New to the forum, query about travel to view

[FlossieFell]

Hi there

2 Fell ponies in North Cornwall. I also have sheep (for meat and wool) and 2 house cows.

The old boy will not be with me much longer (inoperable tumour on jaw) and I am anxiously trying to organise his successor before he needs to leave us.

To which end... Would we think that in my particular circumstances, I could argue that travelling to view a prospective purchase could be classed as "essential travel" for animal welfare reasons? My thinking is I don't want Floss to have to be on her own, I don't want to have to prolong Davy's time when it gets to the point we can't keep him comfortable - and to complicate matters, I keep sheep too, so need to be staying home from about 7th April for lambing. So there is a window 29th March to 7th April, but the only likely candidate I have turned up so far is the other end of the country, and I couldn't get up there, see the pony, and get home again in one day.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Not essential travel, especially with the stay over.

You could buy unseen and have the animal professionally transported down to you. Or find a temporary companion locally.

 

[FlossieFell]

Not essential travel, especially with the stay over.

You could buy unseen and have the animal professionally transported down to you. Or find a temporary companion locally.

For the length of journey I would want professional transport anyway, I do not have that sort of a lorry.

How mad would it be to buy unseen? I would get 5 stage vetting anyway, I think.

The other factor is that the owner is keen to see me ride the pony to be sure we are a good fit for each other; she would not want me selling him on again. And she says he can be quite strong, so I do think it would be wise to try him. I don"t want a pony that isn't a joy to ride. (I am experienced and kind, so I hope he would be fine with me aboard - but there is only one way to be sure!)