time looking at horses that were too cheap,and got fed up with travelling to private sellers.
I raised my budget and went to a knowledgeable and reputable dealer.She had the right horse for me at an acceptable price.
The point I'm trying to make is that the paragon of virtue you describe in your post is out there,but it won't be cheap.Buying from a professional with a reputation to protect worked for me !
 
DotesonCluny said:
Agree this.We had a hefty horse buying summer and it got frustrating at times.My wife knew what she wanted and what it would cost,bought the first horse she saw !
I'm less experienced,wasted time looking at horses that were too cheap,and got fed up with travelling to private sellers.
I raised my budget and went to a knowledgeable and reputable dealer.She had the right horse for me at an acceptable price.
The point I'm trying to make is that the paragon of virtue you describe in your post is out there,but it won't be cheap.Buying from a professional with a reputation to protect worked for me !
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I appreciate your reply, but having been absolutely ripped off by a crooked dealer, I prefer to buy privately. I have a strong budget, but like you, I've seen a lot of cheap horses. Hopefully something will come from this post...
 
mandwhy said:
Don't despair, I have found lots more horses falling into my original budget now and I have finally bought one after looking all summer! I kind of wonder why I bothered looking in summer to be honest as if I had found one it would have been much more expensive and not half as nice as what I bought!
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Thanks for the kind words of hope! Unfortunately this is the time of year when hunter's prices increase. Still, I'd pay just about anything for the right horse!
 
Beth88 said:
I appreciate your reply, but having been absolutely ripped off by a crooked dealer, I prefer to buy privately. I have a strong budget, but like you, I've seen a lot of cheap horses. Hopefully something will come from this post...
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Beth88 said:
Thanks for the kind words of hope! Unfortunately this is the time of year when hunter's prices increase. Still, I'd pay just about anything for the right horse!
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Have you tried posting a wanted ad? I posted one in Horsequest when I was looking for my recent purchase and had loads of excellent responses. In the meantime I had a bit of a trawl of Horsequest and the PC website for you and came up with a few ideas..... hope they help. :)

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=46104

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=61472

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=58300

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=60901

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=60079

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/kwpn-superb-all-rounder/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/fantastic-all-round-competition-horse/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/excellent-dressagesjrc-horse/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/quality-event-horse-5-be-points/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/eventing-schoolmistress/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/super-safe-sensible-allrounder/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/16hh-dapple-grey-gelding-all-rounder/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/16-2hh-6yr-old-irish-gelding/

http://classified.pcuk.org/details/for-sale-grey-ish-mare/
 
Thank-you so much! There are several horses you supplied links to that I will enquire about. I never thought to look on the Pony Club site - good idea!
 
If you want to travel for a horse I know one which would be ideal.
What I did was spent a weekend travelling around Scotland staying in a nice b+b and made a holiday of it :)
 
Hi. Going to look at the 'eventing schoolmistress' Tuesday that you sent me the link to. One of the horses you sent that I wanted to see has been sold. Probably 2 more to see after this one. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again : )
 
Speaking of reputable dealers, can anyone recommend any in the West Country or not too far? I don't mind travelling a bit. Has anyone bought form All Irish Horses in Glos (near Hartpury) or Victri Sports Horses in Hants?
 
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