Need some experienced horse peoples advice

Dancing Queen said:
horse dealers make second hand car dealers look like saints!
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A few unfortunately do, although IMO the vast majority are fantastic - after all it's their reputation on the line and the horsey 'world' is surprisingly small.

My boy came from a (well respected) dealer and I would have no hesitation in buying from a dealer again - private sellers can be equally unscrupulous!
 
Tammytoo said:
The big drawback to Coral is her age. In a couple of years time she will be a "veteran" and although probably perfectly healthy, insurannce for vets fees can be limited and her value virtually nil. I know it sounds hard, but should Lydz85 want to go on to bigger and better things she will have a hard time finding the right home for Carol

If Lydz has had a horse on loan for a year she isn't exactly a "first timer".. If she's looking for a bit more experience, perhaps a 9-12 yo?

Dancing Queen's suggestion looks very nice, but he is only 6 as well!
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Sorry.. but wtf????

So now horses are being written off by the time they are *mid teens*??? Pre-veterans? REALLY??? Uninsurable for vets bills???? i know at least one insurer that if you insure before the horse is 20 it is covered for vets bills by the time it is 25! There is absoloutely *nothing* wrong with a 14 year old horse for what this persons wants - theyre not going around badminton next year! this horse is a schoolmaster/schoolmistress and the perfect age to teach a learner the ropes.

Sorry i just *hate* seeing horses in their teenage years being written off - even the older teen horses - they can still do a job!! but 14 is ridiculous!!!!

!!!!
 
in regards to age... fot my frist horse i bought a 6 year old green tb ex race horse and tbh its work out fantastically for me. if your still a little novicey your self then i wouldnt suggest it but you cant judge a horse just by age, the tb can be a bit of a tit but thats just her mannerisms whereas i one rode for a woman locally to me and she had a 14 year old pony and he was HORRIBLE he was a difficult ride, naughty and would take the p**s when he could so age isnt everythink. go and see him and see what you think. also make sure he hasnt been sedated... he should be alert and not doppy
 
We're not allowed to comment on dealers' reputations on here so any discussion of dealers has to be general and not specific - or conducted by PMs.

I would suggest you ask for opinions on the dealers on here, then read the PMs.......
 
No idea about the dealer, but I'm hearing warning bells!

It's very difficult choosing a first horse and you have to not let your heart rule your head. Always get a vetting, if you're spending about £3000, I reckon a 5 stage and bloods are essential. Take a knowledgable person, please!

For what it's worth, I was persuaded into buying a 5 year old as my first horse. Probably stupid as I was very novice, but luckily for me, the boy had his head screwed on and having been pretty ignored for God knows how long, he bonded super quickly and is just a total star. Not all youngsters are crazy!
 
From the style of writing this dealer advertises in the HorseandHound on a regular basis, not sure if that means anything or not...
Regarding the age of the horse, I don't think it's neccesarily a big issue if you've got other people around you i.e being on a livery yard. I bought my first horse after having loaned a 14 hh pony for 2 1/2 years. Shock and horror, i bought a 6 year old extremely green ( had stood in the field with his mum all his life ) 16.1 hh TB and it's the best thing I've ever done. I was on a livery yard with him tho when i first had him so had a lot of support but unfortunately also an awful lot of "experts" continuously telling me what to do "coz you've got to watch it with these TB's, especially the young mad ones".
I'd say go with your instincts when you first go to see him, but don't have your head in the clouds, and don't be fooled by dealertalk.
There's a lot to be said for you and your horse learning and growing together, so don't let his age put you off. Good luck!
 
To be honest, I dont think age is of major importance ... I know of many 4,5 and 6 year olds who are a hell of a lot more sensible in their mindsets than some horses a lot older!
I think if the horse is as calm and responsive as he is in the video at 6, hes probably passed his troublesome 'teen' years and continue to be fine. Obviously you will expect to encounter some minor problems with him as we all do with new horses, but I think a 6 year old is not a shocking idea as first horse material.
My friend brought her first horse just turned 6 when all she had done was ridden at the riding school previously. The horse isn't the most straight forward in the world but my friend has sufficient experience and they are jumping round 1m20 courses and getting on like a house on fire (said horse is only 14.3!!)
Good luck, I personally think he looks like a lovely, genuine horse and would be a brill buy if you get him for the right price!
 
I bought my 1st horse from a dealer and he was (be prepared...) a 6 to Anglo Arab. He was green and I was a bit nervous, but he is a total dude! I have lessons with an excellent trainer and I have to be honest has made things much better for the pair of us. It can work, you just need to ensure he is 'the one' :) good luck!
 
I would like to see him ridden down a busy road by the seller to see how safe and sane he is in busy traffic. I like to have safe and sane horse.
You must take someone else with you to witness what has been said.
 
Regarding KHP- i dont think it really matters where you buy a horse from. But i have to say- so long as you get a vet check and are willing to pay their prices, i dont think its any more of a risk than a private owner. In fact, if i was to buy again id probably go to a dealer.

I bought my horse from a private seller, got a 5stage vet check, 3 weeks later, never to be ridden again!!! I think youre either lucky or youre not.

Dont buy a 6 year old. How long have you been riding??? I know the "we can grow together" etc etc that people think with a youngster. But the truth is, that horse is going to need a LOT of work, and chances are, unless youve been riding 20 years (and i mean 20 years of proper riding- not including learning) its going to be too much work.I dont mean hours. Anyone can put hours in. But youll have to pay a trainer to ride the horse as you wont be able to teach it what it needs to know etc etc. If you only want a happy hacker then it might be ok, but from the looks of the horse i doubt you are. If you buy an 8 year old, that was started properly when they were 3, theyll be much much more suitable, youll be able to learn from them, as they learn from you. You wont have to pay someone to train them....

