Too scared to buy a horse?!

N

nikk62

Member
Joined
9 September 2010
Messages
21
Visit site
Hi,

I am thinking of returning to riding after a long break (more than 10 years!) and would love to own a nice quiet cob to love and fuss over. (As would many other people I'm sure :D)

The trouble is I have read so many horror stories of sales gone wrong (from Dealers and private sales) that I am almost too frightened to take the plunge and try again!

I bought my pony many years ago from a well known dealer (who sadly is no longer with us) and he cost £500. He was a pony of a lifetime and I am not sure that i would be that lucky again.

I worked with horses for many years so have some knowledge but I think as you get older you are more cautious of taking a chance on something that might not be as described once you get it home!

Does anyone else have the same worry or experience or is it just a case of "If you don't try, you'll never know!" :D
 
Totally understand...my friend is having the same dilemma! which area of the country are you in? Could you perhaps look for a LWVTB...I know that is not easy to find but if your patient you might get lucky.

My friend found a great dealer with a good rep....I can PM you but I do not have personal experience, but you could always research her for yourself.

I know someone in Hampshire who I have found to be very honest.
 
There are nice horses and honest people out there, its just a case of finding them:rolleyes:

I help people find horses and mainly have had no problems, there are a few that dont work out but most have been very successful, one lady still has her horse 10 years on and is here at livery.

I am very fussy when reading ads, they have to meet the main criteria, all listed, I then phone rather than email it helps to get a feel for the seller, if I dont think they sound genuine I wont go any further.

I like to try twice, if possible in a different place the second time, a video is taken to look at away from the pressure. Ask as many questions as you can and if the seller is genuine they will ask some about you and how you will look after the horse, what you want to do with it.

Take someone with you, they will give moral support even if they have no experience they may have a feel for something you miss.
 
There are quiet laid back horses about but please be aware that when a horse moves home and changes owner that they can change in character and require time to settle in and get used to the new home and rider. I always allow 2 years for a new horse to completely settle down. Sadly horses are not machines. My advice to you would be to put up some wanted posters in your local tack shops and feed merchants as you will at least be able to try the horse out several times without travelling vast distances and locals should know the true character and history of the horse. Good luck!
 
be positive said:
There are nice horses and honest people out there, its just a case of finding them:rolleyes:

I help people find horses and mainly have had no problems, there are a few that dont work out but most have been very successful, one lady still has her horse 10 years on and is here at livery.

I am very fussy when reading ads, they have to meet the main criteria, all listed, I then phone rather than email it helps to get a feel for the seller, if I dont think they sound genuine I wont go any further.

I like to try twice, if possible in a different place the second time, a video is taken to look at away from the pressure. Ask as many questions as you can and if the seller is genuine they will ask some about you and how you will look after the horse, what you want to do with it.

Take someone with you, they will give moral support even if they have no experience they may have a feel for something you miss.
Click to expand...

Great advice, dont let anyone rush you, follow any instincts if things dont seem right. Vet the vet (if that makes sense!) as some vets are better at vettings than others!
 
If you've not ridden for years how about maybe some lessons/ helping on a yard or a share to start off before buying again? That way you should meet some experienced people who'd be able to help you look so you do find the right one.
 
Ask in your local feed merchants if they know of anything suitable. I get people asking me all the time to keep an ear out for the perfect new owner for their pony/horse, which they loe far too much to advertise it and therefore sell it to a stranger. Also, tell us where you are in the country - there are bound to be some recommends in your area.
 
Thank you, great advice so far :)

Parker79 I am on Bucks / Northants borders so any pm would be greafully received thank you. LWVTB is a brill suggestion.

Be positive - I like the sound of a "middle man" :D hadn't thought of that!
Would save a lot of leg work and fuel!! I also think a third party can see things clearly (and not get misty eyed at something cute which may not fit the bill!)

