how do you find your perfect horse!?

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serena2005

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So my sister is looking to buy her first horse.
We have had horses all our lives but they have all ways seemed to come to us. We have never actually been" horse shopping"
So how do you find that perfect horse!?

We have been browsing internet sites and asked friends to keep a look out, as well as a well recommended local dealer.

Has anyone got any advice?
Many thanks x
 
I don't think there is ever such a thing as a perfect horse.

You're best bet is to make a list of the main things you want in a horse.

Eg: Height, Age, Breed, Colour, Discipline, Temperament etc and work around that.
 
I found my perfect horse(s) when viewing less than perfect ones if that makes any sense...

Go with your gut - if it doesn't feel completely right, that feeling likely isn't going to get any better. Also if your 'dream' horse fails a vetting - walk away. There are plenty of horses out there that would pass. No point buying a horse and then 6 months down the line it needing 6/12 months off or even retiring...

There are lots of horses for sale any there is more than one dream horse in someone's life. Just be patient :) Word of mouth is also a bonus!
 
JennyConnor said:
I don't think there is ever such a thing as a perfect horse.

You're best bet is to make a list of the main things you want in a horse.

Eg: Height, Age, Breed, Colour, Discipline, Temperament etc and work around that.
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Perhaps I didn't mean perfect in the meaning she's looking for something impossible. We have made that list.
 
Fides said:
I found my perfect horse(s) when viewing less than perfect ones if that makes any sense...

Go with your gut - if it doesn't feel completely right, that feeling likely isn't going to get any better. Also if your 'dream' horse fails a vetting - walk away. There are plenty of horses out there that would pass. No point buying a horse and then 6 months down the line it needing 6/12 months off or even retiring...

There are lots of horses for sale any there is more than one dream horse in someone's life. Just be patient :) Word of mouth is also a bonus!
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Thank you! That's very helpful! I keep telling her just to go and try something even if it doesn't fit the bill.
Our main concern is age what's too young? What's too old!?
Iv just taken on a 17 year old and she's my dream horse, so I wouldn't put a limit on age. But there seems to be a lot of 4-7 year olds for sale which I'd imagine needs alot of work.
 
List everything you want in order of priority. For me good in traffic is always number 1, where I am it's just not something I can compromise on. Other things - like being good to handle, and age (to a certain extent) I can compromise on as I'm willing to put handling work in myself and know I'll keep them forever and don't work them paticularly hard so they're lower down the list.

I found my boy (a 16.3 grey Irish draught x) when I went to see a completely different horse (a 15.2 black Section D) I told the dealer he as a bit quiet for my liking. He said "I've got just the thing" and came back with Archie (although he was called Andy at the time!) I said "No way, he's too white and too big" but an hour laterI was buying him. The only road they had for me to try him on was a very busy A road and as we went along it with boy racers coming past us at about 70, engaging the dump valves on their Citroen Saxos with Arch not batting an eyelid I decided he was for me! Don't rule anything out (except a grey - never again!)
 
serena2005 said:
Our main concern is age what's too young? What's too old!?
Iv just taken on a 17 year old and she's my dream horse, so I wouldn't put a limit on age. But there seems to be a lot of 4-7 year olds for sale which I'd imagine needs alot of work.
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I backed my mare at 4 and she has been a dream - much better than some well established horses. I would always go a bit younger than a bit older - less time for them to become set in their ways or develop issues... (Usually). I would never write off a 5 or 6 year old as a a couple of years under their belts is plenty really. For a 4 year old there would obviously be more work involved but my friend has just bought 2 4yos and is taking them to do Badminton Young Horse so with experience and help you can be 'up and running' fairly quickly...
 
i feel as though I now have the perfect horse! After 3 that I had to sell on because once in good condition and fit they were too much for me (moral = don't buy an unfit horse as their behaviour can be very different). One I had ridden loads of times (like 20) in the school but he was incredibly difficult out hacking. (moral = try a horse several times in all the settings you will be riding in).

I did find the perfect mare in the West Midlands but she turned out to have a weak back due to conformational issues which meant I was too heavy for her so had to sell her. One I bought in a hurry because I had a riding weekend coming up and after a couple of months (fit, back fixed) he became too sharp for me (moral = never buy a horse in a hurry) I have now found Bilbo - also from the West Midlands though a different place (moral= buy a horse from the West Midlands!).

After several of these disasters my RI took me on one side and sternly told me to make sure whatever I did to have a trial period with my next horse. I did arrange a trial period for Bilbo (paid for him up front but had agreement to send him back within 4 weeks if it didn't work out) and I think that gave me the confidence to try lots of things with him so I knew what he was like. Incidentally he was much younger, at 6, than I was looking for but he has the most fabulous temperament, which was my absolute must- have. (moral = have your criteria but be flexible about the less important ones).

