Honestly so annoyed!

Dealer I bought from, 10% deposit to take off the market before vetting. But arrange vetting (my vet) asap. However the horse was young and had passed a vetting a few weeks earlier when she bought him, so I guess she was confident he should pass.
 
In your position I'd contact a couple of reputable dealers - Chris Dyson sells the type you seem to be looking for, and Sam Walton used to but not sure if shes moved more into sportier types. Tell them what you want and then wait for them to find you one, if they don't already have a suitable horse.

I don't always vet but I certainly would if the dealer seemed reluctant to let me!
Sam's HQ page and ads are a contrast to this dealer too. It says open to vettings, homes will be vetted/references may be taken, and more than one viewing is advisable.

This dealer sounds like they are being incredibly awkward with a serious buyer ready to put down a deposit. I could understand it more if it were about arranging a second viewing. It seems like a silly 'business strategy' (if that's what it is instead of avoiding a vetting) to me because even if this other interested party actually exists they could decide not to buy, you're risking putting off the first buyer by faffing around so then you have no sale at all.

Also agree that if they've been tricky to contact, their after sales is not going to be good if that's how they roll pre-sale!
 
If the horse is over 5k and you want to insure then vetting is often required. If the person who views on Tues also wants the horse but wants a vetting then I presume dealer will still take viewings until the horse is sold without vetting or a vetting could be arranged. It doesn't always take ages to get a vetting done you might have been able to do a vetting on Tues for all the dealer knows.

It is also risky for the dealer as if you view another horse you prefer over the weekend then they might lose your potential sale.

If you want to get a vetting before purchasing which is sensible and maybe a requirement if you want to insure then I would be upfront about this with any seller if you are not already saying this.
I found that when I was looking saying this put some people off and the horses was suddenly no longer suited.

Selling without vetting is preferable as it is quicker and if there is a problem then it is buyer beware. Although dealers do have to return if not fit for purpose within 30 days if you bought and vetted and it failed I am not sure you could return the horse.
 
It does sound odd as usually you pay a deposit to hold until vetting.
Have you searched the dealers name on the dodgy dealers facebook page. It’s usually pretty reliable.
Good luck with today’s viewings.
 
Dealers say they have viewings lined up and don't actually have them. It's same with car dealers. It's to pressure you.

Even if they had a viewing lined up they might not turn up. Avoid if I were you.
 
Weve been looking for a horse since January, our budget isn’t huge but realistic.

Weve travelled to France, wales and all over to view. Pretty much all not been as advertised or just not clicked.

Until yesterday. We viewed a 15.2 cob who my daughter fell in love with. He has personality, forward going and they seemed to really get on with each other.

I messaged the dealer and asked if I could deposit and get him vetted. She replied that she doesn’t know how long it would take to get vetted due to the long weekend and she has someone viewing him Tuesday…

So i asked again, could we at least put a deposit down? Iv had no reply.

She wasn’t at the viewing, it was a couple of young girls.

I’m so annoyed and upset for my daughter. She’s worked hard and saved every penny, we had to retire our girl in December.
So a couple of questions … how old is the horse and how much are they asking ?
 
So…

Viewed two today. Both Irish sport horses!

One 15.2 and one 16.1. We may have put a deposit down on the 16.1!

Daughter fell off her going over a jump, completely her fault and I think that made her love her.

She’s so beautiful, 16 years old and absolutely school mistress.

Getting her vetted this week 🙏
 
Weve been looking for a horse since January, our budget isn’t huge but realistic.

Weve travelled to France, wales and all over to view. Pretty much all not been as advertised or just not clicked.

Until yesterday. We viewed a 15.2 cob who my daughter fell in love with. He has personality, forward going and they seemed to really get on with each other.

I messaged the dealer and asked if I could deposit and get him vetted. She replied that she doesn’t know how long it would take to get vetted due to the long weekend and she has someone viewing him Tuesday…

So i asked again, could we at least put a deposit down? Iv had no reply.

She wasn’t at the viewing, it was a couple of young girls.

I’m so annoyed and upset for my daughter. She’s worked hard and saved every penny, we had to retire our girl in December.
You may have had a lucky escape!
Good luck
 
What ever you are viewing and wanting to buy whether it's a horse, motorbike, car, house or anything just don't be too eager. It's hard to hide your body language I know when you really want something but certain people out there see it as a weakness and play on it trying to make you panic buy. Stay calm and non committed, almost not interested. They show their true colours then if they are dodgy. I hope this one isn't and you find your dream horse, good luck, Oz
 
Weve been looking for a horse since January, our budget isn’t huge but realistic.

Weve travelled to France, wales and all over to view. Pretty much all not been as advertised or just not clicked.

Until yesterday. We viewed a 15.2 cob who my daughter fell in love with. He has personality, forward going and they seemed to really get on with each other.

I messaged the dealer and asked if I could deposit and get him vetted. She replied that she doesn’t know how long it would take to get vetted due to the long weekend and she has someone viewing him Tuesday…

So i asked again, could we at least put a deposit down? Iv had no reply.

She wasn’t at the viewing, it was a couple of young girls.

I’m so annoyed and upset for my daughter. She’s worked hard and saved every penny, we had to retire our girl in December.
walk away, anyone who uses two young girls to show you a horse, reg flag, anyone who wants to avoid a vetting....red flag.....any dealer who puts off a vetting for any reason, run!
 
it’s vetting day! So anxious.

She’s 16 so I’m assuming she might be a little stiff? Would you still buy if she failed on something minor?

Argh!
Yes - I bought a 13yo who failed flexions due to arthritis.
Had the best few years of my life with that horse, eventing affiliated at a level I could only of dreamed of! Still have him, at 27 years old and a semi-retired happy hacker.

I wouldn’t expect a 16yo to fly through a vetting without any maintenance issues to be honest. I’d be vetting more to get an idea about what I’m dealing with and how to manage it.
 
it’s vetting day! So anxious.

She’s 16 so I’m assuming she might be a little stiff? Would you still buy if she failed on something minor?

Argh!
depends, I had 15yr old pony vetted that had literally nothing come up, the vet was amazed!

Our current 14yr old pony had a dodgy flexion on one leg and they essentially wouldn't be fit for intended use, so essentially a 'fail'. We bought her anyway and has been fab. She does now have arthritis in hocks we've since found out with xrays... and is now medicated, but still flying round a course of jumps and being an brilliant PC pony. So even if she 'fails' it wouldn't put me off.
 
Sounds like a vetting dodge. Best thing to do is decide it wasn’t meant to be.

There are very few reasons as to why anyone sells a good, sound horse.
 
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