Horse market at present

midnight Legend said:
I don’t think a cheap horse exists anymore unless you willing to take a gamble on a young horse.
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Unfortunately, I don't have much of a budget simply because a) i wasn't expecting to be pony hunting 😕, and b) my total vets bills for my little shetland came to circa £2k.

I'll be honest and say that i have thought that if I can't find a friend for Bo, it might be better to sell him to someone who can, but that would honestly break me.

I have looked at youngsters, but the only cheaper ones are colts. I was also offered a weanling, as in she was weaned this week! Tempting as she was was adorable, but tiny babies need more than one 9 year old gelding!
 
southerncomfort said:
I'm currently searching for a companion pony after losing my little mini shetland.

I'm finding it just as difficult, if not worse, than looking for a ridden pony.

People have a very strange idea of what their old, broken, completely wild, or rescued pony is worth.

There seems to be very few shetland mares looking for homes at the moment. Its a bit of a bad time to look as the market is flooded with just weaned foals, about 75% of which seem to be colts.

I'm having to consider a colt but its getting a bit late in the year for gelding as we are approaching mud season!

A bit worried as my borrowed pony is going home next week, and my boy is not good on his own.
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Whereabouts are you? I know someone with well behaved ex polo ponies for loan as companions/light ridden...I've had a couple as emergency companions, and they've been wonderful. Unexpectedly tough!
 
southerncomfort said:
I'm currently searching for a companion pony after losing my little mini shetland.

I'm finding it just as difficult, if not worse, than looking for a ridden pony.

People have a very strange idea of what their old, broken, completely wild, or rescued pony is worth.

There seems to be very few shetland mares looking for homes at the moment. Its a bit of a bad time to look as the market is flooded with just weaned foals, about 75% of which seem to be colts.

I'm having to consider a colt but its getting a bit late in the year for gelding as we are approaching mud season!

A bit worried as my borrowed pony is going home next week, and my boy is not good on his own.
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There's a Facebook group 'companion loan homes for semi retired retired injured elderly horses uk'. It might be worth a look, I loaned my Shetland out to a lady I met on there.
 
I wanted something basic for the kids and got tired of seeing old/lame horses on facebook for 4/5k. I noticed that half of the dealers were just selling what they had bought at auction the week before for 3x the price. So I cut out in the middle person and bought at auction, as long as you have a clear vision of what you want and health issues, lameness issues to look out for it is possible to find something on a budget. Bare in mind actioneers fees.
There are usually a good mix of ponies, not the horror show people speak of. There are vets, farriers on site, and unsound will usually be sold as seen as stated in the catalogue. You have a certain amount of time to return if the horse is not as described.
Honest owners will declare problems, and will have a good chat about the horses history, and will let you ride them if you take a hat.
You can get get into the pens And pick up their feet etc.
 
Jenko109 said:
It's terrifying.

It's just so much money to spend with the associated risks that come with buying horses.

I think if I was buying now, I would get myself a 3yo. Spend a year bonding and getting to know him. Then send him off to be done professionally for a few months.

It hurts me. My current horse (out on loan) was advertised at just 3.5k about 10 years ago. A 15.2hh all-rounder, confidence giver over fences, does a nice dressage test, hacks alone and in company, competed up to 3ft successfully. Perfect for child coming off ponies or mother/daughter share type.

I swear they don't make them like him anymore.
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They do I bought one last year … he was young but he is the most unspoilt yet forward horse I’ve ever met… he’s an absolute dream boat, jumps 3ft with ease and hacks on the buckle as long as you don’t mind the odd jog… we are working towards novice dressage but his half steps are coming along in hand cos he kept offering them up… they exist you just have to know a unicorn when you see it … and I think that is the problem these days people who are looking don’t always recognise what is in front of them
 
Just a comment on Broadhi Stables as I know it has been a topic of conversation on this thread. I know 2 people who have trialled from this dealer.
1 was a cob, bought for working livery in a riding school. He's lovely - now used a lot - however it took lots to get there. He passes his trial with flying colours however when the vetting came about he came back lame (i believe through a problem in his back). The owner wanted to buy the horse regardless and said that if she lowers the price of the horse then she will take him and get him sound. Lynne insisted on a 2nd vetting by a different vet of which the owner had to pay for and when they came back and to nobodys surprise said the horse was lame - she was incredibly difficult about reducing the price. Whole process took months.
2nd pony was put on trial for the same riding school. Pony was advertised as suitable for a riding school, however when on trial it bolted with the potential new owner multiple times. Yard owner hopped on board and bolted with her too. Pony went back immediately. Would avoid if possible - seems to be a lot of dishonesty in my experience
 
