Horse hunting - a month on...

FestiveFuzz said:
Sadly I'm on my phone so can't see the ads.
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he is an irish sports horse, 16.1, bay, 11yrs old..supposed to be very safe and sensible, has won all his dressage tests also jumps, I know he is not your preferred breed but he sounds like he could fit the bill. he is in Cambridgeshire which may be too far for you.
 
You could get a very, very good horse for that budget here in Ireland as someone else mentioned. I would not get too hung up on the dressage breeding as it depends on the individual horse and some showing very little in the pedigree can have the most wonderful movement. So judge the horse on his merits in the flesh and only then look at the book. Am including a link for an ad I currently have on H & H as apparently (according to admins) that's allowed!


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ireland/limerick/mungret/quality-irish-horses
 
Charlotte Bayliss, my old livery yard manager has got a lovely Irish Mare for sale well within your budget. She posted on the BSJA site and Hampshire Horse for sale earlier today.
 
Rather than going to look at Irish horses over here I would go to see them in Ireland, before the weeding out has taken place. They have a lot of WB in their breeding now (mores the pity, IMO!) but something still with some Irish in it is likely to be a bit more normal than a dressage raised continental WB. (Again, just MO).
There are horse finder people out there who would take you round.
 
Sounds like you're on the right track tbh, just been a bit unlucky. I looked at about 30 one one search before I found the right one.

Agree that maybe a bit younger might be worth a shot. I did that and found a fab fella last year. But you've got a good budget.

Also think a trip to Ireland or the continent would be a good idea if you're really fed up. Ireland for a good all rounder, northern Europe for a flashier dressage type. I know both areas do both but I think each is best known for their respective types and have a fair few friends who've done similar with success.
 
Have you looked on the british dressage website?.....a friend bought through there recently. She didn't buy the horse advertised in the end but another on the yard.
 
Sorry for the slow replies. I took a night off from all things horses as I was getting a bit stressed about having still not found anything. I know I probably sound like a bit of a negative nelly and a total fusspot but despite that I really do appreciate everyone's suggestions and I am taking everything on-board, honest! :) I do understand those that are saying not to get too hung up on breeds/breeding etc. but after viewing as many horses as I now have, I had to do something to narrow down the search as I'm finding the whole situation pretty demoralising. Which is why I'm looking at horses of a similar breeding to the ones I know I already enjoy riding. I know there are ISH that are just as capable of doing a decent dressage test as a WB, but to me (and this is only my opinion) there are so many more variables and unknowns with an ISH as it seems to be a term bandied about for anything from Ireland these days. My trainer is well versed in WBs and therefore much better placed to advise me on those types, and at this stage I'm welcoming her support and advice with open arms.

Also a quick apology for anyone I've confused with my shift from looking for an eventer type to being more focused on dressage. When I initially began my search at the beginning of the year it was in the hope of finding a sane allrounder that I could mainly focus on schooling, hacking and dressage with but that would also have the experience to help me get back into jumping competitively and therefore I was advised it was best to look at something working around BE100 level but happy to step back down to BE80/90 as it should be able to do a reasonable dressage test, whilst still having the jumping experience. As time has gone on I've realised I'm actually a lot less fussed about jumping and a lot more interested in working on my dressage. Sure I'd still like to do the odd RC clear round or some XC schooling and maybe down the line I may be tempted to do an unaff ODE, but for me at least it makes sense to buy the best possible horse for what I want to do now and worry about what I may want to do in the future once I get there.

Myloubylou said:
any good, don't know the horse but enjoy looking :)
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/s...old.html?link=/search?keyword=Dressage&page=3
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Thanks so much but sadly a bit older than we're looking for now.

sz90168 said:
Charlotte Bayliss, my old livery yard manager has got a lovely Irish Mare for sale well within your budget. She posted on the BSJA site and Hampshire Horse for sale earlier today.
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Is this Bernie? I saw her ad the other day but sadly she's too big. Ideally looking at 16hh tops but have gone up to 16.1 to take into account those with high withers.

Bernster said:
Sounds like you're on the right track tbh, just been a bit unlucky. I looked at about 30 one one search before I found the right one.

