New horse shopping criteria

SatansLittleHelper said:
PAS I guess I'm trying to broaden my spectrum a bit. I'll keep looking. I'm hoping to add some to my budget over the next 6-8 weeks but I don't think I'll scrape much more than a total of 3750 if I'm lucky.
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But if it's not big enough for you to feel comfortable, there's no point in traipsing to view it.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
I just have to get my brain into the 'safe and sane doesnt mean boring' zone 😳😳🙄🙄🙈🙈🙈
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I wish you were closer and could come and meet my little mare. She is safe and sane but forward and the most fun horse I have ever owned. She went driving yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks out through the village. She was a bit looky at the roadworks etc but that was it. The kids on the yard have been riding her. Shes not been sat on since September last year and they have been riding her bareback with a headcollar and leadrope. She was a bit ploddy at first while she remembered but then she was away. The kids have had a whale of a time and shes been cantering over to the gate when she sees them as shes enjoyed it as well.

She was broken to drive in 3 weeks and placed in her first competition after 4 weeks. Stood quietly at the wagon all day and did all 3 phases a bit goggle eyed, as shes never been in an indoor never mind one with spectators and a viewing gallery, but otherwise was foot perfect. She even got a 9 for her dressage!

I thought she would be too ploddy when I got her but I just wanted an easy life for once. But shes not ploddy at all. Shes just polite and well behaved, and more than happy to go up the gears when you ask. Shes never once said no to anything I ask. I used to equate quiet with boring, but its not.
 
If you like Comtois, would it be worth giving this place a go? There are a few for sale.

http://www.comtoishorses.co.uk/hfsabsinthe.html

We had 2 Comtois at my RDA. One was a bit spooky and bargy and didn't stick. The other is a total darling and bombproof, but finding saddles for them can be a pain as they are so shortbacked, and the people who want to ride them (me included) don't always have tiny bums.

I like ester's find too - he looks sweet, plus you get shetlands.
 
Cng horses are worth a look. They're Staffordshire way. They are very well thought of dealers and have the type you're looking for. Their horses go quickly though and often without even being advertised, so you have to be quick.
 
That's interesting Adorable Alice. I'm part of the CnG group on FB from when I was looking previously and her horses seem to fly off the shelf within a few weeks of her having them even. She also has a few with issues that she seems to describe honestly. So hard to find genuine sellers these days!
 
FlyingCircus said:
That's interesting Adorable Alice. I'm part of the CnG group on FB from when I was looking previously and her horses seem to fly off the shelf within a few weeks of her having them even. She also has a few with issues that she seems to describe honestly. So hard to find genuine sellers these days!
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The only negative comments I've seen 're Claire are the way she does things, ie won't take a deposit while waiting for a vetting so a lot of horses get sold without or get vetted after. It is an odd way to do things but from what I've seen she will take horses back for the smallest of reasons so it wouldn't put me off buying from her.

I also like esters one with the Shetlands. I'd love an army of Shetlands *sigh*
 
Pearlsasinger said:
But if it's not big enough for you to feel comfortable, there's no point in traipsing to view it.
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This. Remember Alfie/Ralph, the IMHO really nice chunky coloured cob who you bought in 2015 as a 15.2hh, but then you decided he was smaller and you didn't feel safe on him any more?
SatansLittleHelper said:
PAS I guess I'm trying to broaden my spectrum a bit. I'll keep looking. I'm hoping to add some to my budget over the next 6-8 weeks but I don't think I'll scrape much more than a total of 3750 if I'm lucky.
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I think it would be better to focus your search rather than to broaden it. You've been posting links to a scattergun range of horses, many of which were way off your spec.
Your budget is now much healthier at £3k than it was pre Bailey at £1.5k. I think the right horse will be out there for you, so please don't jump in early for the wrong one.
Rara is right, too, to ask that you are honest about your long term weight. If you feel happy and comfortable at 15 stone and don't really want to lose weight, or would lose it briefly but soon bounce back, then you need a horse that will carry you at 15 stone.
Did you investigate the Suffolk Punch geldings that folk pointed you towards?
 
