Please Help

BAILEY67

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I have a horse on trial which i thought had fallen through but his owner has now changed her mind anyway i am really struggling to decide what to do.

He is the perfect in that he is calm,quiet doesn't mind being fussed and is characterful (in a good way) and looks after the rider well both on the ground and in the saddle.

BUT

he has had thrush which is currently under control and has sheared heals in three of his feet, needs more schooling as only been driven and his top jaw is slightly overshot & his saddle doesn't it correctly.
I have had the farrier out to him today who has just said that his feet are nothing to worry about and just need treating.

His owner is asking for £2,600 for him but i feel for that price i could get a horse as good as him without the above issues and without having to fork out for treatment & have the usual exclusions on insurance.

Can i have your honest honest opinions on what you would decide? i'm struggling to and i am getting myself into a tiz about it it's all i think about atm :(

Thanks
 
Does the price reflect the issues? if so then they wouldnt freak me out as long as the horse will pass a 5 stage vetting. If however, you could get a similar horse without problems for the money then i would go elsewhere..
 
The price is a bit steep, especially as your going to have to buy a new saddle (will they knock price down if you don't take the saddle?).
With regards to the feet - it depends on how they need treating especially ifthey're nothing to worry about?
It also depends on what your looking for in a horse but again, if he will look after his rider, then that's a plus.

If it was me, there are too many ums and maybes with this one and for that money, I'd easily be able to find another one to suit.
 
But surely you knew all of the downsides before you took the horse on to start with?

I personally don't think 2.6K is bad for a sweet, safe and sane horse. The issues aren't massive and the farrier has already told you the fett of no great concern.

Perhaps offer a little less and buy the horse minus saddle - then get him one that fits.
 
What age, size type is he?

I would not worry about any of the issues. Saddle is irrelevant as nothing to do with the price of the horse. TBH horses that are really good natured and safe to be ridden and handled are hard to come by for less than £3000 (depending on breed age etc).
 
"only been driven and his top jaw is slightly overshot & his saddle doesn't it correctly"- Pick that up at a sale for £500-£800, if he is as sweet as you say :)

That to me is very steep for a horse that has more than one know health or otherwise issue. His saddle not fitting, will have had some detrimental effect on his back, you won't know how bad untill a vet/physio has seen him. His feet will need remeidial farriery, not cheap. Overshot jaw will need regular dentistry, although it's not a major problem. That's alot of money ontop of usual expenses in the first year. And as you said, insurance exclusions aswell.

I'd probably pay 2K at the most for said horse.

I have a safe and sane arabx mare, no medical problems, green when I bought her, but easy as pie to do.
I have schooled her on over the year and she is now up for a bit more that what the horse your interested is. She hacks alone, jumps a small course, safe in traffic, lunges, longreins etc etc. all in all a good allround easy horse!

However, you have obviously really bonded with this horse, and you say he is safe and kind, that to most people is worth it's wieght in gold! If you think he's the horse for you, then go for it. You know that his problems are going to have to be treated and maintained, and are obviously willing to do so. You don't want to end up regretting not getting him.

(p.s., I'd still try and knock them down to around the 2K mark, if they think you are right for the horse, and they genuinely care about him, they should let the price drop a bit)
 
His owner is asking for £2,600 for him but i feel for that price i could get a horse as good as him without the above issues


But his problems actually sound treatable - apart from the parrot mouth.

If he is generally everything you want - make an offer.....
 
Don't think the feet are too much of an issue. You should be able to clear up the thrush reasonably quickly. You could try a thrush remedy for a bit to start with, but don't keep using it, move on to things like a salt water spray and sudocream ointment.

Saddle - most new horses need a new saddle. Say you don't want it.

I think in the current market the price is a bit steep. Try looking at local auction sale prices. If he has a problem with his jaw, that is something to take the price down, plus needing more schooling/probably physio treatment too.

Still, if he is a sweet horse and you feel safe with it and is nice to handle, etc. then maybe you can do a deal. The asking price often bears no relation to the actual sellling price.
 
