Horse Dealers

[-ruby]

Hi, so I'm on the search for a new horse, (*excitement!*) and I'm trying to only go to see horses from private homes as this seems the safest way. However, I am new to the area and do not know of any dodgy dealers that lurk around...
Okay, so I'm in Kent and it seems inventible that I'm going to have to go to some dealers to see horses, who knows, the perfect horse may be there!
So, does anyone know of any dealers in kent to keep well away from, or any decent places that are truthful?
I see Duckhurst Farm coming up a lot in of adverts, what is that place like?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BigRed]

You should take great care whomsoever you buy from, because private sellers will be just as delighted to rip you off as any dealer will. Don't believe anything you are told unless you see it with your own eyes.

 

[-ruby]

I agree. I would never buy a horse without riding it.
In general though, private owners want the best for their horse, and would specify it it needed extra care or bringing on.
Of course you always have to be careful.
Is there anywhere to really stay away from? I hear stories of people buying horses that when they went to try had been ridden for hours before to calm them down.

 

[Kat]

Naming and shaming dealers is against forum rules.

Make sure you get an INDEPENDANT vetting of any horse you consider buying. Ask the seller which vet they use and use a different practice. Ask the vet before you book whether the seller is registered with them and if they are find a different vet.

If a seller tries to get you to use a particular vet RUN AWAY FAST this is almost certainly dodgy.

Be there for the vetting to see that the results with your own eyes.

Post on here if you need recommendations for decent vets in the area.

If you see a freeze mark that is an L in a circle this means loss of use so do not proceed as the horse may well have an illness or injury that makes it unsound, not necessarily for everything but certainly for something.

Take experienced help with you and be suspicious.

 

[-ruby]

Actually just saw the thread about it being against the rules, oops.
Thanks for the information!

 

[Kat]

In general though, private owners want the best for their horse, and would specify it it needed extra care or bringing on.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

of course they do, of course private people never try to sell a horse because it is lame or dangerous or vicious or they can't cope with it, or it has been ruined, or it is sick, do they????????????





And no one is going to name and shame "dodgy dealers" it is against forum rules, stop asking them before you get a warning or a ban.

 

[BigRed]

I am sorry to disillusion you, but I can assure you that many, many private owners simply want to sell their horses to anyone who will pay the money, they will give you a sob story about why they are selling their beloved horse, but the grim reality is that a huge number of private sellers have a horse they cannot cope with and they have no morals whatsoever about passing on their bundle of trouble to someone else. So - as I say, be VERY careful. At least with a reputable dealer, the law is on your side and you have at least half a chance of suing them, whereas a private sale is much hard to get your money back.

 

[Kenzo]

You're better of asking which dealers can be recomended.

You need to be just as careful buying private, least if you buy from a dealer (a good one) you can return the horse should needs be, many dealing yards have great trial facillities, welcome trainers and vettings and have a choice of horses for you to try...all in one place.

 

[-ruby]

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

of course they do, of course private people never try to sell a horse because it is lame or dangerous or vicious or they can't cope with it, or it has been ruined, or it is sick, do they????????????
/QUOTE]

Notice how I said in GENERAL.

 

[ischa]

Ruby , I will pm you of the couple of places I know not to go

 

[-ruby]

You're better of asking which dealers can be recomended.
you can return the horse should needs be, many dealing yards have great trial facillities, welcome trainers and vettings and have a choice of horses for you to try...all in one place.

I do know this, sorry I didn't realise it's against the rules to name and shame dealers. But of course, there are many many decent dealers, though I just thought it would be good if anyone could aware me of any bad ones, which I realise now, is against the rules.

 

[-ruby]

Ruby , I will pm you of the couple of places I know not to go

Thanks.

 

[BBH]

The other safeguard when you find a horse is to do a search on here for any previous info about a seller / dealer or post a thread asking for good and bad feedback. If you do this and see lots of ' i'll pm you' it generally means its bad feedback.

