Horse buying dilemma (Long)

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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What would you do?

I have mentioned on here that I am looking for a new horse and yesterday I went to look at one on a dealers yard. The dealer seemed fair and the horse I went to see was what it was billed as (A green 4 year old that has hacked out and is beautifully marked (coloured cob). I got on with him and he was fine in all ways as far as I could see...

As I was putting him back in the box another horse (colooured cob) cantered across the field towards me and I just instinctively said 'OOOO I like that!' (I know not something you should say when you want to negotiate...)

I was told that he was 6 and had been schooled and had done ODE at RC about 1m courses and would I like to try him.

I said yes so they dragged him out of the field and I had a look at him (Clean limbs etc)

I got on him and rode in the arena. He did everything he asked and even popped a flying change on the diaganol when asked...

I fell in love...

Here's the dilema - The horse I went to see was 2,500 and my budget was 3,500 -- seemed like a good situation. The second horse was 4,500 but obviously had more miles on the clock... Would you

a) go for the first - and buy a saddle straight away

or

b) take all the saddles I've collected over the years (I have 3 different dressage saddles, a GP and a working hunter saddle in a range of sizes from medium to wide) to try on the second horse in the hope that I can justify the extra money to myself...???

or

c) never eat again for the next 6 months and buy the second one and the saddle...??

or

d) Wait some more and find the perfect pony at a cheaper price...??

Ho hum... decisions decisions. Am going to look at them both again on Friday.

Thanks in advance

Blitz
 
Tell the dealer that you like the older one but he is aware of your budget being £2500. You have done your sums and for that horse you could stretch to £3000, then ask him if he can do a deal.

Negotiate up to £3500.

I bet the dealer could do £4000. And you could part ex all those saddles if they don't fit to save you some money.
 
It depends what you want to do. Do you want to take on a youngster, and put some groundwork in, or would you rather have something that you can get on and do more with? Have a think. Ride them both again. Perhaps take someone with you? Have another think, then decide. Things are not selling overly well at the moment, so don't rush, and don't be afraid to haggle..x
 
I would go for the one i fell in love with and sell all my other saddles to get the money for a nice new one for my new horsey that i just couldnt leave behind. If you dont you will regret missing out if you really have fallen in love.
 
Green 4yo may or may not come on to be the perfect one. In the interim you will invest time, money and emotion into it.

6yo you have more of an idea if this horse will be the right one for you long term.

Take your saddles, try the horse a second time, and if you still like try and get for 4K.

At the end of the day that is only £500 over budget which in the grand scheme of horse ownership is not a great deal. Even if your saddles don't fit, you can sell them and replace with one that does.
 
Assuming you are wanting to hack, ask to hack both. You might feel differently after that.

I'd agree with trying to get dealer down. You went to view a £2.5k horse, £4k should be a realistic offer for the 6 yr old.
 
Can't sell all the saddles as 3 of them belong to my other boys... but I am liking the idea of negotiating the price down... bit cr*p at that kind of thing but I'll take my dad... he's a farmer and is great at it... after all to him it's just a lump of meat!:eek:

Blitz
 
4.5k is a lot of money for a RC horse in todays economic climate. I bet you anything that the dealer doesn't expect to get anywhere near that price for the coloured. The fact that you went 'ooooh' put at least 1.5 on top of what he was originally after for him. Tell him you only have 3 to spend, flutter your eyelashes and see how you get on. Bet you get him for 3.3
Take the saddles over with you anyway to see if any of them fit him. If they don't then just flog them to pay for a new one and you have saved tons of money, AND have the horse of your dreams :D
 
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Call the dealer and tell him that you have fallen for the second horse but that your budget does not stretch to £4500. Be honest and up front, they know what you have as you would, I presume, have discussed it. Ask if you can go and view the horse again for £3500 which is your maximum and see what they say...if you don't ask then you don't get!
 
Yes £4500 is way too much for a 6yr cob old in this market. I would personally think £3000-3500 is quite enough.. Definately take someone who can barter with you.

To give you some price ideas..

I just sold a pony that I was offered £1500 for last year for £850 after it had been for sale for a month.

My friend is selling her 8yr old lovely cobxhunter jumping-machine mare that has won everything at RC level and done the RC champs for XC, and nobody has even rung up at £5000!

The same friend bought a fit, well bred eventer with points from Ollie Townend for £7k...

I paid £3k for a cavalier royale 16.2 5yr old that was green but talented - and that was two years ago, while the market was good...
 
I think I need Honey08 to go horse shopping for me. I've seen 2 cobs at £3.5. neither inspired to be diplomatic.

I've yet to see anything i liked/enjoyed riding for under £4K.
 
Thanks for the replies (Ice lollies and magnums (champagne or chocolate all up to you) all round...

NOw all I have to do is convince hubby £500 isn't a lot of money...:confused:

Blitz
 
Blitz, your budget is £3500, right? So why do you need another £500? Come on girl, be assertive, pick up the phone to the dealer and explain your predicament :D
 
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