Travelling 8 hours to see a youngster...am i crazy to think about it??

warmbloodcrazy

warmbloodcrazy

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I have been looking for youngster and haven't found any locally that have caught my eye...this afternoon my Mum spotted a gorgeous 3 year old that ticks all the boxes but he is 8 hours away!!

He looks to be something special but going all that way would mean a pick him up and take him there and then scenario.. Then i'm thinking how would a horse of that age cope with an 8 hour trailer back.. :/ Crazy to think about it hey? I guess my horse hunt will have to continue..
 
not mad at all ;) you could always take the car and if you like him get a transporter to bring him up for you. Try and get some videos to get a good idea what he is like before you travel that distance and factor in the fuel costs to his purchase price.
Ive flown down to England to see a youngster then paid to have him brought up the road.
This year we have bought 2 foals and a mare from photos, fingers x'd they are what we hope they are. They will have a 10 hour journey home to us :)
 
The owner said it has done an hour journey and been fine travelling but I'm so worried about bringing it back 8 hours in a trailer if i do like him! :/ I'm a worrier..
 
I'd go if it was what I wanted. He'll be fine travelling if he's done an hour he wont worry although I would use some one like Eric Gillies to collect him.
 
You could break it up and stable overnight at halfway point and either b&b for yourself or kip in lorry/trailer as tbh wldnt fancy 16hrs driving there and back in 1 go.
 
I don't think 8 hours away is a big deal for the right horse. My foals travel in excess of this when they sell and they all travel fine at under 12 months old. I've flown and shipped horses much further than that and they've all arrived safe and sound. Go for it! :)
 
We'd drive up tomorrow, stay over, see him Sunday morning then come back. It's either take our trailer and get him there and then if I want him. Or i could go up in the car and arrange to have him transported for a few hundred..
 
AMW said:
not mad at all ;) you could always take the car and if you like him get a transporter to bring him up for you. Try and get some videos to get a good idea what he is like before you travel that distance and factor in the fuel costs to his purchase price.
Ive flown down to England to see a youngster then paid to have him brought up the road.
This year we have bought 2 foals and a mare from photos, fingers x'd they are what we hope they are. They will have a 10 hour journey home to us :)
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Go see! - what's 8 hours out of a lifetime ?? ( if you don't, you'll always wonder......)
 
When my boy was 3 he was imported from holland to somerset, then I brought him from somerset to the isle of wight which took 6 hours in the lorry and he was fine :)
 
warmbloodcrazy said:
We'd drive up tomorrow, stay over, see him Sunday morning then come back. It's either take our trailer and get him there and then if I want him. Or i could go up in the car and arrange to have him transported for a few hundred..
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Sounds like a you've got it worked out well :) I personally wouldn't take your trailer though as the sellers will automatically assume you will be taking it away with you so you will have no room for bartering. Plus I think it is a good idea to leave to think about the horse after you have seen it and not rush in and buy it (having the trailer there will definitely sway you!).

Also depending on the value of the horse and what you plan to do with it I would probably want it vetted.
 
I've gone to see a pony with the trailer on, although it was only about 4 hours away. I actually found having the trailer with us gave us good bargaining power- you just have to be prepared to drive back with it empty! We said along the lines of, "we will take the horse for x amount right now, no vetting and no messing about with 2nd/3rd viewings..or you can turn the offer down and possibly be stuck with the pony for weeks/months, paying for her keep etc. your choice".
She said no, as it was a cheeky offer. We said fine, thank you for your time. Got in the car, started the engine, and she was at the window within seconds saying she would accept our offer.
Cheeky, yes. But we got a bargain ;)
 