Oh and the other thing I always do is to look at the horse websites every day or several times a day and ring up as soon as I see one I like. Often the good ones go very very quickly. Have a good list of questions to ask so you can rule out the unsuitable ones straight away.

Think that about covers it! Good luck with the search :)
 
tobiano said:
i feel as though I now have the perfect horse! After 3 that I had to sell on because once in good condition and fit they were too much for me (moral = don't buy an unfit horse as their behaviour can be very different). One I had ridden loads of times (like 20) in the school but he was incredibly difficult out hacking. (moral = try a horse several times in all the settings you will be riding in).

I did find the perfect mare in the West Midlands but she turned out to have a weak back due to conformational issues which meant I was too heavy for her so had to sell her. One I bought in a hurry because I had a riding weekend coming up and after a couple of months (fit, back fixed) he became too sharp for me (moral = never buy a horse in a hurry) I have now found Bilbo - also from the West Midlands though a different place (moral= buy a horse from the West Midlands!).

After several of these disasters my RI took me on one side and sternly told me to make sure whatever I did to have a trial period with my next horse. I did arrange a trial period for Bilbo (paid for him up front but had agreement to send him back within 4 weeks if it didn't work out) and I think that gave me the confidence to try lots of things with him so I knew what he was like. Incidentally he was much younger, at 6, than I was looking for but he has the most fabulous temperament, which was my absolute must- have. (moral = have your criteria but be flexible about the less important ones).

Oh and the other thing I always do is to look at the horse websites every day or several times a day and ring up as soon as I see one I like. Often the good ones go very very quickly. Have a good list of questions to ask so you can rule out the unsuitable ones straight away.

Think that about covers it! Good luck with the search :)
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Thst is all vert useful thank you!

What questions would you ask?
 
I will be watching this thread as i am having real problems finding a horse for me and my daughter to share....its been 6 months now on and off and i don't wish to hijack your thread serena2005, but i will be interested to see what advice is given :)
 
serena2005 said:
So my sister is looking to buy her first horse.
We have had horses all our lives but they have all ways seemed to come to us. We have never actually been" horse shopping"
So how do you find that perfect horse!?

We have been browsing internet sites and asked friends to keep a look out, as well as a well recommended local dealer.

Has anyone got any advice?
Many thanks x
Click to expand...


Erm where are the Zeus pics ???? How is he ?? :D he is my fav hho horsey ! :)
 
wish upon a star
find a four leaf clover and a leprechaun
attach a horsehoe to every single doorway
avoid walking under ladders and stepping on cracks
cross every crossable part of your body
throw several hundreds of pounds worth of pennies in to a wishing well

after doing all of the above possibility of finding the perfect horse increases from 0.000001% to 0.0000015%

good luck ;)
 
The advice I was given was to look EVERYWHERE.Even go to the notso reputable dealers and look.When I saw the advert for mine TBH it was rubbish.Also he was Welsh and I didn't want a welsh.He sounded right though and wasn't far away so off we went.My criteria was serviceable soundness and a quiet confidence giving behavior.Everything else was a bonus.Now, if I could train him to muck out the trailer and put the tack away after we have been out he really will be perfect.
 
Although I know from helping a different friend horse shop it can be a bit of a nightmare, having a wish list helps, also keeping an open mind to a certain extent, so you want a bay, but there's a chestnut which sounds like what you want then go and see that.

You have your wish list, but be prepared to prioritise what's more important to you, no horse is perfect. Also get them vetted and be prepared to see a fair few, I've found that most don't seem to be as described.
 
Horse hunting is both exciting and soul destroying at the same time. I would make sure all my horse friends and acquaintances, farrier, physio etc know what I am after. I would check the online adverts daily. Also don't discount things like preloved, ad-trader and dragon driving. I found my fellow on my local face-book horse group. We found my daughters 1st pony via a wanted advert.

I had my requirement list which was fairly flexible. 14.2 - 15.2, cob, native or x thereof, not too green, must be good in traffic and hack well alone and in company. I ended up with a 14hh, 4 year old, had only hacked off rd in company!! Not quite sure how that happened. 18 months on we are approaching him becoming what I was originally after, apart from height, although he is now 14.1. But I do have the satisfaction of knowing I participated in his journey. Perhaps if you let us know loosely what your sister is after we can scan the adds/ask around.
 
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Go for the complete opposite to what you want, it seems to work!! We didn't want a coloured, anything under ten ans not the first horse we saw and guess what we bought a 5 year coloured cob who was the first horse we saw! He is the best horse ever ;)
 
questions I ask vary and often I don't get through the full list!

