I'm new to horse shopping...

[Sophstar]

I'm not planning on buying till nearer the end of the year/early next year as currently all savings will be put on a house deposit but wanted some advice/guidance on this horse buying malarkey.

My cob who I lost end of April was at my previous yard so didn't have to shop for him. All other horses I've loaned or vetted to buy have all come from the same yard so I have no knowledge of the outside horse dealers/sellers world I'm also slightly unsure whether there's a certain breed best suited to my wish list or just anything that takes my fancy.

I'm looking for a horse 16.2hh+, one of my loan horses was 17.1hh and this felt a perfect match as I'm incredibly long legged. I'm not a lover of TB's as I'm generally not a fan and I can't be dealing with their spindly legs so want something a bit more solid and medium weight but still agile, I quite like the look of irish draught x. I'm happiest on forward going horses who would rather go too fast rather than too slow As I casually glance at horses for sale I'm finding a common theme of horses of a larger nature advertised as 'must go to competition home'. Just because I want something bigger doesn't mean I have the money to buy a competition horse! I want a true all rounder who is happy to spend a lot of time hacking but will also can pop round a course of jumps/xc and is relatively established in the school, nothing flashy. A horse I can go out on and have a go at anything, something I was limited with doing with an older arthritic cob Preferably a horse under 10 years old and I'm a sucker for coloureds but apparently these are rare in larger horses!

Am I looking for a certain breed or just the right horse? Any suggestions on dealers who sell 'all rounders' so I can keep my eyes peeled in the future or guidance to how much I need to be saving to afford a horse like this!? Horse hunting will be very new me

 

[bexcy-bee]

I have just sold an older version of that!

He was a coloured selle francais gelding, 17.2 used to 2 day event but he is 18 now, but was still capable of everything above.

I love selle francais! All the ones I've met have had a fantastic temperament, not too fizzy but not plods.

Bexcy-bee x

 

[poiuytrewq]

My ID x would fit the bill (he's not for sale!) but to confirm your on the right tracks!
Umm, there is a dealer yard but I cant for the life of me remember the name of them- Im sure someone on here will know but they have a good reputation and usually a lovely looking selection of slightly chunkier horses. Pretty sure its run by a lady.

 

[soulfull]

They are about. But presuming you don't want something that is forward going but very sane, they often come at a price. Reason being is that it sounds like you want one that could do some riding club shows.
In which case that is what most people are after so they demand a good price and sell quickly
Prime height is 16-16.2h. So you may have more luck looking for a bigger one
Good luck.

 

[soulfull]

Sorry that should have said 'presuming you DO want'