Unless of course youre keeping the horse on full training livery and will have other people riding him.

I dont mean to sound bitchy, im a more novice horse owner too, but i made the mistake myself, i loaned for a couple of years and bought a 6 year old. However, it came apparent quite quickly that i would need someone to help me and i wouldnt be able to do it myself. In hindsight- i wish id bought an older horse!!

Hope that helps!!!
 
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Buying horses is a minefield whether it's from a dealer or a private seller however there are some genuine people around. Just be aware and deffo go with your gut instincts re both the horse and the seller.
Deffo take someone with you if you can.
Be sure to get the seller to ride first!! If you're happy with what you see then hop on but I would never get on first.
I wouldn't make a decision there and then. Go away and have a think. Try him as many times as you can and in as many situations as you can.
With regards to his age, it all depends on your experience. If you have spent time bringing on horses then you should be fine. I spent 7 years bringing on an 8 year old ex-racer and then went and bought my first horse who was 4. It's been hard work but we're getting there with the help of great friends and an excellent instructor.

Good luck!
 
To summarise what I've just written in the PM, he seemed like a nice enough horse, but in comparison to other horses available on the market he was (imo) massively overpriced! He was orginally for sale for much more than is being asked now and I still wouldn't consider him at the current price.

I'd go and have a look, but with your negotiation shoes on! He could be a nice horse, but in the current market you can get better for your money (if he stays anywhere near asking price).
 
I have to disagree with people saying it is too young.. I have just bought my "first horse" after loaning, riding etc.. He is 5 & I am only 21! And we have had no problems as yet! - I think it just depends on how experienced you are...

I like the look of this horse (Mine has 4 white socks and a white face!) I actually saw him advertised when I was looking (2 months ago?).. I spoke to the dealers and I personally think they are asking WAY too much for it.

But if you really like him and get on well etc (and have enough money to buy him and get him a full wardrobe - I presume he comes with nothing)... then I say go for it :D - You only live once!!

Take someone experienced with you and get him vetted! And try to view a couple of times (Just in case you see him on a 'good day')

Good Luck!
 
Rosie041390 said:
I actually saw him advertised when I was looking (2 months ago?).. I spoke to the dealers and I personally think they are asking WAY too much for it.
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Lol - glad to see it wasn't just me that thought this! I really liked another horse they had, I thought it could be a good project horse and based on other horses I'd seen was expecting asking price to be around the £3- 3.5k mark - it was £8k! I just walked away quickly!!
 
I think he looks a nice type. However, having seen a fair few of this dealers adverts over the years, they do seem to state an awful lot that they are 'suitable as first horses/for novices' and I'm sorry but young athletic sports horse types are very rarely suitable for that purpose and from what i've seen this is what they predominantly deal in. If you feel you are experienced enough for this type of horse then go have a look, but def take someone with you
 
This is my new one with similar markings! Andd he was less than £2k!!
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I know of a few people who have bought through kent horse proucers every horse has been genuine to description and real success if you tell them your ability they got a few horses for my friends to try which was useful and one didnt come home with the original one that caught their attention as they found a better match but yes i consider them good
 
lydia_markwick said:
I know of a few people who have bought through kent horse proucers every horse has been genuine to description and real success if you tell them your ability they got a few horses for my friends to try which was useful and one didnt come home with the original one that caught their attention as they found a better match but yes i consider them good
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Just to clarify my ealier post, I wouldn't say either of the horses I saw were mis advertised, they seemed to be good discriptions of the horses and they were most helpful trying to find something that would suit me. Only issue was the super expensiveness of the horses!
 
I wouldn't get hung up on the age, if the horse is a sensible sort it can have seen and done a fair bit by the time it is 6 and there are plenty of nutty older horses out there! It is quite a pretty, flashy horse but its jumping didn't impress me at all, it didn't have much style but if you just want to pop round 2'6/2'9 it will probably do the job. I would definately want to see how careful it is jumped over coloured show jumping fences when you view it. It all depends what you aspirations are really but not a bad sort if you can get it at the right price (would not pay the asking price for it but probably worth £2.5 - £3.5k depending on it being bombproof in traffic and how well it has actually done competing to date!). Obviously take previous advice on taking a knowlegable person with you, checking passport, vaccs and having it vetted by trustworthy practice. Good luck with what you decide and most importantly don't rush into anything, as somebody viewed it two months ago and its still for sale it isn't going to run away and there are plenty of horses out there looking for good homes! :)
 
Came across that dealer when I was looking and was told to avoid by several horsey people and family friends who are dealers. Cannot say too much, post rules etc, horses are lovely, but dont think that if/when anything goes wrong they will offer any help.
 
Sorry if I have missed this but where is the horse? I am on the Kent border and could come with you (if you make me a cuppa!), but I cant ride.
 
Samantha008 said:
. But the truth is, that horse is going to need a LOT of work, and chances are, unless youve been riding 20 years (and i mean 20 years of proper riding- not including learning) its going to be too much work.I dont mean hours. Anyone can put hours in. But youll have to pay a trainer to ride the horse as you wont be able to teach it what it needs to know etc etc. If you only want a happy hacker then it might be ok, but from the looks of the horse i doubt you are. If you buy an 8 year old, that was started properly when they were 3, theyll be much much more suitable, youll be able to learn from them, as they learn from you. You wont have to pay someone to train them....

Hope that helps!!!
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are you mad??!! you have to have been riding for at least 20 years to be able to bring a young horse on? That is just daft, seriously. Also, a horse started at 3 has probably done too much at a young age and will be MORE work rehabilitating than a horse started that bit later and more slowly produced.
 
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