Reputable dealers for "bombproof" horses - yorkshire

[Fun Times]

My friend is looking for a nice confidence giving horse around 15hh for hacking and a bit of schooling. It doesnt need to be a top competition prospect or anything like that nor does it need to be flashy, but it does need to be sound, reliable and as "bombproof" as possible as she has lost her confidence recently. Can anyone recommend appropriate and decent dealers in yorkshire (about sixty miles from York would be our limit)? We are looking privately too of course but would be happy to go to a reputable dealer especially if they had a couple of suitable horses to view.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't trust any dealer claiming that all their horses are 'bombproof'. The best you can hope for ime, is that the horses are as advertised. Read the ads carefully and check out those that sound suitable very, very carefully. I would particularly avoid a certain dealer in Lincolnshire.

 

[Fun Times]

Thanks Pearlsasinger. Understand entirely what you are saying about avoiding places that claim all are "bombproof". The intent behind putting that in the thread was more to convey that we were looking at dealers tailored more towards the "happy hacker" market than the "i want to go tound badminton" competition market. If you could pm me the name of the dealer in lincolnshire that you refer to that would be much appreciated.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Unfortunately they change their name frequently.

Friend bought a super bombproof pony from Hanson's in Bradford, exactly as advertised.

 

[Fun Times]

Smashing, will have a look at their site.

 

[FestiveG]

I would suggest that your friend look at a ride and drive, they tend to be pretty unshakable by most things, by temperment and training. There is a family in Bradford who might be worth a look, to see if they have anything that they think is suitable.

 

[Fun Times]

Thanks Yorksg. Good idea. I suspect the people in Bradford that you mention are the same ones that pearlsasinger recommended based on their site. I will mention them to my friend.

 

[FestiveG]

Yes, I cross posted with Pearlsasinger We bought our first horse from the current owners father. The gelding was a star, he had pulled a landau in Blackpool and there was nothing that scared him That was about 40 years ago! His son and daughter and son in law run the place now, they keep some donkeys still, for their mother (who says dealers aren't sentimental )

 

[goldenchestnut]

Judy Thurlow in Thirsk, used her myself. Look at her web site.

 

[cornbrodolly]

Cannot agree with 'goldenchestnut'. I know its quite a bit further, but Stubley hollow nr Sheffield are genuine.

 

[Fun Times]

Yes, I cross posted with Pearlsasinger We bought our first horse from the current owners father. The gelding was a star, he had pulled a landau in Blackpool and there was nothing that scared him That was about 40 years ago! His son and daughter and son in law run the place now, they keep some donkeys still, for their mother (who says dealers aren't sentimental )

Thanks YorksG, they sound like a good place to call. Really pleased I posted this thread as would not have thought about going down this route.

Judy Thurlow in Thirsk, used her myself. Look at her web site.

Thanks Goldenchestnut but this is one I won't be following up on as I suspect not right for what we want this time.

Cannot agree with 'goldenchestnut'. I know its quite a bit further, but Stubley hollow nr Sheffield are genuine.

Will take a look at Stubley Hollow Cornbrodolly, ta.

 

[ladyt25]

We've bought two horses in the past from Judi Thurloe when we quite frankly were very novicey when I look back. One probably wasn't really suitable as he was terrified of large vehicles (we hacked out a lot) and he was very riggy. However, we kept him for years, he loved his flatwork but just wasn't a brave horse. We sold him eventually to a family who kept him at a riding school where he was used for lessons and that is the sort of life he thrived on to be honest. They loved him.

We also bought my sisters 2nd pony from her and he was brilliant. All in all she will try and match you with the horse you want but, as a buyer you NEED to be honest about your capabilities. NO horse is ever going to be 100% bombproof as they are an animal at the end of the day. If you want 100% bombproof then really you don't want a horse.

Everyone is going to have bad and good experiences with dealers and you do have to remember it is their business and livelihood. In general it is in their interest to sell you want you want and you do have the 'comfort' of some sort of return policy if the horses isn't what you were expecting.

I do hate when people slate a dealer though because the horse turned out to be completely different when they got it home (changed it's routine, the way it's ridden etc etc). Unless said dealer had drugged a horse to purposefully hide an issue then there is no reason to assume a dealer was dishonest. Sorry, bit of a rant there!

You have to take the same precautions as you would with anything - visit the horse a few times, ride it in a field, out on the roads, see it caught, see it tacked up, have someone knowledgeable and impartial to give their opinion. Get it vetted!!!

