Looking at horses miles away! Logistics?!?!?!

[Batgirl]

I recently posted a link:
http://www.clydesdalehorses.co.uk/
Bruce 5yo Gelding looks like my dream horse (what I have wanted since I learned to ride)

However it is 7 hours drive from me, the logistics of trying him are boggling my mind! (I have asked for video to be emailed so at least I will know if it is worth the trip)

What on earth do I do about vetting?? Getting him back here (it will be more like 10 hours with a trailer/lorry)?

But I want him I want him I want him!!!! (imagine toddler like foot stamping )

Go HHOers tell me it will eb OK and tell me how to do it

 

[mandwhy]

I've had the same thoughts with horses in the far north! A video is a good idea, pester them for loads of info

I think if it was me I'd still visit a minimum of two times, arrange a vetting and then as I don't know anyone with a horsebox would get someone professional to bring them home which is probably best for such an epic journey!

Either way I think it will be quite costly but maybe worth it :-D

 

[juliette]

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to get to know some forum users in that area! Surely there must be someone up there who would be prepared to be your 2nd pair of eyes when you try the horse and recommend a vet if you decide to buy? Is there any alternative to driving there? Train links any good? Wouldn't be so tiring.

I agree with the other poster, ask hundreds of questions and get video footage before you travel.

 

[Bikerchickone]

He's gorgeous! I love Clydesdales! I agree that there must be some locals up there who could help you out here. Also would like to add that I know a very good international horse transporter who, if you can be flexible about days and times to suit, would only charge you for the miles he actually has to do to bring him home for you.

If it were me and I were in your position, knowing I wanted him so much I'd have to give it a go. Good luck x

 

[be positive]

As he is not broken yet, even if he has been since the ad went on, there will be little you can do as regards trying him fully so one visit should be plenty. Get the owners to do a good video showing as much as you ask for, plus a check list of all the important facts, getting those on paper can clarify details before you commit to a viewing.

Do you know anyone nearby that could pop and have a quick look at him just to confirm a few points such as his temperament, see him in the field and stable, check he has no glaring faults that the sellers have omitted to mention.

Collection if it gets that far is best left to the pros. they will be best equipped for that journey and save you the stress.

 

[Batgirl]

Thanks guys, I was thinking about only having one visit so glad that isn't daft!

The other thought that crossed my mind was to get the vetting done first?

There was a poster on my other thread who was in the area and knew the farm, perhaps I could ask her

It is a bit exciting even talking about it (glad I have a good friend to ground me!)

 

[be positive]

I think getting the vetting done first is not a great idea unless you plan on going up to view with transport to bring home in one go.

You must make sure it is really the one you want, that you like its character as well as the type, if you pay for the vetting you may feel committed to buy even if you are not sure when you meet him, I am sure he is not going to be such a bargain that you need to rush into it.

 

[middlebank]

I'm going against the grain. When I bought my broodmare from Yorkshire (I'm in central scotland) I had vetting done before I viewed, I bought her in foal so obviously no chance of trying her anyway. Vetting came back fine and she was scanned in foal. OH and I descended on Yorkshire, she was as described and I brought her home. For me it was a no brainer to take the trailer, I was going to have to do the trip to view her anyway so figured one trip was better than two. She produced a beautiful pure bred Cleveland bay colt last year and is due to foal this week with my second. I suppose mine was a happy ending but be 100% comfortable with your decision and even if you do go down the vetting route first done feel pressured into buying just because you've had a vetting done.

 

[Sparkles]

If it was me, I'd just make an overnight trip of it with a box...


Or, shock horror....would buy sight unseen and have him delivered if there was one I wanted that badly....

 

[Batgirl]

Oh Sparkles, you are so naughty

I am considering the vetting first and an overnight trip up to try if the videos all look good. My good friend/instructor/mentor has transport and I am sure she would make the trip with me and give me advice on buying or not buying.

God if the videos are good I am going to explode

 

[Sparkles]

If you don't want to make the trip...get all the video content you can, have a good indepth chat with them, find out who their vet is....google research other vets near other than that one...book a vetting for them to do on him.....tell them to get back to you asap with results....if it's a pass, book guillies transport and have said pony arrive at yours.

Piece of cake

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Quote "But I want him I want him I want him!!!! (imagine toddler like foot stamping)"

This is dangerous, you've already made up your mind, you haven't seen him in the flesh or seen him move yet. You haven't had him vetted.................... you need to calm down. The whole idea of going to view is to form these ideas after you have viewed.