Agree that maybe a bit younger might be worth a shot. I did that and found a fab fella last year. But you've got a good budget.

Also think a trip to Ireland or the continent would be a good idea if you're really fed up. Ireland for a good all rounder, northern Europe for a flashier dressage type. I know both areas do both but I think each is best known for their respective types and have a fair few friends who've done similar with success.
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Thanks Bernster, this makes me feel much better. I've always only viewed a handful of horses before buying so to be in double figures and still be empty handed has made me worry I'm being unrealistic in my expectations. Having spoken to my YO at the weekend I'm now pretty confident we're moving in the right direction and that I have enough support around me to consider something younger.

I think I need to remember that even though I may not be the prettiest or most polished rider, I do have over 20 years experience behind me and am a far more confident rider when I know the horse I'm riding...versus just hopping on something to view which has really taken its toll on how confident I currently feel.

YO has sent me over a 5yo to consider who looks lovely, albeit is the absolute top end of my budget...but at this stage I'm tempted to just go with it if I get a good feel from her.

taraj said:
Have you looked on the british dressage website?.....a friend bought through there recently. She didn't buy the horse advertised in the end but another on the yard.
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I do keep popping on there but haven't seen a lot of interest that's within budget sadly.
 
Exactly what I did op, went for a 5yo at the top end of my budget. Not what I set out to find, but he gave me a great feel when I tried him. If they have the paces, attitude and trainability you can get a fab horse, and you can shape him/her how you like ��
 
Bernster said:
Exactly what I did op, went for a 5yo at the top end of my budget. Not what I set out to find, but he gave me a great feel when I tried him. If they have the paces, attitude and trainability you can get a fab horse, and you can shape him/her how you like ��
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It's funny how your requirements adapt the more horses you view. For me, after the failed vettings I'd rather have something low mileage with less chance of already having something wrong with it (although appreciate this doesn't safeguard me in the future). And like you said, as long as the temperament is right you get a fab horse to train and bring on...which is always going to be more rewarding than having something ready made.
 
I think I might know of something suitable but he's 16.2 and a fairly chunky one at that. I was about to ask if S. Wales was too far, but if you're considering Germany then I assume not!

A girl in my riding club is selling him (she does a bit of buying and selling) She brought him to camp (reluctantly as hers was lame, he wasn't exciting enough for her!) He didn't put a foot wrong the whole three days we were there. Laid back but willing. I felt sorry for him as he was a darling and all she did was moan about him! I'll PM you details.
 
annagain said:
I think I might know of something suitable but he's 16.2 and a fairly chunky one at that. I was about to ask if S. Wales was too far, but if you're considering Germany then I assume not!

A girl in my riding club is selling him (she does a bit of buying and selling) She brought him to camp (reluctantly as hers was lame, he wasn't exciting enough for her!) He didn't put a foot wrong the whole three days we were there. Laid back but willing. I felt sorry for him as he was a darling and all she did was moan about him! I'll PM you details.
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Thanks! He looks lovely but he's going to be too big sadly. I'm only 5'5" at a push and don't have particularly long legs so my trainer has said whilst I could ride something bigger, I'll just be making more work for myself if I go for anything bigger than 16hh so we're now looking at smaller horses.

In terms of distance I'll travel to view, Germany and Ireland are an option but only as I will be going to view multiple horses over the course of several days. If a horse truly ticked every box I would travel a fair distance to view just one, but on the whole I'm trying to stick with a 2 hour radius from us.
 
There is a nice experienced horse on the Cleveland Bay Open Forum and also on BD. At 11 years old too old for you but I hope the owner finds a good home for the horse.
 
You need to be prepared to drive more than two hours I would up it to four .
I am 5'5" and 16.1 / 16.2 is perfect for me .
I now understand why your struggling wanting a WB under 16hh is seriously restricting your choice .
 
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Just to say I'm in similar situation to OP and feeling her pain. Am just looking for a happy hacker/pleasure ride/occasional hunting horse, 15hh'ish. Well mannered and not insane.

