Looking for horses, very skeptical!!!

P

Peanot

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 October 2005
Messages
1,961
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
I think its me, but I feel very suspicious of adverts for horses.
I have been looking for a horse to go and view to buy but there is always something in the ad that puts me off. I have a mare who has lost her confidence, and we have reached a point where I have contacted an animal communicator, who was very good, and I am looking for something to go and have some fun on. Because I have a horse that has problems and these were obviously there before I bought her, I have got it in my head, that everyone is trying to sell their horse as they have a problem with them!
A friend has backed this up as she has told me that I am best to buy from a reputable dealer as they have no reason to get rid of them only to make a profit, whereas private sellers want to sell as they are not happy with them for whatever reason. It is very daunting buying horses and although I have been scanning the ads, I have yet to go and see any!
confused.gif

What are other peoples views on private and reputable dealers sales?
Thanks in advance.
 
I either buy directly from the breeder or privately. However I often don't believe a word a private seller says but give the horse a thorough run-through to see what it has to offer.

People sell for many different reasons and although I often go to see horses which are incorrectly advertised, I'd say that very often it is a pleasing incorrect advert.
smile.gif
 
Well, what about outgrown, change of circumstances, want to move on to higher levels but don't want to stretch current horse?All valid reasons imo. And a lot of people will be unofficial dealers, looking to make a bit ofmoney. If the horse looks like a niceone and has something that appeals to me (be it having done nothing/honest) I'll go see it, but then I love going to see horses!
 
Buy a baby,i did ok,years of no work mind but the ground work was great,he turned into a level headed guy that loves people and will do anything for you as long as he understands!!Got sick of other peoples problems so tried myself from scratch,would do it again!!
grin.gif
 
Toadd: I take the horse onits own merits and tend not to believe what the seller says unless tehy have proof -i.e if they say it is jumping 1.50 at home, I want to see it
 
TBH you can usually read between the lines of most adverts. Always remember, it's what they DON'T say that counts!

For example, when buying a first pony, I avoided all the adverts which said "fab LR / second pony" , because although you can assume it would do all the inbetween bits (FR) they don't say so, so it's probably not.

Always ask sellers if they'd be happy to back up what they've said in writing. Then write a receipt saying "so and so horse (age, height, colour) sold to (you) as suitable for riding club activities. Horse is sound to the sellers knowledge, and is vice free" . Both sign, and date it, and add how much you paid. Print off the adverts and keep both together in the passport. If you thn have an issue you have a leg to stand on, ie if the seller has said horse is vice free in the advert and then it starts windsucking and the vet says in his opinion it's been doing it for years you can prove the seller lied.

Or you could just pay a bit more and go to a reputable dealer.
 
When buying I take everything I'm told with a pinch of salt and judge the horse on it's merits and what I can see for myself anyway. If your that worried why not buy a horse locally that you know personally or through recommendation of someone you trust.
Not everyone selling horses are bad you know !!
Good luck and keep an open mind
smile.gif
 
Hiya, I can sympathise with you as I have asked all the right questions travelled miles to view then when we get there the horse is not as big as advertised, bucks, naps or is just generally not what we have enquired about - this has cost lots of time and money but on the other hand having found a horse which was what I was looking for I am now having my 3rd baby and have complications with the pregnancy which means I cannot look after my horse as necessary I tried loaning him out but this ended up in disaster so I have finally bitten the bullet and advertised him for sale, and I am always honest when selling...............So far I have only had 1 enquiry about him. So maybe that is why people lie about their horses as otherwise nobody would go and see them......I AM NOT saying this is right just pondering. Good luck with your horse search your perfect horse is out there somewhere.
 
I think good dealers will be buying in nice young horses and producing them to sell so like you say they are not being sold as they are 'wrong' for the private owner, and a good dealer has a reputation to protect. I have tended to always buy from dealers or breeders or off the race track. I bought a riding horse privately and it was a disaster so wouldnt go that route again. Much prefer to buy them unbacked (or breed them myself)
 
I saw a lovely horse advertsied last week, was all for going to see it and then noticed that the same rider and background was in several other adverts and this immediately put me off.

Why? I really dont know, I suppose I always wonder how the animal ended up with a dealer in the 1st place.

It is such a rigmarole looking isnt it, we travelled hundreds of miles for my sons last pony and saw some outrageous things as SallyEllis says.
 
Hi Hadfos, thanks for your reply.
The last 2 horses I have bought have been 6yr olds. The first one was secretly carrying a surprise foal which I kept until the age of 11, and she was an absolute gem, (the 6yr old) She gave me loads of confidence, a big 16.2 hanoverian, took me XC SJ and dressage and brilliant at all of them. The 6yr old I have now has lost me my confidence although i love her to bits and I have come to the conclusion that I am gonna do dressage on her as she has fab paces and we always do well at local shows. So I am considering getting a youngster, probably 5 though so all the hard work has been done and just needs fine tuning and bringing on.
 
Definately TriplesandH. I take horses on their own merits. But going back to my horse, she is fab at home jumping but loses her nerve in the ring, so that has made me aware of this too. We have jumped 1m20 at home, but are still in Discovery classes, yet to go DC.
I could go and try one at their home and it be brilliant, but horses are different in a show environment and so they could become nappy, refuse etc. It is so daunting. I am considering a good dealer not too far away and she has said that I can go and watch her jump some of these horses at a show which will be beneficial. Thanks for your reply.
 
So what are you putting in your ad that you think isnt doing you any favours. I am not looking for a perfect horse, as there isnt any, and I can deal with a few quirks as my horse used to have many, but with time and patience, she is now a gem, apart from in the ring.
grin.gif

I wouldnt worry that you haven`t sold your youngster yet as it is a funny time of year I think. There are lots for sale but they are bloomin expensive. Do keep being honest as I was when I sold my mare, and a lovely woman had her, as I would hate to think that I hid things and the new owners couldn`t cope and then the horse could end up being mistreated etc. Good Luck with selling your horse and thanks for your reply.
wink.gif
 
Yes Katy, I always read between the lines and ask the questions about what isnt mentioned. Thanks for your reply. I am sorry that I am answering all the posts one by one, but I want to thank you all for answering and answer you, cos sometimes people dont come back to the posts so miss the answers.
 
Sally Ellis That is what I worry about, travelling all over the country, cos you hear so many stories about wasted journeys. I can`t have a horse that bucks as I suffer with a bad back, same with napping etc. I am sorry to sound so negative, I`m sure that you will find a nice home for your horse.
There are no perfect horses, and people know this but some people don`t tell you things that would possibly matter to someone but not to you or vice versa if you understand what I mean. Good Luck with your horse.
 
Ooops! That also puts me off unless they state that they are dealers, but you can tell from the photos what sort of dealers they are and what sort of horses they have from their photos and wording. Thanks everyone for your replies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top