HighlandCows+Chesnuts said:
Just a comment on Broadhi Stables as I know it has been a topic of conversation on this thread. I know 2 people who have trialled from this dealer.
1 was a cob, bought for working livery in a riding school. He's lovely - now used a lot - however it took lots to get there. He passes his trial with flying colours however when the vetting came about he came back lame (i believe through a problem in his back). The owner wanted to buy the horse regardless and said that if she lowers the price of the horse then she will take him and get him sound. Lynne insisted on a 2nd vetting by a different vet of which the owner had to pay for and when they came back and to nobodys surprise said the horse was lame - she was incredibly difficult about reducing the price. Whole process took months.
2nd pony was put on trial for the same riding school. Pony was advertised as suitable for a riding school, however when on trial it bolted with the potential new owner multiple times. Yard owner hopped on board and bolted with her too. Pony went back immediately. Would avoid if possible - seems to be a lot of dishonesty in my experience
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What do you mean by bolted? Was it a gallop without stopping easily or a true bolt - blind panic and not stopping for anything?
 
Being completely honest - im not too sure. I believe as the YO is a dressage rider it was an uncontrollable fast canter (in an arena so obviously not a true true bolt). The intention of the comment was just to warn people of the experience of our yard 😊
 
New Forests Rock said:
Can I just add to the people saying avoid Broadhill - yes I got money back but pony was so not as described - and thank god my lightweight capable husband insisted he rode it first, I could have been badly injured :eek:
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agree on broadhill. I pulled out of the trial after reading all these comments and nunerous messages on fb. I did get my money back but I heard of someone who took the pony I was interested in on trial and it was lame on arrival and they had to get vet out who confirmed it wasnt sound. They did get their money back but took many weeks
 
I would add please be wary of Lynn roberston / broadhill stables. Negative posts on fb are deleted (look out for angry emoji instead). I put a post up on fb asking for reviews and got a message from Lynn asking to take it down. Numerous people messaged me advising horses are not as described, sometimes dangerous or lame and getting your money back is really stressful and can take months of installments. Not only this you also loose the money you have spent on transport and vet costs
 
pootler said:
The administrator for the well known Dodgy Dealer Facebook page has personally recommended Broadhill Stables in past posts. This may explain why no apparently negative posts are allowed - no matter if they are factual.
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Interesting, I had wondered why there were so few adverse comments on dodgy dealers which does not usually allow dealers to pay to have negative reviews removed unlike other websites. A fairly recent post on DD was locked by admin before people could comment.
 
nutjob said:
Interesting, I had wondered why there were so few adverse comments on dodgy dealers which does not usually allow dealers to pay to have negative reviews removed unlike other websites. A fairly recent post on DD was locked by admin before people could comment.
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Exactly that, she must be friends with the admin, it gets locked and then they get a private message asking that they dont post on fb but check equine dealers website. I only found this out because i messaged a few people who had put the angry emoji and they all had same negative feedback and said all their posts were deleted.
 
the admin is a nasty piece of work. I had the police involved due to what she did to me, and at the time there was an active case for harassment amongst other stuff. I let it drop but not sure what happened to the other case. I doubt we are the only 2 people to have had issues.
 
I'm Dun said:
the admin is a nasty piece of work. I had the police involved due to what she did to me, and at the time there was an active case for harassment amongst other stuff. I let it drop but not sure what happened to the other case. I doubt we are the only 2 people to have had issues.
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Ooh, is that the one who tried to do someone for defamation and lost??
 
southerncomfort said:
I'm in West Yorkshire.
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You're not a million miles from Bransby - I have had a companion on loan from them in the past (they have a lot more than is apparent on their website)
Smaller charity - nice to deal with and rehome nationally.

bransbyhorses.co.uk

Rehoming - Horses for Rehoming - Bransby Horses

Our successful rehoming scheme offers equines the chance to enjoy life in a selected loan home. Visit our site to view available horses.
bransbyhorses.co.uk bransbyhorses.co.uk
 
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