If you saw a horse you really really liked

[FfionWinnie]

On the worst dealer in the world's website...

Would you buy it if it passed a 5 stage vetting?

Saw a lovely horse and messaged about it then realised the dealer is literally the worst dealer in the world, not just based on rumour and gossip, I've seen irrefutable evidence with my own eyes (yep you've probably guessed who I am talking about now!).

But this horse is absolutely beautiful and exactly the type I am looking for. If anyone would have asked me this question before I would have laughed at the idea I might even consider looking at it.

I probably won't look, but I really want to!

 

[Rosesandhorses]

The problem is that the dealer will have written the ad to make them seem like a great horse, if they have a bad reputation this may not be the case. I wouldn't touch with a barge pole to be honest. When I was looking for a new horse I went to a couple of dealers yards and came to the conclusion I wouldn't buy from anywhere other than a private home. Even with a 5 stage vetting things can be missed, horses can be given things to make them seem chilled which wouldn't show up on blood work, etc etc.

 

[FfionWinnie]

horses can be given things to make them seem chilled which wouldn't show up on blood work, etc etc.

Oh I didn't know that.

I suppose I am just sick of looking. My horse died, I didn't want to be looking but I want another so what do I do, got to look. Seen loads of mis-described horses and I even flew from Edinburgh to Gatwick last week to view a horse to find it was lame and absolutely nothing like the advert. Owner reckoned it had slipped in the field. I and my experienced friend reckon the poor thing is completely wrecked and has been for a while.

I know you are right but its such a nice horse. Poor thing.

 

[rara007]

Having had a friend recently sell a (young, misunderstood, unsuitable for them) horse to a dodgy dealer and seen the advert they pumped out in an afternoon compared to what I know the horse is like, I really wouldn't risk it or going to see it, falling in love and then coming a cropper.

 

[dixie]

I would only buy through a reputable dealer. Some people are very clever at writing adverts and posting photos - how do they make them stand so straight! However, I would say if you are aware the dealer is very dodgy I would steer clear as its most probably clever advertising. You might get lucky of course but no doubt you will be wasting your time and a 5 stage vetting is not fool proof by any means.
I sympathise with the horse searching. Always sounds fun but in reality the opposite. Good luck anyway.

 

[webble]

Oh I didn't know that.

I suppose I am just sick of looking. My horse died, I didn't want to be looking but I want another so what do I do, got to look. Seen loads of mis-described horses and I even flew from Edinburgh to Gatwick last week to view a horse to find it was lame and absolutely nothing like the advert. Owner reckoned it had slipped in the field. I and my experienced friend reckon the poor thing is completely wrecked and has been for a while.

I know you are right but its such a nice horse. Poor thing.

So sorry about your horse

You have my sympathies I am looking at the moment and its a night mare people don't get back to you or you see the perfect one but start asking questions and realise it isn't perfect or, like you, research the seller and then think bargepole! Good luck with your search, don't get desperate and buy for the sake of it

 

[EventingMum]

It depends on how much I trusted my own knowledge and instinct and those of my friend. I would definitely have a vetting done, have a look at the passport and perhaps contact a previous owner if shown on the passport before committing to purchase.

Having been very wary of dealers 3 have recently come on to my yard from dealers and are everything they were sold as - it perhaps helped that both dealers knew me personally from competing so did look after my clients. One other from a high end producer / dealer with a good name came with health issues, all now resolved thanks to a good owner who was prepared to be patient and pay vet's bills.

If you decide to look go with your eyes wide open and refuse to make a snap decision. Be aware of dealers tricks and don't be rushed. In all honesty I have been told more lies by private sellers than by dealers over the years.

 

[crabbymare]

i would be asking why such an apparantly good horse was with that dealer. did you know it before or does it just seem to be perect for you in the ad? To be fair to what a lot of people call dodgy dealers i have bought from one who most on here who know them would say things like bargepole and run but the ones I had were exactly as they were described and I would not hesitate to buy there again. not saying that the dealer you know would not try to hide something but that it is possible that he has got one that is ok. Even buying from private people has its drawbacks as someone I know had a horses back injected and sent it to the sales as soon as they could while it appeared sound and they said if they could have sold it as fast through an advert they would have done Very sorry about your horse and I can totally see why you are wanting another but just think carefully about any horse you go to look at and if there is any doubt in your mind walk away as there are going to be more coming on the market now with the weather changing so you should have more choice. just a shame you are in an area that makes horse shopping harder because of the distances. hope you find the perfect one for you soon

 

[bollybop]

If local I'd go and have a look

 

[charlie76]

What are you looking for? I know of a couple for sale?

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Yes, I bought an absolute cracker from a dealer of dubious repute. If you now enough to tell the difference between a good horse and a bad one, then take a look.

Some of the worst horses I've seen were from private sellers, while some real diamonds have come from horse markets. Take someone with you and ask if you can video the horse while its being ridden on the day.

