Recent reviews/ experiences of Shane Walsh (Oxfordshire Dealer)

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Spangles

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Hello, anyone bought horses from Shane recently ? Would like to know if worth contacting as looking for a lovely all rounder/ jumper for competent teen coming off 14.2hh ponies.

Or other trustworthy dealers in the Berkshire/ Oxfordshire/ Hampshire/ Surrey areas. Please PM me any to be wary of. Like everyone else, we really do not want to make a big mistake.

Many thanks
 
I just want to say I know lots of others have done it no problem but I will never buy from another dealer as long as I live. I think that mostly you just can't be sure of what you're getting.
 
Spangles said:
That's my very real fear :-(
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I would avoid buying from a dealer if looking for a horse that has a proven record which is what you really need for a young rider, my first choice would be to look for something that is advertised privately with a PC/ RC or BE record that can be verified and you can get references from a DC or instructor.
I always wonder why some of the paragons described by dealers end up there when it is so hard to find a genuine horse at any price, the dealers need to make a profit so must buy at below market value, there are always a few exceptions, if you want something young to bring on a dealer can be the best option but I would avoid for the type you are looking for, the PC site normally has a decent choice, NFED is worth keeping an eye on as there are normally a few nice ones on there, it may take longer and mean more work than going to a dealer but you can often do far more research, get videos and references only making a journey to view if everything checks out.
 
Shane is down near Winchester now.
I've got a couple of friends that swear by him and have recommended others to him.
I dealt with him this summer and found him a frustratingly difficult person to communicate with but for the most part think he was straight with us, disclosed a vet issue up front on the only horse he had that he thought was suitable. We didn't buy.
 
cobsarefab said:
I just want to say I know lots of others have done it no problem but I will never buy from another dealer as long as I live. I think that mostly you just can't be sure of what you're getting.
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Depends on the dealer. There are many who make an honest living, producing and selling decent horses. If you do your homework, and use top end dealers, you won't get your fingers burnt.

I've not met him or had dealings with him, but I've never heard a bad word said about Shane Walsh. As far as I'm aware, he has a good reputation for selling straight horses, honestly
 
Auslander said:
Depends on the dealer. There are many who make an honest living, producing and selling decent horses. If you do your homework, and use top end dealers, you won't get your fingers burnt.

I've not met him or had dealings with him, but I've never heard a bad word said about Shane Walsh. As far as I'm aware, he has a good reputation for selling straight horses, honestly
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^^^^^this^^^^^^
 
Auslander said:
Depends on the dealer. There are many who make an honest living, producing and selling decent horses. If you do your homework, and use top end dealers, you won't get your fingers burnt.

I've not met him or had dealings with him, but I've never heard a bad word said about Shane Walsh. As far as I'm aware, he has a good reputation for selling straight horses, honestly
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I do not mean to be negative towards Shane Walsh in any way as I know nothing about him but the dealer I bought from was very reputable and I couldn't find a bad word about them online. I am sure that there are lots of honest dealers out there but I only meant my post as a bit of a caution dealing with dealers genrally as I was stung so badly by a "reputable" dealer.
 
cobsarefab said:
Them I really wouldn't. It's costing twice what we paid for my mare to get her into the state they said she was in when they sold her. I've also been injured in the process. They sold a dangerous horse to a child. Some of them just don't have a conscience.
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I wish you would stop saying things like this. You are incredibly inexperienced and made a massive mistake. When you found out the pony wasn't suitable it should have gone straight back. You did pretty much everything wrong and continue to make horrendous mistakes compounding the issue. I really do hope you get there in the end and find somewhere more suitable for you both where you can have some guidance. But the fault for this whole sorry mess doesnt just lie with who you bought her off.

Some dealers are awful, truly, truly awful unscrupulous scumbags, but AFAIK this dealer isn't one of them, so to come on here warning people off isn't really appropriate. I think its part of the reason we arent allowed dealer threads anymore, although that seems to have been relaxed as of late
 
I bought a horse from Shane 3 yrs ago and he was exactly as described. I also know about 6 other horses that have come from Shane and all of them are cracking horses and the owners are really happy with them. Shane values his reputation and sells nice horses.
 
