No horses for sale atm! Is it normal this time of year?

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Runaground

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Hello all,
moan alert!
I've finally got to the point I can have my own, and there appears to be very little on the market outside Kent or Yorkshire!

Is this because it's summer and everyone is using neddy and more will appear as the year progresses?
Or is it normal for people to have to travel hours to find something to view? It's not like I live in the back of beyond.......south Hampshire..... and yes I've even searched without price restrictions to check if that makes much difference, only a few more pop up within about 5 counties or so.

I know Kent isn't that far, c. 2 and a half hours depending on M25, but, as it's my first purchase and all the advise is to get an expert to have a look, it's rather a lot to ask an instructor, (for second viewing only obviously.) Oh and I've had loans/shares before so not looking for plod and equally don't need a champion just allrounder riding club sort that won't kill me or send me to sleep! So don't think I'm after anything unusual.

I had no idea horse shopping would be this hard, I had been excited, looking forward to the process, but, now it's become worse than doing the ironing!!

Any words of wisdom appreciated, especially re: time of year or distance travelled by people. Tell me it will be worth it in the end.........just off to switch the iron on again...ughhhhh!
 
Yep - you are right - masses for sale in sunny Yorkshire!

Come up for a holiday/horse buying trip as know lots of lovely, genuine beasties that would love to head down South for a lovely new home!!!
 
I was just saying "What on earth is this about, there are loads of horses for sale?"
Then I opened the thread and read that you've found loads in Yorkshire but that's no good to you. I'm only looking in Yorkshire (and a bit half-heartedly at that, lol).
 
Maybe start looking in abouth a month ? The prices will be lower as people wanna get rid before winter and before they get too expensive with feed, rugs, bedding etc. :) just a thought :)
 
Thanks...I know it probably does sound absurd to lots of you but I really think there's BLACK HOLE over south Hants sucking in anything furry over 16h!!
IOW might be worth a day trip so l'll have a peak.
How about doing it the other way.... herding a few down south from Yorkshire, you could let them wander around the new forest for a holiday!!

Toomanyhorses26 Can't get your link to work...could it just be because I'm not on FB?
 
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I am in the midlands and found it was the same 18 months ago!! I travelled to yorkshire 3 times and each time it was a wasted trip :mad:

Took me 4 months to find my horse. Which is not bad at all. But then I was off work recovering from and fractured ankle at the time, had I have only been able to visit weekends I think it would have taken A LOT longer

It seems most people want a RC horse :D
Good luck
 
I know of a normal rc horse for sale, I think she's about 15.2 but know nothing more than that. She is based near Salisbury, I could find out more details if you like?
 
also nice grey and nice coloured further down !

As you say though only a handful, when we were looking for a friend couple years ago we ended up travelling min 1.5 hrs - 3 hrs !! nothing in our area at time (somerset) good luck..... still excisting even though frustrating.
 
Mildred, thanks but 15.2 is too small I'm afraid as I'm nearly5'11" and Meesha, thanks.....not sure a full tb is a good idea for a first timer even though I've shared etc. esp' when they say no novices, (whatever that means!) and needs to be used to tbs.

Looks like I'll have to travel, which is fine, (work from home and can "juggle" to go as and when, for now) just don't know what to do about the "take an expert" thing as I only know ri's. Maybe I'll have to just randomly call a bhs listed instructor near where the horse is for sale???

Anyway, only been looking (daily.....like a military campaign) for one month so I guess I'v got at least a couple more to go!!

I really appreciate the time you've taken to respond everyone
x
 
Would suggest you put a wanted ad on NFED, I got a few rubbish replies, but I found a fabulous pony for my daughter as a result of that advert. A lot of people may be holding off advertising because the market is allegedly so rubbish at the moment. Maybe also wanted ads at the local tack shops/feed merchants. Word of mouth is the best method of all!

What about contacting some of the local dealers? Homestead Equestrian, or that Victri place that advertises on NFED for example. I think they can be better for "big" horses, although personally I would think that you might be able to get away with something smaller, a lot will depend on how well it takes up your leg for example. If you're in the forest, sometimes something under 16hh is better (better clearance under low branches LOL).
 
