The (odd) things owners do... viewing a new horse...

Some years ago one of my liveries was looking for a replacement for a mare she had sadly lost. Livery was a competent novice so was ok, but needed something sensible. One of the horses we looked at was a very smart coloured who my livery had spotted in the adverts. So we drove about 1/2 an hour down the A1 to have a look.
When we got there the owner and partner and another lass was there and the horse was tacked up and had been ridden in(not a good sign).
One of the ladies mounted up and started riding the gelding in the corner of what was an enormous field; it must have been between 20-30 acres and the stables etc were at the top end. Unfortunately my livery was rather dazzled by the looks of this horse while I was more concerned by the fact he looked far from a novice ride. Nothing terrible but very active and sharp. When talking to the owners partner I was assured he was a saint out hacking and yes he really looked after his rider etc and then he continued to name drop places they had competed eg HOYS, (not with this horse needless to say)and a few well known names. The thing was, I was there to look at that particular horse for a particular rider and all the bullshit in the world was convincing me he was suitable.
Worryingly the livery was ignoring my "I don't think this is suitable" hints and wanted to get on. I still heave a sigh of relief now years later that this horse would not actually let her get near him. They blamed her high vis hat band, then they blamed how she approached him....I was just so glad she didn't get on and then carted off to god knows where in the distance (she was at the time in her mid 60's and people don't bounce so well when they are older). At that point she decided not to go any further, I kept my mouth very diplomatically shut and they were a bit huffy. They were trying to infer that she had done something wrong when she had barely got near him (maybe she had secret death ray eyes that day).
It wasn't the horse that was to blame, he so obviously wasn't for a novice though. Even a novice to the show ring.
 
Shay said:
I went to try a horse once at a local hunt / dealer yard. Lovely Connemara just over from Ireland. I'm sure it wasn't an intended part of the initial go around, but the groom was riding the horse initially when the land onwer's gander flew at it and grabbed on to the tail. Apparently this was relatively normal and the horse carried on without concern as the infuriated gander refused to let go for two more laps! It certainty was bomb proof - but not forward enough for us!
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:lol:
 
Best one I had was when we turned up and the owner met us at a field gate and asked us if we had brought a saddle. Eh? To ride the horse, did you bring a saddle.

He was disappointed when we would not buy over the gate. Claimed not to have any kit...

Second place would go to a different one...

Another supposedly dead quiet horse, we could not go to see until afternoon as she could not get the day off work. Fair enough. Arrived to see spick and span white glowing horse, obviously just been bathed. Formed suspicion said horse had been thoroughly lunged and then bathed that day and said lady had not really been at work!

Lady could not trot up as it bogged off. I did trot up (with a bridle), was a pig, but sound. Had a big crack in hoof, claimed it occurred at trainer X 's yard. More suspicion as trainer X is the sort of trainer you only go to if your horse has a major difficulty. I recollect pricing trainer X up a year or so previously, defo not a mainstream trainer! Queried this to be told that the horse was so much loved, but just not fast enough for her to hunt, so horse had been sent to trainer X to see if horse could be geed up a bit, sadly not so quiet and placid horse was for sale....

Price dropped from 6K to 2K.

Next up was a rope attached to the saddle, I asked if said horse bucked/reared/spun to be told that no, rope is because horse jumps beautifully, and she has difficulty sitting to the beautiful jump. I did not comment on the body protector, some people do wear them every time, but I noted its presence on the horse that was too quiet and safe to keep.

She wanted me to ride first, straight out onto the road. No, I always need to see them ridden, and in an area where I can see and then ride walk/trot/canter.

Into the field she went on said horse, reluctantly, so I could see a walk/trot/canter of said docile, quiet and kind horse.

The field was about 10 acres, with some cows at the other end, but all was peaceful.

She managed a fig 8 at walk, and half a fig 8 at trot and then it happened!

The horse had just tested her balance on a couple of occasions just a slight drop to the shoulder, but continued when she was all in control. Until one time he just tested her balance, and she was found to be slightly in front of the movement. It was so calculated.

The rider was game, she clung on for bucks, rears, bounces, broncs, but eventually the horse reared up, sat down, launched into the air and apparently completed a couple of bucks whilst still in mid air.

The horse could have won a competition of gymnastic ability.

