Is she worth a gamble?

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LansdownK310

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I’m currently horse hunting at the minute – had not a lot of luck, horses older than they were advertised, shaggy toothless Irish youngsters, a youngster who had a case of the green eyed monster on the second visit and flipped out with me and his owner, not great confirmation, the list goes on…

I went to see a horse locally yesterday afternoon who is being sold by a dealer, she’s a 15.2hh 7 yr old tb x mare, has hunted a couple of times done some clear round jumping but not much else. She is being sold very cheap – not 100% sure I believe the story that was told to me, owner off to uni, parents looking after her, want her gone. They haven’t had any contact from the owners since November. The chap selling her basically wants the livery money back for her. He said that she’d been owned by a teenage girl who thought she could bring her on as a youngster and didn’t do a good job, and then could pick her up when she was back from uni at weekends – hence she is very very green.

Trotting up she was sound and straight. Legs clean with no bumps, lumps etc. Good feet, no signs of mud fever. She’s been wintered out on hay with no hard feed and has done too badly He rode her up the road – little nappy out the yard but nothing malicious or dangerous and fine once on the road. She was brilliant in traffic – lots of surface water and cars.

When I got there she’d just come off the lorry (as she’d been at another site) with some cattle – had travelled in heavy rugs so was really sweaty and a bit tucked up.

Bad points – white marks on her withers from saddle rub (previous owner had her in a wide saddle – which I don’t think was right as she’s in a medium now), she’s not 100% with her nose being touched (so will prob need sedative for the dentist) but is absolutely fine to bit. Had a look in her mouth and teeth look good, She’d been out hunting at the weekend and had her mouth pulled around a bit so had scabs on both corners of her mouth. She is green – runs into canter, needs lots and lots of work to develop muscle tone. I rode her in a field in all 3 paces and she was very well behaved.

However I said I want to see her again after she has calmed down, dry etc... He has her passport so I also asked him to bring that next time I see her.

I’m seeing something else that’s 6 on Friday – she’s a Hanoverian mare being sold very green due to owners illness and lack of experience – she’s 3 x more expensive than this one.

Anything I buy will be 5 stage vetted and I know that she will need lots and lots of work and lunging – I’m wanting to spend under 3k so have been looking at “projects”. But wanted to get people’s views on taking a gamble on her, with lots of work she’ll either pay off or she wont (if she was sold privately I wouldn’t be as suspicious)

I have some pics but not sure how to add...
 
If you're aware of her faults, and are happy, plus you will be having her vetted, then I would be prepared to take a risk, but I would expect this horse to be under £2000 unless she has fantastic breeding and conformation - and you can see what she would become with work and training in your mind... Be very sure that you are happy that you can cope with training a green horse that may be a bit nappy.
 
If you like her and think you've got the time/experience/money and patience to bring her on..then why not? Sounds like you haven't seen anything else that takes you interest and the fact you've bothered to write all this about her shows there is something in her you like....well I'd say take a chance!!!

I bought my first boy after spotting him hiding in the back of a stable with a kid sitting underneath him grooming his feathers!!! He was terrified of adults but loved kids and I could just see a nice little horse under the mess of hair and fear, cost me next to nothing (paid more for the transport from Ireland!!). Had him nearly 7 years now and he's been the most fun, insane little horse!!! Don't regret my stupid risk for one minute!!:D
 
I don't think it's a case of is she WORTH the gamble, i'd say yes on that count, i think it is more of a question of can you AFFORD the gamble.

She might be the best horse in the world for you, but she could end up a nightmare and you might spend more on backs, feet, teeth, saddles etc....than you paid for her.

Although this is also true of the other horse and in fact any horse.

When you ride her does it feel right, handling her do you feel there could be a connetion between the two of you.
 
How old was he when you bought him from Ireland?

I'm just really, really suspicious of dealers! I did she her in possible the worst way - straight out of a field, chucked on a lorry, sweaty and in the pouring rain - and do still like her. I've got the other more expensive one as a benchmark - from the sounds of it she's a lot more naughty but has good bloodlines.

Green doesn't put me off as I've been looking at 4/5 year olds - I have a good instructor on hand and the time and dedication to put into anything I have.

