Importing & buying unseen

pookie

pookie

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 September 2009
Messages
1,034
Location
Surrey
Visit site
I haven't heard from the seller whose horse I'm vetting tomorrow but in case I have to start my horse hunt again I'm toying with the idea of importing from Ireland...quite a few I could have in my life on DoneDeal :D I've never imported before so I'd appreciate any advice.

Also I'd be grateful if anyone has recommendations for reputable breeders of larger cobs over there :)

Bakewell tarts and cherryade for everyone:D
 
Anyone? :D Trying to cheer myself up looking at Irish horses.

(Impatient and need to be proactive in this horse-hunting business)
 
pookie said:
Anyone? :D Trying to cheer myself up looking at Irish horses.

(Impatient and need to be proactive in this horse-hunting business)
Click to expand...

I really would not buy unseen. Your have absolutely no comeback and just wont know Id you click or like the horse till you see it..keep hunting where you can see the horse!!
 
Sounds like you would be better off buying something closer to home. I went out to Ireland to see what the market is like. I think you have to know the people to get a good deal. You could go to the sales but I think you must look for something young - anything over 5 is normally there for a reason.
They seem to hunt them hard early there so you have to be wise to wear and tear problems.

Unless you are looking for a performance horse or a particular breed I find the closer to home the better. I think a lot of good horse don't even get advertised, let people know in your local tack shop, or tell the farrier. They normally hear if someone is thinking of selling a genuine one.
 
We've bought two unseen from Ireland but through a reputable dealer just along the road. He buys in a LOT of Irish horses from three producers in Ireland and they usually send him them unseen. Local dealer didn't have what we were wanting so he found them from one of his producers. The ridden horse was due to go to Canavan Sports Horse sales so had had a vetting and also had a description in the brouchure. The baby was just bought from pictures. Both horses have been fabulous and far cheaper than they'd be over here but I wouldn't have done it (or been able to do it) directly. We're also experienced enough to be able to work through minor issues (my baby was unhandleded).

doonrocket said:
You could go to the sales but I think you must look for something young - anything over 5 is normally there for a reason.
Click to expand...

Very true!! I would be very suspicious of older horses (6yrs+) going through sales (with the exception of high market preformance horse sales), and dealers. WHY has a decent horse ended up at a dealers?! Young horses like Rebel (who was 4) were bred, bought and grown on with sales or dealers specifically in mind but an 8yr old at a sales is usually there for a reason, else it would have been sold privately.
 
I am doing this through an agent that I know in Ireland. You tell her what you want, and she goes and finds several options for you. She takes lots of pics/vids and you can narrow down the selection. Then you have the choice of going over to try them (and others) or buying unseen. She can arrange vetting/ransport for you or you can arrange your own. I wouldn't buy from a dealer unseen - as others have said, you need to know what you are looking for.
 
A friend of mine bought unseen, not from Ireland just further up North than we are. The gelding arrived with two front shoes but one was a heartbar, seemed ok but within days was impossible to lead anywhere, reared when ridden and then began to show signs of laminitis. The whole thing was a disaster. Admittedly they didn't get him vetted but personally I wouldn't buy unseen. If you want to go to Ireland do as CBAnglo has, get someone trustworthy to check them out then go over and do a final view yourself.

Buying a horse is like buying a house, it can seem totally perfect for everything except that in some cases you just won't like it! It's an expensive purchase so needs to be right. :) x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top