The rider came unstuck at quite a high point in the proceedings, and the horse had a coupe of goes at kicking her on the way down. I was about to go rescue the lady from the perils of flying hooves when the horse shot off, bucking all the way to the end of the field.

The lady was winded but gamely got up, and said "He hasn't done that in ages!"

We were momentarily distracted as the horse rounded up the up the until now quiet cattle, kicked them into action and roared back down the field towards us, now the cattle and horse were bucking right at us. Some unfortunate cattle were kicked, one in the head.

I decided that discretion was the better part of valour, ran to the gate and leaped over, the rider was still a little dazed so I had hold of her hand as we ran. During this she gasped "I will get back on him for you."

I replied that as the horse was her horse she had every right to do as she pleased as regards getting back on, but I would not be mounting said beast! She was downcast.

After all that, as we watched horse, cows, sods of earth etc being mixed up in the field, she admitted that the horse had not done that since returning from trainer X, but to be fair she had not actually ridden the horse since he returned from trainer X. She also admitted, to tears, that yes, this was the very reason horse went to trainer X.

We did give her a hand to catch the beast and bring him in, just because she was still a bit shocked. I am soooooo glad I did not hop aboard myself!
 
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I sold one I'd been schooling on behalf of a friend's RS last year to a lady who wanted something to hack. Weather was miserable when she came to try her out and rather than repeat visit she bought without ever hacking her out. She only lived 20 mins away so hardly an effort. I must have a trustworthy face!!
 
Red-1 said:
Best one I had was when we turned up and the owner met us at a field gate and asked us if we had brought a saddle. Eh? To ride the horse, did you bring a saddle...
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I'd forgotten, we had one of those no tack field gate type of viewings too.
We turned up and were asked, 'have you brought a saddle and bridle?' By chance we actually did have a saddle and bridle in the car. The look on the sellers face was a picture.
Then she complained upon looking into our boot 'that saddle will never fit!'
Priceless.
We looked over the fence, the horse was lame (old injury not disclosed over the phone), so then we were offered it's (uncatchable) field buddy. We weren't interested in either and the woman looked more than a little, erm, 'peeved'.
No exaggeration, it took us about 6 hours to get there and 6 minutes to view and leave.
That was a long, expensive and pointless day out.
 
I went to see one which was a bit too slow and unresponsive to the leg (I don't like a sharp horse, but do like one that is a bit forward going). Asked for canter in the corner - nothing. Asked at the next corner and got a canter, but on the wrong leg. At which point the seller told me off for asking in the wrong corner and proceeded to give me a lesson on how to ask for canter. Now I'm the first to admit I'm not the best rider in the world and this was a few years ago, but I was perfectly able to get a canter out of all the other horses I tried! They then said that the reason he was ploddy was because they hadn't fed him for energy and if I wanted a faster horse I could just feed him oats. Err....no.
 
I once went to look at an 11 year old WB mare. On the advert the photos showed she was in very good condition with a shining coat, lovely topline etc. Asked the owner lots of questions and most of my boxes were ticked. Asked to see her - owner then said oh she is at my friend's yard because my friend is an eventer and is training the horse / keeping her fit. Yard was 2 hours away so I arranged to see the horse. Turned up at a young lass's yard to see this poor mare - she had no top line to speak of, she was in desperate need of a trim and had terrible rain scald across her back (bearing in mind this was summer). But the lass had whitened her socks so that was something!! Anyway it was a complete waste of time - horse looked nothing like the advert and even though I felt desperately sorry for the mare (and her owner who was probably oblivious to the lack of care this so called eventer was giving her horse) I couldn't proceed. I advised the owner she should get her horse off that yard as soon as possible. I hope she did.
 
We viewed a beautiful bay Sec A/Arab cross as a second pony. Owner was a larger lady so despite being told the pony had done this and that, it wasn't with her riding it. Tack didn't fit and eventually the poor animal had had enough and went to roll with me bawling at my bemused daughter who'd no idea what was about to happen, GET OFF THAT PONY NOW! I still wonder what became of her, saw her adverts with price dropping for a long time, she'd have been nice I think given time.
 