 

[meardsall_millie]

No. If the dealer really is as bad as you suggest, quite apart from potential issues with the horse, why would you want to give them your money and help them stay in business? If everyone boycotted them they wouldn't be a dodgy dealer for long

 

[Jenny Wrenny]

I would steer clear. If you know they are dodgy, regardless of how much you like the horse, they are probably certainly dishonest (to say the least) in their description of it without even going down the road of a vetting and the cost of it. I symphathise with your search for a horse. It is not easy and I spent the best part of a year looking for one. I was getting so desperate that each advert I read, I would try and make it fit to my own requirement and start compromising on things that I never usually would! I got to the point that I was so fed up of looking that I stopped looking completely. Within a couple of weeks, through word of mouth with someone I knew, I found my mare and she was certainly worth waiting for. You never find what you want when you are looking for it - stop looking and it will find you!

Think about the advice you would give to a friend if they were in your situation - I bet you'd advise them to run a mile from this dealer!

 

[Twiglet]

Absolutely not. If the horse is that good why is it with that dealer? Don't set yourself up for the chance of more heartache.

 

[Flame_]

No, even the worst dealers will have the occasional awesome horse but the odds on you getting it amidst the issue-ridden aren't good. A vetting is only as good as the day its done and dodgy dealers know all the ways of getting horses with problems through them. I wouldn't knowingly buy from someone with that reputation, no.

 

[Supanova]

Personally i'd go and see it. If you like it have a vetting and get the bloods checked before you buy it to test for pain killers etc. Its possible to buy dodgy horses from the best of people - some people don't even know their horses are lame. I think the only thing you can do is trust your own instinct.

 

[WindyStacks]

As I read your post I think I worked out who the dealer in question was - if you can give us a clue as to which horse maybe someone has some inside info. You know they've all got 5* passes - otoh, I know of one they were selling a few months ago which had shivers - passed with their vet, not with my friend's! It's now off the website, so someone out there has bought it.

My lad passed through them about 4 years ago - they didn't even try and sell him as he had a reputation for being a wicked sod. I think he just grew up as he's a lamb these days.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Ffionwinnie what are you looking for?

 

[FfionWinnie]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I haven't replied individually, will do so later.

This is the mare I had, a post just two short months ago about how much I loved her:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...w-up-and-bought-a-horse&highlight=Ffionwinnie

I want her, but that's impossible, so I want as similar as possible. I don't mind green, I've got a fairly decent budget and will continue adding to it while I wait for the right horse. I particularly want a welsh D palomino 15.2 but there aren't many for sale at the moment. I think I would be happy with a sporty palo or yellow dun light weight cob/welsh/connie/ISH type. I'm willing to travel anywhere in the UK or Ireland to find the right horse and please, don't lecture me about buying one for the colour because it has to tick all the boxes and it has big dream horse shoes to fill.

I have looked on preloved, H&H, horsemart, horses4sale scotland, many FB groups, done deal, dragon driving, web search, pets4homes, and probably a few other sites I've forgotten. I've tried a few, one, just not what I want, one possibly would have been what I want if it wasn't crippled lame and badly ridden for so long it had horrific habits and no balance. Don't mind if its not broken but really want to start work now, and if its unbroken I don't want to spend more than about 2k unless its really special.

In case its not obvious losing my horse has devastated me, she was more than just a horse she was what was keeping me afloat during an intensely miserable time of my life so losing her is such a blow I can hardly begin to explain how bad I feel.

 

[JFTDWS]

You know my thoughts on this... But I'm just waiting around to see if anyone suggests the motorbike

 

[ester]

I spotted something on a fb page the other day, not welsh but a nice type/poss partbred it doesnt say.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Pass it on pls if you can Ester? Doesn't have to be welsh. Pref some native blood but it doesn't matter if the rest is right.

 

[FfionWinnie]

You know my thoughts on this... But I'm just waiting around to see if anyone suggests the motorbike

I'm more expecting the "stunning" one in Scotland who looks just the thing

 

[ester]

And no, I wouldn't touch from a dodgy dealer.

I can offer a 15hh PBA 15(ish) yr old mare coming back from a suspensory? no? she is pretty Not sure what she'd think of scotland though!

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

FW, my heart breaks for you .

Any particular age you want? If you want a slightly lighter built Sec D have a look at Maesymynach stud, they're breeding some stunning sport cobs and might have what you're looking for, though you may have to buy an unbroken or lightly backed 3/4 year old.

 

[JFTDWS]

I'm more expecting the "stunning" one in Scotland who looks just the thing

Aye or that! There are some daft sellers out there for sure

 

[MagicMelon]

I'm surprised you can't find anything suitable OP, there's LOADS of horses for sale and I've seen plenty nice ones. LM Equestrian who is local to me (Aberdeenshire) always seems to have nice ones in and she's got a good rep - try her?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

How far you you willing to travel?

This buckskin mare looks worth a look (it's a new ad, so maybe you haven't seen it yet). http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/112116613/stunning-cob-mare-143hh.html

If you are able to come to Wales, you should be able to get what you want from a Stud.

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

If Fife too far from you?
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/111979970/stunning-palomino-mare.html

 

[Goldenstar]

You can't really really like a horse you have only seen in an advert .
You can only know that it's description fits what you are looking for and it looks like a horse you might like .
If it was a seriously dodgy dealer I would leave it .