I've followed cng for years and she seems to be very reputable. I have absolutely no reason for saying so, other than that's what I've seen. Takes horses back if not suitable and explains why they've been returned. She has a waiting list, so horses get sold almost immediately, which annoys some buyers who are trying to arrange viewings. That's the only reported negative I've seen.
 
I'm not terribly comfortable at this weight no, so losing weight will do me good regardless of the horse I get. I'm going to try to focus more on what I need to be looking out for but it does seem most are still out of reach price wise. I 'think' I've talked myself out a purebred heavy, as much as I love them I'm not sure they would be ideal for jumping etc, it wouldn't be fair to expect that.
I've been having a long talk with a different friend today for some added perspective as I was feeling a bit disheartened BUT I then spent some time reading back through previous threads I've posted here etc and can see the problems I've made for myself. I can also see that people here are trying really hard to help which is amazing. Patience will be a virtue for sure...!!!
 
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Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for; this is contrary to the 'I want it now' mentality that I see around me nowadays in all walks of life with many people getting into extreme debt because they want the newest, latest, biggest, best, fastest etc etc and they want it NOW. They don't seem to be prepared to wait, to save, to strive.

If you are serious about losing weight, as I am sure you know, the best way for long term success, is to lose a max of 1-2 pounds per week so that it becomes a way of life rather than a deprived existence. To lose, say 2 stone, it is reasonable to expect it to take therefore 14-28 weeks.....so up to over 6 months.

You have already said in an earlier post that you can increase your savings by £750 in 6-8 weeks; therefore in 28 weeks you should have an extra 3k to add to your existing budget, giving you a total of £6K and access to some really GOOD HORSES.

Think about it! :)
 
Unfortunately the money situation wont work quite like that lol...I'm waiting on some owed money which is how I will get that extra bit :)
I'm just going to see what I can juggle with money and get some weight off and I expect the right horse will come along 🤞🤞🤞
 
She doesnt need to spend 6k and 6k wont guarantee her the perfect horse. Theres enough posts on here with people struggling with a budget of 6k+ to know that throwing more money at it doesnt work.

I've just been helping a friend horse shop with a 3 to 3.5k budget. She saw a few duds but now has a very nice horse. On a yard of 20 horses, who hack and do local shows, I dont know anyone who has spent 6k.
 
Leo Walker said:
She doesnt need to spend 6k and 6k wont guarantee her the perfect horse. Theres enough posts on here with people struggling with a budget of 6k+ to know that throwing more money at it doesnt work.I've just been helping a friend horse shop with a 3 to 3.5k budget. She saw a few duds but now has a very nice horse. On a yard of 20 horses, who hack and do local shows, I dont know anyone who has spent 6k.
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Exactly this. Don't get sucked into spending for the sake of spending. Try and find something that the dealer or seller wants a good home for.
Be realistic about what you're looking for, you seem to want a general riding hacking horse who can do a bit of riding club and have some fun on. Theres no reason that you would need to spend 6k on this, especially if you aren't wanting to event at 1m and do top dressage tests every weekend. You could find a nice cob type in Yorkshire for 2.5k who is laid back enough to hack and is sharp enough to enjoy a bit of jumping and shows. I will send a link to you tomorrow as a friend of a friend is selling a 16.2 cob type who would fit your needs and budget
Edited to add that I've been on and am on yards where nobody has spent more than 2k to find what you are after
 
That's what bothers me about buying something older but I would get it vetted.
My friend has informed me that I'm basically looking for a Irish Draught type horse so ISH, Cob x, ID X Etc. So those are the types I'm looking at in my search.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
That's what bothers me about buying something older but I would get it vetted.
My friend has informed me that I'm basically looking for a Irish Draught type horse so ISH, Cob x, ID X Etc. So those are the types I'm looking at in my search.
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Just as a heads up, and I’m sure you know this already, but be careful with the term ISH - you probably mean ID x really?

Most ISH coming through these days have heavy Warmblood influence, in fact it’s quite conceivable not to have any ID or Irish TB blood in them!
 
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Yes IHW, that's what I mean...an ISH in the true sense of the meaning. I've noticed alot seem skinnier than they used to be, I absolutely love IDs and would kill for a purebred but as you know, they aren't cheap :(
 
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