 

[-ruby]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Kat]

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

of course they do, of course private people never try to sell a horse because it is lame or dangerous or vicious or they can't cope with it, or it has been ruined, or it is sick, do they????????????
/QUOTE]

Notice how I said in GENERAL.

I looked at lots of horses in private homes, and saw lots of adverts and a great many weren't for sale by people who genuinely wanted the best for their horse.

There were several that the owner was clearly terrified of but didn't admit it or explain why and would have happily let us get on and try. There were others that, although masquerading as private sellers were actually small time dealers trying to make a profit, and there were the ones that lied and the ones who tried to cover up the horse's faults.

In fact the trouble was that the genuine sellers often changed their minds as they couldn't bear to part with the horse.

Luckily we found a genuine seller, who honestly needed to reduce numbers but was fond of the horse and didn't want to sell at all costs.

Private sellers can be far worse than dealers and you don't have the protection of the sale of goods act. Go into it with your eyes wide open.

 

[Cuffey]

Words of wisdom given to us many many years ago was ''Dont buy from a better rider than you are''
They may make the horse look really easy to ride and you get on after them and the horse goes in the same way
After a couple of weeks it could be a different story.

Also read between the lines:
When we looked before buying Cuffey, one went better for my son than the seller so was well up the list but the seller was very honest and told us it had fallen XC when pushed a 'step too far'' by person she bought it from and was now just used for SJ and Dressage even though it had Eventing points.

 

[VioletStripe]

I know a couple of people who have happily bought from Duckhurst - just take someone experienced with you and use own vet as always! I never went there, but I got my boy at the beginning of summer from Clip Clop and haven't looked back since, he's been absolutely everything she sold him as and I couldn't ask for a better horse. I also went to Prestwood which I found very helpful and honest, just didn't have anything to suit me at that time! Kent Horse Producers has very mixed opinions.. but I know of people who have come out happy, some less so..Always always use your own vet and go with someone experienced when buying though, that's all I can really offer with my experience Happy horse hunting xx

 

[Dancing Queen]

Hi, so I'm on the search for a new horse, (*excitement!*) and I'm trying to only go to see horses from private homes as this seems the safest way. However, I am new to the area and do not know of any dodgy dealers that lurk around...
Okay, so I'm in Kent and it seems inventible that I'm going to have to go to some dealers to see horses, who knows, the perfect horse may be there!
So, does anyone know of any dealers in kent to keep well away from, or any decent places that are truthful?
I see Duckhurst Farm coming up a lot in of adverts, what is that place like?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I know someone that went to DF and was not happy.

 

[Daytona]

I'm the opposite and would only buy from a dealer, never a private sale, as you have zero come back. At least most dealers will swap you if horse turns out not to be for you. If the decent they care about there reputation. They are out to make money off you though but it's their living. Make sure you getting it vetted, but again this is no guarantee , make sure you have full loss of use in insurance for first year or two, as often if something wrong you will see it when horse goes into full work, don't be blinded by what your told , often people ( private and dealers) will tell you what they think you want to hear. There issome good dealers out there passing off nice young horses,don't rule them out without even looking. Use your head and not your heart and hopefully you should end up with a nice horse. Good luck ;-)

 

[Miss L Toe]

Someone mentioned not to use vendors own vet, but other people have suggested it is a good idea because own vet has knowledge of past problems [and current ones!] Vetting rules have recently changed: comments from other posters invited.

 

[w1bbler]

Even dealers with a bad name get good horses through their doors, good dealers get some bad horses. Go everywhere with an open (& suspicious) mind. Most dealers offer some sort of exchange / money back warranty. If your private sale goes wrong you have gone nothing.
My husband went horse shopping last year - private sales were the worst - never seemed to be as described.
We bought from a dealer that a few have said don't touch & the horse has turned out to be fab. (did get a full vetting & a written note of warranty though!!)