Horse buying anxiety

[I don’t like mondays]

I’ve found a lovely mother daughter share and am getting him vetted. It’s quite a stretch financially (due to current horse prices) but he seems ideal. I had a terrible time of it with my late horse and am now feeling really anxious about buying a horse, worrying and imagining all sorts of issues (my last horse had lots of issues and broke my heart, almost made me bankrupt and affected my mental health at the time). Has anyone else felt like this, is this normal? I’m getting him 5 stage vetted with a decent vet. I just feel so worried and second guessing myself. ETA: I’m not worried about having a horse in my life again (already have younger daughters pony and can’t wait to have 2 again) but I’m worried about something going wrong, questioning my decision making ability etc if that makes sense. Thanks

 

[flying_high]

Yes it is normal especially after bad past experiences. Good luck with vetting and hopefully new horse.

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Yes it is normal especially after bad past experiences. Good luck with vetting and hopefully new horse.

Thank you. I think my past experience has really affected me. If I look at any horse long enough I think it’s lame or in pain!

 

[bouncing_ball]

Thank you. I think my past experience has really affected me. If I look at any horse long enough I think it’s lame or in pain!

Hopefully this will be a long, and trouble free new relationship.

 

[Jellymoon]

I do this every time I buy a horse! And I still have that ‘what have I done’ feeling for the first few weeks of ownership.
It’s a big commitment, lots of money, lots at stake, natural to feel anxious.

 

[SEL]

Completely normal! Every time my new one takes a funny step my heart plummets.

 

[BlackHorseNemo]

I am absolutely the same OP - I get the terrors every time I buy a new one.

The only bonus is that I experience much needed weight loss!

Good Luck - I am sure all will be fine for you.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think it's really normal and natural to feel nervous- but what's the alternative? To never buy a horse for you/your daughter?

As well as getting the horse vetted, I would get bloods done, just in case. I would also make the vet aware of your concerns and hopefully they will be able to reassure you.

It is a risk, and obviously a huge financial outlay, but hopefully you'll have a great new friend to enjoy for years to come!

 

[Hopelessly horsey]

Completely feel your pain! Having purchased what I thought was my dream forever horse who then also broke my heart ( was sold to me with grade 3/4 wobblers)
I was very dubious about buying again but so glad I did, although I went significantly younger this time and had a full vetting with additional neurological exams!

 

[Lady Jane]

Completely normal. I was having a horse on loan so there were no real risks. The morning they were bringing him over I felt so ill I wondered why I was doing this to myself. One year on and he is mine

 

[Fransurrey]

Perfectly normal! Even without issues. For me it was going through the full buying process (never done it before, having bought from friends) and moving onto something so different to what I was used to.

 

[ihatework]

Completely normal.
All I do is tell myself I’m just about to burn £Xk and then if it doesn’t go up in flames it’s a bonus!
Exceed expectations by setting the bar low ?

 

[SEL]

Completely normal.
All I do is tell myself I’m just about to burn £Xk and then if it doesn’t go up in flames it’s a bonus!
Exceed expectations by setting the bar low ?

That's what I did!!

Fortunately because I used my own vet practice to do the 5 stage and they have the history on my existing mob they asked if I'd like their head of practice and lameness specialist to do the vetting to try and put my mind at rest. Has helped ..... but only a little bit!

 

[irishdraft]

Yes I am the same, I'm looking for a new horse having lost one unexpectedly but also had to have my retired mare pts and my hunter retired all in the last 3 years. Especially with the prices so high I'm terrified to make a wrong decision.