Private sellers vs Dealers

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Raych

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Okay, so i'm looking for a first horse. Been looking for 6months+
Thought i'd found one at my riding school but turned out to be not for me.

I've been to a few dealers, but no private sellers yet.
I have liked the dealers because they often have more facilities to try the horses out with (eg: XC courses on site).
And there's bound to be more than one horse to try there, whereas a private seller has one horse which, if misdescribed, is a big waste of a journey to turn up and ride something so unsuitable.
But i'm told to avoid dealers for understandable reasons.

I've enquired about one horse from a private seller, and coincidentally a freind had veiwed it before and said it was awful and NO way as described. It was a 2 hour drive to get there, so i'm glad i didnt go- would've been a major dissapointment.

I dont want to travel far either, so i know its a waiting game, but it seems like an eternal wait.

I'm 15 and 5ft7 so i'm looking for something around 15.2 coz i dont wanna be overhorsed and i would like a schoolmaster and something good xc - so basically everyones ideal type and something people wont often want to sell in a hurry, so i'm in for a long wait.

So the main aim is to get your veiws and opinions on private sellers vs dealers.

sorry for essay too

Thanks in advance :)
 
People have very bad opions of dealers but i have got all my horses from decent dealers and they have been perfect and have enjoyed them, and done alot more than i ever imagined. My last horse they even let me have a trial at my own yard!!!
There is also alot stricter rules and nowadays than there used to be and if they supply you witha dangerous or totally unsuitable horse they can be sued so they are very carefull.
A good dealer would take back an unsuitable horse, they may not refund you but would find a replacment more suitable.
Where about are you i know of a very good dealer in the south east of england which has all sorts of horses and ponies for sale. :)
 
Your being very sensible for a 15 yr old! At least you know what your after and what you can deal with!

Dealers v Sellers
Both can tell lies and the hard part is its down to you and your judgement to tell if the horse your viewing is worth a vetting. There are lots of horses out there it's just a case of finding the right one. One that is no good for your friend may be perfect for you and you may be able to haggle on price since winter is coming etc (lots of sellers want rid before then)

Dealers end up with horses for all kinds of reasons, what ever you do keep money a side for a full vetting no matter how sound / lovely the horse looks :)

Good luck x
 
I know it feels as if it takes forever to find the right horse.

I did go to one dealer and they did have more than one horse and good facilities for viewing - but the horse they suggested for me would have been a bit of a risk.

I also viewed several horses for sale by private sellers (although later I found out that one of these was infact more of a dealer). All of the horses I viewed were at yards where there was a school to try out the horse - maybe I was just lucky.

I would not have said any of the horses I viewed were 'misdescribed' although none of them were suitable after I had tried them (except the last one I viewed and bought :) )

I phoned up all of the sellers prior to visiting with a list of questions, this ruled out a few horses just by a phone call.

You do have to be a bit quick when the adverts first come up though, all the good ones go quite fast.
 
kildalton said:
have you tried Emma at Clip Clop Traders ?
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Yeah i have and had a good time. had one horse that was good for me, arranged a second visit then had to cancel and the horse was sold soon after. i kind of regret not going for the 2nd visit, but it was the first horse i veiwed and i was told to never buy the first horse you see and i didnt want to fall in love for the sake of it.
 
please please please DONT buy from a dealer, private is so much better, i went to a dealer before i got my current horse and she seemed so genuine and trustworthy and then the horse failed the vetting, fair enough, but then when i see the same horse advertised a week later with no mention of the horses fairly major problem i would never go to a dealer again, i no its tough to wait but you will get a far better horse is you do, with dealers you never no what you getting into and its not worth the risk
 
As long as you go with a reputable dealer that has been recommended, then I think they can be better as they often offer warranties or exchanges if the horse turns out not to be suitable.

As mentioned Emma at Clip Clop Traders has a great reputation, as does Prestwood Farm who sell overgrown connies - _Gina_ on here has a lovely boy from there and I know I'd be going straight there if I had the money!
 
Well if you are going to a dealer ask about them on this forum first as the really bad ones are usually known about by someone and the good ones should get good feedback. Its a hit miss thing i guess lots of peopple will lie if they are desperate to move something.

