Trying horses this weekend!!!

Magicmillbrook

Magicmillbrook

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2006
Messages
3,163
Location
Norfolk
Visit site
After loosing the lovely horse I was going to be having on loan a few weeks ago I cant get rid of the 'itch' so have been scouring the adds and put a wanted add on face book for something to buy. Any hoo I now find myself in the situation where I have a shortlist of 3 ponies to view.

I am looking at one this afternoon, one Saturday afternoon and one Sunday morning! All are quite similar 14.1 - 14.2 cobs and cob welsh x, two are 4 1/2, one 8, all have been shortlisted because they are said to be very calm, laid back and good to hack. One lives next to a waste transfer station and between two american air bases!

I have not ridden for 10 months and had only pottered prior to this as my old girl was getting very arthritic so feeling a bit nervous, but taking my grown up daughter as my stunt double.

I am worried that If I try all 3 and like no 1 the best she will have sold by sunday. Also would you be up front and tell the sellers you have 3 to see so wont be able to feed back until Sunday, unless of course I don't like it and can tell them there and then.

Arrrggg - thinking too much
 
I saw 4 in the last 3 days and I was worried about similar. I had 6 possibles and 2 were sold before I got there.

Of the 4 I saw two were completely unsuitable and easy to discount. The other two were both contenders but the last one I saw was older so I could do more with her which is what swayed me.

Ultimately I think don't worry too much as you will know if it's the right one.
 
Trying to arrange transport now. I was going to hire a trailer as I just have a cattle trailer which is lower than a horse trailer, but the hirer has stopped hiring a trailer :rolleyes: she probably would fit ok but I don't want to terrorise her with it as its a bit noisier than a horse trailer and I need her to go in one in the future so would rather introduce it gradually. Plus a nightmare if she just wouldn't go in as it's about a 400mile round trip.

I am probably just going to get her delivered by a guy who brought my other ponies up. Her owner is away for a week so need to wait anyway booo
 
Well tried number one and surprisingly wasnt that nervous. Better looking in the flesh - just the sort I am after, very quiet and non spooky to hack - however - the owner had a lesson on her that morning and ssid she had been worked very had and was tired, like could barely trot let alone canter. Alarm bells ringing in my head - owner has suggested if the next two are no go's and she hasn't sold to go back when she hasn't been ridden.
 
Good suggestion. Did you know the horse would already have been ridden or did they explain why? Not something I would do if a horse is for sale and being viewed but maybe there's a good explanation? Best of luck with the rest. It's hard not to get v excited when you see one that seems to tick the boxes. I've been there. But remember your shopping list, what's an absolute must, ask lots of questions and I generally always go at least twice. And would always get a vetting. I was lucky enought
To have a trial with the one I bought.
 
Good luck and have fun looking. Good that you know to be cautious with a previously excercised horse - I suspect that was the way she covered up my rearer. It's a good sign that she said to come back when it has not been worked but for me I would go a few more times if I really liked it just in case. Enjoy the viewings.
 
Magicmillbrook said:
Well tried number one and surprisingly wasnt that nervous. Better looking in the flesh - just the sort I am after, very quiet and non spooky to hack - however - the owner had a lesson on her that morning and ssid she had been worked very had and was tired, like could barely trot let alone canter. Alarm bells ringing in my head - owner has suggested if the next two are no go's and she hasn't sold to go back when she hasn't been ridden.
Click to expand...

Hate to be sceptical but if you go back to try No 1 again when it hasn't been ridden earlier in the day, how would you know? Unless you arrive at 7am!

Anyway, try the other two and see how you get on. When we were looking at a pony for daughhter we tried one in the morning which was fab, absolutely perfect and I really thought we would buy him, but did tell the seller we had another to view. So we viewed the other one the same day and he was even more perfect, and is the one we bought, so you never know. Don't go for the first one you see, try the others.

Also, you said two were 4 and one was 8. Bear in mind the two younger ones may need more schooling to get them to be what you want.

Good luck, and don't be nervous.
 
Well. Went to try no 2 on Saturday (8 yo cob x mare), the vendor had forgotten we were going and her riders had gone home. Got to see the mare and ask lots of questions, returning to ride on Wed.

Then went to see no 3 on Sunday(4 1/2 yo cob x welsh gelding). In reality much much greener than vendor had stated. I don't think the vendor was being dishonest, I think she hadn't realized how much he would have gone backwards having not been ridden for 2 months. Even though she has offered me a loan I don't think that his greenness & my lack of confidence will make a good team.

In the meantime have found another advertised in the next village to me. Fits my list, good to hack and 8 years so may be looking at no 4 on Tues.

Have decided not to go back and see no 1 - turns out she has been for sale since March and I have an uneasy feeling.
 
Well done you for questioning no.1. Fingers crossed for no.4 and that it is the pony for you.

When I was looking for my boy I went to see a mare the week before and LOVED her, but she got sold on the Sunday. Then went to try my boy and we 'clicked', much better than I did with the mare. So don't get disheartened, keep looking and your perfect pony will be out there!
 
Def good to trust your gut instinct.

I would strongly recommend you stay away from the 4 year olds if you are lacking confidence. I cann't stress enough that many many 4 year olds seem like angels because they are still a bit shell shocked. However, at 5 the vast majority test boundaries. Even if all they do is try and spin at a bin bag, or nap a bit going away from the yard (both very common baby issues) are you going to be confident enough to deal with this? If not then please please wait for an older one to come along, it's not worth the heart ache for you.
 
How exciting, good luck in your search! I probably agree with polotash about 4 year olds there. I got roped into taking a 4yo albeit a TB on loan who was perfect happy hack for a while with his owner and then turned very challenging so she sent him my way and he eventually injured me, now I am very much looking for older having had a knock to my confidence! If the right 5 or 6 yo came along I might give it a try as I am not a jibbering wreck just yet and plenty are fine at that age, but beware! 7 or 8 would be much better, it is the age a lot of people look for but the market is so much better at this time of year for buyers, you should be able to get what you really want :-)
 
Got a call last night. Number 4 has sold so no viewing today - Boo

Got a face book lead for a gorgeous 10 YO Connie in my price range - amazing -made some inquiries and it has a multitude of health issues D'oh.

Lets see how no 3 goes tommorow.

Also am adjusting my age bracket to exclude the 4 year olds, I may have coped 10 years ago but not now. So may have to save up a bit more:(
 
Aww ten year old Connie would be amazing! I have been seeing some real bargains around at the moment though because of the time of year, PM me if you want some help horse shopping :-)
 
mandwhy said:
Aww ten year old Connie would be amazing! I have been seeing some real bargains around at the moment though because of the time of year, PM me if you want some help horse shopping :-)
Click to expand...

Thanks - I see you are not too far so if you hear of anything here are my requirements.

cob or native type.
14hh (if very chunky) up to 15.2
Good to hack alone and in company
Sensible to do.
Scope to perhaps do very, very, low level RC stuff eventually (prelim dressage, family pony, clear round)
Under 13 years (have two retirees already)
Would prefer trial (not essential if I can go back a few times to try)
Don't mind small quirks or issues if upfront about them (my girl wont be pulled, sprayed or clipped)

Wings and a golden hooves optional

Budget 2K
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top