Horse shopping, where?

Red-1

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As some of you may have seen in the weekend thread, my current horse was very much the right horse, but at the wrong time for me. She was still 4 when I got her, very talented, full of potential, but mum fell ill a few months later and she has been picked up and put down so many times. She has been fabulous but I have decided that the end of mum's difficulties is not in sight yet, and I would be happier with an older/easier model to go to the beach, do riding club etc. A now horse rather than one for the future. I simply don't have capacity to produce one at the moment.

I have looked on H&H, Horsequest, Horsemart, Preloved but can't find what I want. I would love it if people could let me know any professionals (or one horse owners come to that) who would likely have such a paragon of virtue.

I would prefer a gelding, 15.2 to 16.2 (lower end would have to be with bone, upper end would have to not be too wide) but other than that, I could be open minded. Most of all, I would like one where I could join friends for a blast on the beach, do some fun rides, enjoy RC lessons. An upper performing horse who is on the older end, needing a quieter life would be OK too, as long as they were affable, laid back and kind. A fun cob cross would be great.

I am just aware that often times wonderful horses don't make it onto the advertising sites, they are picked up straight from the yards where they are.

Any ideas? Within striking distance of Yorkshire?
 
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spacefaer

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Off the top of my head - and ones I've had personal dealings with ....
Jack-Thomas Watson - he's just moved to near Newcastle
Lucie Turner in Staffordshire
Abbie Hart - bit of a trek to Kent
Emily Chambers - Gloucestershire
 

RHM

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Jack-Thomas Watson - often has nice Irish ones in
Sam Walton (sports horses?) - she often has some nice cobs
I got my horse from Ria Ward - very far down south! But very honest and a lovely person to deal with.
Team Two Mills - often has more sporty types in, based near Liverpool, might be a eyes wide open job.

All of these advertise on Facebook. Good luck with your search, its knackering finding a new one!!
 

milliepops

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totally wrong area but should you fancy a little holiday South West Eventing (Isobel Hudson) in Gloucestershire often has very nice looking all rounder types in. she's fairly local to me and well thought of. (think she used to be a HHOer).
 

Polos Mum

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I think you're looking for what many people are - a pleasant saintly unicorn.
Often these never get advertised - they are snapped up by word of mouth so I would spread the word with you farrier, instructor, local riding club people etc. etc.
Well loved ponies in nice homes want to find someone who knows someone to sell to rather than an ad which attracts all sorts of joy riders.

I would also try a wanted ad - they don't cost anything and you never know

No harm in speaking to local riding schools who might be cash poor in the current situation and have one that's not quite settled there which suits

Good luck - I wouldn't wish horse shopping on my worst enemy - grim task
 

Roxylola

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I know ELS Equine (Em Scho) personally and shes a lovely jockey bringing on what seem to be nice amateur's horses (dont get me wrong I know you're good). She'd be worth having a chat with and sort of Bolton area so depending where you are in yorkshire possibly not too far away https://www.facebook.com/elsequine/
 
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Red-1

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Off the top of my head - and ones I've had personal dealings with ....
Jack-Thomas Watson - he's just moved to near Newcastle
Lucie Turner in Staffordshire
Abbie Hart - bit of a trek to Kent
Emily Chambers - Gloucestershire

Messaged Lucie Turner about Patch. He looks about what I am looking for. Looked at JTW, he didn't seem to have what I was looking for, suspect he will have more in when hunting starts. The others are a bit far.

Thank you.
 

Red-1

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Jack-Thomas Watson - often has nice Irish ones in
Sam Walton (sports horses?) - she often has some nice cobs
I got my horse from Ria Ward - very far down south! But very honest and a lovely person to deal with.
Team Two Mills - often has more sporty types in, based near Liverpool, might be a eyes wide open job.

All of these advertise on Facebook. Good luck with your search, its knackering finding a new one!!

I have messaged Sam Walton. She didn't have anything right now, but will keep an eye on her page, thank you.

Team Two Mills seem to have a more serious type of horse than I want right now.
 
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Red-1

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Put a wanted advert on local Facebook page/local pony club etc. Or in local tack shops?

I will do the tack shop thing, farrier and trainer already aware. Local show venue too.

Hesitant to do a FB ad, did try one once and had all sorts of mis matches offered, it was exhausting!

Thank you.
 

Red-1

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I think you're looking for what many people are - a pleasant saintly unicorn.
Often these never get advertised - they are snapped up by word of mouth so I would spread the word with you farrier, instructor, local riding club people etc. etc.
Well loved ponies in nice homes want to find someone who knows someone to sell to rather than an ad which attracts all sorts of joy riders.