I dont really think its fair to compare him to what you could buy at auction, hes not at auction & its a private sale & therefore you should be comparing him to whats on offer privately. Anyone can pick something up at auction & yes there are lots of bargains to be had BUT & its big but, you dont know what your really buying, you dont get the option of a trial & if it turns out to be a nut job theres your money saying goodbye as it flies out the window. To be honest if youve bonded with him & hes got a nice nature, issues asides, you were happy to have him on trial at the price he was offered for sale at so i dont really see what the problem is? Maybe haggle a bit on the price if you feel you want to, but apart from that id go for it!
 
There is no price you can put on safety. If you feel safe on him and around him then I'd pay the money. Obviously negotiate to begin with if you can but be prepared to pay full price if he ticks all your boxes. He sounds like he has a great solid personality and you will be able to school him whilst still enjoying the safeness of him in the meantime.
 
It is a buyer's market out there at the moment, but, as someone else has said, you can't put a price on your safety.

Personally, I think that the price is a bit steep, but that is said purely on what you have said. You sound as though you think that it is a bit rich - but only you will really know.

What do others that have seen him think?
 
Don't have the saddle and knock £500 off the price to get a good one properly fitted. With regards to his feet I wouldn't be too concerned as long as your farrier is happy they will come good in the summer.

The one thing you need to question yourself is how much do you want him and if you are willing to have the EDT out every 6 months for his mouth? If in your heart he is the right one then go for him but be strong and try to ask for money off due to his jaw... my EDT costs me £40 a time, so say for the next 5 years he will end up costing £400 in dental fees... so £2,100 without the saddle and £1,700 to cover the dental costs = perfect pony at a fair price :D
 
i think 2600 is a reasonable price for a ride and drive cob, that you like,that is safe and sane, that you have had on trial, and has been vetted. the feet re thrush and sheared heels is a management problem which should be resolved fairly quickly by a good farrier and good management. the overshot jaw is a confo problem but if he is holding his weight well and eats ok then shouldnt affect him. just make sure you get his teeth done regularly (which you should do with any horse). what insurance exclusions are being stipulated? maybe look for a different insurer? horses that have been driven commonly are more on the forehand than a riding cob, as they tend to lean into their collar if they are good drivers. as for the saddle most tack that comes in a sale dont fit! make an offer less the saddle. save and buy some harness and a trap and you can take your mates out for a jolly! at least you know what you are getting as you have had him on trial.
 
Hi All,

Thank You all for your responses so far, in answer to some of your questions and things you have all pointed out

ofcourseyoucan - i know what you are saying re buying a harness and cart but i really want to ride him not drive and as yet he hasn't been vetted

lilaclomax - his owner has said under no circumstances can she take any less than the 2,600 for him this is the basis of my reluctance tbh i have looked on all the usual sites and there are bombproof cobs for sale at less than that which perhaps wont have the issues he has

Vetwrap - the others on the yard love him but i just think to myself that its not them which may have to pay the huge vets bills if his feet are crap later in life :(
We have a vet nurse on the yard and she thinks that i would be storing up trouble buying a horse with foot problems.

I have had such conflicting advice and to a novice like me i just do not know what to do my head is banging with it all tonight :confused::(
 
What did you farrier say regarding the feet? How long do they think they'll take to come right etc?? How much do they reckon it'll cost?

TBH, I'd be more inclined to listen to the farrier more than a vet nurse, as it's him that'll be treating him.
 
Why not give your farrier a buzz tomorrow and just check his exact thoughts, as this will hopefully discount your feet worries and then you only have to consider the dental work.

Check whether the price includes tack, if so ask for a price without tack as you aren't happy with it anyway.
 
I'd say 2600 is really expensive. Try and look up other horses of the same type, have a look around, try them - maybe you'll find something better. Every horse has something loveable about them, of course if you're familiar with him you might feel uneasy about leaving him, but there's a lot of options and until you go out and try other horses you'll never know what you might be missing :) It's going to be easier to make a decision for you if you have several real options to compare, not just wonder if he's expensive or not. Then, if you try other horses you'll know how you feel, whether you're drawn back to this boy or who knows you might find something you'll fall in love with!

in the end of the day, it'll cost as much to keep a perfect healthy horse as one who's got issues.
 
As Eva says, have a look around and go and try out a couple... if the owners are serious in selling him then maybe this will give them a jolt too, there are plenty of good safe horses out there and in this economic climate the prices are competitive.
If it is a chunky monkey you are looking for why not take a look at New Forests, Fjords, Fell and Icelandic horses too - all hardy ponies who are good weight carriers and very flexible. For £2,500 you will have a few options and you will know deep down if one clicks.

