If you turn down buying a horse you view...

[Flame_]

.... Do you usually give the real reason you are turning it down?

The timewasters thread made me think about daft reasons people give for spending ages viewing a horse then turning it down. I don't doubt some of these are true, and there are some numpties who enquire about and view a five year old who does nothing wrong, and then turn it down as its too young.

However I can't help thinking that more often than not, when buyers give a stupid reason why they aren't buying the horse that its probably not that they never had any intention of buying the horse they have travelled to view, but that there is something about the horse that has disappointed them, but they don't want to say that.

When I have viewed horses, I have seen some walking vet bills, some mega over-priced, not-as-described disappointments, and almost always all I say is "its not what I'm looking for". I can imagine to some people it seems easier to make something up.

Does anyone say something if they travel a long way to view a horse that isn't quite sound? Or say you didn't think much of a horse's jumping technique, would you tell the sellers?

Do you usually tell sellers exactly why you don't want to buy their horse, if there is a reason beyond it not being your cup of tea?

 

[Spotsrock]

we usually say it's not quite what we're looking for and hint at why not but try not to offend, last 1 we went to look at though we were told it would affiliate then couldn't get it anywhere near a fence, waited 2.5 hours for someone to get on the thing to show us it jumped and it promptly went bolt upright rearing on her repeatedly, we told them EXACTLY why we weren't buying and that we didn't think they'd been straight with us.

 

[ihatework]

If I just generally don't like a horse then I wouldn't go into specifics and would just say it wasn't what I was looking for.

If I thought the horse was lame then I would say so.
If the horse wasn't as described then I would say so.

 

[AmyMay]

I gave the reasons. One horse I didn't even sit on. Had been told it's movement was straight - and it was a disher. So told them it was not moving straight.

Second one I did sit on. Frightended the life out of me - and told them it was too much horse for me.

 

[KatB]

I did turn down a 16.1hh horse who was 16.1hh, because she was too big. The thing is, she was a big horse all round, and was just too much horse for what I wanted! But if I had put on here I had done that at the time, it would have sounded ridiculous, but luckily the owner knew what I meant!

I wouldnt mind someone being honest, I'd rather that than them never ringing again

 

[stencilface]

In the old days before the internet, digital cameras and the like I remember going to see horses that had been advertised in the paper with no pic and thinking 'omg thats one ugly horse'

I remember one having the most elegant swan neck I have ever seen......

I have never not ridden a horse, even if I haven't liked it on first sight, you never know if it might be amazing under saddle. I think I have tried several that were too strong though, so I told them that reason.

One was rejected as although it jumped 4ft, it was an odd ride - you couldn't use much leg or hand and when my sister tried it (mum used to make her try ones for me afterwards) it threw her off and promptly beggered off never to be seen again (by us anyway!)

I have never been to see a horse that I have seen in pictures first, so each time seeing them was an experience - whether good or bad!

But then, first pony was the first one I saw, second pony was the second one I saw. Saw about 6 before I bought my first horse (and managed to pick the most unsuitable of the lots

) and wasn't even looking for a horse when I bought my current one

 

[harrypotter]

I have looked at plenty of horses recently but have found it really hard, especially if the horse is someone's pride & joy, to be critical...

On a couple of occasions I haven't even ridden the horse but I just said that it wasn't really what I was looking for & that I didn't want to waste their time.....

 

[indiat]

I would find it very, very hard to be brutally honest with someone who was being forced to sell their pride and joy due to personal circumstances, unless I could put the blame on myself, such a saying the animal was to strong for me. For ths ame reason, I always hated viewing houses when the seller was showing me around!

 

[Enfys]

I take the polite cowards way out and just say "it isn't what I was looking for/too strong/small for the rider" whatever. (Heights in Canada can be a bit iffy, I have several times been to see supposed 14.2's that were only 13h on tiptoes) I don't tell them that my daughter is hissing "I am NOT riding THAT" in my ear, that would be insulting.