In the past month I've looked at four:

First was a New Forest, green as fields - only backed last autumn and more of a project that the advert said it was, supposed to "hack alone", it refused point-blank to leave its pairbond in the yard. Owner was asking £2,500. Nice little chap to ride, needed much more work in the school. Several people have viewed it, its still for sale, says it all. A shame coz if the advert had said something like "green" and/or "has potential for bringing on, would do well in any sphere" etc., then I'd have been more accommodating. Luckily this one was local and I'd not travelled any distance to see it. Under-produced and over-priced according to the knowledgeable friend who came with me.

Second was an abnormally croup-high horse, nice temperament, lovely boy, a shame, but the "croup high" was basically a deformity rather than merely a conformation issue, so regrettably I declined him. He would have been LWVTB (owner didn't want a lot for him if he had been sold, just wanted rid basically).

Third was a mare which came on LWVTB. Rode out fine at owners yard, lovely girl, seemed chilled when she arrived here and hacked out solo with me, all would be well I thought, BUT in company turned into an absolute nightmare. Pulled, tossed head, frightened the living *****e out of me, back she went. Advert said she was fine to hack in all situations, nice temperament etc etc., didn't say she pulled or hotted up in company. I've never ridden anything that pulled as badly, the insides of my hands were raw and blistered after only forty minutes on her, total nightmare. I should have realised the running martingale and gag were on her for a reason, silly me......... So back she went and good riddance. Asking price was £2500 for a 13yo which would need a lot of remedial work if she was ever to come good, probably not at that age.

Went to see one yesterday which was advertised as a "family pony". Had been in a riding school, current owner had had it for 3 years and during that time my understanding is that she hadn't ever hacked it out solo, not even once, all that had happened was her kids had crawled all over its back with the occasional ride out with the other pony (pair bond). Nothing else. Wouldn't be caught, was overweight, dangerously so, basically borderline laminitic. Had a horrid piggy eye and disposition to match. Wouldn't hack away from the yard on its own in spite of the owner walking beside it and it wasn't very far before it started napping and starting to do little broncs as a warning sign. (note: I'm used to napping away from the yard on my cob so not like I've not dealt with this issue before - I've sorted my cob, but this was nasty, very nasty, particularly for a so-called "family" pony). So dismounted and handed the reins back to owner and departed. Was on the place barely 30 mins if that, the quickest viewing ever!

All of these adverts were totally deceptive and didn't give any idea of the true situation. To say they were bummed up isn't coming anywhere near it, if people had only been honest you'd know what you were going to see. It isn't only the time and annoyance factor, it is also the fact that sellers are obviously totally disregarding of anyone else's safety TBH. I'm not a novice, and have been around in this wicked world long enough to not believe everything I'm told, but the "family pony" I went to see last night could easily have been bought by a novice, who when they get it home might just have a totally different pony on their hands which they can't handle.

A bit of honesty is all that is asked for.........

I despair sometimes, I really do.

I am looking at adverts for horses now which have NOT got the hype-factor, adverts that are much more low-key, in the hope that someone, somewhere, just actually might have got a decent horse they want to sell.
 
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Goldenstar said:
You need to be prepared to drive more than two hours I would up it to four .
I am 5'5" and 16.1 / 16.2 is perfect for me .
I now understand why your struggling wanting a WB under 16hh is seriously restricting your choice .
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Nope not looking for a WB under 16hh. 16/16.1hh would be perfect but that felt to be narrowing it more than saying 15.2-16.1hh hence we're looking within those parameters. The one I'm riding at the moment is 15.3hh so I know smaller WBs exist.

As for travel, like I said, if the horse ticks all the boxes we'll happily travel further.
 
I would put a wanted advert on horsequest. I sold my last horse that way and brought my current horse. Who was never for sale and if he had been he would of been snapped up very quickly. The owner wanted a good home and liked the wording of my advert. She said she would never of advertised him but just happened to find my ad was the perfect home for him. I was also able to see him numerous times and have him on trial and it was a lot less stressful as know one else was in the running. You will get some unsuitable replies but also a few suitable ones. It's now the only way I'd ever buy. Be prepared to but the advert on a few times as on horsequest after a week the ad is so far down people miss it so needs boosting up to the top again. Good luck :)
 
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