Trying to find a horse, wrong time of year?Advertise?

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indie999

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Hi
like everyone else looking for a suitable horse may get someone else to try to match me up? I bought horse dealers magazine but cannot see anyone who offers this kind of service? Am I looking in the wrong place. I know on the whole dealers have got a bad name but I do know of people who have had good experiences as well.I have been to my local equine shops etc notice boards.

Which Mag should I buy and is this the wrong time of year to buy(I always had a theory previously that end of summer was when people were more likely to change)?.Is it the wrong time of year to look?

Also anyone that has advertised a "wanted ad" have they had much luck? Am thinking of doing this.

In the meantime I just got myself a new hat and am going to have some more lessons to brush up! My old boy was so slow over the past couple of years I think I need to get back in the saddle properly too!
 
If you're looking for the "right" horse, then IME its blimmin hard to find it ANY of the year!!

In desperation, a few years ago I did use a local agent who was very highly recommended to me; she did a good job and filtered through a lot of stuff which wouldn't have been remotely suitable for me, plus sold the horse I had at the time who was a super little chap but too sharp for me, and I was very pleased with the service she provided.

However .... I didn't buy the horse I have through her! He came as a winter loan through a trekking centre, and I ended up buying him coz liked him so much. So (dunno what you're looking for), this might be an idea? Come the autumn there might be something around suitable for you? Tho' you'll have to make sure they don't just dump their rubbish on you.

Perhaps someone on here can help?

The other thing is to perhaps get contact details for local riding clubs and if they have any shows or whatever to go along and chat to people; coz most horsey people love horse-shopping for other people! Plus any horsey friends. Also if you're thinking of lessons this would be a brilliant way to find something as your instructor will no doubt have lots of links and can also go with you to view something (essential IME to have a cool-headed opinion when horse shopping!).

Good luck!
 
Ooh hard! Tbh all my decent horses have come through word of mouth, they weren't up for sale on the open Market.
I would get in contact with RC's, hunts and PC's ask if any members are selling, advertise a wanted ad on their websites get put on their emailing lists. Someone may be thinking of selling but hasn't plucked up the courage to advertise, this way you can sneak in before the horse hits the Market.
Whenever I've responded to ads ect on horsemart/horse quest ect ect I've always found that horses are overpriced and that sellers are being very generous with their descriptions! Every horse I tried this way had a problem one way or another and still were hugely overpriced.
Contact local riding schools as well, see if they have anything they are thinking of passing on :)
 
Thanks for the replies, good ideas. Didnt think of riding clubs and I do appreciate that if you have a good horse how an owner is concerned it goes to a good home etc and may be reluctant to advertise. But I just know 10 years ago when I got my cob via horse and hound that I must have been really lucky(he has his quirks but has been good reliable boy for what I wanted), but I did get told some right porkies by advertisers despite my interrogations before travelling to see a horse only to find out when we arrived it had a problem or wasnt as described! It is very time consuming and I think its the thought of the past experience that makes me think ..good dealer/matcher. I have looked at loan adverts etc etc and keep hearing that people cant afford to keep etc...but I dont seem to be finding those ones either?!!

But thank you
 
I know how you feel! I've spent about 2 months looking for what I was beginning to think impossible: a sane, sensible allrounder to do all pc/rc activities with the grand ambition of one day competing at BE90 :D
I looked on the pony club website and local riding clubs, as well as show venues (they often have adverts up). Lots of horse sales websites and pretty much told every horsey person I knew what I was looking for, like my instructor, my DC, other people at my yard, my farrier, friends and their instructors. Word of mouth seems to unearth lots of great horses, and I eventually ended up following my friends advice and visiting the dealer who she bought her horse from- and her horse was very similar to what I was looking for! Luckily I was shown a fabulous little horse who although was a little greener than I would've liked, is very sweet natured, forgiving but enthusiastic! I've had him for one week now :D now I need to sell my pony... ho hum :L
I don't have any problems with dealers, I know some people won't buy from them, but I think as long as you take an experienced instructor with you if your not knowledgable yourself and are just cautious you shouldn't have any problems :) that said I've only ever had good experiences with dealers! Good luck and don't give up, I'm sure there's a perfect horse out there for you :D
 
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