irish horse imports?

Poor bloomin horses , being treated like that. Wish I hadn’t read that Facebook post

I have to say that when I went up there with a friend in 2019 the stables were clean from what I saw and the horses appeared to be well looked after. Obviously I didnt see every single stable but what I saw appeared alright. Unfortunately the horse my friend tried had curby hocks to both hinds . The dealer was furious that I has spotted it and kept saying it had passed 2 5 Stage vettings. The curby hocks were plain to see. I did see, but only in the stable a beautiful young mare by Beach Ball she was so friendly and kind, just kept wanting me to cuddly her head.
 
I was told by a friend with racing connections that they don’t buy that much from Ireland any more, it’s mostly TBs bought from the sales here in the Uk, but maybe that’s not true, I don’t know.
Anyway, I would have thought if she’s that good a rider with an experienced rider, and a wad of money from selling a 2* pony, she doesn’t need to try to find a bargain from IHI. And the other Gerty one that’s been mentioned is more general riding horses and ponies isn’t it? Or am I wrong?

They'd bought a few from Goresbridge in September - was clear to see in the purchaser list that The Irish Field publishes :)
 
If you're planning on coming to Ireland I would look at other yards too that don't specialize in 'flipping' horses. You can of course see horses at that yard but there are lots of amazing yards that have a lot to offer. I think its worth coming over for 3 days or so and try as many horses as you can. The top two you can see again to be sure! I'm based in Ireland and its generally known to steer clear of the yards that really want to sell abroad 😅
 
A sound horse with experience and talent will be seriously expensive. Great if the money is there.

I'd think in the above situation, the right young horse might be okay, but probably not one from Irish Imports, that has just been imported. Better to get a known, calm, kind, settled four year old from someone that has them in for at least a few months before selling.
M
If you're planning on coming to Ireland I would look at other yards too that don't specialize in 'flipping' horses. You can of course see horses at that yard but there are lots of amazing yards that have a lot to offer. I think its worth coming over for 3 days or so and try as many horses as you can. The top two you can see again to be sure! I'm based in Ireland and its generally known to steer clear of the yards that really want to sell abroad 😅
Hello can you recommend yards to try?
 
I wouid definatly NOT recommend Irish horse imports James white reading Berkshire I placed a deposit after seeing an advert on horsequest I headed over to their website which confirmed they buy quality horses from Ireland and all horses come with a POE or a pre purchase vetting.tge day before she arrived I was sent these pictures just so I’m aware .not only has she got sweet itch ?wirms ?WHO KNOWS????but her condition is quite poor with swollen glutes .I’m entitled to a full refund of my deposit which they are refusing to pay akso refusing to let me see the PPE they are rogues liars and have an outdated contract that I did not sign.the horse as you can see from the pictures is quite poor for anyone to accept this and their whole behaviour on this is appauling
 
I wouid definatly NOT recommend Irish horse imports James white reading Berkshire I placed a deposit after seeing an advert on horsequest I headed over to their website which confirmed they buy quality horses from Ireland and all horses come with a POE or a pre purchase vetting.tge day before she arrived I was sent these pictures just so I’m aware .not only has she got sweet itch ?wirms ?WHO KNOWS????but her condition is quite poor with swollen glutes .I’m entitled to a full refund of my deposit which they are refusing to pay akso refusing to let me see the PPE they are rogues liars and have an outdated contract that I did not sign.the horse as you can see from the pictures is quite poor for anyone to accept this and their whole behaviour on this is appauling



ETA: crossposted with posting of photo
 
Agree I’m not convinced you are looking at sweetitch there, he’s just been sat on his butt and presumably had a rough trip over from the sales. That’s not unusual for horses from this yard, they can be a little rough around the edges.

The glutes though would have this horse not really suitable for sale at the moment and on that basis I’d expect your deposit back
 
Could that tail be caused by sitting on it in a trailer/lorry.
A sad site though with swollen glutes.

I agree that seems most likely- probably had a rough journey over.
They buy from the Irish sales and they are advertised straight away, generally before they even leave the sale. They really have no knowledge of the horses they are selling beyond what they saw at the sales unless they don’t sell straight away. Most Irish sales vettings are 'basic' I would say, so I would always view and vet them myself.
 
Irish sales vettings might as well be done by yourself ticking the boxes as probably more accurate. They are worthless and pointless. Always get the horse vetted in the UK.

As for deposit depends on their terms and conditions….
 