Shane is probably more honest than a lot of private sellers as he will tell you any faults that he knows of with each horse. Provided you are honest about the ability of the rider he will say if he thinks he has a horse to suit you. The biggest problem a lot of people have is assessing their own ability which gives the dealer a problem saying they have or have not got a horse that may be what they are looking for.
 
I went to Shane to look for a horse and he was completely straight, told me good and bad about each horse I tried.

Once I'd sat on one horse he was happy for me to ride the others cold, I could try in school, field and down the road.

Unfortunately at the time he had more hunter types in and I wanted a sharper horse than he had but I guess dealers try to avoid the sharp ones generally!

I see he tends to have a different type of horse in now and has moved more to warmblood X types and they all look lovely.

I would definitely recommend him and I'd give him a call if I was looking again.
 
crabbymare said:
Shane is probably more honest than a lot of private sellers as he will tell you any faults that he knows of with each horse. Provided you are honest about the ability of the rider he will say if he thinks he has a horse to suit you. The biggest problem a lot of people have is assessing their own ability which gives the dealer a problem saying they have or have not got a horse that may be what they are looking for.
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Couldn't agree more - I just sold a horse and a couple of the people who came hadn't bought a horse in some time. They were patently obviously assessing their own riding as it had been 10 or more years ago, when they had bought their last horse. They weren't taking into account the passage of time, and the effect of ageing on both themselves and their previous horse. They were coming to try a horse that would have suited them 10 years ago.
 
we had a friend who brought a lovely connie from him. Wouldn't win a Novice BE but they didn't want him too. Safe hacker, great hunter and gave them fun competing. They watnted another horse from him but he didn't have the right thing. (nothing to do with him just not what they were looking for) He has good places to try them and will let you canter them in a open space ect.
 
I think its fair enough to ask reviews and experiences on dealers, but remember private sellers are often worse and you have no comeback. If you uy from a dealer you have a right to return goods... worse case through a court... but a private seller just needs to say it was sold as seen etc then you are stuck. I know plenty of private sellers that have lied through there teeth to sell a horse and tbh with facebook groups like dodgy dealers and places like here its getting harder for the dodgy ones and mkre essential than ever to have a good repuatation.
 
dominobrown said:
I think its fair enough to ask reviews and experiences on dealers, but remember private sellers are often worse and you have no comeback. If you uy from a dealer you have a right to return goods... worse case through a court... but a private seller just needs to say it was sold as seen etc then you are stuck. I know plenty of private sellers that have lied through there teeth to sell a horse and tbh with facebook groups like dodgy dealers and places like here its getting harder for the dodgy ones and mkre essential than ever to have a good repuatation.
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There's a lot of sense in what you say DB. And as others have said the dealers at the upper end are usually straight and look after customers. If you think about it that's what makes sense. Apart from many actually being honest people, you cannot stay in business if you mess people around and in an industry like this reputation is everything.

As an agent I work with many producers and dealers. Really none of them are like the stereotype some people have of those in the horse trade. I reckon a lot of the horror stories are from private sellers or some cheap dealers trying to disguise problem animals and if a lot of problems arise they just change the business name.

But those in the industry for years or those who wish to be successful wouldn't do that - it just doesn't work. Reputable dealers will try to perfectly match horse and rider as they don't want problems down the line or the horse returned. Also it's just part of doing a good job, dealers want job satisfaction as much as the next person. And I know from experience they are thrilled to hear the success stories later, when horses they sell go on to win for the buyers or give them great confidence.
 
I would never buy private personally unless from someone I knew well- If you find a dealer like Shane who I've not gone to but have only ever heard good things about then you've given yourself the best chance of finding the right horse- he has an excellent reputation to uphold after all. Agree with what millitiger says he has more blood types in lately but I bet he has lots in that aren't advertised.
 
OP asked for people who have bought from Shane. Coming on here to muddy the waters due to a bad experience with another dealer is unhelpful. You are also playing fast and loose with someone's reputation so think twice before voicing a opinion. I have direct experience. Yes he can be hard to get hold of initially. Once I did, I found him straight and to the point. I bought a superb horse off him and will go back. There aren't many good dealers around so let's not scare the good ones off!
 
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