Quite often I have seen a horse in the field, or led out, and said there and then, "Sorry, I won't waste your time, not for me" then go away feeling guilty. Why do I always feel guilty? Yet I would far rather people said that to me when they see my horses than arse about for an hour, promise to call back and scarper.

 

[millitiger]

i tend to be nice rather than too honest.

 

[canteron]

Yes, its is funny isn't it. I have on occassions gone to see a horse twice, been so excited after the first visit, but on the second just known the horse isn't right - and have walked away knowing the owners feel I have been timewasting.

I actually think it is polite to give a reason - in unoffensive way (ie great horse, but I was looking for something that would ....) if they have given you their time. What really annoys me is if the owners try to make you obliged to see the horse if you go to see it twice.

If I was selling I would want the horse to go to the right home, so as soon as the any potential vendors put on a sort of sulky/threatening attitude because you aren't buying to me that shows that they don't give a sh** about the horse, only the money, and that they probably have 'glossed' over a few details.

 

[Alibear]

I tend to be nice about it then honest if pushed.
One horse I didn't even let them get it out the field as when they lead it , it's hocks clicked , since that had been the start of the end for my previous horse I said no thanks.
A vet bought it shortly after and is probably having a fantastic time, but it wasn't the right horse for me.

 

[tangoharvey]

having just sold one, got one for sale and just bought another, i would rather people make the right choice when they are buying, people often dont give reasons as its your pet and they dont want to offend I think. I know my horses are amazing

lol!
Having just bought one I visited 6 places, the 1st 5 either were not as described, or that gut instinct just wasnt there, tricky isnt it?

 

[Annagain]

I've done both, I was very honest when I went to see 2 that I really liked but weren't quite right, the first was just finer than I expected (and than he looked in photos) and rode a lot smaller than he was. I just felt too big on him but thought he was lovely. The second was lovely but was only in a rubber snaffle and even in that really didn't like a contact. I know that, if anything, my hands err on being on the heavy side so he would never be happy with me. I was honest with both those as I wasn't offending anybody.

But when I saw what was supopsed to be a 6 year old jumping 3 ft (in freeads so no photo) and turned up to find a really poor looking 3 year old (if that, still had baby teeth) that didn't know how to canter I just said it wasn't for me as I think had I started I would never have stopped telling them exactly what was wrong with the horse (or rather their treatment and advertising of it) I wanted to buy it as I felt so sorry for it but my friend dragged me away before I could.

 

[Rudey]

Unfortunately I'm not always the most tactful of people, especially when I am shocked by something!

Talk first, think later type!!

It has proven not to be a bad thing in one instance when I went with my friend looking at horses at a dealers yard for her!

My friend likes the steadier type of horse, needing not much feed or hassle, and something trustworthy as she is a single mum!

The dealers brought out a scatty little TB for her... I loved her!! It would have been perfect for a confident pony club rider, it was really eager and willing to go, just a waste on my friend who struggles to ride weekly! I said straight, no point you getting on that, it will need working everyday and you haven't the time. They put it away, no time wasted for either party!

Then they showed us a half clipped chesnut mare! She had a lovely temperment and kind eyes, so my friend rode it. It was lame! I said straight away it was lame, it had a shoe missing!

Didn't think too bad of it, it may have just been foot sore, but you shouldn't carry on riding a lame horse making it worse. No one's time wasted.

Then they brought out this massive TB. It's eyes were rolling. Something inside me was screaming NOOOOOO!

Straight out right, I said, You're not bloody getting on that!!!

Needless to say, we came away empty handed! I was very honest with my friend and the dealers. She said she liked taking me with her, because I voiced things she didn't dare say even though she thought exactly the same! There were no bad feelings between anyone, it was a case of cards on the table!