 

[FinkleyAlex]

PM'd you

 

[Fun Times]

We've bought two horses in the past from Judi Thurloe when we quite frankly were very novicey when I look back. One probably wasn't really suitable as he was terrified of large vehicles (we hacked out a lot) and he was very riggy. However, we kept him for years, he loved his flatwork but just wasn't a brave horse. We sold him eventually to a family who kept him at a riding school where he was used for lessons and that is the sort of life he thrived on to be honest. They loved him.

We also bought my sisters 2nd pony from her and he was brilliant. All in all she will try and match you with the horse you want but, as a buyer you NEED to be honest about your capabilities. NO horse is ever going to be 100% bombproof as they are an animal at the end of the day. If you want 100% bombproof then really you don't want a horse.

Everyone is going to have bad and good experiences with dealers and you do have to remember it is their business and livelihood. In general it is in their interest to sell you want you want and you do have the 'comfort' of some sort of return policy if the horses isn't what you were expecting.

I do hate when people slate a dealer though because the horse turned out to be completely different when they got it home (changed it's routine, the way it's ridden etc etc). Unless said dealer had drugged a horse to purposefully hide an issue then there is no reason to assume a dealer was dishonest. Sorry, bit of a rant there!

You have to take the same precautions as you would with anything - visit the horse a few times, ride it in a field, out on the roads, see it caught, see it tacked up, have someone knowledgeable and impartial to give their opinion. Get it vetted!!!

Thanks for the response Ladyt25. Not slating any dealer at all. As I said above, we won't be going to Judi as just not right for this particular person on this occassion. No indictment on her or any other dealer. You are of course right that no horse will be 100% bombproof all the time which is why I put the phrase in quotes in the header and said we were looking for a confidence giver thats as "bombproof" as possible. We defo don't want a robot but we are hoping for something that doesn't leg it at the sight of its own forelock, LOL.

 

[Fun Times]

PM'd you

Cheers FinkleyAlex.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I would suggest that your friend look at a ride and drive, they tend to be pretty unshakable by most things, by temperment and training. There is a family in Bradford who might be worth a look, to see if they have anything that they think is suitable.

SORRY - VERY old post I do know that, but are this family still in business?

 

[FestiveG]

SORRY - VERY old post I do know that, but are this family still in business?

I think so, pm me for the name if you like ?

 

[Glitter's fun]

Think I just messaged you (not done it before!)

 

[PeterNatt]

There are very few 100% Bombproof Spookproof horses however all mine have been as such. I source mine by putting a 'Wanted' advert up in the local tack shops and feed merchants and also contacting the local riding instructors farriers, vets and Pony Club as well as looking at web sites such as Dragon Driving, Horse and Hound, Horsemart and Horse Quest. If you are patient they normally turn up but be prepared to wait. Also always ask to see the horse ridden down a busy main road by itself and get it vetted.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Look up Becky O'Neil on Facebook, she has a group as well. She's in Yorkshire,.has nice horses and a good reputation.

 

[Red-1]

I looked at one at Gemini Sports Horses and it seemed to be as advertised.

 

[Glitter's fun]

My apologies, I appear to have revived a 7 year old thread. I just wanted to ask for information on one of the people mentioned. Should have sent a message instead. Bad form! Tha mi duilich .

 

[Widgeon]

Look up Becky O'Neil on Facebook, she has a group as well. She's in Yorkshire,.has nice horses and a good reputation.

I was going to recommend her, I tried a pony at her yard a couple of years ago and she was extremely honest about it. Nice pony, I didn't buy it because it was (as she said) completely switched off in the arena (ex-RDA and needed a hacking home really). There was no pressure to buy and I'd happily go back there if I was looking. My farrier shoes for her and rates her. She's just outside York and gets a range of riding club types in. Worth a visit I'd say.

 

[Widgeon]

My apologies, I appear to have revived a 7 year old thread. I just wanted to ask for information on one of the people mentioned. Should have sent a message instead. Bad form! Tha mi duilich .

I wouldn't worry, it's quite useful to have these kind of threads kept more or less up to date

 

[Shilasdair]

My apologies, I appear to have revived a 7 year old thread. I just wanted to ask for information on one of the people mentioned. Should have sent a message instead. Bad form! Tha mi duilich .

I love that you have used Gaelic on an English forum.