I am selling a horse at the moment and yes he is advertised on this site, so not advertising but i find buyers are not always honest he is a lovely boy i have been totally honest in all adverts, i have also when speaking to buyers told them if i thought he was not right for them he is a warmblood 15.1 and have had buyers trying to convince or lecture me telling me he will be fine carrying 16 stone living out without a rug great for a competant 6 year old, or one woman who after me an initial converstion explaining that i want him to go to a long term home saying she wants to vet him then letting slip she would be selling him as soon as her horse comes back off injury which was going to be quite soon, i have also been told he is underpriced so must be a dodgy buy the mind boggles, and hes only been up a week so lots more to come i suspect.

It seems you cant win what i will say dont write off a horse just because there isnt a posh yard or school i dont have a school and while i dont school alot horse is well schooled if a little rusty but would do the job and i let buyers ride him in the field and out on a hack or whatever they want to do so you could miss a gem some of the most horrid well known scam merchants have nice posh yards they move from to the next one all the time.

If it is supposed to be a genuine private seller they will ask as many questions as you will as it is something you just cant help if you want your horse to go to a good home, and most of all trust your gut instinct as it is usually right and most times it is the home and owner who makes a nice horse so if you like something but it isnt perfect its up to you to make it that.
oh one last thing good luck.
 
thank you, prestwood farm looks great.
i tried looking for _Gina_ but i couldnt find her on the members list. would you maybe be able to ask her to get in contact with me? so i can ask her about them?
 
Trinity Fox said:
Well if you are going to a dealer ask about them on this forum first as the really bad ones are usually known about by someone and the good ones should get good feedback. Its a hit miss thing i guess lots of peopple will lie if they are desperate to move something.

I am selling a horse at the moment and yes he is advertised on this site, so not advertising but i find buyers are not always honest he is a lovely boy i have been totally honest in all adverts, i have also when speaking to buyers told them if i thought he was not right for them he is a warmblood 15.1 and have had buyers trying to convince or lecture me telling me he will be fine carrying 16 stone living out without a rug great for a competant 6 year old, or one woman who after me an initial converstion explaining that i want him to go to a long term home saying she wants to vet him then letting slip she would be selling him as soon as her horse comes back off injury which was going to be quite soon, i have also been told he is underpriced so must be a dodgy buy the mind boggles, and hes only been up a week so lots more to come i suspect.

It seems you cant win what i will say dont write off a horse just because there isnt a posh yard or school i dont have a school and while i dont school alot horse is well schooled if a little rusty but would do the job and i let buyers ride him in the field and out on a hack or whatever they want to do so you could miss a gem some of the most horrid well known scam merchants have nice posh yards they move from to the next one all the time.

If it is supposed to be a genuine private seller they will ask as many questions as you will as it is something you just cant help if you want your horse to go to a good home, and most of all trust your gut instinct as it is usually right and most times it is the home and owner who makes a nice horse so if you like something but it isnt perfect its up to you to make it that.
oh one last thing good luck.
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Hey thanks, I can't ask about dealers on here coz it's not allowed and I don't want my account to be deleted.
Where abouts are you? Pm me about your horse maybe? ;)
thanks for the advice xx

And for the yard thing, I want to be able to try a horse out in all situations before I buy. I NEED something confidence giving and good out xc (not strong or fizzy) - so I wanna try it out xc before buying :)
 
I don't want to tar all dealers with the same brush, but the vast majority of the ones I've heard about appear to be rogues and are only interested in getting their £££ as quickly as possible. OK now I feel bad and I'm sure there are good ones out there, but I would buy from a private seller every time. But it's true, good horses get snapped up very quickly so word of mouth is often the way to go - sometimes it can be helpful asking an instructor if any of their clients have anything for sale, or check ads regularly in your local tackshop, vet etc. etc. Good luck! :)
 
