How far do you travel to buy?

Definitely see videos and see more than one in the area. Of the 4 I went to see the one I bought was the wildcard I just went to see as I was in the area. One rubbish pic and a wobbly vid is what I had to go on with her. I didn't even know she had a blue eye til I got there (which is lucky as I would not have viewed if I'd known!!)
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
I blame the ridiculously long distances people go to view horses on internet advertising. People seem to think that the only horses that are up for sale are on internet sites. Unless you are after a 'world beater' then you should be able to get the horse you want within 50 miles or nearer of your home.

Our 2 horses, both can jump foxhunter & one will go further have been bought within the above distance.
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Im not after a horse but agree the internet is to blame. It has killed local advertising and theres nothing on venues and local shops notice boards anymore. Ive asked farrier, vet for word of mouth of local ones but nothing.
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
I blame the ridiculously long distances people go to view horses on internet advertising. People seem to think that the only horses that are up for sale are on internet sites. Unless you are after a 'world beater' then you should be able to get the horse you want within 50 miles or nearer of your home.
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No way. Only if you want a 16 - 17 hand average sports horse, you've got a decent budget, you don't have a long list of must haves/must dos, you aren't fussed about its breeding and aren't in a hurry.

If you want something specific, they really aren't that ten-a-penny.

OP, five hours (ten hour round trip), and for something that seemed perfect, maybe even six or seven hours with an overnight stay but I've never actually done that.
 
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I have travelled all over the country looking for a horse, journeys that took hours! And having viewed 20 horses, that took some travelling. I then bought one about 30minutes away.

Second horse I decided I could not be bothered to travel very far and bought one 5minutes down the road :D
 
FfionWinnie said:
Definitely see videos and see more than one in the area. Of the 4 I went to see the one I bought was the wildcard I just went to see as I was in the area. One rubbish pic and a wobbly vid is what I had to go on with her. I didn't even know she had a blue eye til I got there (which is lucky as I would not have viewed if I'd known!!)
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Yes, that can happen! The nicest mare I have here was seen on the strength of a photo taken at the wrong angle through a gate! I managed to negotiate a lower price because no one else had bothered to go and see her and the owner needed to sell.

These days, transport need not be expensive. There is thetrainline.com, the bus, and, for those of us so privileged, the bus pass!:D For long distance viewing, I prefer to take public transport and hire a car at the other end. Two of mine were sold to a buyer 500 miles away. They very sensibly combined viewing with a holiday. I'm off to buy a dog after Christmas that is around 500 miles from here, so that will be the train both ways, a 1,000 mile round trip in 48 hours.
 
im in cambs and went nearly to wales for Em after seeing her ad on the t'internet, once to view and then again to meet the lorry and pay for her. sounds like a mad distance to travel but i was looking for my "ideal" ned and am very lucky to have found her :)
 
I have brought 2 up from Devon to central Scotland. One from the deepest depths of Wales and 2 from the Shetland Isles all based on a picture and bloodlines alone bar one. All were youngsters and came from reknown studs. We didnt go to see the. we just bought them and got them transported. The only older one we got this way was a ridden pony with such a career record we had no doubts about him. He is still here 12 years on,
 
I travelled 1.5hrs, but I knew the type of horses that came from the stud and they are right up my street, I'd also absolutely fallen head over heels for my lad just from his picture and he certainly didn't disappoint in the flesh. All my other horses have been local though - about 30mins.
 
Depends on what I'm looking for. Personally, I go for cheap projects, so not prepared to spend lots on travel, & ones like that are abundant. If searching for something very specific I would go further depending on how often that type were available. Eg next one I buy to keep will be a 3 or very green 4yr old connie or connie x tb to bring on for daughter, I'd do anything within an hours drive as they aren't difficult to find. If however my income changes between now & then & I could buy her a 10k ready made pony, I'd travel anywhere in the uk for the perfect one.
 
Louby said:
Im not after a horse but agree the internet is to blame. It has killed local advertising and theres nothing on venues and local shops notice boards anymore. Ive asked farrier, vet for word of mouth of local ones but nothing.
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Not only did we buy a horse locally by word-of-mouth (and all the others within 50 miles) but we've also just bought a box by w-o-m from the next village. I think it's about talking to the right people.
Admittedly we did travel for about an hour to view one which let so much water in through it's bent passenger door that the passenger would have needed a snorkel by now - and the ramp looked as though it was going to break off its hinges.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Not only did we buy a horse locally by word-of-mouth (and all the others within 50 miles) but we've also just bought a box by w-o-m from the next village. I think it's about talking to the right people.
Admittedly we did travel for about an hour to view one which let so much water in through it's bent passenger door that the passenger would have needed a snorkel by now - and the ramp looked as though it was going to break off its hinges.
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This is what Im finding :eek: Ive seen daylight through the floor, grass growing in the horse area, etc etc. If only I could find one locally.
 
i always think i'd travel as far as need be, to the other side of the country if necessary but never had too as we've never been looking for a horse we just seemed to accumulate them from the same breeder about 15mins down the road!
 
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