I would go up by car to view, it's a long way in both fuel & time to go in a lorry. Take someone with you who knows about horses & who will be able to give you some moral backing & also be able to discus thing with you. They may ask questions that you've forgotten to ask.

Speak to your own vet regarding any vetting & they will probably have a vet in mind in that area who could do it for you, but check that it isn't the vendors vet. If the horse turns out right for you after you've viewed then get a vetting done. It's nice to be present for the vetting but you don't have to be. The vet can speak to you after the vetting & tell you everything you need to know.

Once all that's done then you can think about bringing him home. Don't prejudge, keep calm & a little detached in the viewing & ask loads of questions but keep your emotions in check. Good Luck.

 

[Bobbly]

I've sold two ponies to Scotland, from Norfolk, both buyers drove down and tried the ponies, (6 & 7 hour drives). I sent them home to think about it as I didn't want them to buy them just because they had come all that way, they bought and had transporters take them up there. One buyer stayed with me overnight to try the next day. One pony had failed a flexion test and the other wasn't vetted. I've also bought a foal off a video from Wales, asked a few questions, saw a few pics and bought him, again used a transporter to get him home. I guess gut feelings have a lot to answer for!

 

[Batgirl]

Thanks bobby, useful to know.

Toby, thanks for the words of calm I know, I am going to be sensible when it comes to it, I will be taking my friend who is a very experienced dealer and a very good friend who wouldn't let me make a mistake (plus even though I am 30 she is scared of my mum who is paying for new ponio!). I do want to go an see him, sight unseen just isn't for me.

The ideas regarding transport have been really useful and Gilllies do look good.

Never thought of asking my own vet as we are so far away but it is a small world after all

 

[MissSBird]

I bought my boy from Northern Ireland and live in Glasgow.

I technically didn't see any photos or videos of him, or know anything about him when I went. I was actually going to see another pony and thoroughly questioned owner, saw pictures and videos of him in order to be really sure about going to see the first pony. The one question I skipped (I'd been on the phone with the woman for 45 minutes already and was feeling guilty) was how is he shod. Typically I got there and he was wearing bar shoes.

My instructor had seen B as he was with a client of hers in Ireland, and suggested that since I was going all the way over there anyway I go to see him. This definatly made the trip more worthwhile. So I would suggest you have a look in adverts in the surrounding area and see if there's anything else worth going to see.

I knew B was the one as soon as I met him, so only went to see him once. On my return home, I phoned my vet to see if he happened to know anyone in that area he could reccomend. He didn't, so I posted on here and got some recommendations from people in that area. I phoned them, explained the situation and the vetting was arranged. The vet did the vetting then phoned me and had a conversation about how it went, everything she'd found and her professional opinion over the phone. The surgery then sent me the vetting certificate in the post with the bill.

Finally, I arranged a horse transporter to pick him up and bring him to me. I did look into doing myself, but the ferry crossing would have been tricky. The boat captain has the right to decide when the crossing is too choppy for livestock - the transporters have a place to take them if they can't cross when they planned to, but we'd have been stumped.

He was due to arrive with me early morning, but the transport was delayed at the ferry and he decided to stop and rest all horses in stables on the other side of the ferry, before reloading and heading on towards final destinations.

B was dropped off at mine in the afternoon, looking a little tired but perfectly happy. The transporter brought his passport with him for me.

I sent a check to the owner in the post and he was actually in my posession before that was cashed, but as I had a connection through my instructor it was all pretty safe. I imagine bank transfer might be a safer way to do it for someone you don't know.

And that's how I did it!

 

[Chavhorse]

I would go up over 2 days and book somewhere to stay.

View on day one then back to hotel to rest recoup and think, if you like the horse go back and view again on day 2. If you do not like horse relax and have an enjoyable break

I am sure someone on here can recommend a vet and I agree with everyone else for that length of journey let a Pro Transporter do it.

Oh and take a video camera with you so you can film the horse being shown to you and then watch it calmly later on.

All very exciting x

 

[mandwhy]

Good idea MissSBird to arrange viewings for some other horses up that way, that's what I will do if I end up going far, it will help you compare and you never know you might find one you like more (although I think Bruce looks lovely!)

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Quote "Never thought of asking my own vet as we are so far away but it is a small world after all "

I think you can rule out asking your own vet to do the vetting. Having your vet travel 7 hours there & 7 hours back? You'd have to put him in a hotel overnight & you would be paying his travelling time & expenses together with the price of the vetting. The entire price. I would imagine, would be prohibitive. Additionally I doubt if your vet would want to travel that distance to do a vetting? I had my vet do a vetting for me with a 95 mile round trip involved & it cost me a fortune & that was about 7-8 years ago......never again!

