how do you ask if you can buy a horse?!

Bossdog

Bossdog

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I know I'm treading on thin ice but I do need some help... there is a young mare nearby that I know for a fact isn't being cared for as she should. She has slowly become more and more depressed, every day we drive past and her head drops lower and lower... when she first arrived she was the prettiest hapiest little girl, used to trot to the gate to say hello etc etc. Now she stands in the same place for hours at a time and you never ever see her grazing. She has no other horses around and she has a field shelter but for some reason it is fenced off.

I saw her hacked out a couple of times during teh summer, her owner is WAAAAY too heavy for her (she's looks like a young TB) and she sits right over to the left, the poor mare is constantly trying to compensate and I have no doubt that she is no longer being ridden because she must have a bad back by now.

So, in short, we want to buy her. But how do you ask someone if you can buy their horse, she has admitted that she struggles to pay for her, without offending them? She's a character in the area and is known for her fiery temper (the owner, not the mare) so I have to be really really careful. The RSPCA have been invloved, (not by me!) but that was during the summer and they haven't been back since.

I'm in a quandry and would apprecaite any advice, even if you think it's that I should leave well alone.

Thanks!
 
I would have thought that if you steer well clear of the welfare issue and just say that you like her mare, think she could be just the thing for you etc, then there could be no harm done in asking. IMO if you try to make out like she can't cope with the horse and that it is suffering then this lady will likely get her back up and all could turn nasty. But who could fail to be flattered by someone asking to buy a horse that caught their eye? Good luck!
 
I agree with Katie if you just say you really like her mare and would love to buy her I can't see why she would take offence at that. I hope you get her, I hate seeing horses miserable.
 
I would simply say that you like the mare alot and you have noticed she doesn't seem to be using the mare at the moment so you wondered if she would be interested in selling her to you.
 
I was in a similar quandry a few years ago- woman who owned the horse had an accident on her and was too scared to ride her and so this lovely mare was just left in her stable, not mucked out or ridden and barely watered or fed. I eventually was asked if I would like to ride her and I did so even though I felt guilty about going into her stable when she was standing in her own filth for weeks on end, I would have loved to have mucked her out and taken care of her but other people at the yard said i shouldnt because she wasnt mine. I did water and feed her hay but got told off by the YO (friend of the woman who owned the horse) for doing this. I got the mare back into work and then the owner announced she was selling her, I didnt have a job at the time so I couldnt buy her so she was sold on. To this day I dont know what happended to her and I miss her. I think she was sold to a novice when what she really needed was someone who could bring her back into work and take care of her properly. Dread to think where she is now... Anyway moral of this story is ask this woman if you can buy the horse, dont mention any of the welfare issues and trust your gut instinct. If the mares back is bad you may have to think about the prospect of not being able to ride her for a while, if at all, and the vets/ physio bills you might be facing. It really makes me angry hearing how cruel people can be
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Leave a note for the owner saying....

I have fallen in love with your mare, I stop to chat with her when I am walking my dog. I would dearly love to buy her, she is such a love. If you ever want to sell, please call me on this number (and leave your mobile number.) I can gaurantee her a 5* home with my other horsey friends.

This way, you are complementing the horse and leaving it up to the owner as to what to do next.
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Thanks everyone, I was worried I was being out of line but like you all say, as long as I don't mention the welfare, she has no reason to eat me! Will let you all know what happens.

Jules x
 
I think Yorkshire Lass's suggestion is spot on - leave them a note - and that leaves the ball in their court - if they dont want to take it any further then fair enough - but they will have enough time to think about it before they reply (or not!) to you.

Dont mention anything about welfare, or lack of the right care / facilities etc, just say something along the lines of you have fallen for her and if she evr considers selling her, she is guaranteed a 5* home with you.

If you dont ask you will never know!!
 
Yeah i would definitely approach her and compliment the horse, say she looks like the kind that you are looking for, and your just wondering if she is for sale.
 
Perhaps don't mention yours is a 5* home, in case she thinks you are implying that hers isn't a 5* home?

I had a similar problem, I tried everything to get owner to sell him but when I said that I would love him and guarantee him a good home, she got quite huffy as if she felt I was criticising her care of him and ability to look after him. You have to be very clever with these people who neglect their horses because often they are very aware of what they are doing and consequently not easy people to deal with.

So I just made a good offer and walked away. It took a few weeks but it worked. And if it doesn't, consider contacting welfare people on the horse's behalf. The new Animal Welfare Act is more proactive and they can do alot more now before the horse really suffers (well, that's the theory).
 
I'm really pleased about the new welfare act and hopefully it will save a lot of animals from suffering before it begins. I think the problem is defining what is suffering and what isn't. To me she is clearly suffering, she is depressed and very very sad. Medically however, there dosn't seem to be much wrong, she is fed, watered and rugged at night, there are trees that give some shelter. So she isn't immediatly apparent as a welfare case but to someone who is observant on horse behaviour, there is clearly something wrong with her. Does sadness count as suffering or is that being anthropomorphic?
 
Good luck
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We have a lady like that near us - I've never asked to buy one but I know people who have and some she sells to, others she doesn't.
 
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