Horse shopping :-)

mandwhy

mandwhy

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Right I am really really ready to buy a horse now, everything is sorted in my mind (and more importantly my bank account *cringe*) so has anyone seen any real nice pretty horseys under £2500 to include at least some tack and/or rugs recently?

People keep saying there are lovely decent horses with no problems going for peanuts, so where are they?!

The nearer to Cambridge the better, I have a few far away viewings planned for ones that really stand out and factoring the added transport cost into budget but would love to not be travelling all round the country!

Basically 16hh+ middleweight allrounder, I'm thinking ISH, IDx, that sort of thing. I also love Welsh Ds and may consider other cob types.

Will be mostly hacking, schooling, seeing what's on offer at local shows but really low level for now. Wouldn't complain if horse had potential to go further!

Argh I'm ALMOST getting bored with the search :-(
 
Ahh - I can sympathise - always cheap horses but never the ones you're looking for eh?! I haven't been cruising the sites for a while as have had this mare on trial (picking her up this weekend).

The dealers I visited which were SE based were looking for around £3k upwards (Clip Clop and Prestwood Farm - PF is pricier).

Private sellers might be a better bet but I realise that means lots of internet shopping.

There are usually some kind folks on here with good suggestions, so giving your post a little bump to see if that helps!
 
Thank you :-)

If I wanted a TB I'd probably get three for the price! Nothing against them they're just not my favourite and I need something reasonably robust! Have seen a couple of more sturdy looking TBs, plenty of cheap ex racers but I don't think I'm really quite ready for one of those training wise unless it has had a few years doing something else!

I wish you could search by bone measurements or something, perhaps a BIT too technical!
 
Thank you Nikicb!


The first one is near me, looks nice, but I don't know I just don't get excited about TBs, good price but I just find myself thinking 'come on, that is a perfectly lovely horse, why don't you like him?'!


The second one looks very lovely! No price that I could see though? Looks a good type/build, good age, good height, good all rounder description that would do what I want and a bit more, and I like the markings too :-) Good find but I suspect will be more than I can pay...

I have seen the third one, Ash, before, and he looks a good build too but he windsucks - I suppose it depends how bad it is but I used to know a really bad one with terrible teeth so it put me off.

The fourth is really nice, I have found that one has caught my eye a few times, I would like something a bit younger though not that 12 is old, but I have been thinking about calling about him!
 
The Equine Agents one - I'd give her a call as I think she's got a good rep and could give you more details. She generally has ones in at a reasonable price range. I haven't bought but she sold a horse for me a few years back and she seemed good to deal with and I know she was upfront with the buyer (was swapping for one she'd sold herself which buyer wasn't happy with).

I also wouldn't let 12 put you off - plenty of good years left and the silly years hopefully behing them.

I know what you mean re TBs but I'd be open to it if all other things were right and they were a well put together, tough, sound version. I've just bought a TBx to my surprise (I wanted a MW too!) but I fell in love with her and she's a total sweetie! I may end up being a bit precious about those skinny little legs though ;)
 
mandwhy said:
The first one is near me, looks nice, but I don't know I just don't get excited about TBs, good price but I just find myself thinking 'come on, that is a perfectly lovely horse, why don't you like him?'!
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As she's so near to you, go and see her anyway. She doesn't look too spindly to me. She meets all your other criteria and is within your budget including tack.

mandwhy said:
The second one looks very lovely! No price that I could see though? Looks a good type/build, good age, good height, good all rounder description that would do what I want and a bit more, and I like the markings too :-) Good find but I suspect will be more than I can pay...
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£2,500 - but no tack. But you might be able to do a deal or pick up some tack quite cheaply second hand, or stretch your budget a bit more if you can.

mandwhy said:
I have seen the third one, Ash, before, and he looks a good build too but he windsucks - I suppose it depends how bad it is but I used to know a really bad one with terrible teeth so it put me off.
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As Bernster says, give the dealer a call. I too have heard good things about her but not had any dealings.

mandwhy said:
The fourth is really nice, I have found that one has caught my eye a few times, I would like something a bit younger though not that 12 is old, but I have been thinking about calling about him!
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CALL THEM!!! :) :) :) 12 is no age at all, especially for a good solid sort, and you will be able to get going straight away with him.

And another dealer with a good reputation - Amberleigh looks suitable for you on this site:

http://victrisportshorses.weebly.com/horses-for-sale.html

Good luck. :)
 
Thanks for the tip! I guess he has only been seen to windsuck, so it might turn out he doesn't do it that often or just at feeding times etc. The livery I want to use is an american barn and I can't think what the doors are like in those, although I don't want everyone to get paranoid that their horses would copy (blatantly not true mind)!

I think TBs are just a bit rectangular on spindly legs for me! I am like 14st and I have seen enough 'fatty bashing' on here so this has changed my opinions even though I currently ride 15.1 ISH with no probs!

I know there should be plenty of life left at 12, my share is 22, I just worry I suppose! I was thinking 7-10 ideally but that makes a bit of a narrow window :-)
 
You are right the one in Sandy is so near and it is literally on the way to my parents house :-) I may be converted, I can never really tell how sturdy they are unless they're standing!

Ooh Amberleigh is lovely! I am such a sucker for a vaguely unusual colour haha, I pretend it doesn't matter!

I don't mind getting my own tack/rugs as I love a bargain hunt, but if I have to buy ALL of it the horse probably needs to be nearer the 2000 mark, I don't know if I have to buy mucking out tools and a wheelbarrow too actually, the ever-growing list!!

Oh but I do like the Warmblood!

Yes I think I shall be making some calls :-D :-D

THANK YOU!!
 
Wow that is a bargain Millikins! I don't know if he might be a bit much for me from the way he's described though, but sounds like a pretty awesome deal could be done with all the tack. God bless people giving up their hobbies!

Do you mean the welsh D nikicb? I have emailed to see if I can go see on Saturday, my OH has the day off for once so may as well go on a daytrip (he's going to be well bored!) But I am going to make sure I try and fit in plenty of others for perspective!
 
I love NFED !!! often seeing horses I like on there...have you had a look through them?

The last dealer that NikiB mentioned...pls pm me before heading there.

Good luck hunting!!
 
mandwhy said:
Do you mean the welsh D nikicb? I have emailed to see if I can go see on Saturday, my OH has the day off for once so may as well go on a daytrip (he's going to be well bored!) But I am going to make sure I try and fit in plenty of others for perspective!
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Yes I did - just be careful. Alarm bells were ringing for me, but I can't really put a finger on it. xx

Parker79 said:
The last dealer that NikiB mentioned...pls pm me before heading there.
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Yes, please PM parker79 - I have no personal dealings, just going by what I have seen on here. xx
 
I hadn't really looked at nfed, no! Will have a proper look tomorrow :-) I basically go on horsemart and horsequest and horsedeals, along with some local dealers and h&h, it has occurred to me that those websites aren't free so there might be a good free one out there that I am missing?

I am a bit wary of the welsh one now too, I asked what he was fed and they said he has just gone onto fresh grass which of course is probably true but what are the odds I'll hear 'he's not normally like this its the spring grass' just being skeptical! Still though I do like him so far and can only really judge once I've seen him! Might try and get another viewing up that way if there are any others I like (OH is going to love this!) since they seem to be cheaper than round cambs!xx
 
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