I always start with - what weight is he up to (I need to make sure it will take 13 stone in case of weight blips!) and whereabouts are you in the country (for me, 150 miles is about the limit).
Then 'tell me about him' as you get lots of info that you might not think to ask about
other more straightforward ones -
- why are you selling, how long have you had him,
- what have you done with him work wise - what disciplines, how often, hacking alone and in company, schooling, jumping and going out
- tell me about his veterinary history & in particular any stable vices, sweet itch, head shaking, allergies, laminitis, colic in the past (don't take their word for this but worth asking)
- what tack is he ridden in & for what activities
- does he ever buck, rear, bolt or spin (as above)
- I also usually explain what I want him for and that sparks off a useful discussion
- I ask about trial facilities at the yard and whether they will be open to a trial period if they like the look of me!

Probably left a few out but they cover most of it.
Have fun looking! :)
 
It takes time, patience, money and knowing what *is* the perfect horse for you. I'd look at loads, and narrow down what it is you really want. I've just found what I hope is my perfect horse - shes a 3 year old filly with fab breeding for dressage and a trot and canter to die for but she is going to be hot and there is at least 18 months work needed before she can be ridden in public - something I really enjoy doing -- but I doubt she's many people's 'perfect horse'. Perfect horse is like 'perfect partner' - everyone's perfect is different - YOur job is to decide 2 things - 1) what is your perfect horse and 2) what negatives are you prepared to accept/ compromise on - (Even if that is Blinking expensive...). Once youve decided that you are on your way to perfect ponydom - remember horse are animals they are not things - so perfect is an ideal that doesn't actually exist.
 
Best thing you can do is to and see the horses in the flesh when reading adverts cover over any pictures or videos and see what the words say. Talk to the seller never text or email and make sure you like the sound of the horse don't post on here with pictures of possibles and never ever ask anyone who doesn't know your type and level of horses to view with you in some cases that means friends and instructors as they tend to like what they like not what is best suited to you. Sounds complicated but it was much easier in the days you read a newspaper ad and went to view the ones you liked the sound of. Too much information is almost as bad as not enough
 
I bought my second horse last year after making every mistake first time around (then keeping said mistake for 11 wonderful years) this time I mentioned my age (53) in every text/email enquiry and that seemed to have a dramatic effect. I don't think sellers wanted to inflict problems on an old lady! The first one who came back to me positively did have just the right one for me. (Although I wanted a Dales and got a Connie!)
 
JennyConnor said:
I don't think there is ever such a thing as a perfect horse.

You're best bet is to make a list of the main things you want in a horse.

Eg: Height, Age, Breed, Colour, Discipline, Temperament etc and work around that.
Click to expand...

Ditto this. I viewed 24 horses when looking for my "perfect" horse and in the end bought a yearling because my perfect horse doesn't exist! Perhaps due to my budget, I had to compromise somewhere and in the end I opted to get a youngster who I can get professionally broken. I searched everywhere, horsemart, horse and hound, preloved, Facebook, pony club websites, riding club websites, local papers, local tack shops, horsequest, etc. In the end I went with the breed society so if you were looking for a particularly breed they are worth looking into. Good luck!
 
Lambkins said:
Erm where are the Zeus pics ???? How is he ?? :D he is my fav hho horsey ! :)
Click to expand...

Ahh! I will get some for you, unfortunately after his colic surgery he had a tendon problem only solution to make him sound was to operate, which we decided against. So now he's permanently lame and living on bute. So is now retired 😞

Thanks everyone for the help.
We are looking for
14.2- 15.2hh any colour any sex aged ideally between 7-14 years.
A bit of a school master on an xc course, has to love jumping to give confidence to the rider.
 
I know of the ideal horse for you! But unfortunately he is based in Cheshire :( he's 15h grey, been competing BE80 and is a lovely fun safe ride. Also hacks like a dream and is a pleasure to be around in the stable. Plus he is called Percy - how can you resist a name like that??

Edited to say he is for sale but isn't actively being advertised so likely to be a word of mouth sale as he is a special boy :)
 
Sometimes the horse/pony you find isn't actually perfect. But it's then down to you to make them perfect for yourself. I am incredibly lucky that that is what happened with my Connie. Good luck in the horse search!
 
Love said:
Sometimes the horse/pony you find isn't actually perfect. But it's then down to you to make them perfect for yourself. I am incredibly lucky that that is what happened with my Connie. Good luck in the horse search!
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Agree... You have to remember however good they are they are animals, have a pulse etc! My mums bombproof highland had heart failure at a pigeon!
 
Well my instructor came horse shopping with me.She was invaluable and she certainly didn't choose a horse for herself when advising me but a horse for me.Not all instructors are the same I suppose.
 
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