I forgot to mention the time I turned up to see a connie x described as a schoolmaster. It was sweet and quite bombproof, he walked around the arena nicely, down the long side where chickens, Pigs and Goats were grazing. So far so good. Apart from when I asked for trot, Leg on and no response, harsher leg and no response, tap with the whip and no response. The owner then told me that she had broken the Horse in with no leg aid and only used clicks to move the Horse. I asked her to get on to show me, I wish I had filmed it. To be fair the Horse was as described, he was indeed quiet. But a little too quiet. I think there would have been more get up and go in a rocking Horse.
 
A friend viewed a horse who was very placid. Woman proceeded to show that it was indeed so by climbing up to the rafters of the barn above it and land right on its back...
 
Many years ago I went to view a standard bred, I arrived at a very scruffy yard the rooves of the stables collapsing but all the horses I passed were in good condition until I was shown the one for sale, it was skin and bone. It was tacked up ready but I refused to try him as I felt he was underweight. At this point the owner informed me that she had only had it back from a loan home the day before and couldn't be bothered to bring it back up to condition so was trying to sell cheap! He was on the market for 3k! I drove away and reported the poor horse to the RSPCA who did go to view it but were either shown a different horse or have a completely different idea of good condition than me as they got back to me to say although the yard was not great all the horses were in exceptionally good condition.
 
Went to see two Hafflingers at a dealers yard in South Devon which was very iffy, but they had what i wanted and so I thought worth a look.

Firstly there was a notice inviting the prospective purchaser to peruse it: it said (words to the effect of) here is a list of local vets who can be trusted to provide an independent opinion and therefore we regrettfully cannot permit vettings by any other vets!! Yeh...... right. Fishy as a dead mackerell.

I did try the Haffies, one was a gelding, hunched up its back into "roach" position as soon as I got up, felt very iffy, pulled like a train, disliked it.

Tried the mare: a stroppy little bitch, we didn't exactly gel, but of the two, preferred her to the gelding. Took my feet out the stirrups to dismount - and she went totally ballistic! Started jumping around, plunging, head shaking, the lot. Poor mare had obviously had a good hiding when people had got off her.

Both horses were far more green than what they'd said, both were bolshy (OK so I know that's a haffy thing yep).

It later transpired that this yard was investigated and prosecuted by Trading Standards (and you have to be bad to get them off their backsides and doing anything!), they'd sold a horse which was deemed dangerous and which injured the woman who bought it.

The two Haflingers I looked at, apparently were touted around every horse-sale in the area; the gelding had already (unknown to me) had a certain reputation for delivering "Power Bucks".

Awful place. Look up "Quarrystone Stud" if you want to know where.........
 
holeymoley said:
A friend viewed a horse who was very placid. Woman proceeded to show that it was indeed so by climbing up to the rafters of the barn above it and land right on its back...
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OMG! Honestly, people never cease to amaze me!

We went to view a youngster for my sister. Woman claimed she had a field of very quiet well handled animals. Nope, she had a bunch of complete and utter ill mannered hooligans. She tried to catch one and narrowly missed getting mown over. Looking back I don't think she actually managed to get hold one properly. I advised her to revisit her advert and handle them before anyone got hurt.
 
Asha said:
A few years ago now, we where looking for my daughters first horse ( transition from ponies). Went to a yard, and was told, this is the sweetest horse, the girls on the yard wont ride her because shes so quiet, so I have to get on ( YO). Took it into a very small indoor school, where it went around, looked as though it would explode any minute. Daughter still got on but she was petrified, and refused to let the chap let go of the reins ( baring in mind she could ride). She got off, pretty quick. the YO led the horse out of the indoor, by which time it was getting even more het up, the minute it got outside it reared up and went over backwards. Its never done that before .... Then after it got up and walked a few more strides, did it again !
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I've never heard someone refusing to ride something because its too quiet! that would have caused massive red flags for me straight away!
A quiet horse is never short of riders and no sensible teenager will refuse £5/£10 for 20 mins showing off a quiet horse.
 
A few years ago I went to view a 12yo third level intermediate dressage horse, I took my vet out with me as the seller had sent me tons of video footage (both ridden and being handled) and I was certain I was going to buy him if he passed a vetting. When we got there the seller brings out a totally different horse! It was the same color but that was the only similarity. The horse could not even halt straight let alone complete even a basic dressage test and was so flighty I could barely get around the paddock. It also had two white socks and a blaze however the horse in the video was bay with no white markings at all. The vet had a quick look in his mouth and whispered to me ''it is barely 3 years old'' lol. The owner tried to argue it was the same horse saying it was just nervous of new people lol.