 

[Chestnutmare]

I am so taking you horse shopping with me when I do it....I couldnt do it...i'm soft when it comes to horses and would prob buy the wrong type just cos i felt sorry for it I need a good kick up bum when it comes to things like this...LOL

 

[eggs]

Some years ago I went to see a horse but as soon as it came out of the stable I knew it was not the one for me and told the seller. She was grateful that I hadn't wasted her time and got chatting. It turned out that she had another horse for sale who turned out to be my horse of a lifetime. Very sadly she was PTS nearly two years ago but I am now enjoying riding her four year old son.

When looking for a horse for my very novice husband we went to see a dealer who 'specialised' in Irish horses. Having explained exactly what I was looking for over the phone - having established that the horse that I had phoned up about had been 'sold' - we turned up at the yard to find a bunch of crocks. There was one that didn't appear to have any major physical problem but when I rode it it was as green as grass and totally unsuitable for a novice rider. I said to the dealer that it wasn't what we were looking for only to be subjected to a 15 minute rant as to why I was wrong and it was just the horse for my husband ...

On the other hand some people do seem to turn up to try a horse just as a way of getting a free ride....

 

[Tinypony]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't sometimes. When I was looking for my Arab youngster I looked at a few, I didn't want to jump on the first one I saw. I told all the breeders what I was doing and that I would get back to them. So:
"Hi, just ringing to thank you for letting me see your filly at the weekend. She is lovely, but I have decided to buy one of the others I've seen".
"OK, that's fine. What made you decide on the other one?"
"I think she is going to grow a bit bigger than yours, and she just felt right to me".
"Mine is going to be a big girl!!"
"Yes, well, she'll be about 15 hh won't she?"
"Yes... but she's very strongly built. What was this other one like??"
"Ah, I just liked her, a real leg at each corner sort of horse, really strongly built".
"Well! What do you think mine is???" SLAM!
(Actually mate, yours is very pretty, but more of a show horse, and as far as I could see it's legs at the front came out somewhere in the middle of it's chest from the same hole... )

 

[Rudey]

LMAO!

I work in criminal solicitors and some clients you have to be firm with, be assertive but polite.... I don't seem to come away from 'work mode' and sometimes I come across abit brash with words lol! I don't have time to beat about the bush... I'm straight in there like a bull lol! I need reining in hahahaaaa!

My friend is a BIG softy, even when she tries to say no to something, she gets pressured into stuff and ends up doing it against her will!

Not all sellers and dealers are nightmares, but some of them know how to sell you a blind, one eyed donkey, and convince you that you are getting a grade A show jumper at a bargain price! Be strong and straight, and not much can go wrong

... I hope lmao xxx

 

[diggerbez]

i tend to just say that its not what i'm looking for. but to be honest, i've often bought the first or second horse that i've been to see. i tend to do a lot of research before i go a and see the horse on dvd etc so i sort of know what i'm looking at before i turn up.

when i sold the grey in my siggy i had one lady come and see him, after she had seen a 30 min dvd of him working in the school in all 3 paces. i pulled his rugs off and she said that his bottom "wasn't round enough" and he didn't have enough muscle UNDER his neck!

i was a bit

and also annoyed because his conformation was obvious from the dvd. her friend then suggested that she ride him but i refused to let her- she clearly didn't like him so i didn't see the point of wasting any more time with letting her ride him etc etc....

 

[Mithras]

[ QUOTE ]
i tend to just say that its not what i'm looking for. but to be honest, i've often bought the first or second horse that i've been to see. i tend to do a lot of research before i go a and see the horse on dvd etc so i sort of know what i'm looking at before i turn up.


[/ QUOTE ]

Me too, except I tend to ask really detailed questions on the phone. Or maybe I'm just not very fussy - my mare couldn't canter when I first bought her but I could see her potential. My new one rears, but its a stroppy, tantrummy rear rather than an insane, maniac rear.