PeterNatt - You are so right! Having owned one pony for so many years you forget what the early stages were like!! Also what didn't matter so much when you were in your "Twenties" becomes more of an issue in your "Fifties" and I need to remind myself of these things :)

Thanks guys.

On the whole, do people prefer to buy privately or from a dealer?
 
I prefer to buy privately from a home that has owned for some time, with verification of some sort, a genuine reason for selling, that wants the best for the horse.
I sell for people so I am also happy to go to sales yards or a dealer but I like to be able to know the history and dealers can rarely offer any that there is any way to check.
If you buy from a dealer the horse may not have been there long and faces more upheaval when moving again, which is why many buyers are less than happy. Several of mine have come from their breeders or had one long term owner, they settle in really quickly if they have not moved around from pillar to post.
If looking for a project or young horse to bring on, go to breeders or dealers, if looking for a proven type with a record, even if just a happy hack, find a genuinely outgrown/gone to uni or similar private seller.
 
It does sound scary out there!
My friend has recently bought a horse and the amount of drama she has been put through is ridiculous! Thankfully, she has got a fantastic horse out of it (Only 4, but is more like an old pro!) it's just the sellers who were a pain in the neck.

I think if you're careful, you'll get something fab :)
 
Please dont be put off - I have had a really bad experience after 2 years I eventually put the horse down that I was mis-sold!

I now have on trial with view to buy from a genuine seller - I think - my forever horse! If someone is genuine thay will happily let you trial the horse for a period to make sure you gel!

As for letting a horse settle in for two years - not a hope in hell! If it's a genuine animal you will see it straight away - mine arrive Saturday was hacking on Sunday! Seller vetted my home which I totally respected as she wanted to make sure this was as good for the horse as it was for me!

Don't rush in and ask to see the passport and contact previous owners - they wont have anything to hide and will tell you the truth!

Good Luck x
 
nikk62 said:
I am thinking of returning to riding after a long break (more than 10 years!) and would love to own a nice quiet cob to love and fuss over. (As would many other people I'm sure :D)
Click to expand...

I know the feeling... I was twenty five years out of the saddle and it can be a bit of a minefield out there...

We loaned initially... A lovely pony safe enough for the kids to learn on and for me to have the odd pootle just to see if I could handle getting back up there... Realised I have no confidence these days but that I did want to ride again...

Take someone with you and be prepared to harden your heart - and have someone else holding your purse... I went to see a 'safe plod' and found a four year old TB I *had* to take home because he was in a mess after being dumped in a field for a year after race training...:o He's totally gorgeous, has repaid me immensely, and he'll stay with me but as a skittish, green baby, he couldn't have been more unsuitable for what I needed in a riding horse if he tried...

I have a 19yr old ex eventer on loan at the moment who is turning out to be a fabulous confidence giver and I'm back to basics in taking lessons with a lovely instructor... She (horse not instructor :D) has the odd quirk but nothing that makes me feel unsafe... Fingers crossed she'll bridge the gap over the next few years until she's ready to retire, my confidence will be better and my young AQH will be ready to take over as my 'permanent' riding horse...

There's a member on here who has some thoroughly gorgeous cobs - I'd have jumped at the chance of one quiet girl that caught my eye had funds allowed it at the time... I'll PM her name as I'm not too sure if it would be right to mention here...

:)
 
I also had a ten year break from horses, but always said I would get another. I decided though that rather than go for the "safe" option, I would go for the "dream horse" option.

I'm fortunate that I found a really wonderful trainer/YO who helped me to find my horse (a 4 year old PRE) and to train him. She also gave me the confidence that I could deal with him, as I'm the biggest chicken ever!

I would agree that it takes a new horse a year or two to truly settle - yes a good horse will hack and school, etc, straight away, but I know that my horse is just so much more relaxed and happy than he was this time last year, and probably a bit cheekier too!

