Need advice on buying new horse

[Charliechalk]

Hi, have tried a horse i really like, but he hasn't been in 'work' properly for a year, just hacked really now and again. He has evented in the past and i had a lesson on him and he moves very well and could go out and do a prelim test no problems. I want him as a safe sensible all rounder and on paper he appears to be this. My dilema is that because he hasn't been in what i call proper work, he could be a completely different horse when fit. He's 13 and they want £2000 for him, is this reasonable? I would have him 5 stage vetted, but a few people say that he is basically just a hack at the moment and you can't buy potential! What would be a realistic price for him or should i just walk away?
Thanks for any advice

 

[Brandy]

If you really like him ,and he has been sucessful in the past then I would say that its reasonable. Its not potential you are buying, but experience. Yes he may be different when fit. But as you will be the one fittening him you will be building up to that and will get to know him along the way.

 

[JVB]

To get more advice on here we'd need to know more - what height, breed, what level of eventing has he done, also why did he stop eventing (poss injury?), what is it like to ride in the school and hacking?

If he's a good allrounder that is sound and passes the vet then to be honest £2k doesn't sound that bad at all

 

[martlin]

I'm afraid there is no other way of finding out how he would be when fit that getting him fit.
He might be just a hack now, but if he is a sensible hack, healthy, relatively well put together and nice ride, he still is well worth the £2K price tag IMO.
It's not exactly 'potential' you are buying at 13 years old, he has already been there, done it and got the t-shirt so you are buying experience.
I don't think that you would be able to buy him for £2K if he WAS fit

 

[Booboos]

Depends how honest the sellers are. If he really is a reliable allrounder who has been out of work due to no fault of his own, then 2k sounds reasonable. Vetting is always a good idea and the other thing to keep in mind is that you will have to do fittening work (a few weeks in walk before introducing trot gradually and eventually cantering gradually) before he is really ready for more.

On the other hand the sellers may be hiding an injury which kept him out of work for a year or a temperamental problem that made his unsuitable for some ridden activities. The question is how much do you trust them? Again a vetting is crucial but it's not a guarrantee.

 

[Ella19]

Have a look at his BE record, is there anyone you can speak to that can verify what he's like when he's fit, ie their instructor or trainer or riding club instructor? You could ask for a trial period or loan with view to buy although some people are reluctant to do this which is understandable.