She just feels like she has never been schooled and just spent the last 3 years hacking out - I want a RC horse but I can see her potential.

The money doesn't worry me - so the "worth" it isnt really financially but whether a horse a few years on can be retrained.
 
LansdownK310 said:
How old was he when you bought him from Ireland?

I'm just really, really suspicious of dealers! I did she her in possible the worst way - straight out of a field, chucked on a lorry, sweaty and in the pouring rain - and do still like her. I've got the other more expensive one as a benchmark - from the sounds of it she's a lot more naughty but has good bloodlines.

Green doesn't put me off as I've been looking at 4/5 year olds - I have a good instructor on hand and the time and dedication to put into anything I have.

She just feels like she has never been schooled and just spent the last 3 years hacking out - I want a RC horse but I can see her potential.

The money doesn't worry me - so the "worth" it isnt really financially but whether a horse a few years on can be retrained.
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Sold as 5...turned out to be just 3!!! :rolleyes: Didn't matter tbh as I had the land and a loan horse I was riding so gave him a year to eat and chill and re-backed him at 4!! He wasn't easy and still is a pocket rocket but wouldn't change him for the world. Not something to take on lightly but to me if a horse is a good hack, then you have grounding for anything else you want to do. Okay of course they won't make a high level SJ'er etc but safe hacker has more guts than alot of horses and with that you can achieve alot. The one thing about my boy the dealer didn't lie with was he was 100% bombproof with traffic and I knew if he was safe with traffic most other problems could be overcome!! Took me 4 years to hack him out alone cos he naps like a loonie but I wasn't in a rush and now we can do anything!! He's doing his first Le Trek events this year..and for a horse I thought I'd never hack out it's quiet a achievement.

I think you've already decided if you are honest? ;) Look forward to seeing piccy's of her.
 
Jen_Cots said:
Depends how cheap she is - and how nice a stamp of a horse
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She's VERY cheap - advertised at £1200 but he will take an offer to cover his owed livery. Alarm bells do ring - her greeness and wanting to get shot of her is his reasoning. Seeing her in person, I can't see any other reason why so low. He's happy for me to have her 5 stage vetted.
 
tb x with what? Does she look x or mostly TB? If pure TB I wouldn't buy her. I know several dealers that have passports saying TBx for selling on pure TB'x that no one wants. (harsh but true)

I would go and see the other one first!!

My main reasoning for everything I have put would be if it doesn't work out which one would be easier to sell on even at a loss.

TB's with any issues are just NOT selling they are being given away

Personally unless her conformation is excellent I wouldn't pay more than £800 for her max

Whereas a nice WB is fetching a lot of money still
 
Maybe go back and see her again? If she's 7, green and unschooled and looks a mess with scabs in her mouth then £1200 sounds about right?!
Sounds like you do think something of her though. I believe you should go with your instincts when it comes to horses. If in your heart of hearts you think she is worth a shot, go for it! I would go and see her one more time if it was me and I'd turn up 45mins early without warning to see what's what. Then use your own vet and be there for the vetting.
If your gut says she's one you could work with and you click with her, for that price you can't say fairer then that :)
 
soulfull said:
tb x with what? Does she look x or mostly TB? If pure TB I wouldn't buy her. I know several dealers that have passports saying TBx for selling on pure TB'x that no one wants. (harsh but true)

I would go and see the other one first!!

My main reasoning for everything I have put would be if it doesn't work out which one would be easier to sell on even at a loss.

TB's with any issues are just NOT selling they are being given away

Personally unless her conformation is excellent I wouldn't pay more than £800 for her max

Whereas a nice WB is fetching a lot of money still
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She is apparently crossed with Trakehener but looks TB - I had thought that, which is why i've asked to see the passport on next viewing. I dont have anything against TB's, I have looked at ex racehorses and been loaning a lovely if not mental 16yr old mare for last couple of months as an unsuitable riding school purchase.
 
Forgot to add, why pay 3x more for a naughty horse just because it's a warmblood? I'd be more worried about that one from the sounds of it.. A spoilt naughty warmblood doesn't sound much fun.. No point having a warmblood if you can't do anything with it!
On the flip side it may be the better horse, you just can't tell untill you have seen them both but I would ignore the breed bit! And if you like the tbx then don't let the fact it could be pure tb put you off if you really like it :)
 
If you like her then go for a second ride, but see the other horse as well.

