Urgh horse window shopping…

[Ambers Echo]

It’s so disheartening. There are so many total BS ads that I assume even the nice looking ones are just cleverer BS-ers..

So there a video of ‘first sit on x’ showing a horse trotting and cantering in balance in a consistent outline. Really? And not MY first sit on X but that horses first ever ride under saddle.

Then a £3k 8 year old well bred horse with a fab BE record. Totally sound, (honest guv.) But sold from the field due to ‘lack of time and no jockey’. Riiiiight. So a few weeks on schooling/sales livery to bump price up to 20k isn’t worth the effort?

And even people I personally know mis-advertise. Ponies for sale because of repeatedly ditching their young riders advertised as ‘sadly outgrown’ and ‘perfect in every way.’

How does anyone ever trust who they are buying off.

#feelinggrumpy #growupquicklymylo

 

[Wizpop]

I know exactly how you feel Ambers Echo. Having had a recent bad experience and injury buying from somewhere with a good reputation, I look at adverts and think “ just words.” Anyone can - and does- write anything to sell. It’s so unfair on genuine sellers - how on earth can the genuine ads be sorted out? It seems so much worse now than it used to be- or is it my imagination??

 

[Equi]

Gut feeling. I saw hectors face and knew he was a good person and everything his owner said felt honest. He’s the only one I really felt “omg I need to see this horse”

 

[Squeak]

I wonder if people are getting desperate to sell before winter sets in too much more and if there's also an element of people having paid a fortune for a horse in the past when prices were strong and wanting to recoup that money?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I think this is why I buy very young horses with decent breeding. Buying a yearling causes me less stress

Sure, lots of unknowns as to what they'll grow into, so there's that. I've never bought any type of established horse now that I think about it.

I don't envy buyers or sellers.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Yep, it seems my definition of educated vs sellers version is quite different.

There is a lot of ill health out there as well in the horse community preventing folks from riding it seems.

 

[LEC]

It’s just a sifting exercise. BTW be prepared to spend £££ on vettings. Friend wanted a young sjer on a £12k budget and 4 failed the vet! 2 on back x rays. 1 as vet couldn’t get near it so thought they had done something to it on the day when went to try it which was a fairly big name in sjing!

Look at Billy Stud auctions. Some go for average money.

 

[Patterdale]

And even people I personally know mis-advertise. Ponies for sale because of repeatedly ditching their young riders advertised as ‘sadly outgrown’ and ‘perfect in every way.’

I see this all the time, it really shocks me. It’s a lot of the reason why my child is on a 4 year old that we’ve just broken ourselves. Yes she’s now ‘behind’ her peers but having returned two dangerous £££££ ponies (and I’m no numpty) I just lost all trust in sellers.

It is so much worse than it used to be. I think personally that it’s because so many people who are not horsey, are now riding. They buy horses or ponies for £££££, ruin them then lie like it’s a second hand car to just get rid of them. It’s a sad state of affairs!

I personally will only buy youngsters now. Or ponies from people I know well!

 

[TheMule]

I wouldn’t buy from a private home unless they are selling for a very good reason backed up by plenty of evidence- no one sells a genuinely good horse!
I would buy from someone whose job it is to produce and sell horses and who has a good reputation to uphold.
Or take a bit of a chance on something from the Irish sales if you want it cheaper but already backed.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It’s specially heartbreaking when the horse you already have is perfect but is no longer quite up to the job .

Is the 15.2 hh grey 4yo mare with Umonia60/Obos Quality breeding which has been knocking about on Cheshire Horse for a bit another no hoper? Seeing as you get on well with Obos Quality horses?

A bit small and described as a ‘leg on’ type .

 

[Ambers Echo]

@Wizpop yep 'just words' is how I read all ads now! I'm actually no longer interested in the 'story' - tell me age/breeding/experience and provide evidence.
@Bonnie Allie that;s always a red flag too - expensive looking horses going for peanuts coz owners can;t ride makes no sense. That's what sales livery is for! Not saying it never happens - but sifting though the genuine field ornmaments because Life, and the 'lets hope they are sound enough to pass a 2 stage vetting after 6 months in a field' ones is not a game I'm going to play.
@Patterdale it's awful. Some were friends! (Not anymore. Makes me sick that you'd put a poor child through the distress and risk of their new perfect pony turning out to be dangerous/unreliable. The view seems to be 'well I was missold so I'm just advertising him for what they told me he was!"
@Tiddlypom I am definitely taking a very close look at OBOS quality horses. I got as far as asking for video from an OBOS / Cruising 4 year old who looked lovely. But got no reply so either they don't want to send video or horse has gone already. I absolutely want video first to weed out obvious lameness before travelling. My vet physio is going to screen for me. She's got a great eye. I have not seen the one you mention though. I'll try and find her. I do think 16hh and up though. And more go than woah. I love bold and brave.

