Ok folks....the wait is over (hopefully..!!)

Thank you lots for all of the horse links. Currently I'm going to have to get back to where I was financially for the horse. I have to get money for another vetting (that will be in a week or so) and claw back the deposit. So I'm not going to have my full quota of cash for a little while.
The seller has stated that the deposit was to hold the horse irrelevant of the vetting and I failed to ask for more precise wording on the receipt which is my own fault. What concerns me is that the seller is stating on the ad that the horse has no health issues when she now knows damn well that she does.
 
Sorry the vetting failed SHL. But always go with your gut feeling.

It is amusing how some people suddenly already knew XYZ after they're presented with the facts...

Yes this, would be fantastic if these people could voice their concerns before the event.
Ho hum, onwards and upwards. If nothing else this horse hunting is teaching me alot about what bloody arseholes people are when dealing with living, breathing creatures. It breaks my heart how dishonest some people can be knowing full well the animal may suffer :(
 
Thank you lots for all of the horse links. Currently I'm going to have to get back to where I was financially for the horse. I have to get money for another vetting (that will be in a week or so) and claw back the deposit. So I'm not going to have my full quota of cash for a little while.
The seller has stated that the deposit was to hold the horse irrelevant of the vetting and I failed to ask for more precise wording on the receipt which is my own fault. What concerns me is that the seller is stating on the ad that the horse has no health issues when she now knows damn well that she does.

Very dodgy, obviously its all about the money as anyone honest would disclose the failed vetting, or issued that were picked up. Were they a dealer? Well done for vetting, shame about the expense but sad for the horse but glad you didn't end up with that one. Sounds like a good vet to be so detailed in his vetting..

There is no rush, the ideal horse will come up soon I'm sure. 'everything happens for a reason' as I keep telling myself too!
 
I don't know how the seller can justify holding on to the deposit, it just doesn't feel right. I just couldn't do that someone knowing full well that the deposit plus the cost of the vetting is going to set them back a lot of money and probably delay their horse search. I don't think it is your fault, just because the receipt wasn't worded in a particular way doesn't make it morally ok, some people are just mean.

I hope the next stage of your horse search goes more smoothly, it must be very frustrating.
 
Surely you deserve your deposit back if said horse failed the vetting? Ad said no health issues, clearly there is so seller either lied or was unaware. I thought that was the hole point of a vetting and deposit, if horse fails your deposit is returned or even part of it.

Can anyone on here help you get it back?
 
Horses advert

They edited the add 6 hours ago. It still says ' She has no health issues what so ever and has a lovely personality and deserves the best home' clearly she does have health issues and they're now aware. Have they added the phrase 'PLEASE NO MORE TIMEWASTERS' or is it just me? If they think that they're beyond dumb, wouldn't call someone who spends money on a vetting.. for said horse to fail on something quite major, a time waster?
 
Sorry to hear horse failed and what a pain they are being awkward about returning deposit. Unless they can prove they have lost a sale by turning people away then the ought to refund as you have not just changed your mind. Although buyer beware applies, the sellers have to disclose if asked I thought? Make sure you add these in list of questions.
 
They are now saying they had a vet out to her this morning and that his flexion tests were perfect and the only thing wrong was she needed a little topline..!!!!
This is what my vet wrote (bearing mind that he explained that there would need to be further investigation for the cause and he suspected it was neurological):
1) Small scar mid lower right eyelid.
2) 'Splint' inside lower left fore cannon region.
3) Superficial but suspect aged scars all four lower limbs.
4) Keratinised scar inside right hind fetlock.
5) Repeated pain on frog pressure left hind foot.
6) Repeated resentment to raising/ flexing each hind limb and horse keen to replace foot from elevated position ( left more overt than right)
7) Upper left hind limb under-muscled compared to right.
8) Transient positive response to dynamic flexion test of right fore limb and right hind limb.
9) Horse circumvents left hindlimb at walk / trot on firm surface.
10) Hypermetric gait - left hind limb - either rein on lunge at trot.
11) Evidence of fly bites inside each pinna.
 
well there's vets and vets, first of all, and secondly you were the client of your vet (not their vet), who they consented to come and assess the horse, and your vet had multiple findings. Whatever they do subsequently is kind of irrelevant IMO?
 
well there's vets and vets, first of all, and secondly you were the client of your vet (not their vet), who they consented to come and assess the horse, and your vet had multiple findings. Whatever they do subsequently is kind of irrelevant IMO?


^^this-they are at it SLH, I expect you'll probably get your deposit back once you start proceedings and they realise you are serious.
Sorry the process has been a bit shit, its horrible when you get instantly attached and start thinking about your future together-been there, done that! but its for the best, onwards and upwards.
 