Irish sales vettings might as well be done by yourself ticking the boxes as probably more accurate. They are worthless and pointless. Always get the horse vetted in the UK.

As for deposit depends on their terms and conditions….
I don’t think they allow vettings? They offer 2 week trial I think with exchange options!
 
They do allow vettings, though I think only through vets they agree to and there's a bit of pressure to have it done quickly
Might depend. The person I know that bought from them was not allowed a vetting (with an independent vet) and was told to have horse on trial and have it vetted then.
 
Might depend. The person I know that bought from them was not allowed a vetting (with an independent vet) and was told to have horse on trial and have it vetted then.
I suspect vettings are a PIA for them. Friend def had hers vetted there. I suspect with 2 week trial terms though easier to get own vet to do it at your own place if easy enough for you to return the horse.
 
I suspect vettings are a PIA for them. Friend def had hers vetted there. I suspect with 2 week trial terms though easier to get own vet to do it at your own place if easy enough for you to return the horse.
I’d want it vetted there, as if you have on trial and it doesn’t pass your stuck with them as they will only swap for another, not give you your money back. However having said that their sales contract doesn’t stand up in a court of law
 
Think there's more wrong than glutes and rubbed tail. There's muscle atrophy on the nearside too.

I would get an independent vet to vet this horse. I would expect to see it lame under saddle. I'm sorry.

That's what I think also. I would be very surprised if this horse is sound. If you don't want a massive vet bill and potentially a horse that won't come right then you need to send it back and then try to get as much money as possible via small claims court. They cannot over rule your statutory legal rights with any contract.
 
I suspect vettings are a PIA for them. Friend def had hers vetted there. I suspect with 2 week trial terms though easier to get own vet to do it at your own place if easy enough for you to return the horse.
Person I knew, was offered exchange but not return (horse was clearly lame)
 
Just thought I would update everyone so yesterday from a post on Facebook tge horse isn’t imported from Ireland .probably a part ex who knows ?I bought unseen but my friend was going to look the horse over before she boxed her.I was sent that horrendous picture the day before she was due to come to me it’s a 5 hour journey.from a picture you cannot tell if it’s ringworm which apparently is rife from that dealer.so I rejected the horse and I’m entitled to a full refund as I didn’t see the goods in person
 
Good luck getting a refund, I was stung by them a couple of years back.

Bought horse subject to vetting, he got annoyed at me for arranging with a vet which wasn't on his list and wouldn't allow the vet on the yard. So I had to transport the horse 2 hours to my yard to have it vetted, which it promptly failed within 5 minutes of the vet taking a closer look. James refused to give me a refund, only exchange (which is illegal). Went back to his yard to find something to exchange him for, but every horse looked awful with snotty noses/cuts, lumps and bumps all over them and one had damage where the headcollar had grown into its face. He tried to tell me one horse had warts when it had a bloody mess of ulcerated sarcoids on it's back legs. I said to him I didn't want anything he had on offer, just wanted a refund. Spent over an hour on the yard having a heated discussion where he refused to give me my money back. Eventually we agreed on a £500 loss which looking back I kick myself at for not knowing my rights, as you're entitled to a refund within 30 days. To be honest I just wanted to get out of there as the whole thing was so stressful.

Thankfully it looks like he's stopped dealing bin-end TBs from the sales as I heard plenty of stories from people where that went badly wrong, unsurprisingly.
 
Good luck getting a refund, I was stung by them a couple of years back.

Bought horse subject to vetting, he got annoyed at me for arranging with a vet which wasn't on his list and wouldn't allow the vet on the yard. So I had to transport the horse 2 hours to my yard to have it vetted, which it promptly failed within 5 minutes of the vet taking a closer look. James refused to give me a refund, only exchange (which is illegal). Went back to his yard to find something to exchange him for, but every horse looked awful with snotty noses/cuts, lumps and bumps all over them and one had damage where the headcollar had grown into its face. He tried to tell me one horse had warts when it had a bloody mess of ulcerated sarcoids on it's back legs. I said to him I didn't want anything he had on offer, just wanted a refund. Spent over an hour on the yard having a heated discussion where he refused to give me my money back. Eventually we agreed on a £500 loss which looking back I kick myself at for not knowing my rights, as you're entitled to a refund within 30 days. To be honest I just wanted to get out of there as the whole thing was so stressful.

Thankfully it looks like he's stopped dealing bin-end TBs from the sales as I heard plenty of stories from people where that went badly wrong, unsurprisingly.
Think my friend had similar experience, but did take the exchange horse, which hasnt been great.
 
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