Searching for a horse is so depressing

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Smallhorses

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I never in a million years realised that searching for a horse could bring so much heartache :(

I went to see one this evening and had high hopes. It just wasn't to be. I suppose the only positive thing about me buying this time round is that I am using my head. I don't think I'll ever find the right one :(

Does anyone else go through this? How long does it take to find the one? :confused:
 
Are you looking for a beautiful, talented but cantankerous and quirky TB mare? If so, look no further....
 
I went to see a Welsh S D. He was really stunning. When I entered his stable he kept putting his ears back which I assumed meant he was a little nervous of me but he did it to the owner too. He has to have a special diet and must come in certain parts of the day and doesn't like being schooled or he rears. The owner wasn't keen on me riding him until he had a session with the behaviour therapist. I am sorry for anyone who thinks I am being a bit of a moaner :(
 
I think you have to try and think of going to look at horses as a bit of a fun road trip. :D It is really disappointing when a horse sounds great in the advert but turns out to not be what you are looking for, but that just means you need to keep looking a while longer. You will find the right one in the end. :cool:
 
skint1 said:
Are you looking for a beautiful, talented but cantankerous and quirky TB mare? If so, look no further....
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heeee!

To be honest, the smaller they are the better for me! I am currently riding a Welsh S C but I keep being told I am too big (I know I am!) and getting laughed at (he's 13h2 and I am 5"6 9st9) so I feel I need to press on :(
 
Flame_ said:
I think you have to try and think of going to look at horses as a bit of a fun road trip. :D It is really disappointing when a horse sounds great in the advert but turns out to not be what you are looking for, but that just means you need to keep looking a while longer. You will find the right one in the end. :cool:
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Promise? :p
 
Do what I did, fall in love with the very first one you see, take him home and let him shape up to be your horse of a lifetime :D

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Really hope you find something perfect for you soon - and it'll be so much sweeter when you do since it's been such a struggle :)
 
Smallhorses said:
I went to see a Welsh S D. He was really stunning. When I entered his stable he kept putting his ears back which I assumed meant he was a little nervous of me but he did it to the owner too. He has to have a special diet and must come in certain parts of the day and doesn't like being schooled or he rears. The owner wasn't keen on me riding him until he had a session with the behaviour therapist. I am sorry for anyone who thinks I am being a bit of a moaner :(
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Don't be daft, the forum is for moaning. ;) You need to ask more questions over the phone. You should have been able to find out this horse had these problems over the phone unless the seller tells bare faced lies. Write yourself a list of questions to ask when you phone up to help you avoid wasting your time and petrol traveling to see something completely unsuitable.
 
Smallhorses said:
heeee!

To be honest, the smaller they are the better for me! I am currently riding a Welsh S C but I keep being told I am too big (I know I am!) and getting laughed at (he's 13h2 and I am 5"6 9st9) so I feel I need to press on :(
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Ah that' sad if you really enjoy riding the Welsh C, my daughter is around the same height and weight and she still hacks her 13.1 Welsh B, but she has stopped jumping/competing on him, he never seemed to struggle with her and is not good with small kids unless they're confident. Hope you find something soon xx
 
Must just be me, but i've just advertised my mare who is quirky to say the least and i've probably given too much information but I personally don't want to waste my own time lying to people, let alone wasting their time aswell, seems daft why people don't just tell the truth !

Good luck.
 
devilwoman said:
Must just be me, but i've just advertised my mare who is quirky to say the least and i've probably given too much information but I personally don't want to waste my own time lying to people, let alone wasting their time aswell, seems daft why people don't just tell the truth !

Good luck.
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Ha you sound like my daughter, I heard her on the phone to a prospective buyer and she almost sounds like she's trying to talk them OUT of coming to see our horse.
 
Have you looked on the NFed site? (www.nfed.co.uk) Always worth a look.

Always think you know when you've found the right one - I looked at one that was perfect but I felt I just didn't click with her so kept looking until I found one that did (does that sound daft?)
 
Hi.. I completely agree!! I have just finally made the decision (the vetting is on Friday!!) to buy a TB who i love and who is so sweet. He was not the one with the beautiful paces, or the one with the best outline..he was the one i wanted to bring home and spend time with and i am now just hoping that he is going to get through the vetting.
I found it utterly exhausting looking and agree with whoever said that you need to ask more stuff over the phone..tell then what you want it for and what you want it to do and ask them if they think it will be suitable. I found myself asking things like 'will it stand still to mount?' and 'will it let my children groom it all day?' That way you get more info. The ones where they are vetting you as much as the other way round seem to be the best ones..
Good luck and chin up!!
Liz
 
Join the club. I am on the laptop looking constantly for anything new everywhere. shops etc

Took 5 horses to find first horse in H&H 13 years ago

Currently I must be at 12/13...viewings... losing count/sanity etc!

Everyone keeps telling me there is one out there just wait.

Keep hearing horses are being given away?? Happy to buy etc

Am fed up and spend more time on here these days and enjoying all the pictures of horses!

Think its good if sellers are completely honest and I have met a couple who were really nice and honest about the horses just not my type.But most are not as described.

So join the wanted club!
 
