Sensible offers....

Q

q105

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Me again....

Long and short....I have been invited to make an offer on an ex-military horse, I thought he had already been rehomed, but it turns out he had just been on retirement holiday.

He is a beautiful looking animal, 17yrs old, pretty much always lived in, but a reasonable doer. Shod religiously every 6 weeks as per military standard. Schoolmaster. Bomb proof. Has maintenance physio every few months. Rides out alone, in company, in traffic, with cannons going off...!!!

I can make a sealed bid on him. I know I want him in my life, but I don't want to pay over the odds for him becauseof my emotions.....

I have been told that 'ex-mil horses go for anything over meat value', not leaving me with much of a clue!!!!

Please, any suggestions beyond the obligatory 'whatever you can afford/whatever he's worth to you!'

Please, please, please reply!!!!

For what its worth, I have about £3k in savings, he will come to me naked if I am successful.



x q x
 
not helpful on the price side.. but are you sure he is in deed a ex forces horse? as they never used to sell them after wards they were given to blue cross (or some simarlar place) for them to rehome/ with the ones at windsor they are never leave service they are sent to teach the new recuits and when they feel it their time they have them pts. :confused: prehaps things have changed.
 
I was talking to a guy at Chatsworth Fair from the Horseguards, and he said most horses are given away when they are no good for the military - to a good home of course.

Seventeen is a not that old on a pony, but those horses have worked hard, so I would say it was old enough for that type of horse. In general, horses are going for next to nothing.

I know why you're struggling to decide. Its a difficult one! I would say £500-£1000 really.

Good luck. Hope that you find someone who knows, and get your horse. Let us know!
 
xTrooperx said:
not helpful on the price side.. but are you sure he is in deed a ex forces horse? as they never used to sell them after wards they were given to blue cross (or some simarlar place) for them to rehome/ with the ones at windsor they are never leave service they are sent to teach the new recuits and when they feel it their time they have them pts. :confused: prehaps things have changed.
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I thought similar to this, i'm sure i've seen something on T.V. about a place where retired "service" horses are sent for their retirement, but i'm happy to be corrected if i'm wrong.
 
Yep, he's definitely a military horse....and they have always put them up for adoption through the Defence Animal Centre Melton Mowbray when they have finished service.

You are right, when they finish the official Guard duties etc they often become riding school horses to teach the Sandhurst Cadets etc.

I have been offered him because I am in the Army. Presedence goes to those serving soldiers who want to rehome an animal, but the public can also offer ex-military animals a home....

Ref the horse in question, I do understand that he has had a busy and active life, so his retirement from service life will be just that. He will be a happy hacker primarily, so he will have a gentler pace. Currently he is ridden every day, up to two hours, six days a week, with a couple of weeks off in summer and at christmas.

Thank you for replying guys.....I was starting to think it was me!!!!

x q x
 
I also thought they retired to rescue type sanctuaries or pts if unsound.

At the age he is and with the work they do,i would be wary about taking him on,he will be too old to fully insure.

If you really feel he is right for you,will you be able to try him? or is it a case of sealed bid,if you win he is yours no option for vet check or trial.It could be a real gamble especially as your first horse.

I would go at a very little above meat price.
 
do you like him?
is he what you want?

FWIW - I think he sounds perfect! So if its sealed bids - then I would say £1500 - £1700.
Some may argue this is too much (meat value etc) but if there is someone else there who is just as interested you may need to make a decent offer.
xx

BTW - he is NOT too old to insure - Get him insured with Petplan before he is 19 and he is fully insured until he reaches 25 - at which point he would then be moved onto the veteran policy.
 
No idea but just wanted to say good luck its nice to think that after many years of service a horse like this will go on to enjoy a quieter life yet still continue to have a job and hopefully doated on.
 
Dancing Queen..... I love him!!! I've been riding him at the school for the last few months since giving up my share, and he is everything I thought I would never want in a horse!!!

But there is just that something about him.

I've been considering whether or not I'm ready to have my own, and when I found out he was retiring, i was SO excited. But I thought someone else had got him so I got on with it.