My horse came from a private home, but I was given the lady's number by a dealer I called - the dealer had nothing suitable, but the owner was a friend of hers who was selling her son's horse. The horse was just what I was looking for, but never advertised. I would buy from a private home or dealer (my previous horse was from a dealer), but I would always make sure I took a second, more experienced, person with me too.
 
Lots of riding schools do a loan scheme, you could try that to start with and it may give you ideas of exactly what kind of horse you would buy; then you wouldn't feel like you were jumping into anything too quickly
 
The scary stories have been useful for me in a way, (not the ones where people have obv been missold - the ones where the horse is off at first but gets better when settled!).

These stories are usually a good reminder that it takes a while for horses to settle and even the quietest could throw in some odd behaviour in the early days at a new yard. I think I'd be more understanding and more patient now with a new horse, particularly a younger one, and if you have their history and background from a genuine private home, that would give me confidence to perservere.

My boy was brilliant right from the start but it still took me a good year or so to really get to know him !
 
I had mine on a 3 month trial as he was local to me, I fetched him Saturday and hacked out Sunday. I agree that some horses take a while to settle in but a lot don't. Can't say I've ever had a horse that never settled. Only one that changed when being ridden. I brought mine a month into the trial as I'd done everything I wanted to do with him in that time and he's turned out to be perfect. 2 months on and he's not put a foot wrong I love him to bits. He's a quiet cob but is forward going but very very safe. They are out there so good luck.
 
I hadn't ridden or been around horses from the age of 15 until I was 39 when I started having lessons again and then 2 years later got my first pony. I was very worried like you about making the right choice when buying - had a list of what I wanted and practically could cope with horsewise - needed something quite hardy in case in the future I couldn't be at a yard, was reasonable to keep in costs, right height as I'm short, quite placid as not up for too much excitement. All my friends were saying go for it, my family were thinking I shouldn't. Had 2 bad viewing experiences, but my antennae picked up on all the info the people selling them weren't telling me and that the horses weren't as the sellers said they were. Then I was very fortunate as a horse knowledgeable friend had spotted a neighbour of hers bringing on a pony across 3 months and had heard in another 3 the woman would be selling him. Owner was a lovely knowledgeable great horseperson and was very honest and straight at the viewing - I rode him twice before I decided to buy and we did everything - tacking up, handling, schooling, jumping, cantering in a big field, hacking on road with traffic. I was lucky I had honest people around me and someone else (my friend) who had seen the pony nearly every day being worked before I tried him.

But like several others have said, when I moved him to the yard I was going to keep him at he did go through an unsettled phase. After a 3 month honeymoon period he tested the boundaries as went from being kept with one other horse and 2 sheep to a big yard with 10 other geldings to play with and lots of grass! I also found out the things that really scared him (quad bikes). Some of it was down to me too as once he started napping and being awkward to catch I got nervous which I'm sure he picked up on so I got more experienced help and always hacked out with others til we got it sorted and also had weekly lessons which really helped. I still have him 8 years later and he's going nowhere :) I think once your horse has a good routine it helps too but sometimes that's just dependent on the horse.

Like you I was so nervous in the process though. But as one friend said to me, if you've made the wrong choice and he's not for you, you may have to sell him on. The other thing I think it's very important to consider is finances - be very realistic with yourself about what you can afford and your keeping costs - things can change in life with little warning and horses are a big expenditure. I lost my permanent full time job 3 years ago and am now earning a lot less but coping.

Good luck!
 
I have recently looked at 13 potential horses non of which suited and I'm too scared to look at any more I too am worried about buying decided to keep competing java for the time being!
 
Hello

Will pm you with details, I think there are major pros and cons to private or dealers.

With private you may be buying from someone whose opinion on their horse is only based on limited experience, I also know a few people (not friends) who told buyers there horse had never put a foot wrong (crock of *****). So its the same old thing....its finding someone who appears honest, is the horse well cared for, has its back been checked...and by who? when were teeth done, what does its tack look like....I think the key is in the detail.
I think its important to write a list of questions before viewing, not on a specific horse but a general list.

