Opinions Please (especially Shilasdair)...

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I'm looking for a horse on a budget. I'm a total snob about ugly/hairy/common horses and I've already got one lame, insane one. I've been and viewed nine horses so far, all either funny shaped, lame, flat footed or grumpy, unhappy rides. Today I saw a lovely horse, well put together, lovely temperament, nice paces and I can afford it. BUT when I rode it sometimes it did a kind of bridle lameness thing and it struggled to do right canter. I got the feeling it wasn't quite right but the thing is its only a four year old. I haven't actually ridden that many really young horses to be truthful so I feel unable to make a fair judgement. My friend thinks its fine, the hoppy thing it does in trot every so often is an evasion and the awkward canter is a young horse thing. I've told them I like it and will have it vetted but now I'm worrying again. What do you lot think?
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No I didn't get them to trot it up, that would have been far too sensible
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I just watched it being ridden from different angles. I am cr*p at buying horses!
 
I tried a horse 13 years ago which did a hoppy thing in canter. She said it was confused because her instructor had taught it flying changes. It failed the vet and later turned out to have something seriously wrong and she blamed the vet for failing it. Dont mean to put you off but get it vetted and dont get desperate for a horse and buy it!
 
It can be a young horse thing but these days even young ones can have all sorts of sinister troubles.

Go and see it a second time, hack out and try a little of all the things you want to do bearing in mind it will be green.

If you still like, get it vetted but try and arrange to be there so's you can ask them as soon as any questions come to mind. Most vets don't mind doing this, you are paying after all.
 
I have just bought a 5yr old who is very green and totally lacking muscle, he too finds canter very difficult as he has such a huge stride and finds balancing himself quite difficult at the moment.

I took my trainer with me on the 2nd viewing and she watched his paces and gave me the thumbs up, so we then arranged the vetting which he sailed through.

How many times have you been to see this youngster, if you are not quite sure go up again and try to take somebody else with you so you have another set of eyes looking.

A young horse will not be established yet within his paces and will feel like he's doing "strange" things but while this is expected it could be something else. If he is put together well and has no obvious conformation faults then after you have been again to try and you still like then good luck with the vetting.
 
I wouldn't worry too much - you can always go back and take your instructor, the important thing is arranging the vet and provided he passes that I can't imagine you would have a problem. But it is best to be on the safe side
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He's very young still. May just be stiffness on one rein causing the problem, but certainly have him vetted before parting with any dosh. Hope he passes and you're able to buy him. Know how hard it is to finally find 'the one' when you're looking. That said, don't let your heart rule your head! If there is any query during the vetting be very very careful. Good luck
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I did take an experienced horse buyer with me for a second look, she's the one who thought it was fine. Thankyou everyone, much appreciated as always. Anyway, the sellers phoned this morning and backed out. Apparently, someone else had left a deposit already which they were unaware of and they had to honour it.
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I think I may not be the only one with doubts about it passing a vetting. I shall continue searching and I think I should trust my own judgement more.
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Mmm sounds to me as though you may have had a lucky escape, how can someone take a deposit and not know that they have taken it.

Good luck in your search.
 
Hmmm
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Funny old deal by sounds of it. Still, as you really liked him it it's a shame. Thank goodness the seller didn't let you go as far as having the vetting done.

Be interesting to keep an eye out and see if the horse stays advertised for sale. Just seems very strange that anyone would "forget" that they'd taken a deposit from a former viewer - unless, of course, it's a simply the case that the seller was keeping her options open incase the other person backed out.
 
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