I'm Horse Hunting .... Numpty Questions!

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GREYSMEADOW

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I’m currently on a hunt for a suitable horse and am in need of some help/answers.

I will probably purchase from a dealer or unless something suitable comes along in the meantime – have been looking since I lost my old boy (at the end of January).

I have so far been to two dealers only just for a look as although they may appear suitable in the photo/web they can differ in the flesh – personality/size, suitability etc etc etc. I know exactly what I am looking for and will not waste the dealers time by them riding each horse they show to me. Both visits to dealers I have only been there for less than 1 hr and hope that they don’t think that I’m a time waster. I’m not in a hurry but would expect to find a horse which ticks the right boxes for me by the beginning of June – that is my target if I'm lucky!

Can you please advise if a 15.1 – 5 year old will grow to 15.2 or 3 and when does a horse really stop growing upwards – I thought it was 6yrs.

If you like a horse do you go back the second or even the third time to ride again or do you just put in an offer subject to vetting etc. Do dealers expect this trying out period? Do you go for 2 stage or 5 stage vetting and are dealers ok if bloods are taken and how long usually do you have to wait for the blood results. My budget is under £4K.

Sorry to be such a numpty but have not purchased a horse this route before. Is there any step-by-step guides to buying a horse for folk like me. I expect the dealer to walk, trot, canter, jump (if applicable) and take out in traffic before I get on board. I also expect to see it in the field with others and how its handled in the field and in the stable etc as well as hacking out alone/in company, tacking up, farrier, horse box/trailer, clip, looking in mouth (some you can’t get near) etc.

Thanks for your help in advance.
 
Not sure about the growing age

But ride the horse more than once! To various things with it, hack, jump school etc...you can ride it as many times as you wish THEN get the vetting
I would always get a 5stage vetting as even though its more expensive it could save you a lot of vets bills in the future!
 
Ah it starts off soo exciting looking for a new horse...in about 2 weeks you'll be posting threads about how irritating it is when you go miles to see a horse that....has already been sold....is not the horse that was advertised....etc etc :D

Growing - depends on the breed to a certain extent; I am no expert though and will leave others to answer this one ;)

Agree with WWST - go back as many times as you like, and do lots of various things with the horse. Go with your gut instinct though - I very almost bought completely the wrong horse for me as I really enjoyed schooling this horse and the seller was being very very pushy. Thank goodness it failed the vet though ;)

Vetting - definitely at least a 2 stage; I booked a 5 stage for the horse I bought, but the vet was being so positive about him, I cut it down to a 2 stage, and haven't regretted it.

Bloods are usually taken, but not tested. If you have a problem when you get the horse home, then you ask for them to be tested (much more expensive you see), and then you have some comeback if it turns out the horse has been doped.
 
Within reason most dealers are happy for you to ride/hack as one less for them to exercise. I liked a horse at dealers a few weeks ago and he said as long as its not sold ride as often as you like. But I would only hack and maybe have a lesson on it before making a serious offer
 
Dealers are usualy quite patient if you explain from the outset what you are looking for and what you want to try/see at the viewing. Obv there is a limit to exactly what they can demonstrate for you. Showing the horse being clipped for example. I would always go back for a 2nd viewing. If you want the horse held for you then it might be wise to discuss a deposit, which may or may not be refundable. Normaly a deposit would only be refundable if the horse failed its vetting. We lost out on a cracking young horse at a dealers as we we arranged to go back 2 days later for my daughter to go on a road hack (we had lost the light by the time our first viewing ended). Sadly the horse was sold the next day cash, obv someone braver than us.

The only bad experience we have ever had was a horse bought in haste,so take your time, if you loose out ce la vie. I know how hard it is finding something to match up to a lost horse. We lost one of ours in November and have been looking in earnest since Christmas. We finaly found one last Saturday and he passed his vetting today :). Best of luck with your search
 
Growing can depend on the horse. I'm not an expert but I wouldn't really expect much upwards growth from a 5 year old.

I rode my horse twice before getting him vetted. Once I rode in the school, second time on a hack. Didn't do any jumping as he hadn't jumped before. I'm sure a dealer would be fine with you riding a few times, as long as he knew you were serious about buying.

5 stage would be best, and doesn't cost that much more.

Take an experienced person with you, they might spot things you don't and save you money on vettings.

Bloods will be taken at the vetting (this is normal practice) but are not usually tested. They are stored for so long and you pay to get them tested if something happens with the horse. i.e. if it turns into a complete fruitloop/goes lame

What kind of horse are you looking for? I'm sure people on here will assist with horse-hunting for you :)
 
Mlini said:
Growing can depend on the horse. I'm not an expert but I wouldn't really expect much upwards growth from a 5 year old.

I rode my horse twice before getting him vetted. Once I rode in the school, second time on a hack. Didn't do any jumping as he hadn't jumped before. I'm sure a dealer would be fine with you riding a few times, as long as he knew you were serious about buying.

5 stage would be best, and doesn't cost that much more.

Take an experienced person with you, they might spot things you don't and save you money on vettings.

Bloods will be taken at the vetting (this is normal practice) but are not usually tested. They are stored for so long and you pay to get them tested if something happens with the horse. i.e. if it turns into a complete fruitloop/goes lame

What kind of horse are you looking for? I'm sure people on here will assist with horse-hunting for you :)
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Thanks to those of you who have kindly provided some useful information.

For horses with a microchip does the vet (when vetting the horse) check to see if the horse is stolen on a database/register or would the person buying the horse need to take a note of the microchip number and investiage before purchasing the horse.

I'm actually looking for approx. 15.2h to 16.1h gelding (no mares) age 5-11yrs, sound, safe and sensible (but not a plodder) with a good shoulder - mw/hw/maxi - large cob to hunter type with at least 9.5" bone, 100% traffic, shoe, box etc. for loan / purchase, for hacking, possible sponsored ride(s) - no jumping for long-term home on private yard with company.

Can someone please advise when those who hunt retire their hunting horses?

Thanks again.
 
A good hunter will normally be retired through injury or unsoundness. We retired a mare out of hunt service at 24 and the lady master here hunts a 24 yo. If they aren't such good hunters maybe sold to do another job.
 
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