There are some good dealers around and at least the better ones will give you a more experienced opinion on a horse. I would buy from either but the main thing I would say is dont be rushed...if there is pressure on you to make a decision then let the horse go...a decent owner would meet you and realise you will be a responsible owner...therefore they ought to give you and horse time to check you are right for each other.

The private owner I bought from recently said.....He is yours if you want him, I can see you will give him a good home (I offered references) he said he would not let anyone else view him and I could take time to decide, there was no rush, come down and play with him for a month or more if I wanted...how nice was that!! He also waited til after the vetting to give me a pile of foal photos...he said he didn't think it was fair to show me them until he had passed the vetting as he knew I was worried....very nice chap!
 
I'd had a long break...and before the break had ridden everything that moved but never actually owned my own...and was a 70's child so brought up on horrifying black-beautyesque stories of horse-sales...consequently when I came to finally buying my own, I internet-lurked for ages, agonising about it all...but it all came down to local contacts in the end, I loaned one that I already knew of...LVTB...now buying for daughter, fell hook line and sinker for one that wasn't really for sale, made my feelings known and was eventually offered him 18mths later (yay! dreams come true!) and took on a total project for a £1, only because I knew all about his bad-boy rep beforehand because he belonged to someone I knew, and more or less knew what I was getting myself into...thought about it long and hard...but the internet lurking was good for letting me have a look at what's out there...
so, it is good to be cautious...and even when you know what you're letting yourself in for, there are always things to deal with that you maybe didn't expect...and eventually, I found my three lovely boys...good luck
;)
 
its a total minefield and as someone who has been through several horses in 6 years, I totally sympathise. If you are in any way unsure, unwilling to compromise on certain points or unable/unwilling to willing to work on certain issues then my advice is to wait it out, dont rush in and be prepared for a lot of leg work. Best bet is to join the local riding club/clubs and get in there helping out and spread the word about what you are seeking,ask them to send out an email for you round members.

I got lucky with one horse i bought as a private sale, whom i found 4 hours from home other than that ive scoured the country! After I wanted to move on from him a couple of years later I found it impossible; bought from ireland, bought from yorkshire (am in northern scotland ;) ) nightmare. In the end the best little horse in the world came up for sale through my local RC and belonged to a friend. By far the best way to purchase if the opportunity comes along as you are getting a known quantity. The best horses are never advertised, so get in there and get the word out.
 
Trawl some yards and talk to the YOs. It's how I got my very safe cob. I gave my YO a list of requirements and he brought me three to try from friends of his. Third one was the boy!
 
Thats really good advice Peter, from someone that actually seems to understand horses, as what a horse will do for one person doesn't mean it will do the same for the next person, I bought a grey Arab a few years back, he had been out on loan unsuccessfully twice and the owner wanted him sold, I took a chance on him and bought him, he was one of the best horses I have ever had, he never ever put a foot wrong with me in all the years I had him !
 
I like to buy from the Stud that bred the horse. I have bought both ridden horses and youngstock that way. Infact I would only buy from the breeder now.

LWVTB can be hard to find as not many people will risk the horse leaving their yard (I wouldn't - it's just far too risky), but I would let someone LWVTB if the horse stayed at my yard.
 
I think it can be as risky buying private as from a dealer, and having good support and back up for the settling in period is worth setting money aside from your budget for. Clip clop traders has a very good reputation. One of my horses came from there, and although very green, he is very genuine and as described. I know a few people that have purchased from there, all happy. Good luck
 
Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the great advice (and interesting stories! :))

I have taken on board all this and will see what I can find (and take my time)

I don't remember analysing everything this much when I bought my first pony in 1982!! but maybe age and wisdom change your willingness to take a chance in life :D

Thank you for the private pm's and to everyone that has (and still wants to!) add to this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top