A dealer has to make a living. In a perfect world thay would buy a nice horse, perhaps produce it a bit and sell it on with a mark up, perhaps 50%. It has to be as discribed and you have a right to take it back if its not. So in theory you are paying more for a gaurentee.
In a private sale you have no come back, if you take it home ands its not right it will be harder to prove the horse that you bought is not as discribed, and unfortuately alot of people lie or are strangers with the truth. On the other hand the majority of horse are bought privately and most people are happy and they should be cheaper.
My tips for buying are.
Be realistic about how well you ride and how much time you have. Its a bit like getting a boy friend don't expect you can change them so if its got a problem walk away. But if the horse is perfect apart from one thing asses how important aspect is.
Buy from someone less knowledgable/ worse rider than you,if they've got on with it and they are c**p you have a good chance of doing better!
Don't expect a wonderful horse for little money, good horses are expenseive because everyone wants them.
Don't pay for an all singing dacing one if you just want to go to a local show and jump 2'6''
Try and ask the right questions and listen for what they don't say. They are not going to reveal a problem unless you ask.
If I was your Mum I would contact your local PC.There are usually ponies/horses that are being sold because the rider has gone to uni etc.You can go and watch them at rallies and they can have a FSH, and most PC families are more interested in the home than the money although a good PC pony may not be cheap. At 15 believe it or not you haven't got alot of time so paying a bit more for a PC schoolmaster, that will load, knows a bit more than you and should behave could be a bargin in the long run.
Happy horse hunting.
 
Sorry you are not near me other end of the country but what i was trying to say is a good private seller i am sure would let you do this if you went and tried the horse first and liked it, then if you said you were really interested in buying the horse if it was advertised as doing xc it would be acceptable to box the horse to a course nearby.
I can understand not doing this everytime because of daytrippers wanting a ride but if you were serious a genuine seller i am sure would do this if asked as they would want you to be happy with the horse, dont be afraid to ask for things from the seller but it is only fair to go and see the horse first and decide if it what you think you are looking for as it will be an expense to seller.
If you like the horse and are condidering buying it shouldnt be a problem. You have to look at things from the sellers point of view as well if they did this as standard and is was something they were paying for it could become very costly, just try to be fair and a nice person will always be fair to you if they are not then that says alot.
 
Sorry as its late forgot to say you can ask quetions about dealers just post the question about said dealer, people may not be able to post on the open forum everything you need you need to know but if they are unable to do this they can send you a private message giving you all the info so good luck.

And just one thing take your time dont be pressured and a lovely horse will come alomg but remenber no one is perfect.
 
Raych said:
Yeah i have and had a good time. had one horse that was good for me, arranged a second visit then had to cancel and the horse was sold soon after. i kind of regret not going for the 2nd visit, but it was the first horse i veiwed and i was told to never buy the first horse you see and i didnt want to fall in love for the sake of it.
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Um, I think this is a bit of an old wives tale. I nearly bought the first horse I saw when I was looking for my first horse, but he sadly failed the vetting. The horse I just bought was also the first one I saw, although he was a bit expensive, so I looked at a few others but then the price was dropped so I went back and bought him.

I think that if you are only looking at horses that you think are actually suitable, rather than just viewing to have a day out, then there is no problem with buying the first horse you see.
 
I've had more problems with private sellers than with dealers.
As a pre-going-into-dealing-myself person, they really are a lot better than private sellers.
I sold my first two and both horse and new owner are very happy.

Obviously, you will get the dodgy ones, but you get dodgy private sellers too.
Most just sell the horses and want them gone quickly for whatever reason.

I will keep an eye out for you though :)
 
I have bought from dealers and private seller. The advantages of dealers are that you can try many in one visit.

Try Southgate Farm. I just bought my new boy (in my sig) from them. They were selling on behalf of the owner. He's 15.2hh allrounder and has such a fab temperament.

I was very disappointed with another dealer in the area after calling them and being told they had many suitable and within my budget to try, I flew down from Aberdeenshire and when I got to their yard, they had one within my budget which I didnt like anyway so I was rather annoyed to be told the others were all 8k plus so well out of my budget!

I bought my last mare from a private seller who had a genuine reason but i've also viewed horses from private sellers who havent been as described.

Pros and cons for both really.
 
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