Op my friend has a very sweet if a little green 14hh nf/ id mare for sale. She is 4 or 5 can't remember!!! Totally bombproof. Loves jumping but needs to further her education. I think she would be willing to loan wvtb. Pm me if you want more details :).
 
Please take your time. I lost my horse last year, and it took me a year to find a new horse. I thought I had been cautious, but I have been seen off and now have a nice horse, (to handle), but who naps and rears and is not at all what I thought I was buying. She is also the devil to shoe.

So don't let yourself be rushed into buying the wrong horse. The vast majority of the one's I saw, were not as described. It is very disappointing. Good Luck.
 
I can understand why people want to sell un-rideable horses with what sounds like a catalogue of disasters behind them, what I can't understand is why they wait till you turn up to tell you about it, they should be finding good homes with mad riders for these poor animals or bite the bullet and put them out of their misery [not that I could do the latter]
I explain what I want before I go, and if the horse is not to my liking I don't ask for it to come out of its stable, thus indicating to them that had they been honest with me they could have save both of us time and trouble, and I don't need to go in to detail of all the faults they have, so the non-transaction is at least amiable.
I went to see a young Connemara well handled £3000, I expected some thing good, show quality, noooooo it was over-height therefore useless for showing and breeding, it was nervous [a native pony well handled but nervous!!!], and had never been shod but had white line disease, not much use to me. How many people would want to pay such a sum for a horse that could be bought at a sale for about £700-800.
I went to see a young TB which had been backed [by the owner I assume], I had to go twice as I was not allowed to sit on it bareback, went back next day and it was evident that the horse was terrified of having a rider on its back, and that was the reason they were selling it .... somebody might want to take it on as a project, but not me!
A flighty, arab, no mention that it was barely backed, and had never been out of the manege, they were dubious of letting me ride it [I am an oap], so why did they try to sell it as a well schooled riding horse?
 
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds this, at times, a little taxing to say the least :eek: I didn't think wanting a happy hacker to loan or to buy for about £1k was going to be a difficult quest. I don't think I should up my budget though, I reckon that's about right for what I want :)
 
oh i share yr pain - i have been looking for a loan horse for a yr now & have seen ;
lame horses
old horses [ i already have a 21 yr old at home - so dont really want/need another oap]
mad horses:rolleyes:

i have [ with the current petrol prices] started asking for a cople of mins of video of horse before deciding to make a road trip - has already saved me lots of money

good luck huns - they are out there:)
 
You all have had the same experience as me..as for the price tag..i never saw anything under 2,000 that wasnt mad or old..the happy hacker type seems to be the horse of the moment..the good ones get snapped up. I assume you have looked at Horsemart..and Horsehunter..and preloved is also well worth it.. if you join for £5 for the year you can ring the new adverts first before everyone else. Keep looking and fingers crossed for my vetting on Friday..

Liz x
 
Lizzybet69 said:
You all have had the same experience as me..as for the price tag..i never saw anything under 2,000 that wasnt mad or old..the happy hacker type seems to be the horse of the moment..the good ones get snapped up. I assume you have looked at Horsemart..and Horsehunter..and preloved is also well worth it.. if you join for £5 for the year you can ring the new adverts first before everyone else. Keep looking and fingers crossed for my vetting on Friday..

Liz x
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Fingers toes and eyes crossed for you!!! :)
 
i have [ with the current petrol prices said:
started asking for a cople of mins of video of horse before deciding to make a road trip - has already saved me lots of money

QUOTE]

This ! Vids are pretty common when you are paying a bit more but honestly the way to go as saves time for sellers and buyers and means you dont go and see anything that is just miles off what you want.
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Smallhorses said:
I never in a million years realised that searching for a horse could bring so much heartache :(

I went to see one this evening and had high hopes. It just wasn't to be. I suppose the only positive thing about me buying this time round is that I am using my head. I don't think I'll ever find the right one :(

Does anyone else go through this? How long does it take to find the one? :confused:
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I understand that searching for the right horse to buy can be stressful and take its toll on the heartstrings (from watching friends go through the experience) however, from someone who has never had the chance to go out and choose a horse to buy, PLEASE realise how lucky you are and try to enjoy your search!! There are many people out there who would give anything to be in your shoes!

Having said that, I do hope you find the horse of your dreams very soon :D
 
YouOnlyLiveOnce said:
I understand that searching for the right horse to buy can be stressful and take its toll on the heartstrings (from watching friends go through the experience) however, from someone who has never had the chance to go out and choose a horse to buy, PLEASE realise how lucky you are and try to enjoy your search!! There are many people out there who would give anything to be in your shoes!

Having said that, I do hope you find the horse of your dreams very soon :D
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I know - totally get how lucky I am - I even said it to my partner last night!! Told you I was being a moaner :rolleyes: :D
 
I feel for your pain its not much fun, and if you are like me I cant help but get my hopes up wher I make arang3ments for a viewing and they sound ideal.

Even though we visited many horse on our quests the last 3 of ours found us. I would put the word out at your local RC, PC, farrier and as many friends, tack shops and other equine places as poss. Also have you considered a wanted add? My daughters 1st pony (a fab welsh section C) came to us through a wanted advert in out local free ads.
 
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