An older horse doesn't phase me. My last share was 25, he was never sick or sorry. And not being able to ride if mine has to have time off isn't a drama.....I just like to be around them. This horse has grafted his whole life, he deserves a rest where he will be loved. I'm busy with work sometikmes, an older horse who is less bothered by the odd extra day off seems to make sense? Or am I looking at this the wrong way?

x q x
 
I can have him vetted before the bids are placed. Is this expensive? I will get to view his medical history, and I think I can ask for a copy of it
 
The fuller picture makes him a much better prospect,you know him and feel he will suit you so go for it.
Vetting varies so much it is best to phone for a quote,his medical history will be useful when making your mind up re. how much to offer.
Is there likely to be anyone else that rides him interested in buying,it may be worth making some discrete inquiries round the yard.
 
LittleBlackMule, I'm going to say exactly that.....then shoot myself in the foot no doubt!!! haha

I'm already aware of one other whos interested, but I don't think she knows that I am bidding.....sneaky! The other two who have expressed interest before have decided not to bid because they have babies on the way.....eeek!!! I'm going to do this!!!
 
i really have no idea...but i would say if you REALLY REALLY want him and you have 3k to spend..... then 3k??? good luck, i hope you are successful whatever you decide to do :)
 
q105 said:
Dancing Queen..... I love him!!! I've been riding him at the school for the last few months since giving up my share, and he is everything I thought I would never want in a horse!!!

But there is just that something about him.

I've been considering whether or not I'm ready to have my own, and when I found out he was retiring, i was SO excited. But I thought someone else had got him so I got on with it.

An older horse doesn't phase me. My last share was 25, he was never sick or sorry. And not being able to ride if mine has to have time off isn't a drama.....I just like to be around them. This horse has grafted his whole life, he deserves a rest where he will be loved. I'm busy with work sometikmes, an older horse who is less bothered by the odd extra day off seems to make sense? Or am I looking at this the wrong way?

x q x
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You sound so Excited and no you are not looking at it in the wrong way - in fact the right way.

Given what you have just said - i would go to what you feel comfortable with - £1600/£3000, What you think he is worth. The price you pay reflects how much you like and want him.

Vettings - stage 2 or 5, Stage 5 is generally more expensive and involves being ridden by vet, stage 2 is fairly simple general check over.

I want pictures! xx
 
Go for it!!
He sounds like he has your name on him already & what a perfect way to buy having ridden him & knowing so much about him already.
I wouldn't have thought he was worth a huge amt to anyone else so I wld have thought an under £1K bid?
If he is going to sealed bids there should be conditions for the bid...and maybe like houses it won't always come down to the highest £ bid but consideration may also be given to someone in the best circumstances so there may be an opportunity to include details of your experience looking after an older horse etc etc...
Also like sealed bids on houses go for an odd amount ie not a round figure.
Good luck & fingers crossed for you!!!
 
just to add to what other people have said about the price, i'd go in with an odd figure rather than a round number, EG if you are willing to pay £1300 then say something like £1325. at least then IF someone else says £1300 you'll get him. good luck, he sounds a nice horse.
 
Just wanted to wish you good luck and definitely photos needed if you win.

If I was in your situation and wanted him that much then I would make an offer as much as I could / wanted to afford - I assume the money will go back into the miltary / horses so it wouldnt be lining someones pocket out to make a quick buck.

Good luck again :D
 
I hope you get him - you sound lovely and caring. It sounds like a hideous situation though. I would have thought that after all the good service he has done the least that could be expected is that they find him the best home possible - you. For a bid I would go for £1017, you really want him and second hand tack/rugs are dirt cheap atm. Good luck and feedback when you win please!
 
He does sound super! If you love him already and really want him, I would bid a bit high to be honest just to make sure......around £2K - but then I am a bit of a pushover. Yes, you may get him for £500 but what price love eh? ;)

£2K might/might not sound a lot for a more mature horse but if he is sound and healthy he will still have years left in him to enjoy :)

Good Luck, hope you get him, and piccies essential if and when!
 
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