She may well have got pulled around out hunting but more than likely the poor dear was green and all over the place and that is how her mouth got hurt.

I would say max £800 and ignore all the story about her history unless you can talk to the previous owner (who is wired up to a lie detector and can provide at least two proofs of identity) Stick with the facts, height, colour and best guess at age.

Good luck with your search though!

Any chance of a photo or possible link to advert or strong hints so we can find horsey ourselves!
 
This is a link to Peggy's advert... She clearly isn't trakehner but is apparently tb cross.

http://www.trade-it.co.uk/horsemart-horses-and-ponies-trakehner-horse/region-w-uk-bristol-south-west-avon-bristol/152STUNNINGBAYMARE7YEARSOLD-11952679.html?impression=normal_impression

The other one i'm seeing is on horsemart atm - although I do need to discuss price with owner as she's upped her by £600 after I saw her on horsequest only 2 weeks ago - no one has been able to do anything due to the weather so that will be an interesting conversation!
 
Two things I would want to be absolutely sure of - does he have the right to sell the horse if the owners have not been in contact for some time? You want to be sure that the horse is the vendor's property to sell.

Did you see her come off the lorry with rugs on when you viewed her as it could also be that she had been worked hard before you arrived to make her more docile?

Another concern is that she doesn't like her nose touched - it is possible that this is due to having been twitched. Nothing wrong with that in certain circumstances but it could be a sign that she is hard to handle.

My motto is always to value your gut reaction and by posting on here you clearly have concerns. Not always but often if something seems too good to be true it probably is.

Good luck whatever you decide.
 
Actually she is very nice, I would revise my original estimate and go to £900 :). Looks green over the jump, either that or the rider thought they would jump it first :cool:

ETS - what % TB is she meant to be?
 
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Yes, I did see her come off the lorry.

I will check the details he has her passport and owed livery fees - but I dont want to get involved in a legal dispute.

That's a fair point about being twitched - I was trying to think of why she'd be funny about her nose.

I'm going to go back at the weekend and turn up early so I can be as sure as I can that they aren't wearing her out before I turn up.
 
I think if you have a 5 star vetting ago and know her faults, you cant go far wrong.

As long, of corse you have the time to get her into goign an in a routine which im sure you do.

The reason shes properly so low is that at the moment you can find a very nice horse around the 2k mark ive seen some very loverly eventers going for nothing. This market is so awful if you can afford it you can get some real bargins at the moment.

I know alot of dealers are taking horse on doing some work for a few weeks then selling them cheap to turn more over as there more likely to sell then atleast your not stuck with loads.

I would offer £700 then atleast you can go up if he were to says no.

If youve ridden her a few times and get a good feel and the fact shes green but has no malice if good sighn she by the sounds of things just need work. There are some good dealers out there haha :)

If you can get the previous owners details evan ask the daughter if she has facebook, as shes bound to have pictures of her doing huting/jumping or atleast proof she owned the horse.
When ive sold in the past alot of people ask me weather i do that way they can see all my horses on there hunting.
/ eventing ect :) xx

Good luck
 
From the ad pics she looks like a nice type with good limbs and feet. If shes 7 or younger and a TB, she will have a microchip, so easy enough to check her out with Weatherbys. If you can give them a number, they are very helpful. Obviously you want to see a passport, then do some detective work and contact the breeder. It should also be easy enough to contact the secretary at the mendip and find out if she has been out with them. I think the price is about right if everything is correct, an exracer would be a lot cheaper, but this mare has done more things. Trust me, a TB will be far easier to reschool than a bolshy Warmblood, where usually everything has to be repeated over and over, to get it into their heads!
 
I would definitely want to know he had the right to sell this horse. I'd want to speak to the owners and get a receipt from them when and if I bought her. She looks like a nice type in the picture - dunno what's with the guy's jumping position mind! Looks like maybe she hesitated and he was way infront of the movement. God knows why they put that pic on?!