It matters not a jot what their vet says and i seriously doubt they have paid the vet for a five stage vetting.
Screen shot all your texts I would write to them saying to require the return of your deposit by such and such a date or you will immediately raise a case in the small claims court send the letter tracked mail and text them as well to say the letter is on the way to them tracked post and it says I require return of my deposit by X etc etc
Then just start the procedure straight away if you don’t get your money .
You may need to speak to your vet and ask him if he will express his view in layman speak to summit with the claim .
Just do it .
People like this litter the horse world and you need to stand up to them .
 
It's bad enough with the disappointment of the failed vetting on what appeared to be a lovely horse without the sellers being unreasonable. Sorry you're having to go through this SLH. Hopefully they will start behaving like nice normal human beings... Good luck.
 
The seller has been reading this thread and now threatened legal action for slander. I have explained it would be libel and only then if what was said was untrue.
I'm hoping they will join and have their say :)

I’m interested in what the deposit receipt said, because clearly deposits are left on the understanding of a clean bill of health subsequent to a vetting. Sadly it’s not unheard of for some less scrupulous people to view them as a way to make a quick buck.

Very sad that the vetting was unsuccessful, however the sellers can either be comfortable in their own vets new 5 stage vetting which gives a clean bill of health, or be concerned enough about your vets findings to investigate 😏😉

It’s very sad as she sounded like a fab horse. But, that’s horses for you ...
 
They are now saying they had a vet out to her this morning and that his flexion tests were perfect and the only thing wrong was she needed a little topline..!!!!
This is what my vet wrote (bearing mind that he explained that there would need to be further investigation for the cause and he suspected it was neurological):
1) Small scar mid lower right eyelid.
2) 'Splint' inside lower left fore cannon region.
3) Superficial but suspect aged scars all four lower limbs.
4) Keratinised scar inside right hind fetlock.
5) Repeated pain on frog pressure left hind foot.
6) Repeated resentment to raising/ flexing each hind limb and horse keen to replace foot from elevated position ( left more overt than right)
7) Upper left hind limb under-muscled compared to right.
8) Transient positive response to dynamic flexion test of right fore limb and right hind limb.
9) Horse circumvents left hindlimb at walk / trot on firm surface.
10) Hypermetric gait - left hind limb - either rein on lunge at trot.
11) Evidence of fly bites inside each pinna.

Thats quite a list with a few quite questionable for concern.
Well done for sense reigning, as hard as it is there are so many horses out there I think you were absolutely right to walk away.
Good luck with your continued search.
I would also pursue for your deposit money as I would have thought its a non verbal agreement that it would be subject to vetting.
 
The receipt simply said it was a deposit for the horse and the rest would be paid on collection. I did "the deal" with sellers father who told me I was daft wasting money on a vetting as there was nothing wrong with the horse. My friend and I both stated to the seller and father that completion of purchase was subject to vet.
We didn't do the full 5 stage, just as far as a 2 stage because it didn't seem worth proceeding with a ridden assessment, the vet and I felt there was enough at this point to place a question mark over her long term soundness. This is why he clearly stated to me that she could potentially do the job now but he had concerns for her future and that it would be a big gamble. The seller stated that the horse had been scared by a farrier in the past and that's why she was iffy with her Hinds BUT that doesn't explain the hypermetric gait etc and flexion test issue.
I know the seller will be reading all of this and I'm more than happy that I'm being completely truthful plus I have the vet as witness.
 
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IME deposits are usually one of two types, a small amount (~£100) to hold the horse for a vetting and not sell to someone else, this is usually non refundable.

Or ~10% of purchase price subject to vetting.

The latter can be a grey area, as you have found out. There are often subjective notes in a vetting that are not clear cut.

I think you were pretty naive to put down a deposit without some clear paperwork to support the terms of the deposit! As you have written above, a less than forthcoming seller could argue to not refund.

That said, despite my rather relaxed attitude towards a mild shiver for a hacking horse, it is a significant enough vet finding to support a withdrawal from sale and one would hope any honest seller would accept that and refund.
 
No real consolation, but in situations like these I find comfort in knowing that at least I'm a decent person who would do the right thing (i.e. return the deposit) when push comes to shove.

I had someone come to view a horse once and it was Sod's law she rocked up and my horse was lame on the lunge. I felt really bad for her and would never have dreamed of keeping her deposit.
 
You had booked the vet for a 5 stage vetting, as witnessed on here and he stopped at stage 2 because he had already found problems/concerns, yet the vendor want to keep your deposit. I am sure you will get it back through the Small Claims court if you need to take it so far. Vendor also told you there was another buyer interested, so hasn't lost anything by waiting for your vet.


ETA, did you contact JanetGeorge?
 
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