And I've only ever once had someone not want to buy a horse I'm selling that has come to try it, and they were an incredibly fussy pony club family. The horse seemed to meet all their stringent requirements and behaved perfectly, even jumping 4 feet 3 several times when they only wanted an Intro level eventer. At the end of 2 hours, the father said they didn't think she was quite right for them, as she didn't go as well for his daughter as she did for me. I later heard they had got one on loan...

 

[misst]

That is tricky. Went to see a youngster with my daughter who turned out to be very unhandled. As it was our first we were honest and my daughter said she thought we were too inexperienced for him even though he was lovely and very well bred. They seemed fine with that.
When we bought our present little one we went to view his brother but he just didn't "float our boat". Whilst wondering how to say it nicely we spotted his baby half brother in the field and bought him instead

To me our horses are perfect

so I am sensitive to other peoples feelings and would hate to criticise so always try to find a "nice" reason not to buy. Two I have seen over the years have been not as described and both times I was too intimidated by the sellers to be truthful

They were both very unpleasant people and I felt sorry for the horses both times.

 

[chickeninabun]

I travel a couple of hours to see a welsh D. He sounded just what I needed to get my confidence back, even being described in an email as "having a bit too much brakes". When we got there he was in his stable. Seller opened the stable door and it bolted straight out

! I had to jump out of the way and grab my child who was almost tramped by the thing

! It was a beautiful big big section D but when asked if he often did that, the seller, to give her her due, said yes

. "I don't suppose you want to see him ridden now do you?" she asked. We said No, and left

!
Then worst of all daughter left her favourite teddy in the sellers loo

(before we saw the horse) and we had to ring her back and go back for it. Luckily she was fine and understood her horse was a nutter!!

 

[Parkranger]

Thing is, I honestly believe that if you ride a horse once then you kind of know whether you tick or not. If you go back to ride out and don't feel comfy or safe then I don't know why that would be classed as timewasting?

I think we all feel quite protective over our horses......

 

[PaddyMonty]

I try to be honest in a nice way if possible. The only time this goes out the wiondow is when someone tries to pull a fast one.
I guess I see alot of horses for sale as often get dragged along for a second opinion. If the horse isn't suitable I try to end the viewing as soon as that is apparent.

Only time I've got arsey at a viewing was when I'd traveled 2 hours to see a horse that was so obviously unsound at first trot up. I pointed it out, seller assured me it wasn't.
That got me a little angry

 

[LouBerry]

I tend to be polite but give as close to the true reason as possible.
Went to see a lovely gelderlander last year who was a gorgeous mare. She was top end of my wanted height, 16"2 but being a gelderlander she rode bigger and i just didn't quite feel i could do her justice if i'm honest. Seller was lovely and i really hope she found a good home for her.

Did go to see a bay mare as well down near birmingham. First time i've ever refused to get on a horse to try it. The mare hated having her tack on, was refusing to let the woman mount up and shot forward when she sat on her. So she got her instructor to show me the mare schooling. The mare spent ten minutes bolting in trot and canter, the instructor pretended she was asking for this and when i asked her if she would walk she made some load of rubbish up about the mare was just lively.
I asked the owner when the mare last had her back and teeth checked and she told me never in the 1 1/2 yrs she'd had her. I told her the honest truth that all the signs pointed to the mare being in pain somewhere and that no i didn't want to ride her as i didn't think it was fair on the mare. The instructor then basically insinuated i didn't have the guts and that the mare was just fresh. I just smiled, told the owner thanks and walked off. Don't need to use a mare in pain to prove to some bad instructor i can ride.

 

[Seahorse]

my friend had a very nice event mare for sale a while ago. She put in the ad that the mare wasn't very good in traffic (she was scared of lorries)
She was hoping to sell her to a comp home where competing was more of a priority than going out for a nice hack.
The first girl that turned up said she wanted something to hack out on, and my friend refused to let her even see the horse and told her to go as the horse wasn't suitable and the really annoying thing was she'd explained this over the phone too.