How paranoid am I being pls????

soulfull

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I am arranging 5 stage vetting for this new horse. However I have had major bad luck the last 10yrs both with horses and in general.
horses are the only reason I get up in a morning. Without them I wouldn't see a soul from one week to another!

So I am really worried that I have to get it right this time!


What if new horse has something wrong with it? I worry about everything if it was doped, if it is on bute, if it just turns into a nightmare at shows or won't stay in stable or field on its own for a while.
It isn't just this horse I would be the same whatever horse it was

I have tried quite a few horses and this is the one I like the most by far trouble is it is over a 2 hour drive away which means it is not easy to keep going back.

Also have told seller I will arrange vetting now so can't really start messing them around saying oh can I just ??


HELP
 
The colliewobbles are quite normal in horse buying! I really sympathise with you as I am in exactly the same position in many ways.

It is a risk but without taking a bit of a risk, we would never have any fun. Can you limit the risk as much as possible? Have you have tried the horse enough in and off the property? Is there an ad which states what the seller claims for the horse? Print it off and keep a copy. Ask the seller more questions in front of a witness about the things you are worrying about. Or email and hope they email you back and you have it in writing. Ask if they will write on the receipt that the horse is good in all the ways they have claimed it is good.

You are not messing them around to ask them some more questions and if they turn grotty, they are probably hiding something or not nice people to do business with.

Ask if you can have a word with their trainer/farrier/vet anybody that you can just check the horse is genuine with just to make you feel a bit better. If there is absolutely no-one that knows this horse that the owners would let you speak to I would wonder about it.

Have full 5 stage vetting and then insure fully for the first year at least - you can even cancel bits of the insurance after say 6 months if its all okay with the new horse.

Good luck and don't feel pressured into buying if you're not sure.
 
Contact the seller & ask them who their vet is because you will want an indpendent one. Speak to your local vet & ask him to recommend a vet in the area where the horse is kept & arrange the vetting through them. Using a vet from their area against sending your own will save you a load of money as you'll be charged time & travel etc.

Have a 5 stage vetting & have blood taken as well. They will keep the blood stored for several months just incase you have a problem & only then will they, at your request, have the sample examined. This should eleviate your worry about the horse having been doped or on bute.

You are not being paranoid, you are justy concerned that the horse is ok for you & you are not buying a 'lemon'. If the horse passes the vetting & you want him then have him. There can always be something in the future that may cause problems but at least by having the vetting & blood taken you are limiting the chance.

Good Luck
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Me and my mum were in the same position as you a month or so ago and now we have this absolute babe of a horse. believe you me i know what you are going through. its really hard to find the right horse to suit you. the horse we have now lived an hour away and the only thing that made us feel ok about it all was the person we bought him off, she was such a lovely lady and we still keep in touch with her, having a nice private sale makes you just feel that bit more comfortable/relaxed and even though she is a distance away she always picks up the phone and that shewill be there if we need to talk/ask about my baby. I really hope it all goes well and i have everything crossed! Good Luck!
 
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It isn't just this horse I would be the same whatever horse it was



HELP

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That is the important thing to be sure of. That you are not having second thoughts about THIS horse but about the responsibilities and comittment in taking on a new horse. It is a big thing to get a new horse and we all wish we had a crystal ball to see if it is definitely the right one for us.

You are having a 5 stage vetting. Make sure and try and get a horse vet and preferably a vet that rides themselve that way you get more feedback. At the vetting of my new horse the vet was so enthusiastic about him and said he was just the type of horse she would like to have herself - which was a big thumbs up.