Sorry if it sounds like I am pushing you away from this boy but it seems you are having doubts by posting on here, I am a believer in fate and I am sure the perfect horse is out there for you :) Is there a need to rushing in now?
 
OP - I think he looks very smart. But I also think you're being a bit disingenuous with regards the sale.

You have the horse on trial with a view to buy - so unless the price has suddenly changed, you knew how much he was being advertised at. Presumably this was a price you could afford and were willing to pay.

If you want him then dig deep and pay the money - but get him vetted first.

You are verging on what I would call a timewaster...........
 
OP - I think he looks very smart. But I also think you're being a bit disingenuous with regards the sale.

You have the horse on trial with a view to buy - so unless the price has suddenly changed, you knew how much he was being advertised at. Presumably this was a price you could afford and were willing to pay.

If you want him then dig deep and pay the money - but get him vetted first.

You are verging on what I would call a timewaster...........


I agree with amymay am afraid, you have him on a trial not many owners will agree to this, thrush is not a major issue as it can be part of stable management issues. Also if it is safe and your having a vetting done then what price can you put on saftey ESP if your novice. Also I would add that tack does not generally reflect the price unless stated in advert to include tack and rugs.
If you go to sales you don't know what your buying in hidden health problems as well as temperament it can be a risk.
 
I understand why people may think that i am verging on a timewaster and yes i did know his price and was willing to pay due to his safety

However

If he had stayed with his owner and i had not had the trial the vetting would have picked up the issues discussed and so i would have been having the same thoughts re price as i am now, (how many of you would pay the full asking price for horses with known issues?) it is just the horse is on my yard rather than his owners.

I am a novice owner/rider and things like this worry me, i know all you experienced peeps feel they are not an issue but i need re assurance that the issues will not come to bite me on the backside in the future and end up with a horse i cannot ride.

I am sorry if that makes me a timewaster :(
 
None of the 'issues' you mention would result in failing a vetting - they are management problems (apart from the parrot mouth), and would have no impact on his price.
 
OP, I totally see where you are coming from, but honestly, whatever you buy will have some sort of imperfections, even if you were to spend £££££s. You have had the farrier's opinion that the feet are OK, and he's the one to believe. Get a vetting to tell you whether or not the horse is, health and soundness wise, fit for purpose. You have had a trial which gives the best indication of any that the horse is temperamentally fit for purpose, which you would be lucky to get in another transaction so you would have more of a risk in this area.

I think the owner is being a bit rude saying no offers whatsoever, but would she have advertised at say £3K? Still, don't wave goodbye to a horse that sounds very much like what you are looking for for the sake of saving a few hundred quid. If you buy the wrong horse it will end up costing you a hell of a lot more than that.
 
I understand why people may think that i am verging on a timewaster and yes i did know his price and was willing to pay due to his safety

However

If he had stayed with his owner and i had not had the trial the vetting would have picked up the issues discussed and so i would have been having the same thoughts re price as i am now, (how many of you would pay the full asking price for horses with known issues?) it is just the horse is on my yard rather than his owners.

I am a novice owner/rider and things like this worry me, i know all you experienced peeps feel they are not an issue but i need re assurance that the issues will not come to bite me on the backside in the future and end up with a horse i cannot ride.

I am sorry if that makes me a timewaster :(

One thing you will need to learn very early on in horses is there is no such thing as a perfect horse.

You don't seem to realise how very very lucky you are to have had the oppertunity to have tried this horse out at home before parting with any money. And not only that, but by your own admission the horse has been beautifully behaved both on the ground and under saddle.

I'm sure you could go out and find a cheaper horse. But this looks like a nice chap, you have had a trial run and the issues he comes with really are pretty non-significant. Regarding the jaw - you will probably need 6 monthly dental checks rather than the more normal 12 monthly - so what is that, an extra £40 a year, hardly a deal breaker. Thursh can be managed, and good regular shoeing from a farrier who has already said it isn't a big deal, is not the end of the world. And as for saddles, it is just part and parcel of horse ownership.

If you have the money, if you like the horse, I think you should have him vetted and buy him.
 
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