Prices… would you pay more for an unbacked youngster or for a horse in its prime with a known rearing problem?

M

maya2008

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 August 2018
Messages
3,450
Visit site
I was sorely tempted by a youngster the other day, who had the perfect conformation for jumping and looked really sweet. Sadly it was a gelding and that would create issues with my herd, so my £ stayed safely in my pocket!

Today though, up on Facebook popped an ad for another, same size, a few years older, not such great conformation, rears - and £1000 more! Now I would pay far more for a nice youngster than I would for one that needs reschooling at best and the vet at worst. Or is it just me?
 
R

Ratface

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 September 2021
Messages
3,477
Visit site
There's no way that I would buy a confirmed rearer.
In my view, the owner is being grossly irresponsible: they have a duty of care to the horse and should have a full veterinary work up to, at least, identify the likely cause of such behaviour.
If they still wish to sell the horse, it should include the veterinary opinion and recommended treatment.
However, as with every purchase of a sentient creature - Caveat Emptor!
 
Red-1

Red-1

I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Joined
7 February 2013
Messages
18,372
Location
Outstanding in my field!
Visit site
I bought a rearer, would rear for 20 minutes at a time, but they were many small ones as opposed to up-ending. 2 top riders (Badminton etc) hadn't been able to stop the rearing. He was 6 years old. The horse was fabulous. I fell in love, what can I say? He wasn't cheap either.

After the first 6 months the rearing had gone and we were off eventing.

I don't think you can compare prices, each horse is worth what someone will pay. I wouldn't have been interested in an unbacked one. There was something very special about my rearer, he had also done lots of SJ already. Had paces and a personality that made me smile and a burnished copper coat.

We did all sorts together, BS, BD, BE, Trek, hacking, bridle-less, all fun. He looked after me, in the end.

Surely it depends on the horse?

277594507_680691806584145_7100273710101067607_n.jpg
 
A

Annagain

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 December 2008
Messages
15,784
Visit site
It definitely depends on the horse. I had a rearer. I would never have chosen one but he fell into my lap. He was very different though, there was no nastiness or even nappiness to his rears, it was just pure excitement. He had all this energy and if he couldn't go forward (sometimes he'd get himself in such a flap he literally couldn't go forward. He was like a cartoon character revving up to run where their legs are going but it takes them 5 seconds to start moving) he'd go up. It was never enough to be unbalanced and never with the intention of getting you off. I used to go into show jumping rings backwards as he'd start to get too excited if he went forwards. We'd shuffle a mixture of sideways / backwards to the general area of the first jump then when the bell rang we'd spin round and off we'd go! As soon as he'd jumped every jump in the arena he'd stop. Extra fences could be nightmare as he'd want to jump them. He could definitely count.

At pony club no one in the group was allowed to jump before we did or he'd start rearing. I didn't mind but instructors hated it! Once he'd jumped, he'd happily stand there and let the others go but woe betide one that tried to sneak another go in before he'd had his next turn.

Having said that, I'd never buy one now but that's because it's 30 years on and I'm a total wuss these days. I'd never buy the unbacked youngster either!
 
milliepops

milliepops

Wears headscarf aggressively
Joined
26 July 2008
Messages
27,536
Visit site
so many variables!
stand up fall over backward rearing is different to front feet hovering above the ground rearing, for example..

I have one that squats and comes off the ground in front, it's really a non-issue for me (although i didn't pay a lot for her :p)

a great horse who does that is still a great horse for a rider that doesn't get too bothered by it. Would be a deal breaker for someone else.
For me it was much easier to manage what she does, than to try and get my unbacked young horse backed, because i ALWAYS ride alone and have no help whatsoever. a few bunny hops vs trying to back a horse on your tod... i know what is a more useful horse to me :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top