On the other hand I was selling a 8yo very well behaved Shetland once and a young couple came out to view her.....Do you think I could catch the little s#%t! She shot off up the paddock bucking and carrying on like a maniac! I had owned her for 3 years and had NEVER had an issue catching her, she would practically follow me around the yard trying to get caught. I felt like an idiot saying ''she has never done this before''. Took over an hour to finally bring her in and they ended up buying her despite her terrible first impression.
 
I don’t have any good stories about buying horses, my experiences have all been pretty good.

But I have a 20 year old warmblood gelding. He’s the love of my life, he took me from being a fairly pathetic rider to competing BE novice and BS newcomers within a couple of years. Mr Reliable, really quiet, a real saint. He evented at that level but would also swim in the sea, play gymkharna games, taught my complete novice partner to ride, all that stuff. My fave photo of him is me sat on him bareback at the beach surrounded by a group of kids with a 2 or 3 year old child stroking his nose.

He could get a bit keen jumping and out hunting he goes sideways. That’s the extend of his behaviour.

As he got older, he got arthritis in his hocks and as time went by I retired him from eventing and bought a youngster to bring on to take his place competing but he’s with me for life.

I decided to get a sharer for him - he is still fit and well, just not to jump over 1m now.

I advertised him as suitable for a novice given he taught my partner to ride with no issues at all. Someone came to try him. Imagine my horror as she didn’t even get out of walk before I had to tell her to get off whilst he crabbed round the school, humping his back. She wasn’t doing anything wrong - just walking around on a long rein.

I got on and it was like riding the waltz of death. He kept charging off in gallop, bucking, shying, almost unseated me a few times.

I got off and said, truthfully ‘Well erm....he’s never done that before....’
 
I had the bad luck to run into the same seller with an inability to measure horses some 15 years appart. First time, was 12, and visit to see a 14h connemara was organised by my Mum. 14 h was stressed as the bare minimum and the seller assured us she was properly measured. Out the box came this little mare who was 13 hh on her tip toes maybe. We had a couple of 14 handlers the time so it was easy to see she was a lot smaller. Seller called us times wasters when we declined to try her but didn't change add.

Last year, looking for a nice RC youngster, arranged to go see a 16.2 gelding. She was only local otherwise I would have asked for pics. Way to yard seemed vaguely familiar, gelding was actually 15.1 (I know because his withers were level with the same zip on my jacket as our life height certificated boy.) I did try him but no go. When I got back, I called my mum and whinged to her only to be told 'oh, that was X. With the shrinking connemara when you were a kid.'

I wouldn't mind but this person is active in the local BHS group...
 
I went as test rider for a nervous older livery on my then yard when she was looking for a new horse after losing her much-loved older pony.

It was all a bit sad as we found a herd of reasonably good coloured cobs who were being sold by an old boy who was terminally ill. They were in good condition and living out as a herd. The one he was selling turned out to be a brood mare who hadn't been ridden in some time (I suspect several years). The rest were youngstock. I asked if I could ride it, although I don't usually get on anything without seeing it ridden first, although it was plain there were no facilities for a "proper" trial. It took him some time to come up with any tack - first came a driving bridle with no reins, to which he clipped two lead ropes. Then he plonked his Jack Russell on her back while he went off for another half-an-hour to find a saddle. I eventually rode her up his long drive to the road and back and she was a sweetie but as green as grass - I'd probably bought her for myself but she wasn't suitable for the potential purchaser. I often wonder if he found homes for them all as the farm was redeveloped shortly afterwards, presumably after he'd died.

The livery then went to look at another horse, without me this time, and ended up with a black TB but that's a whole different story.
 
