Horse buying madness? Long!

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Lulup

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I have been looking, for some time, for a nice young Irish event/sj type and seem to have experienced many of the situations (maybe that should read 'pitfalls') likely to occur. Having had several unfortunate purchases that, despite passing 5 stage vetting, have turned out to have career ending health issues (kissing spine and another with various serious issues) I sometimes doubt that sound, straightforward horses genuinely exist! The best horse I ever had (now retired) came from Vere Phillips and was wonderful but i cannot afford a return visit so have been scouring the usual uk websites and also a few Irish ones. I found a really smart sounding 5 year old a few weeks ago - I loved the breeding and it sounded like it would really fit the bill - but, it was 300 miles away and after chatting to the owner (all sounded really positive) and requesting more info, the videos were not inspiring enough (considering the price tag) to persuade me that it was worth the weekend away/cost of hotel/hassle of arranging horse/dog sitters etc. So this evening I received a text from the owner saying that it hasn't sold and she would drop the price - the following conversation resulted in her assuring me that the videos don't do it justice and she would discuss the possibility of a trial.. now this is obviously quite rare, and for me, very appealing! I hate trying horses generally - don't really like jumping horses I don't know and do not like the pressure (especially with private owners) if you are not overly impressed with their pride and joy! So what do I do..
A) have it vetted first - if it passes then have delivered unseen for trial
B) have it vetted - if it passes then make the journey, with lorry, and try it then , all being well, bring home for trial
C) do it the conventional way - go and try it then arrange vetting / transport if I like it

Sorry to be so indecisive - it's just that I'm tempted to get it vetted first (saves whole process of travelling/trying/arranging purchase only to have it vetted and find it's lame/blind/more senile than me 😝). I think I'm just so fed up with the whole process that the idea of a beautifully bred, already vetted, pretty young horse turning up for a weeks trial at my yard with lessons from my own trainers etc is colouring my judgement!
 
Surely she can do some decent videos of it before you go all that way? Seems like she is a bit desperate if she's considering a trial. There's no way I'd allow a trial of any of mine off my yard, and I am a lot nearer to you than she is!
 
Whilst I'm possibly more relaxed about trialling horses than some might be, there is no way I'd trial a horse to a complete stranger unseen.

Anyone that would do that can't think much of the horse and for that reason I'd walk away.

If you are going to consider a weekend away horse hunting I can put you in touch with an Irish agent who can show you a few and will pick you up from airport and drive you around. He takes his comission from the seller, not the buyer
 
Well I think she does need to sell asap and I suppose it's a way of encouraging a sale - I've seen the same adverts reappearing several times over the last few months so I don't think the spring 'boost' has kicked in yet and probably even harder if you're located that far out..
I know a trial is really rare but as a purchaser it's a very reassuring sign that the seller has confidence in the horses behaviour/ability? It is of course possible that she is just a dreamer and the horse is without any talent?!!
 
Lulup said:
Well I think she does need to sell asap and I suppose it's a way of encouraging a sale - I've seen the same adverts reappearing several times over the last few months so I don't think the spring 'boost' has kicked in yet and probably even harder if you're located that far out..
I know a trial is really rare but as a purchaser it's a very reassuring sign that the seller has confidence in the horses behaviour/ability? It is of course possible that she is just a dreamer and the horse is without any talent?!!
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I would ask for some more video footage before you go ahead just to make sure you like what you see! If that's the case and if it health issues that are the big worry for you get it vetted and then get it on trial if it passes. Ok it does look desperate from the seller giving you this option but equally as you say would appear she also has less to hide as you will find it all out during the trial. Just make sure there are some sound written agreements on the terms of the trial before you go ahead!
 
Thanks RSW and in the sellers defence, I have offered her references from vet and trainers - it's not like she's just offering to pack the horse off without a care. If I could find anything suitable more locally then I would of course prefer to go and see it in the flesh but the hours and money spent travelling miles to look at horses completely misdescribed or that subsequently fail the vet does start to become depressing so this scenario does have its merits!
 
