Practicalities of buying a horse

[Merri]

I am taking my daughter to look at a pony. On paper, this pony is everything we want and more. If the visit goes well, and the vetting is fine, then I will be making an offer.
However.
The livery yard where will would be keeping the mare has 7 people ahead of us waiting for a stable. It was 10 people two weeks ago, so things appear to be moving along. The owner of the pony said that they wouldn't mind keeping her until a stable comes up, but what is the form with this type of deal? How would we manage the payment? Insurance?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thank you.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would be very wary of leaving the horse with the vendors after the purchase, without any obvious end-date. I did leave one for 3 weeks after the first viewing while we built a stable for her. It was January and our horses live at home but what if the horse was injured while still in the care of the vendor? I would find a different yard, even if only in the interim.

 

[Merri]

what if the horse was injured while still in the care of the vendor? I would find a different yard, even if only in the interim.

This is exactly what was on my mind; this type of situation. Thank you, I'm going to look into an alternative, till space comes up.

 

[Equi]

As said, once you own the horse, unless you pay them livery and go down every day yourself...you are open to them being used and doing anything to themselves...then being left with a bill.

 

[Auslander]

I would be a bit cautious about a yard with such a fast turnover of liveries! I have a waiting list which has been referred to once in two years!

Is there a valid reason for the turnover?

 

[Merri]

I would be a bit cautious about a yard with such a fast turnover of liveries! I have a waiting list which has been referred to once in two years!

Is there a valid reason for the turnover?

Hmm, I'm not entirely sure! They are a great yard from my own experience though. My Daughter works there one day a week, we've had lessons there for ages, & loaned one of the owner's ponies for a while.

 

[milliepops]

How big is the yard? 10 people on the waiting list would be half of the stables where I am... turnover is about 1 or 2 a year so you'd be in for a long wait. If it's a huge yard then possibly less of an issue.

 

[Merri]

They have approximately 50 horses.