I didn't think I'd have anything to contribute to this as I haven't ever really gone horse shopping (I got my boy on fixed term loan as a known entity and kept him) but some friends took me along as guinea pig when they were looking to buy.
This friend was a late 50s lady who was looking for a very steady plod so anything remotely suitable for her I should be more than willing to get on. Off we toddled to a local heavy horse dealer to view a 5 year old Clydesdale that had recently won ridden classes in Ireland. We took a saddle and bridle as we knew said dealer doesn't do much ridden stuff and wasn't sure if the tack he had would fit or not...
We arrived to find an unbrushed, scruff bag of a clydie, no jockey to demonstrate him for us and no other tack. so we brushed him ourselves, tacked him up in what we'd brought and took him in the "arena" (it's a sand patch next to the road which is about 15x25m). I popped my BP on and hopped aboard (I must've been mad: we had next to no ridden history but as I knew the dealer a bit I decided he wouldn't put me at risk).
Horse was green as hell and desperately unfit but the most genuine thing I ever met. Cars were flying up behind the hedge and he just got on with is job. He had no bend and limited balance but I was able to get a little W/T/C from him on both reins and he would start and stop when asked. I took him out on the road and (he'd not been out the gate since arriving) he was no bother and didn't bat an eye at the cars.
It was only when a deal had been done that the dealer told me that the horse had probably been broken in enough to do the show where he'd won and probably hadn't been ridden since (5 months later!) he'd never seen it sat on until I got on. I couldn't believe he'd do that!
 
Yes I agree, the lying down photos
and the straight on head shot are laughable . If they want to sell a horse then pictures should show at least a stood up properly, side on view .
 
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I had to tell someone recently I wasn't going to get on because their horse was lame and it was therefore a waste of my time (I am sure I was the timewaster there)
Had a couple of 'he's never done that before'
2 failed vettings
Best one, quite bolshy horse getting tacked up kept spinning around and flicking the saddle on the floor before the lady had a chance to do the girth up - then chomped on the bit lots (he was 9 and advertised as alrounder) when she got on I asked about headshaking/ chomping to be told he'd only ever been ridden in a headcollar but as I was viewing she thought that day was the day to give a bridle a go!
Poor thing didn't know whether it was coming or going - might have been nice with a years worth of work, lots fall into that category but aren't priced to reflect the need for a years worth of work!
 
And another:

Prior to arranging the viewing (to see a 7 year old mare) we went through the usual questions. We would like to see it ridden we said, owner said not poss as no tack. We would at the very least like to see it lunged we said. 'That was ok' came the reply.

We drove to see it, however, upon asking where she was intending to lunge it she said she didn't have a lunge line. No probs, we had one with us we replied. We were told to leave it there as she would catch the horse and then bring it back.

We walked with her across two fields, under fences, over fences, with her ignoring questions as to whether it was the same field route back with the horse (as I recall, she evaded almost all questions).

When we got to the horse she was too terrified to go near it. No chance of her touching it let alone catching it. She certainly never had any intention of lunging it. She was visibly very nervous and would not approach it. It had pinned ears, clearly didn't think much of it's owner, and indeed appeared not to be handled much/at all. So, that was that. We walked back to the vehicle.

Then, just before we drove off she asked if we wanted to 'buy the horse's saddle'.

:eek:
 
I went to view a 4 yr old, who turned out to be a bit smaller than advertised but might just have been big enough for me and might have grown a bit more. When I got there, I found out that the 14 yr old daughter whose horse it was, only rode it bareback, at a walk, there was no saddle.

I did quite like the horse, so arranged to go back the next week and take my own saddle (we have plenty to choose from). During the course of the next week, I found a 2 yr old cob that I really liked and put a deposit on her. I rang to cancel the other 2nd viewing, admittedly at quite short notice. I then found that the ad had been updated, at exactly the same price, with ' due to timewasters'.

I was livid, as I felt that if anyone's time had been wasted it was mine!
 
I had a memorable road trip with my son looking at horses a good few years ago. First one we saw was nice but as soon as my son took up a contact it panicked and bronced - only then the owner told us it had had a wolf tooth removed two days ago! Not only that but she hadn't used her usual dentist because they wanted to have the horse sedated so she got another cheaper dentist who did it without any drugs.