To those recommending young and professionally produced - that is where my mind is going to now. Or a trip to Ireland to recommended dealers/producers. Or word of mouth with full history known.

I’m not seriously looking yet as can’t afford to buy and won’t waste sellers time till I’ve got the cash to hand. So I’m just looking at ads to try and work out what a realistic budget is going to need to be. Plus if The Perfect Horse appeared on my feed, I can borrow. Like that OBOS mare - I'd have bought her if she checked out.

Feels like there is not much risk of that right now, though!

My current wish list is 4/5 next year (Ie 2020/2021 foals), if rising 4 unbacked or lightly backed, nothing that’s BSed at 4. If 5, seen a bit of the world.

Nice breeding. Temperament is key. Brave and bold. Safe, sane. And Sound!!

Full history known ideally.

I would not rule out private sellers with a credible story, which checks out thoroughly!

 

[Gloi]

I think this is why I buy very young horses with decent breeding. Buying a yearling causes me less stress

Sure, lots of unknowns as to what they'll grow into, so there's that. I've never bought any type of established horse now that I think about it.

I don't envy buyers or sellers.

Same here. 100% this.

 

[nutjob]

It's a good idea to start looking early as you get a feel for the market and how quickly certain horses sell or get dropped in price. It took me 6 months, about 1300 miles of driving, 11 viewings, one vet failure and one vetting cancelled by the seller at the last minute until I bought my horse.

I have also been sent videos of horses looking absolutely great, doing a 70%+ dressage test so you could see the paces on both reins and / or jumping clear round a course of small fences. However, these turned out to be from sometime in the past and were not representative of the state of the horse at the viewing. It makes you seem barking mad if you ask for a trot up with a copy of todays newspaper but a 5 hour round trip to see a horse which a pro sales livery yard should have been able to identify as having a problem is demoralising. One yard wouldn't let me run my hands down the legs and slapped the boots on pdq when they caught me checking it over.

I finally bought mine from a small sj producer who only advertises by word of mouth and on own fb page, pm if you want more info.

 

[Comet1]

I spent months (about 6!) trawling through ads every day, didn’t even get as far as a viewing. Decided to use an agent, and she found me one in under two days.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

AE, is a TB off limits?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I now would not buy anything backed, I would either buy a 3yo and wait or a 4yo ready to be backed.. I realise I got lucky with how easy Dex was but if I couldn't do it myself again I would rather spend £2k on Jason Webb backing something I liked the look of, than try and figure out what b0llocks to trust in a sales advert. I am hoping I don't have to look at buying another for a good 25+ years anyway, but if I do then I would probably go back to Adam Ferris that Dex came from, it was so easy and he was very honest.

 

[Ambers Echo]

It's a good idea to start looking early as you get a feel for the market and how quickly certain horses sell or get dropped in price. It took me 6 months, about 1300 miles of driving, 11 viewings, one vet failure and one vetting cancelled by the seller at the last minute until I bought my horse.

I have also been sent videos of horses looking absolutely great, doing a 70%+ dressage test so you could see the paces on both reins and / or jumping clear round a course of small fences. However, these turned out to be from sometime in the past and were not representative of the state of the horse at the viewing. It makes you seem barking mad if you ask for a trot up with a copy of todays newspaper but a 5 hour round trip to see a horse which a pro sales livery yard should have been able to identify as having a problem is demoralising. One yard wouldn't let me run my hands down the legs and slapped the boots on pdq when they caught me checking it over.

I finally bought mine from a small sj producer who only advertises by word of mouth and on own fb page, pm if you want more info.

