How did you all find your horses?

Sort of by accident...
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Relative of a colleague had bought a pony originally for her kid, but kid moved out shortly thereafter, and never rode the pony, so it had been in a field for well over a year, and was actually uncatchable at the time. The owner originally asked me just to come hack out with her sometimes, but by the time they managed to catch the pony, this had evolved into me taking him on loan and moving him closer to home so I could bring him on a bit.

I rode him once before fetching him to his new home, at a walk, and he promptly dumped me in a mud puddle with a giant spook. I took him anyway!
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That was last October. And a few months later, knowing she was looking to sell, I made an offer...

Here he is when I got him, all round and saggy-backed and scruffy:

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And here he is after about 1/2 a year:

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Horsemart for cheap ones. Dealers for expensive warmblood imports with huge movement. But my last one I got from a wanted advert that I put in Farmer's Guardian. Got a load of rubbish calls (in what way is a 16 year old between 4 and 6?) but two good ones and one FABULOUS horse!
 
Wow ,didnt spookey pony trim up nicely,What was his secret,I,ll try it on myself
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. All my horses were kind of found by accident. I,m not actively looking to replace poor Lancelot, but somewhere out there is a big ISH with attitude, homing in on me like an equine ICBM.
 
I spent what seemed like ages looking and travelled over 1200 miles, had one fail the vet. Gave up and went to a good sale in the end, Had him 2 days now and am very happy with him (so far lol)
 
He is on loan and belongs to a friend of a friend
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I was asked if I was looking for a new horse as the mare I had at the time was going back to her owner, so I said yes. Went to have a look, liked him and they offered me a month's trial. He was delivered 2 days later and have had him since August last year. He's ace
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Thanks for all the replies guys, It has definitly made me realise there are other places to find the right horse for me than on the internet
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I am after something 16.3/17hh + Something quite big built nothing tb I would look ridiculous. Not sure if I want a youngster or one thats pretty much ready to go and show.
 
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I found mine on Horsemart. This pic was the first one and got my attention right away as I thought she was sooo pretty. Two days later I went to view her and put a deposit down for her that night!
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Oh shes gorgeous, what a pretty little head on her
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Monty I bought from the riding school I learned at when they decided to sell him as he kept biting the little kiddies. When he retired I went over to Ireland with my trainer to look at two while he was picking up other horses for people. I didn't like either of the ones I tried, but fell in love with a scrawny TB looking youngster we pulled out the field that was destined to come home to be in the riding school (!) for a few months before being sold on. I was going for a showjumper with a bit of experience, I got a gangly 5yo who'd never seen coloured poles! He was only supposed to stay as a 6 month project and be sold on as a RC horse but he turned out to be quite good and never quite made it onto tha market... Jumped his first BN 6 weeks later and is now dodging away at Newcomers/the odd 1.15m and Fox and doing Prelim and Novice as an 8yo. Good luck with your search!
 
Black cob...from a friend.....known the horse for years before we bought her so I knew she was sound and a good deal etc...

The dun highland....I trawled t'internet for a youngster to bring on that would last my daughter a long time and was big enough for me to bring on....actually found him just a couple of miles from home after ringing an ad in adtrader.

Grey horse.....hmmm, well- I had a horse that was an ex-eventer- smashing horse, but needed riding daily and I couldnt manage him with a small baby so I reluctantly took him back to the dealer I had bought him off and swapped him for the grey.....lovely horse, has his issues but I have had him 5 years now and I wouldnt swap him.
 
Horse no. 1. Bought her 15 years ago from an ad in H&H.

Horse no. 2. Bought at 8 weeks (had to wait until weaned of course) from small local stud who put ad in freeads.

Horse no. 3. Mother of horse no.2. No 2 was weaned, but I needed a companion for when I took him home. Reine was offered to me on loan as a companion. After a couple of years I offered to buy her, but was given her instead.

Horse no. 4. Specifically wanted an Arab youngster. Contacted lots of Arab studs to see what was available.

Horse no 5. Being in the right place at the right time to hear about a youngster who had been an "accidental" foal. Went to view, saw the dam (a nice TB) and decided that because the youngster was such a bargain basement price as he was "sire unknown" it was worth taking the chance. He's turned into a stunning, sound, intelligent, healthy and well put together horse.

You might have guessed, I do like to find them at bargain basement prices as foals and run them on for a few years (I'm lucky that as I rent my own land, I am able to do that). I'm not in the market for any more horses at the moment, but when and if I do ever look for another horse I will definitely be doing the same thing again and buy a baby.

Have never used the Internet to buy a horse and nowadays if I was looking for another youngster it would definitely be either word of mouth or that lucky chance of being in the right place at the right time.
 
I saw Oscar advertised in Pegasus Magazine (a free horse mag in the SE) I don't normally pick it up but did on this occasion as we were horse hunting!
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He was completely green and had spent the summer turned away in a field hence he was very fat!
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He was quite a distance - 150 mile round trip, we drove down there 3 times including once to pick him up and it took about 3-4 hours!
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Thanks for all the replies guys, It has definitly made me realise there are other places to find the right horse for me than on the internet
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I am after something 16.3/17hh + Something quite big built nothing tb I would look ridiculous. Not sure if I want a youngster or one thats pretty much ready to go and show.

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A reputable dealer is always good to know and the the following website might be worth a look www.findmetherighthorse.co.uk

Good luck
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Mine came to me. She was sent to the yard I was working at for schooling and to sell. She was with me a year and then failed a vetting for a potential buyer and so I offered what I could afford and got her. I wouldnt change her for the world. Shes now in foal and will hopefully give me a super talented foal.
 
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