My horse hunting is not going well :(

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LansdownK310

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I've been searching for a horse for 6 weeks now... my experiences have not been great. I've hopefully rung so many people to be told they've been sold (but ads are still up :rolleyes:). I then was talking to another girl via email (ad said to email first), I rang her to arrange viewing and to clarify if I could have him vetted - no response!

I finally found a 7yr old mare, rang arranged a visit. All sorted, the snow meant I couldn't ride but I still went to see it in the flesh.

Something didn't feel right on the way in from the field, couple of conflicting stories didn't help, when back at the stable and the rug was off I couldn't believe my eyes. It really wasn't a 7 year old stood in front of me, pronounced wither, hollow back with a misaligned vertebrae, stiff behind in walk... the list goes on! Her passport gave nothing away, and colour didn't match. It all felt wrong, to top it off the tack that came with her was a new but poorly fitting synthetic saddle.

I felt sorry for the mare but ran as fast as I could with a polite no thanks!

The hunt continues and I've upped my budget... but am loosing faith, please tell me it will get better?!
 
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Its a nightmare! I've been trawling through the ads to no avail. I can hardly find anything worth calling about let alone going to see! Not that I can because of the damn white stuff. The market seems flooded but not with anything that any good. The ones that are seem to be miles from me up north and past experience says that 9 times out of 10 they aren't as described when you make the effort anyway.
I am losing faith for sure I just keep my fingers crossed that someone out there has a nice sound correct horse??
Good luck with your search
 
I'm glad it isn't just me then! Lots in Yorkshire but no chance of even attempting to look and mega mileage for me! Have you seen many hostess99? I'm just wondering how many frogs i'll need to see!
 
Would you like me to have a look through some websites? OHs working and I'm bored in on my tod. :D

What is it you're looking for? Area and budget? :)
 
poor you, both of mine were the first ones i saw, even if Boll was mistake and rosco was a pitty vote(marched him out the stables on the nite-about 8pm!!) what you looking for and where are you based? inbox me if there is anything i can help you with!!
 
also, obviously open mindedness helps but upping budget is not necessarily going to make a difference ended up paying for the bridle my boy came with, only got him at the start of the summer and just registering BD and BSJA!!! just a hunt... good luck i know it is maddening...
 
Flame_ i'm after something between 6 and 10 years old, 15.2hh to 16.2hh (preferably around the 16hh mark). An all rounder to do some RC, SJ and Dressage. Don't mind if a project or a little green. Mare or a gelding. Anything in the South West area - Wiltshire/Gloucestershire/Somerset/Avon(Bristol) but will travel further for a gem. Looking around 2.5k to 3k mark - hope i'm not being too optimistic!

Thanks :)
 
Both of mine were the first ones I saw too! I wasn't even really looking for a second one when her advert jumped out at me!

I appreciate just how lucky I've been, it must be soul destroying to be looking so long! Even more so if you find one you like only for it to fail the vetting! Getting my mare vetted was probably the most nerve wracking thing I've ever done!

Good luck!
 
Many frogs!!! But as I said can't even find horses worth ringing about. There doesn't seem to be anything down south at all. I'm in Kent. I would like gelding 14.3hh-15.3hh which can produce a good dressage test and enjoys schooling, hacking etc.
I now always ask for up to date conformation pictures to be sent and preferably video as well.
 
Wow you are lucky.

I don't think time of the year helps but surely all of this cold weather would encourage people? I have a nice warm stable waiting! lol
 
Yes a good idea! You'll have to keep me updated on your hunt, i'm hoping the new year will bring a fresh batch of adverts! If I see anything in my hunt in your area i'll pm you!
 
kirstyhen said:
Both of mine were the first ones I saw too! I wasn't even really looking for a second one when her advert jumped out at me!

I appreciate just how lucky I've been, it must be soul destroying to be looking so long! Even more so if you find one you like only for it to fail the vetting! Getting my mare vetted was probably the most nerve wracking thing I've ever done!

Good luck!
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But so worth it - I'll always have a 5 stage vetting regardless of price!
 
Glad its not just me then, im looking on the usual sites daily but to no avail at the mo im Devon based and looking for a 15.2 happy hacker, confidence giving horse so if i see anything in my seaches that fits your bill ill let you know!! Good luck ....
 
 
You will find him/her! You may know I took delivery of my new baby last week after looking for about 3 months - I hardly went to see anything, just about everything I 'phoned about was sold and there we some that were not suitable for one reason or another. Also, it seemed that a lot of people didn't really want to sell! They didn't reply to emails or 'phone messages etc.

Now we've got the snow and I can't even get up to the yard! :(
 
i know of a nice 4 yr old been broken this yr , going lovely and genuine mare she 15.3hh prob make 16hh in the midlands area.
 
A friend of mine is planning on selling her 16hh 7 yr old grey mare - she's Connemara x TB type - green for her age, but straightforward - loves her jumping!

Give me a shout if you're interested and I can tell you more :)

She's in North Gloucestershire
 
LansdownK310 said:
Flame_ i'm after something between 6 and 10 years old, 15.2hh to 16.2hh (preferably around the 16hh mark). An all rounder to do some RC, SJ and Dressage. Don't mind if a project or a little green. Mare or a gelding. Anything in the South West area - Wiltshire/Gloucestershire/Somerset/Avon(Bristol) but will travel further for a gem. Looking around 2.5k to 3k mark - hope i'm not being too optimistic!

Thanks :)
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Have you tried your local big riding stables? I only ask as my local one has got new horses in primarily to sell on so haven't been used within the RS environment, just a good way of making some money I guess :)
 
I hate horse shopping and am having to do it again after christmas so I feel your pain (last two times were bad enough and now i'm even more specific this time!).
It's funny that you think there are loads in Yorkshire as that is where I am from but I haven't seen anything to view yet (I need an athletic bigger version of my cob, much finer though!).
I usually look on horsemart, horse quest, horse deals and of course Horse and Hound. My last one was found through word of mouth so maybe put a wanted sign up in your local tack shops or livery yards (instructor at my yard is always selling some). Good luck!
 
This reminds me a little of blind date with the choice of 3 horses instead of a bloke..i'm too tired lol!

There will be more available Easter onwards so you will find one. I do like the third one that Flame posted.
 
teapot said:
Have you tried your local big riding stables? I only ask as my local one has got new horses in primarily to sell on so haven't been used within the RS environment, just a good way of making some money I guess :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Teapot,

The girls on the yard are on the look out for me. They've just bought one to bring on and sell but she's only a 4 year old (a bit too young) and have a 13 year old to sell (bit too old). I'm currently schooling a TB mare they bought for the school but isn't suitable to tide me over until I can find something - that is when I can ride when it isn't snowing or freezing! lol
 
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