Should I buy her or leave her....

B

Baked Bean

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I went to view a pony today at a dealer's yard. Don't know anything about the dealer. Pony was 7 year old 14.2hh mare. She was advertised at £1750. Her confirmation was ok but she had her tongue over the bit and didn't seem quite comfortable behind. Her attitude seemed very willing and straightforward. She is supposed to have come from a riding school. I liked her. She was not established in her canter transition but did manged to jump well and cleared 3' comfortably. When I got on I could immediately feel she was crooked and very unbalanced.

Do you think it's worth vetting or leaving?
 
Personally I would leave, butthen I'mnot that experenced at buying horses. I just think that if you have ny doubts then it's best to leaave well alone - there are plenty of lovel ponies out there for sale without having to buy a possible problem.
 
Depends on how experienced you are, what you're looking for, whether you think the pony has potential and if they will accept an offer. Sounds like the pony has some good features but also other things that need working on.
 
Tongue over the bit could be due to the wrong bit or bad teeth or both, all easily sorted.

Unwilling to go forward could be due to the same, or bad saddle.

Every horse needs work to be balanced, supple and straight!

However, she could be a crock! Go back and have another look if you like her. See how her tack fits (dealers often use the one set for all approach) and be thorough with your assessment the second time. Could the way shes goes be due to previous riders? Did you look at her shoes, foot balance, muscle development, etc? Take someone experienced with you if youre not confident to do it alone.

There is no such thing as a perfect horse. Every horse needs some work doing or has something wrong with it, the bottom line is are you capable and willing to do what might need to be done.
 
No such thing as a perfect horse - so its good to get a second opinion and video for reference later. Have to say none of what you said sounds like a show stopper at this stage. If you did go to a vetting then highlight the areas you might have concern over so that vet can look at that a bit closer.
 
If she has been in a riding school she is bound to be crooked; she will have had umpteen unbalanced riders banging around on her back and pulling her in the mouth, and she will have adjusted herself the best way she can.

I wouldn't let that put me off unless she is lame.
 
Sorry but it comes down to YOU. did you like her and so on. Nobody can judge a horse or pony they haven't seen in it the flesh, but you have, if you have'nt got confidence in yourself and your judgement don't buy.
 
Which dealer Baked bean? I took a dealer in your area to court over a pony I bought and have been contacted by many people who have also had problems.
 
I really like the look of her in the ad. On the other hand I did once buy a mare of the same height and age who had been used in the riding school and I could never get her to go forwards properly because she seemed set in her ways in resisting the leg and going forwards. If this one seems to have a nice forwards thinking attitude then I think thats the important thing!
 
If you like her why not get her vetted and see if these problems that you've found are fixable? It's so difficult to find a good pony that you like at a good price these days, and if she's only 7 then its still young enough to right any bad habbits she's learnt from the riding school.... :)

I think you should view her again, note down all the things you want your vet to check out inparticular and see what they say. If you dont you'll always be left wandering what if she was my perfect pony..... :)
 
teddyt said:
There is no such thing as a perfect horse. Every horse needs some work doing or has something wrong with it, the bottom line is are you capable and willing to do what might need to be done.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, there is always a compromise somewhere with horses and you are hardy likely to find a near perfect one for £1750!
 
When I bought my mare, at age 7, she was so unbalanced, she couldn't canter in the school, yet she could jump a clear round over 3 feet. 2 years later she was doing county level working hunter and winning at newcomers and I've just sold her for enough money to buy a new horsebox!
 
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