Is he worth a 6 hour drive?? Thoughts please

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lauraheads

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I have seen this horse but seems abit crazy to drive 6 hours for the price of him!!

picture.php
 
16.3, gelding, breeding lines of Metall and Farro.

Rising 5 years, unbacked. Homebred, mother/sister can be seen.


Should have put that first!
 
He looks nice enough but what is it that makes you consider that distance?

For example, I would travel that far to look at a horse with the same breeding as one of mine IF videos and photos suggested it had the same quality of movement and genuine attitude to work.

Personally I can't imagine travelling that sort of distance for anything other than specific breeding or previous knowledge of a horse though.
 
I would have a very lenghty chat over the phone first. I would make a list of questions and then if I still thought the Horse was perfect, I would travel up to see him. Probably find a cheap hotel overnight, so I could have 2 visits.

However you may find that asking your questions over the phone, you may have doubts. If in doubt don't go.
 
Only you can really make the decision to whether your prepared to drive 6 hours, if he is everything your looking for then go for it. Me personally wouldn't travel that far & would rather wait for something more close to home to come up. He looks a sweetie, let us know what you decide to do. :)
 
If he is worth it to you then go for it.
But be sure first, ask every question, videos, pictures, research and be sure he is worth it.
You also need to be prepared if you are disappointed when you see him in the flesh, be prepared to use it as experience!
 
He is in my price range which is the main factor. I have recently had a bad experience with a TB so for that reason I dont want a TB, everything else seems to be TB or has issues! =(

That hoof does look odd!

I knew buying a house was a bad idea, no money for horses =(
 
Personally, that NS hind would put me off no matter how good the breeding. Definitely not worth a 6hr drive IMO.
Is he free to good home?
Also, any reason why he's been left unbacked until his 5th year? Perhaps there's a good reason if he's homebred and in the hands of inexperienced owners but I'd still be cautious. What with that and the NS hind.....
 
Pictures aren't clear in my phone but his near hind doesn't look right.
You also implied he is cheap, there are so many horses looking for homes being sold cheap or free, so maybe a 6 hour drive is a bit far!
 
Spyda said:
Also, any reason why he's been left unbacked until his 5th year? Perhaps there's a good reason if he's homebred and in the hands of inexperienced owners but I'd still be cautious. What with that and the NS hind.....
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Yes I wondered this too - especially for such a big lad.
 
No he is 1400.

The other option I have seen is a part bred Cleveland bay (which is much nearer and I fell in love with!!) but he is not 3 until August, and I want to be able to start light work early summer. Im not really a fan of starting them that early but some people seem to say its fine if the horse is ready?
 
sorry to sound rude but it sounds as though you are picking a horse to match your wallet, not one to match you. Why dont you hold off, something right will come along that will match you and your wallet!
 
also he may be within your price range now but add 12hours of petrol to see him and 12hours of petrol to bring him home (assuming you only visit once....)

Suddenly your budget could be a couple of hundred quid more!
 
lauraheads said:
No he is 1400.
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Too much then. I wouldn't bother. £1400 for an unbacked 5yr old with a hoof problem ISN'T a bargain. Move on!!!

lauraheads said:
The other option I have seen is a part bred Cleveland bay (which is much nearer and I fell in love with!!) but he is not 3 until August, and I want to be able to start light work early summer. Im not really a fan of starting them that early but some people seem to say its fine if the horse is ready?
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No reason why a 3 year old cannot have light work done, providing you are planning on doing lots of ground work rather than ridden work. I cannot see why the 3 year old could not be worked in-hand, long reined and be lightly backed at the end of the summer. Depends on how much you want to do and how quickly you want to be up and riding out regularly. Maybe worth looking for a slightly older horse, say a 4 or 5 year old that's been backed and turned away for bringing back into work this year. That sounds like it would suit you better for what you'd like to be doing? It is a buyers' market ATM so better to wait until Mr or Mrs Right comes along than jump at something less than suitable too soon. :)
 
No you are right.

I spend nearly 3k on my last horse (a flashy unbacked show horse) - but I just dont have the funds to cover that at the moment and I feel desperately unhappy without a horse.

I have been looking for over a month at the lower price range and this time I am looking for more of a happy hacker / fun showing type of horse. Just want a horse with good conformation that can afford =(
 
lauraheads said:
I have been looking for over a month at the lower price range and this time I am looking for more of a happy hacker / fun showing type of horse. Just want a horse with good conformation that can afford =(
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In that case - look for one of those.

There are plenty about, within a reasonable judgement, and probably not too far away.
 
lauraheads said:
I have been looking for over a month at the lower price range and this time I am looking for more of a happy hacker / fun showing type of horse. Just want a horse with good conformation that can afford =(
Click to expand...

They ARE out there. Just hold fire!!! (Yes, I know, easier said than done.) Maybe advertise locally for what you are looking for? Cards up in local tack shops, feed merchants, etc? Maybe your ideal horse will be closer than you know :)
 
Im in Lancashire nr Blackpool.

Ok - feel free to horse hunt for me =)

16-17 Hands - Im tall!

3-8 years

Mare or Gelding

Any colour

Backed or unbacked

Priced upto 1500

No full TBs though due to personal experience =P
 
If you want to get out riding and happy hacks etc, look for a ready made horse.

Getting a 3 year old unbacked is going to take alot of time and work to get it to the stage which you sound as if you want now.
 
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