BroadfordQueen said:
I've gone to see a pony with the trailer on, although it was only about 4 hours away. I actually found having the trailer with us gave us good bargaining power- you just have to be prepared to drive back with it empty! We said along the lines of, "we will take the horse for x amount right now, no vetting and no messing about with 2nd/3rd viewings..or you can turn the offer down and possibly be stuck with the pony for weeks/months, paying for her keep etc. your choice".
She said no, as it was a cheeky offer. We said fine, thank you for your time. Got in the car, started the engine, and she was at the window within seconds saying she would accept our offer.
Cheeky, yes. But we got a bargain ;)
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this ^^

take the trailer!! :D

good luck :)
 
I wouldn't normally take a trailer and take it there and then but as its so far it seems an easier option if we do want it? He's a 16.1hh sports horse and only 3 so it'd be a stage two vetting and i agree id normally do that but again as its so far away! He came highest place in the young event horse festival.. Picture proof so he's a lovely sort I think he'd be much more if he were down here but he is a reasonable price. Just sucha worrier with traveling furrys! And as its so long! I'm sure it'll be fine.. OH is towing and he's great. Forecast rain in Scotland surprise surprise! Looks like I'm in a road trip for the weekend!!
 
I drove 3 hours to see a youngster and took 7 hours to get back due to traffic ughh but well worth it.
i did have another long trip to see another previously. Bit boring if you go and it's not right, so if you havn't already I would ask to see videos.

I'm using transport to bring her back.

Re. Distance - this mare I'm getting travelled from Holstein 2 weeks ago, which is a 36 hour trip. They did give her and the other horses a day break in between bute still.

Also if you use a transporter who is taking a big load the same way it probably works out cheaper than driving twice, it does for me.
 
I wouldnt travel him so far in a trailer. As someone else said, if you get him on a shared load with Eric Gillies it can be remarkably cheap. The lorries are plush and will give him a more comfortable ride.
 
HBM1 said:
I wouldnt travel him so far in a trailer. As someone else said, if you get him on a shared load with Eric Gillies it can be remarkably cheap. The lorries are plush and will give him a more comfortable ride.
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Definitely use Gillies! I got a horse brought down from Scotland with them. I actually bought her from someone one here. Saw pics and vids etc. Gillies were fantastic and the lorry was amazing!
 
my mare came over form wales 8 hrs in a trailer on her own and she had never been in one before apart form walk through one the weekedn before. stud brought her over in thier IFor nd she didnt make a sound. if she has been in for an hr she will be fine. just keep doors shut, stop every 2-3 hrs to offer water and check and get on with it. she will be tired when she gets the other end but she is 3, mine was 18 months and never been off the stud.
 
Think of it as an outing not just a viewing.
Stop off somewhere for some shopping and site seeing.
So if viewing doesn't go well then it doesnt feel like a wastes trip.

Also get as much information, pictures, videos before.
Plus research the breeder stud, horses family history and results first.
Good luck!
 
We travelled 4and a half to go and pick up a three year old for my friend and had been told she had travelled. So took the trailer down and found a poor little mite that'd be ACP'ed up to her eye balled, friend still wanted her so put her in the trailer and started off home...on the last stretch of motor way she started kicking up a bit and got home..opened the trailer and found ...well not a pretty sight :( She's all patched up now and fine but god knows what it's going to take to get her near a trailer again. But found out later on in the day she was actually just 2 and had never travelled... :( poor baby.

But on the other hand... my 3 and 4 year old who had never travelled were brought over from Italy (through holland etc) with a travel company in a box and arrived fine and chilled as if nothing had happened :)


I would get a box/company to travel if you do get the youngster :) Best of luck! :)
 
I personally would also go with driving up to view, if you like, come back, arrange vetting and subject to that, arrange transport on a shared load :)
Good luck!
 
I drove for around eight hours to pick up a puppy! So I don't think you're crazy at all! If it's the "one" then it'll be completely worth it. I think if I were you though I'd consider hiring a transport company to bring him/her home if you do decide to purchase as it'll be a much more comfortable journey in a fully kitted out lorry than in a trailer.
 
I drove 6 hours to see my foal, then again for the vetting. Had him transported coming back - much the best thing in my view with a lot less stress for me! Good luck & let us know how you get on!!
 
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