The 5 stage vetting should tell you she is fit for purpose now. Of course horses being horses we all know luck can change at any time but as long as your doubts aren't about this particular horse you are going to feel the same for any new purchase. It is a nerve wracking time. From the pics you posted the other day of she looks a super kind sort and I think you have picked well
smile.gif


Good luck!
 
do you suspect doping at ll or foul play??? for your own piece of mind (i dont know how much you want to spend and also what the horse is for) you could also ask for blood sample to be taken too and if you really want them x rays, although be careful of reading too much into x rays. vets will highlight anything on an x ray but then lots of things will never actually cause a problem but vets are duty dound to tell you so you can make a decision rather than sue them later for NOT telling you. get an independant vet and n equine vet at that to do the vetting. tlak the results through with the vet afterwards too. good luick and dont worry it is normal but dont be too paranoid. you are supposed to enjoy it.
 
You say you really like this horse? I say go ahead have your 5 stage. You then have a good snapshot in time to base your decision on.

I lost two horse three weeks apart and I was absolutely determined that my next horse was going to start as healthy as possible. It's not nice when you have doubts. I had three horses 5 staged before I bought my mare. The owners didn't like it much when the horses failed, but hey, tough! IMO paying out £250 + for a vetting is hardly timewasting.

What have the owners told you about shows/stable/field etc. How did you see the horse. Was it alone in a stable or field? If so and it was happy, although you may have teething problems, it should settle back to that fine.

Whats and ifs can stop you doing what makes you happy.

The best of luck, hope it passes.

x
 
I did not particularly suspect doping but then would I even know if they knew what they were doing? Mare was VERY responsive and alert even spooked a couple of time, she happily jumped galloped etc. But I have no idea if they can still be like that when someone gets the amount right??

She was very free moving and trotted up sound on a circle on hard ground after being ridden then stood for 10 minutes


Trouble is I have seen and spoken to quite a lot of people and too be honest can't remember 100% who said what. I can't remember if I asked about being alone in field or stable. They said she was fine at shows but they could lie (see paranoid)

They have given me their vets number so I can ring and ask her medical history (none while she has been with them)
 
Well if you are unsure then I would give them a ring. Apologise for being a scatterbrain but in all the excitement "did I ask about" etc.

I had a laminitic pony that had been off for 18 months and was a firecracker at the best of the time. On my vets instruction she had 8 ACP before being ridden for the first time. I gave it to her, left the amount of time he said, tacked up, I got 5 minutes down the track and had to get off and walk her back lol. I thought she was going to fall over.

It doesn't sound to me like she was doped. I wouldn't fancy jumping a doped horse anyway and I assume the owners got on first?

Yes true, they could lie, but you say you like this horse a lot. I think you need to get the vetting and go for it!
 
been there done that.had similar experience 6 months ago buying horse for daughter.i just apologised for going over things,explained wed had some bad experiences ,wanted to be absolutely sure horse was right for us,we were right for horse etc and tried horse 3 times despite being 2 hours away.as you describe just waited for something to go wrong but have a beautiful mare who we adore and have kept in touch with old owner.unless you push yourself nothing ever changes.have a 5 stage vetting and discuss any issues.someone who wants a good home for their horse wont mind how many questions you have
 
My gut says they are nice people, but I have been known to get it badly wrong before

I think I am going to try and stop worrying, I like the mare and the people so going to have it vetted then have lots of fun

thanks
 
Would it help if someone from here met up with you and came to see the mare with you? To see you both together and give you an independent opinion, and a bit of moral support?

I am sure someone would be happy to help you
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Sometimes you just have totake the plunge and go for it.... There are no guarantees that you will be compatible, and no guarantees the horse will remain sound for ever.

I bought a lovely belgian horse last year fully vetted and he is now written off with navicular, but thats life you have to crack on and not worry.

It looks a nice mare that your buying, stop worriying and just enjoy it!
 
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Would it help if someone from here met up with you and came to see the mare with you? To see you both together and give you an independent opinion, and a bit of moral support?

I am sure someone would be happy to help you
smile.gif


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Thanks I did take my friend with me who knows my riding level and has had horses all her life, she is convinced I will be fine. So am arranging vetting and just going to enjoy it
 
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