Next horse we arrived to see looked totally unlike his pictures, had two shoes missing and the most awful cracked feet heavily painted with grease in what we supposed was an attempt to disguise the cracks. Two steps and he was obviously lame. However they pulled out another horse for us to try and it turns out they were less than truthful about her experience, the owner's instructor put jumps up for my son and the horse obviously struggled when she put up one bigger one falling in a heap on landing - she then announced that was by far the biggest the horse had jumped but she thought she'd see how the horse would manage as it was nice to see a competent rider on her! Fortunately the next horse was nice and we bought him!
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Went to see two Hafflingers at a dealers yard in South Devon which was very iffy, but they had what i wanted and so I thought worth a look.

Firstly there was a notice inviting the prospective purchaser to peruse it: it said (words to the effect of) here is a list of local vets who can be trusted to provide an independent opinion and therefore we regrettfully cannot permit vettings by any other vets!! Yeh...... right. Fishy as a dead mackerell.

I did try the Haffies, one was a gelding, hunched up its back into "roach" position as soon as I got up, felt very iffy, pulled like a train, disliked it.

Tried the mare: a stroppy little bitch, we didn't exactly gel, but of the two, preferred her to the gelding. Took my feet out the stirrups to dismount - and she went totally ballistic! Started jumping around, plunging, head shaking, the lot. Poor mare had obviously had a good hiding when people had got off her.

Both horses were far more green than what they'd said, both were bolshy (OK so I know that's a haffy thing yep).

It later transpired that this yard was investigated and prosecuted by Trading Standards (and you have to be bad to get them off their backsides and doing anything!), they'd sold a horse which was deemed dangerous and which injured the woman who bought it.

The two Haflingers I looked at, apparently were touted around every horse-sale in the area; the gelding had already (unknown to me) had a certain reputation for delivering "Power Bucks".

Awful place. Look up "Quarrystone Stud" if you want to know where.........
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I'm in Devon and that place is notorious. There was a lady on our yard who had a pony on loan from them with very overgrown feet. She was told not to have a carrier look at it as it needed to grow more hoof for driving! You had a lucky escape!
 
I was looking for a promising young horse for dressage with a fairly limited budget. I am tall so over 16 hands was required. Put up a wanted ad. A lady got in touch with a nice 16.1hh 6yo WB mare who had been started late etc. Saw a photo or two and seemed a very nice sort and decently priced. Standing at a stud down the road so decided to have a look.

She was 15.2hh at best. I asked why she had two legs filled with scars and bumps and was told it was because of a blood infection (?) but that it wouldn't cause any problems. Tried to decline but was pressured into riding.

Owner promptly said that she was too small for me but she had a nice TB as well who is 'just like a warmblood because you need spurs to ride him because he's such a big mover.' Errr...what? He was indeed a lazy lump of a horse who certainly did not move like a warmblood and who had a price tag three times higher than my budget, which she proudly told me she wouldn't budge an inch from.
 
OH and I totally forgot the horse that had come into a yard where I was riding as a teenager for extra cash. He was up for sale, YO was a bit dodgy but nice enough person in other ways. I would get a small commission on horses sold if it was my buyer or if I'd schooled the horse, but was always very honest about the type of horses (it was a RS so there was quite a variety and a few hidden gems in terms of temperament and talent).

The new horse in for sale was a Thoroughbred gelding who had beautiful conformation, moved well and supposedly jumped well. Graded 1.10 the YO said. I sat on him and took him over a cross whereby it became totally apparent that he had never jumped in his life. His canter was completely wild. 'Are you sure he's a showjumper?' I say. 'Yes, he wins ALL the 1.10m classes' YO replies. 'He can really jump.'

Ran into owner the next day who wasn't riding due to a broken leg. Told her I'd ridden her horse and found him quite green and strong considering he was jumping a decent height. Predictably, the answer came 'Oh no he's never jumped that! He once jumped one 80cm jump at home. He's for sale because he's broken my leg twice now by rearing and flipping over on top of me.'

Riiiight right right. Suffice to say that I warned pretty much anyone who came to try him (organised by YO of course) that he was not a schoolmaster nor an easy ride. I'm actually not sure what happened to him to be honest and can't remember his name, but would love to know where he ended up - he was a nice enough horse, but had clearly been placed into the wrong hands.
 
A friend and I viewed a couple of nice horses at a well known importer of Irish horses, it was all a very odd buying experience, but we found something nice and friend bought the horse.