I think I would find someone local to the horse, if you give a vague area someone on here may offer, and ask them to give an assessment, possibly do a video and see what they think, it would be a cheaper option than vetting to pass, or fail, to get it home and for some reason find something about it you would have picked up if you had seen it, also easier than arranging a weekend away, it may not work but the right person can at least give you an unbiased opinion if you give them a good description of what you require.
 
There is a horse you like the sound of on paper that's within your budget? I have no idea why you wouldn't just go and see it? I wouldn't go to the expense of vetting it or having it transported 300 miles for a trial ( and back if unsuitable) if I hadn't set eyes on it, you might not be able to ride one side of it. You obviously were not impressed enough by the videos she has sent you because otherwise you would have gone straight away in case someone else snapped her up I would have thought, regardless of the distance. I can't believe the seller would pack her horse off on trial without ever meeting you, so irresponsible. If you wouldn't bother travelling to see the horse I personally couldn't imagine sending the horse off to you, that's just nuts!
 
I wouldn't go the expense of a vet & the hassle of a trial without trying the horse. Not a chance.
What happens if something happens to the horse whilst it is with you, one way ticket to a difficult legal wrangle IMO.
Also surely the cost & hassle of finding a good vet to vet it, have it transported (& then possibly back again if no good) is far less than travelling up, staying in a cheap travel lodge & back again.
I'm always dubious of a seller claiming 'the videos don't do the horse justice'. If you want to sell a horse get videos that DO the horse justice [sigh]

Personally I would have a look & see if there are any reputable dealers/other horses that might fit the bill on the journey, then have a road trip. Try the horse & make a decision from there.
All this talk of vettings, trials unseen seems too faffy to ever work.
 
I would either ask for some more videos or go and view - 300 miles is not too far for the right horse.

I might try and arrange one or two others in the same area if possible.

Don't loose heart, they are out there - we are looking at the moment so I know where you are coming from.

Don't know what your budget is or your criteria - Avonmill have a couple of super types at the moment, or IrishGal on here could source you one direct from Ireland?
 
I would see if I could find a reputable (uninvolved) person local to the horse to go and have a look on your behalf - even if you have to pay a small fee.

Surely someone on HHO would know of a reputable trainer/instructor in the area who may be able to help?
 
Unless you have a bonkers list of requirements and a mismatched budget, I really think you will find something closer that's suitable. I know there are lots of unsuitable horses out there, and it can be depressing when you're not having any luck, but there is more than 1 horse for you and I'm damn sure there are some nearer than 300 miles :-) I'd keep looking and check your list and budget to make sure it seems feasible.
 
Is she a dealer? My friend bought a horse from a dealer who offered her it on trial unseen. She then vetted it while she had it and bought it. My friend is a well known horse trainer with a good reputation, although this dealer did not know her personally. Perhaps if she is a dealer and she knows of you by reputation this could be why she is offering a trial.

Just be sure of the terms ie is she insured by the owner while on the trial etc

Maybe someone local on here would go and get decent vids for you.
 
madlady said:
I would see if I could find a reputable (uninvolved) person local to the horse to go and have a look on your behalf - even if you have to pay a small fee.

Surely someone on HHO would know of a reputable trainer/instructor in the area who may be able to help?
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I agree with this I would hire someone local to try the horse and give you feedback, also sending you video of whatever it is you want to see, most instructors/riders aren't more than about £40per hour so I guess you would only need 2 hours of their time max?
 
We had someone travel from Newcastle to Falmouth, 454 miles to view our horse. They left at 4 am, got to us about midday, tried him in the school, sj & xc, all in all about 2 hrs. I had told them everything I could and said I was happy for them to speak to our vets. They bought him and him collected by a transporter a week later.
300 miles, half a days travelling? If you really like the sound of the horse it could be 300 miles worth travelling?
 
Thank you for all your replies - I have slept on it and regained a little sense.
300 miles is not too far to travel for the right horse - I fully intended to go and try it until I saw the video and wasn't 'wow'd' but the breeding and description were very appealing (Shannondale Sarco X Ghareeb mare - straightforward/bold/brave 5yo) so the possibility of a trial was quite tempting. However, I have asked for a few points to be clarified and all being well I will make the trek - and if possible find a few others in that direction (north east if anyone has any suggestions!).
 
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