You said you were going to get her vetted so definitely do this and ask that bloods are taken if I were you (just in case). She isn't a particularly flashy TB and hasn't done anything really so the proce seems pretty reasonable if she is good to hack etc.

Buying any horse is a gamble so trust your instincts. I certainly agree with theidea of turning up early next time as well!
 
I think she looks very sweet!

This is why it took me 8 months to find my horse!! ummms and ahhhhs and dealer 'exaggurations' but at the end of the day, if you like the horse and you feel you could work with her then why not? If the dealer will let you vet it then you haven't really got anything to lose. Go and see the WB and report back :D
 
Thanks guys - the chap selling her said he's a showjumper and does lots in the SW. He said that he was off to the Hand on Saturday - i've checked and its unaff SJ on. Can't find his name anywhere and no mention of him on the forum (I know we're not allowed to talk about dealers any more :rolleyes:). He says that he'll give me a 30 day exchange guarantee but in all honesty it's like a car warranty and unlikely to mean much.

I'll get my detective hat on with regards to the owners and give the hunt secretary a call - they did tell me the girls name who hunted her so I will check.

Bloods are always for me with the vetting!

I'm thinking go for it at the mo - she'll need a heck of a lot of work but could be a nice horse once someone has spent time doing it properly and slowly with her. But i'll make my decision after i've seen her again and will make sure I get a sale agreement filled out so its all in writing.

Fair point about the WB - my Mum said the same thing about her!
 
You sound like she has made an impression, and shes a pretty little thing with that ''i could have been so much more'' vibe going.

I'm a big believer in connections, when I first met Captain he wasnt in all that good a shape and he was being a sod, but I could not get him out of my head. i had seen some beauts but the sorry looking TB with the scurfy coat and the bad manners literally turned my head. Best decision I have ever made, he is a true star and after all these years he is by far the best thing thats ever happened.
 
ladyt25 said:
I would definitely want to know he had the right to sell this horse. I'd want to speak to the owners and get a receipt from them when and if I bought her. She looks like a nice type in the picture - dunno what's with the guy's jumping position mind! Looks like maybe she hesitated and he was way infront of the movement. God knows why they put that pic on?!

You said you were going to get her vetted so definitely do this and ask that bloods are taken if I were you (just in case). She isn't a particularly flashy TB and hasn't done anything really so the proce seems pretty reasonable if she is good to hack etc.

Buying any horse is a gamble so trust your instincts. I certainly agree with theidea of turning up early next time as well!
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You are so right every horse is a gamble i know someone who spent 5k on a horse only to sell him at a sale and get 400 for him 3 weeks later, I sold them my little tb after a month of them having him on loan sold him for a quarter of that price and years later hes still hunting ect and he has the whole family ride him ;) good luck xx
 
I like her. I paid £750 for Trixie and she was in a similar condition, less experience a few hang ups but when I sat on board I thought " yes, she fits "- she just gave a really nice feeling of belonging and when I looked into her big eyes I fell hook, line and sinker - she is the best horse I have ever had I am totally in awe of her.

I agree with vetting and bloods and do ask them to check for being in foal as I had rather a suprise and 2 years on am only just about to start getting her out and about agian.

Also I traced back my girls past off her passport and found out a great deal after an afternoon on the phone doing my research and after buying a TBx she turned out to be an Arab x Cob which for me was a real bonus :D - that is if your mare has the correct passport though.

Good luck and keep us posted x
 
Haven't looked at the picture - but from all the comments - she sounds like a good prospect, and you have ridden her and liked her.

Ring the dealer and ask for her not to be tacked up - so you can get her ready and hop on and see if she gives you the same feeling as she did the other day.

Not all dealers are bad - and the scenario sounds pretty common to me. Being green ( and unfortunately unfit) doesn't stop a horse being taken out hunting - especially on a dealing yard when they need to get the horses out and about. After all - if it hadn't been hunting - then someone would question why not - it must be difficult!!

The vetting will throw up anything that may be a problem so that aspect is also covered.

You like and, and enjoyed riding her. She is good on the road, has been hunting and you know she loads. The dealer has essentially offered you a 30 day trial - if you don't gel then he will find you something else.

You have an instructor to help you - and she is reasonably priced.

What more do you want - blood!!!! Come on give her a chance :D
 
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