I've got a super horse for sale that fits your bill on the Surrey/Hants borders. 16.3hh so perfect size wise - really really lovely horse.

If you're interested I can PM you more info :)
 
I know what you mean.. There seems to be so many on the market, but as soon as you narrow it down to your own requirements, its amazing how it is such slim pickings. I know this goes against the grain, when you hear stories of the market being flooded with bargain horses!
 
I couldn't find any when I was looking a few months back, I was looking for about 7-8 months.....I'm from Yorkshire :) Nothing fitted the 15.2hh/15.3hh max, bay gelding that could show me the ropes. I saw a couple advertised from down south that I liked the look of, but, like you, didn't want to travel too far. I eventually got a grey, 16hh mare, 6year old from Scotland and spent over my budget!!! She is fab though. :)
 
What a lovely bunch you are...contrary to a thread out there at the moment, you have all been genuinely helpful. Thank you.

Good idea about videos Narafluffy, could save a trip! Honetpot thanks, but, have used NFED for years; excelllent site for all sorts of things, but, no joy so far.

Cavaletti, I'm glad I'm not the only one!! Ditto Sprite1978. I was seriously thinking I must be going loopy (most would say that happened years ago!) especially as it goes against current wisdom, buyer's market...WHAT MARKET!

Thanks also to PennyJ, all very sensible ideas...unfortunately I've managed to think of them already. Next time you are in Norris's or Woddies or Aivly have a look (pink border to the ad) and have one on NFED. I do take your point about people just thinking there's no point trying to sell atm. as "there are hundreds out there" ....gerrr
I've been on to both dealers you mention and they don't have anything right now (except a rather lovely black, geld' I think, at Victri....with a rather lovely price tag!!...I wish) I know what you mean about the forest (will be on livery there) and low branches, (I shared from new park for c. 18 months) Just don't feel right jumping anything smaller than 16 though... I'm tall in body more than leg.

Xspiralx I've pm'd you thanks

Thanks again one and all....... It's really renewed my determination to keep looking....actually getting quite excited again :D
 
If you list what you're looking for here, and your budget, you will probably get a flood of suggestions! I know I have, after a post I made the other day :)
 
Up until 2 month ago I would have agreed with you hands down, I was ready to tear out my hair trying to find a horse in the Berks/Hants area. But then I put an ad on www.equineadverts.com saying I was looking for a horse. No word of a lie, the first Monday it was up I got contacted about 12 different horses. 2 months on and im still getting 5 or so a week sent to my inbox. Most the people who were contacting were having to sell for financial reasons, but were nervous about advertising online and getting someone dodgey enquiring because of the good asking price, so instead set out to seek out potential buyers (also saves money on advertising).

Long story short, they are out there, just not always advertised. Put your own ad up on the free sites and you will be suprised :) Good luck!
 
Should have said I ended up buying my dream horse so there is hope! The longer the wait the more you appreciate him/her and the better it is when you find the right one :)
 
Don't let distance put you off either. Horse transport is not cheap but when you consider that the initial purchase cost really ought to be spread out over the life of the horse, it isn't so significant. For the pleasure they give us, a few pounds more each year is money well spent.
 
Good point Faithkat, I suppose it is quite a task and not cheap especially if you think there's nobody out there looking.

Claudiacox14, a heartening story. I have got one wanted ad out there on NFED, but, you're prob' right that it needs to be more national. I hadn't really thought about people being reluctant to advertise at the lower end of the price bracket as they don't want chancers and the "make a quick buck brigade" only calling because of the price.

thanks for the help
 
No prob! As an example, one woman contacted me about an Oldenburg gelding. 8 years old, absolutely beautiful, fitted the bill perfectly, schooled to a high dressage standard...easily worth £10k bare minimum. However she was moving abroad and desperate to find a good forever home for him money clearly no object, she wanted no more than £2k including a full wardrobe on the basis she could see where he would be going etc. Unfortunately was too far for me and I just couldnt fit in the time to visit, but it goes to show that people who have no choice but to sell see home as more important than price. I had plenty ringing me with horses well above the budget I had stated and saying they would knock off as much as I needed! Just bear with it, you will find the right horse for you, promise! :)
 
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