A year or so later another friend was looking and specifically wanted to go there, I told her there horses were all very raw and probably not what she was looking for (RC with a bit of mileage, safe for a month owner to go and do pole clinics etc) anyway she called them and told then everything; what she wanted/ her experience/ aims for new horse etc and the dealer said she had the perfect horse. Very quiet 16/16.1, 6yo, done a bit of everything @ about 80cm, just come over. OK, arranged to see it, i'm taken along as test dummy - get there hang around for a bit, finally someone comes out and we say we're here to see XX horse. 'Oh someone else is just trying him out, they want to buy him, whoever gives me the money first can have him'. Other 'potential owners' surface with very underweight horse, barely 15.1 at a push, with the most horrendous feet, 2 shoes (1 front 1 back) hanging on for dear life and a chest FULL of sarcoids - upon closer inspection they were also all over his sheath area. My buyer was still keen (!!??) the horse looked knackered so i just said i'd hop on with the plan of hopping off and declaring him unsuitable. Well, if this horse had been backed more than 5days you'd have knocked me down with a feather, he was very sweet but my god there is no way this horse had 'done a bit of everything' steering was minimal, no mouth whatso ever and was very suspicious of the pole on the floor. I got off and said i didn't think he was what we were looking for but buyer still wanted to get on as he 'looked sweet' she got on and hobbled him up and down the stoney drive way so i had a chat with the dealer, asked about his history and breeding - she continued to profess that he'd done everything and was just a bit tired as he'd already been tried, he had wonderful breeding (but couldn't elaborate as hadn't looked at the passport yet *eye roll*) I asked about the sarcoids and she said 'oh we like to leave them so the buyer can treat them how they want, will only be a couple of hundered(!)'. The best thing was they wanted 4.5k for this horse that was barely backed, couldn't elaborate on the breeding and was riddled with sarcoids!! :D

I swear my friend would have bought this horse if i hadn't been there - it took so much convincing that this really wasn't the horse for her. couple of days later she asked me to go to another stud with her but I was working so said go and have a look, then we can go back Saturday and have a look again. Nope! get a text on the Wednesday saying 'oops bought a horse!' and pictures of a very nice! very big chunky 17h warmblood by showtime - best thing was she got a big discount for not having the horse vetted (!!) :D :D still 'reaping the rewards' of that purchase, she is a lovely horse - i love riding her, but she is not really a local RC sort of horse and owner now wondering why she keeps ending up in this position with unsuitable horses . . .
 
These stories!! What on earth is it about horse sellers (dealers AND private) that make people behave so badly. Or even bizarrely!

I was looked for my 10 year old's first pony. All I wanted was a kind, reliable pony. Any age (above 6), any breed, any colour. Drove 3 hours each way to view a 14hh Connie X. Was assured she was perfect for a novice. She turned out to be at least 15hh. The owner looked surprised when I wanted to see her ridden first. Owner did not last on-board long and daughter obviously did not get on at all! At least the owner was apologetic though.

The pony I ended up buying was dangerous. He was fine 90% of the time (of course had been perfect on viewing) but once he decided you were coming off, you were coming off! As my daughter was quite novicey, the YO/RI where we were on livery said it was her riding and he just needed someone to take control - sit back and kick on. So she bought him off me for the RS. 3 broken arms later and they retired him as unsuitable for any child to ride. I still find it hard to believe people will sell on dangerous ponies to novice children....

When looking for my daughter's 2nd pony we viewed one owned by the rudest woman I have EVER met. Pony was very forward going ("well you don't want t slug do you") and her daughter was whizzing round on it at a fast canter. I asked if I could see the pony walk/trot. She kept breaking into canter any my daughter pulled a 'oh help' face at me as she was scared of getting on. Owner saw her and started shouting that I was a total time-waster, was obviously not going to buy the pony and so there was no point even getting on! Having driven over 2 hours to get there I insisted on riding and I took the pony well away from the mother/daughter to see what she was like without her fizzy-ar$ed rider on her. She was actually quite sweet once she calmed down. I walked circles, shapes; did a lot of transitions and could feel her relax. I was beginning to think she might be ok and rode back over where I discovered that the mother/daughter had been slating my riding in front of my daughter saying it was obvious I can't ride. They grabbed the pony back off my and said again that I had wasted their time and they wish they had just gone hacking that afternoon!
 
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