Is Mr Perfect not out there??

Mr. Perfect is out there, but they are hard to find, as previously said, because they are swiped up the second they are for sale, and alot of the time, down to bad advertising. It's quiet difficult to fix the right horse with the right rider. Alot comes down to peoples opinions of words. For example, bombproof, to me, is a horse that, in general, doesnt spook, his idea of sppoking is just having a look, will walk, trot, canter, jump when asked, is easy to catch, load, clip shoe, etc...
My ex's idea of bombproof is "something that wont kill you".
So, for someone to read an ad from me, bombproof is what i just said, but to read an ad from my ex, it's sometthing that wont kill you...
So, because of the difference in opinions on basic descriptions, it's very hard to go see a horse, based on it's description in an ad, and for it to live up to your expectations.
They are out there, it's finding them thats the problem. What is your friend looking for???
 
I DID find my Mr Perfect after 7 months of serious searching - the compromise was that was a long term loan rather than for sale.

In fact he kind of found me - all the liveries on my yard kindly put up my Wanted signs on show centre noticeboards whenever they went out to a competition and his owner's boyfriend saw one.

So I'd really recommend doing some Wanted posters, but don't bother with paying for wanted ads on H&H, Horsequest etc. - despite being super specific I just got a load of calls about unbroken 3 year olds and horses that didn't hack and/or jump.
 
oooh, it really can get you down though and im not even the one wanting to buy the horse but god its exhausting just looking!!

She is looking for a nice, solid gelding suitable for all activities...oh and in scotland - this seems to be the sticking point, there is very little available in Scotland.
 
foxtrot said:
oooh, it really can get you down though and im not even the one wanting to buy the horse but god its exhausting just looking!!

She is looking for a nice, solid gelding suitable for all activities...oh and in scotland - this seems to be the sticking point, there is very little available in Scotland.
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I'm sure there are probably quite a few around, but it will depend of course on the budget she has available. I think some people (not necessarily your friend as I don't know her budget) are unrealistic about what they need to pay for their perfect horse which is why it takes them forever to find one.
 
Just bought a fab cob - but through word of mouth, he wasn't formally advertised. I hate responding to ads from strangers - I would always prefer to find through word of mouth :)
 
nikicb said:
I'm sure there are probably quite a few around, but it will depend of course on the budget she has available. I think some people (not necessarily your friend as I don't know her budget) are unrealistic about what they need to pay for their perfect horse which is why it takes them forever to find one.
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Good point - but I had a very healthy (and well researched) budget and still struggled to fit a horse that fit the bill.

But on the plus side, in my experience for every 100 miles you travel south the price of a good allrounder goes up about £500 so Scotland (where the OP's friend is) should have the best value Mr Perfects around, even if they are a bit thin on the ground.
 
I think it all depends on your concept of 'perfect' - in my opinion there is no such thing as the 'perfect' horse (or man!!).

I have a 99% perfect one - to ride and handle he is a dream and safe as houses, but does crib bite occasionally.

My first horse was also close to perfect - won red's consistently in all disciplines, competed for RC teams, was beautifully schooled and a clear round machine. However take him hunting and the only way to stop was to aim him at a 6ft hedge.....!

I hope she finds what she is looking for and have to agree the market is not brilliant atm.
 
foxtrot said:
She is looking for a gelding, about 6 - 15 yrs, 14.2 hh - 16hh (smaller must be native)
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She should pm measles from here, or google Avonmill equestrian, I think there are quite a few HHOers who have bought from her in the last couple of years, and all have looked lovely, genuine horses :) I don't know them personally but will be giving them a ring when I am looking again..

Actually my YO I think has one for sale at the moment, safe as houses but only 14hh (though a sturdy chap) :(
 
Thanks rhino, have been in touch with avonmill but unfortunetly they have only mares at the moment.
Is your 14hh native bred??
I think her max budget is £3000 but extra for tack and travel is to be considered; do you think this is too little?
 
foxtrot said:
Thanks rhino, have been in touch with avonmill but unfortunetly they have only mares at the moment.
Is your 14hh native bred??
I think her max budget is £3000 but extra for tack and travel is to be considered; do you think this is too little?
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Based on my experience, I'd say in Scotland £4k minimum for a cobX 15handish 6-10yo bombproof allrounder capable of doing riding club comps and with no vices or medical issues. The real stars may well be quite a bit more than that, but if she's willing to compromise on age or something like sweet itch or crib biting she might find one closer to her budget.
 
Don't you have any reputable dealers over there? If I want a new horsie I just toddle off to a sale or go to a decent dealer, where I can run an eye over a couple of dozen (or hundred, in the case of a large sale). Perhaps I'm just not that fussy?
 
OP - have pm'd you!

SOAC - £4k for a cob? :eek: The one at my yard is for sale for £1500 and is an absolute saint, another we bought last year for £250 would fit the bill perfectly but isn't for sale. 6 year old, nicely marked, absolutely bomproof to hack alone/company, schools well (classical yard) and loves jumping. Has taken part in classical demonstrations and is currently ridden by novice teen. No vices, absolutely 100% to do in every way, no medical issues whatsoever. Yes we got him cheap but no way would I pay £4k for an 'ordinary' cob. I would say £1.5k to £2.5k absolute maximum, and would want competition records etc., for that.
 
I think the vast majority go word of mouth. I have carried on keeping an eye out for something I would have bought and really haven't seen a lot - I was seriously hampered by my 'responsible adult' not being able to travel that far.

I also bought a four year old with a lovely temperament to turn into Mrs Right. But I really wouldn't suggest it unless bringing on a horse slowly is something you really enjoy. I'm not really interested in competing and am really enjoying watching the changes in her, but I need the help I have with her.

Paula
 
I've got my Mr. Perfect who I desperately need to sell :'( it's sods law i waited years to find him, put up with all sorts of horrid creatures before him but my circumstances have changed and now I have to give him up. Breaks my heart daily. I wish your friend the best of luck Foxtrot
 
I've been looking for what seems like forever, but not really for Mr Perfect (my budget wouldn't allow it) only for Mr Honest. I'm coming back after a long time away and am in the final stages of buying a young chap who's 5 and looking for guidance from his rider. He's spooky at shadows and puddles and likes to stick his nose in the air. I'll be going back to doing a lot of groundwork and don't expect to compete for at least a year. To me, he's great because he's sound and honest, and I know his history and what the problems are. They are problems I can work with. He's an Arab, I looked at TBs and ISH but they were massively more expensive for around the same level of experience (I found one I liked but he was 4.5k!). I was worried about breakdowns because a lot of them were doing a higher level of work than I'd expect for a youngster. For me, I want my chap to last and that means knowing what he's done. Guess it's a matter of working out what's most important and what you can compromise on. Good luck!
 
SadKen said:
I was worried about breakdowns because a lot of them were doing a higher level of work than I'd expect for a youngster. For me, I want my chap to last and that means knowing what he's done. Guess it's a matter of working out what's most important and what you can compromise on. Good luck!
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Thank goodness, finally somebody that accepts that babies are just babies and let them progress when they are strong enough to cope with the workload!
 
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