I would also try a wanted ad - they don't cost anything and you never know

No harm in speaking to local riding schools who might be cash poor in the current situation and have one that's not quite settled there which suits

Good luck - I wouldn't wish horse shopping on my worst enemy - grim task

Thank you, a riding school may be a good call actually. The word of mouth thing is why I posted, as I know the right one is unlikely to appear on Horsequest, having been snapped up first.
 

Red-1

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jnb

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Lucie Turner is very local to me. She has a fabulous reputation and always has nice, quality sensible horses and good trial facilities.
Not the cheapest, but certainly what she says they are.
 

Red-1

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Come on up to view at Avonmill Red..I ll put you up..oh no I can’t Covid guidelines...can meet for coffee n cake tho!

That is a lovely offer. It has made me feel quite tearful actually. I have always been able to produce horses, but dealing with issues thrown up by mum's illness has me on my knees with resilience and very emotional. Hence needing something very plain and kind. I feel out of sorts and you have put a (tearful) smile on my face! Thank you.
 

Red-1

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I know ELS Equine (Em Scho) personally and shes a lovely jockey bringing on what seem to be nice amateur's horses (dont get me wrong I know you're good). She'd be worth having a chat with and sort of Bolton area so depending where you are in yorkshire possibly not too far away https://www.facebook.com/elsequine/

I am not good right now, wiped out with the issues I have been dealing with around mum's illness. She does look to have nice horses, but a bit babyish for what I think I can currently (mentally) deal with. Thank you.
 

Roxylola

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I am not good right now, wiped out with the issues I have been dealing with around mum's illness. She does look to have nice horses, but a bit babyish for what I think I can currently (mentally) deal with. Thank you.
I get that, you want a supercob for your "now" horse, but while I share nicely I dont think my owner would be too pleased! Emma's are more ones for the future. I'll keep my eyes peeled for stuff - I tend to follow dealers who have horses for me to dream of though and they all seem to be t'other side of Lancashire anyway
 

Cavalous Christmas

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Is Leeds area doable? I’ve no personal experience but Gemini Sports Horses often have some nice looking horses, a whole range not just the sporty types. They are on Faceache
 

Red-1

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Is Leeds area doable? I’ve no personal experience but Gemini Sports Horses often have some nice looking horses, a whole range not just the sporty types. They are on Faceache

Thank you, I have messaged them. Dammit, I did look at their page a few days ago, then yesterday a suitable horse popped up but was sold same day! Should have sent a message earlier!!!
 

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My friend is looking for much the same thing - it’s been so much harder than we expected ?

We thought her (healthy) budget would get a good fun riding club all rounder but the market is crazy, we’ve been on our way to see a horse that was only advertised the evening before to find it had been sold unseen (that was a dealer mentioned on this thread - shame they didn’t tell us until we’d already driven over an hour)...

Another dealer mentioned here said that their horses are usually priced between £4-7k, but this summer their cheapest is £7.5k.

Depending on your budget you could try MPF Horses in Durham? A lot of hers are young but she might have something older. Not cheap though!

Hope you find something lovely.
 

SatansLittleHelper

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Sorry you are having such a rubbish time, hope you find what you're after.
Lucie Turner is near me, I spoke to her when I was looking. Sadly above my budget but she seems very genuine and has a super reputation :)
 
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Red-1

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Based near you is Graham Sugden (GS equine) good reputation but maybe to pricey. (No offence intended) you missed Horse Scout of your looked at list.

No, not too pricey but he has nice competition types in at the moment, and one of possibly the right type, but with the best will in the world I think 15hh is a bit too small.

Thank you.
 

Red-1

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My friend is looking for much the same thing - it’s been so much harder than we expected ?

We thought her (healthy) budget would get a good fun riding club all rounder but the market is crazy, we’ve been on our way to see a horse that was only advertised the evening before to find it had been sold unseen (that was a dealer mentioned on this thread - shame they didn’t tell us until we’d already driven over an hour)...

Another dealer mentioned here said that their horses are usually priced between £4-7k, but this summer their cheapest is £7.5k.

Depending on your budget you could try MPF Horses in Durham? A lot of hers are young but she might have something older. Not cheap though!

Hope you find something lovely.

I had a look, the 4yo ID is superb, but I want one that is established. She does have another that is 7yo, I will put it on a short list. It is a long journey though, hence not leaping onto the phone to visit.
 

duckling

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I had a look, the 4yo ID is superb, but I want one that is established. She does have another that is 7yo, I will put it on a short list. It is a long journey though, hence not leaping onto the phone to visit.

Is that the bay 4 year old? We loved the look of him but sadly significantly over budget! I liked the 7 year old too, looks like a nice sort but also a touch over budget...

I guess Carlisle is too far? We went over to Gee Gee Equestrian, she had some nice types - think they’re all quite green at the moment but she does get more established horses in too.
 
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