Your vet would be able to give details of a suitable vet in the area to to the vetting for you.

 

[Batgirl]

Toby, that is exactly what I meant, asking my vet if they knew anyone

 

[SusieT]

Fly/drive/train down. Book a hotel. Do two visits over two days. Look in the area, take ad ay to view other horses-a) gives you perspective and means it may not be a wasted trip. Book a vet to do the vetting after you have seen the horse.No point in paying for a vet if horse is lame obviously/you hate him on site. Are you experienced enough to break hiim? And aware that although they say he'll be a 'good eventer' he's likely to always pick up time penalties at anything serious?

 

[pricklyflower]

Living in the Channel Islands buying a horse from far away is something that we do a lot of. It's timely and expensive to come across to the mainland.

I would get as much info as you can. Ask for UP TO DATE videos and pictures. I've been sent videos of horses that have been taken months and even years ago and then go To view and it looks completely different. I don't mind viewing videos that aren't up to date to show a horse out competing but always like at least one from the present day. Watch out for pictures that the seller says are recent by may be not, clues are trees in background that aren't in keeping with the current seasons, riders dress, etc (may seem a little ott but i got fed up with spending money viewing horses that aren't as described!)

I'd go over two days, visit twice and get some more horses to look at whilst you are there.

Each time I've been horse shopping I've always been really keen on one but it's never been the one I've bought home.

Regarding the vetting, make sure you know who they use and then ask on here for decent vets in the area but be sure not to ask their own vet.

Good luck, hope that helps.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I bought c from Scotland. A friend tried her for me. Transport was by far the easiest thing. 12hours travelling and she was home with me in s Wales.

 

[Kaylum]

When we were breeding Irish draughts we got really picky about the homes they went to and the people buying them that's why they had to come and look/try in person. Also when yard owner sold anything she was the same. Don't people bother with this aspect anymore and just let them be vetted before the person has seen them? I actually find that quite shocking.

It's the vendors responsibility to do the best for the horse surely. At least you have piece of mind you have sold to someone who has an idea. even if they then sell on?

It's an animal not a machine and breeding high quality animals doesn't depend how much your selling them for its our reputation as well. Which is a good dealer downfall some don't care who they sell to.

 

[Goldenstar]

Never buy without trying .
You could vet first but as you already have the bit firmly between your teeth I would worry it would he's passed the vet and that would cloud your judgment when you got there.
It's a big desiscion buying a horse you need to invest time in it .
I would view perhaps twice over two day go home , get him vetted them have him transported home.
Good luck.

 

[diluteherd]

I've travelled the breath of England and Wales TWICE to pick up my 2 youngsters. I hire a horse lorry park up in a free car park, sleep across the front seats and pick them up in the morning. Before hand I have seen plenty of pictures. The worse that can happen is you get there and he's not what you want so in that case you cut your losses and go home. I'm excited for you!!

 

[Luci07]

Just do remember to factor in the extra costs of travel, petrol etc. It was a bit of a wake up call for me when I worked out it had cost me over £1OO in a small car to see one horse (who failed vetting and X-rays....so add on £600).

 

[cambrica]

I had that I WANT, stamping feet - coupled with a strong gut instinct. Cob was in nth Wales. First journey we broke down in Ross-on-Wye. Still determined two days before Christmas in torrential rain I hired a box with cctv etc and set out on the ten hour round trip. My gut instinct is rarely wrong and boy he was worth it. Good Luck, think of it as an adventure!

 

[measles]

Haven't read the responses but we sell horses to people far away and they find that one drive or flight for a properly described horse is better than weekends full of shorter wasted journeys. There are always transport companies who could bring him to you and good vets are easy to track down.

Best of luck!

 

[Batgirl]

I really appreciate all the replies guys.

The plan forward is this:

Owner is sending me some more pics and vids on monday (He is away in edinburgh). Will look at them closely with my friend and instructor (same person )

From there we will decide if he is what I want and decide if I should try him (14 hours round trip and £100 in fuel, £40 B&B, could be worse), we have the potential that an experienced eventer may be able to try him for us too.

Vetting and Gillies and home.

Rest assured I will not get him if there is something not right, I did this before with my first horse years ago and I was sensible enough to walk away form 'the one'.

xx

Thanks loads for all the input!