Horse hunting - a month on...

FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

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So it's been a month since the "failed" vetting and still I don't feel any closer to find the right horse. Since Elvis we've been out viewing every weekend and at times in the evenings too. Most haven't been as advertised, either having known issues that aren't disclosed until I view (sarcoids/tendon issues/general soundness issues) or have had quirks that happen to slip their mind until I'm on board (prone to spin/rears/broncs). Of the few that have been as advertised there have been none that were very memorable. I'm honestly beginning to feel I'm being unrealistic in what I'm looking for and the budget I have (soon to be £8k) as I can't see why else I'm struggling so much.

Having spoken with my YO/trainer we've decided to look at smaller (15.2-16.1hh), younger (5yo+) horses as we know anything established at Elementary/Medium won't be in my price bracket and I'm in the fortunate position whereby I have a lot of experienced support around me to help bring something greener on. Ideally I'm looking at some of the more laid-back WB types as I don't want anything known to be too sharp or likely to hot up, but I'm not ruling out other types/breeds if they tick the box. I've actually got to the point where I'm considering taking a trip to Germany to view horses now as I can't seem to find anything that fits the bill in the UK.

I know the general rule of thumb when horse hunting is not to narrow your search too much, but after viewing so many unsuitables now it's the only way I can see myself avoiding wasting the sellers time and mine. I'm just feeling so disheartened about the whole horse hunt now :(
 
Actually I was reading your post and thinking you do need to narrow your search / weed them out before viewing. I've never viewed many horses and found what I wanted within a few viewings. Too many disappointments would drag you down for sure.
 
I'm looking but have found very few to even look at. I m after a safe sensible mum daughter share smaller budget of£5000 and they are like hens teeth. Most sell without coming to ad or sell next day so keep losing out. Think I may look for something younger and greener as will have help at hand as long as temperament is good and basics are right...never thought it would be so hard ever.
 
FfionWinnie said:
Actually I was reading your post and thinking you do need to narrow your search / weed them out before viewing. I've never viewed many horses and found what I wanted within a few viewings. Too many disappointments would drag you down for sure.
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Ha I have a list a mile long of things that I now ask and won't view anything I haven't seen a decent video of (W/T/C on both reins without editing out transitions etc.). I've actually written up a wish list (which goes as far as to detail my ideal breeding) but I feel that's maybe narrowing the search a tad too much. I've always bought within the first couple of horses I've viewed so struggling to find something is a bit alien to me, but then again I've never had this much money to spend on a horse which is perhaps why I'm being so fussy about it.
 
debsflo said:
I'm looking but have found very few to even look at. I m after a safe sensible mum daughter share smaller budget of£5000 and they are like hens teeth. Most sell without coming to ad or sell next day so keep losing out. Think I may look for something younger and greener as will have help at hand as long as temperament is good and basics are right...never thought it would be so hard ever.
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I know what you mean...even with upping my budget I'm finding it incredibly tough to find anything I want to view, let alone buy! When I sold H it was with the idea that I wanted to buy something older that had "been there and got the tshirt", but like you say they just get snapped up so quickly or don't even get advertised at all. The last one I got excited about, I then received a text message at 1.30am to say they'd just that very moment taken a deposit unseen and I wouldn't be able to view her in the morning as planned. It's just such a nightmare, although admittedly it is nice to know I'm not alone.
 
Have you been looking mainly privately?

In your shoes I would go to a dealer which specialises in what you want, and if they don't have something in to suit then ask them to source something for you. Much better approach than trekking all over the country looking at ones that aren't as described.
 
ROMANY 1959 said:
Why not do a wanted add in horse and hound, let them come to you with what they are selling... Then you can weed them out from there.
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My experience of wanted ads is that people will try to fit their horse into your criteria even if wholly unsuitable. Last time I actually had someone arguing that their 14.2 would be absolutely fine for me as I'm not that tall and when I explained I didn't think she'd suit as I didn't want something with pony strides I was told she had a pony body on horse legs!
 
xspiralx said:
Have you been looking mainly privately?

In your shoes I would go to a dealer which specialises in what you want, and if they don't have something in to suit then ask them to source something for you. Much better approach than trekking all over the country looking at ones that aren't as described.
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I've tried both. In an ideal world I'm looking for a small German WB which seem few and far between particularly when you throw in the fact I don't want something too sharp. Frustratingly I know what I want is out there as I'm currently riding one, just sadly they'll never be for sale. My YO is currently speaking to her contacts to see if we can find something direct from a breeder.
 
Pennine View Stud have 2x 4 yo Mares. Very chilled, Ramiro Z lines. Both will make stunning dressage or event horses as have great paces and temperaments to die for. A bit younger but may save a trip to Germany.
 
Batgirl said:
Pennine View Stud have 2x 4 yo Mares. Very chilled, Ramiro Z lines. Both will make stunning dressage or event horses as have great paces and temperaments to die for. A bit younger but may save a trip to Germany.
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Thanks Batgirl! My trainer has said the youngest I should look at is 5yo but I'll take a sneak peek anyway as if they tick every other box I'm sure it'd be fine.
 
There is a grace ashby selling a 166cm 10yr old warmblood on surrey horse and pony tonight who looks like he might suit, looks like hes mostly sj but has done dressage too. Im not connected in anyway and dont know the horse but thought id pass the details on.
 
Which dealers have you been too? How old do you want the horse to be and how much schooling does it need to have had?
 
bollybop said:
Which dealers have you been too? How old do you want the horse to be and how much schooling does it need to have had?
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Rather not name names on the dealer front but am looking for 5yo+, relatively balanced in all paces and capable of doing a basic prelim test. Happy to work on the rest but temperament is paramount.
 
chaps89 said:
There is a grace ashby selling a 166cm 10yr old warmblood on surrey horse and pony tonight who looks like he might suit, looks like hes mostly sj but has done dressage too. Im not connected in anyway and dont know the horse but thought id pass the details on.
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Thanks Chaps89 but I can't see the ad. Could you PM me the link please?
 
not sure if this is too old. but how about the ad over there >>>>>>for ultimate schoolmaster..he looks like a nice sensible sort and is £6000
 
ive got wanted ads out too ,spent the afternoon ringing a few dealers in the hope i can try a few at the weekend but its a lot of travelling and a bit disheartening...
 
Debsflo look at the Cleveland Bay Open Forum FB page. There have been a few well mannered, well bred pure and part-bred Cleveland Bays for sale recently. They are not all giants, my first two mares were 15.2hh and 15.3hh, I currently have 4 mares between 15.3hh-16.1hh. The ones for sale would be within your budget.
 
Have you tried Kim at Kimba Stud? Mainly show jumpers but I have just got a lovely 5 year old off her and she has a lot of nice ones in that could go on and do dressage. You won't get a posh vid etc but she will be honest with what they are. I didn't know what I was looking at when I went but the first horse I tried there is the one I ended up buying, afterward she said she was the first to spring to mind when she knew what I was looking for.
Just thinking outside the box a bit...
 
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