Oh god yes - pics and video from the dim and distant past!!! I viewed a horse when I was looking for Lottie who had a video of him pinging round a discovery. He looked great. Turned up and he was hugely obese. Rock hard crest. Could barely move. I said he bears zero resemblance to the horse in the ad and they just said 'he can lose weight!'. I am not buying him as he was then, I am buying him as he is NOW.

I advertised an outgrown pony my daughter had done NSEA/PC comps with and was pretty successful. He was advertised with my pictures 2 owners and 3 years later. Turned out in the interim he'd learned a load of bad habits and was no longer a reliable jumper. (He was always a bit cheeky but fine for competent child rider but the wheels had come off sadly). He did land on his feet though - found a BS home in the end.

 

[Ambers Echo]

AE, is a TB off limits?

I would not consider one that was backed and in training at 18 months/2 years old even if never raced. But as a breed, yes Id consider one/

 

[Ambers Echo]

I keep seeing nice looking ones from Adam Ferris. He is on my list of potential people to buy from. Joe could back a horse for me, too. That would be good. He's already said he'll back Mylo when the time comes.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I keep seeing nice looking ones from Adam Ferris. He is on my list of potential people to buy from. Joe could back a horse for me, too. That would be good. He's already said he'll back Mylo when the time comes.

He isn't cheap by any stretch, Dex was £7k door to door, but he buys them as weaned foals and they go out in a herd in huge fields with varied terrain, so you know they'd had about as good an upbringing as they'll get - one of those is what I would go for. He does have them come in from other sources as well. He was very up front about Dex's personality and what he had/had not done, super responsive and sent me photos videos of vetting/his experience/loading on the transport etc. I know two people I have recommended to now have bought from him and both very happy - I see all his adverts come up and some of them are very tempting!

Dex is the middle one below with his mates in Adam's field - it's funny because even in the below picture, I would have picked him immediately from his expression

 

[millitiger]

I'm keeping half an eye out at the moment for another horse but resigned to it not happening.

I'd like one under saddle as already have 2 x 3yros to break next year.
However, I think I'd have to up the budget to £20k+ to get what I want, ridden, and even then who do I trust enough to give £20k to??!

 

[Ambers Echo]

I like the look of the 4yo Chestnut mare Adam advertised on 3rd Oct, if anyone wants to offer a 2nd opinion x

 

[J_sarahd]

I completely sympathise. I had one I had booked to go and view, but was saved by someone on here who told me a bit about the mare that the seller had completely forgotten to mention, one that was definitely in pain and one that was far smaller than advertised. I feel like horse shopping is supposed to be fun and exciting, but it’s a lot of time wasting and being lied to, really.

 

[Spanish Dressage]

I am struggling as well. After having some bad luck with a 3 yo and uveitis making him a pet until pts - the horse market seems strange. I am not sure I want to spend serious money as it will probably go wrong but then am left with ex racers who are more likely to go wrong!! 10 k will get me nowhere!!

 

[dixie]

I like the look of the 4yo Chestnut mare Adam advertised on 3rd Oct, if anyone wants to offer a 2nd opinion x

She looks a very nice type.
Plus I like the chestnut gelding he advertised a few days ago, 16.1hh 5yr old. I’ve also heard good things about a his horses but not dealt with him specifically, plus Kevin Reilly.

 

[webble]

This is what is putting me off looking properly, so many dodgy ads. I don't even want to do that much I just want something that's good in traffic and isn't lame or a loon

 

[Hackback]

I keep seeing nice looking ones from Adam Ferris. He is on my list of potential people to buy from. Joe could back a horse for me, too. That would be good. He's already said he'll back Mylo when the time comes.

I backed AJ myself with Joe's guidance. Not something I'd planned or ever thought I'd be doing, but with Joe it just seemed a natural progression from my groundwork lessons.

 

[AthenesOwl]

It’s really interesting to read the experiences of those who are much more experienced than I am when buying horses. I’m beginning to look for a first horse (out to see a horse for the first time this afternoon), and I’ve been looking at ads since the spring, but now have the funds.

I’m lucky to have a really helpful instructor, and some other local horsey contacts, and I’m relying very much on my instructor’s advice.

I don’t have the experience for a youngster, so have to go for something established, and don’t want much from a horse. It’s alarming how many misleading, or downright totally false adverts there seem to be.

 

[onemoretime]

I know exactly how you feel Ambers Echo. Having had a recent bad experience and injury buying from somewhere with a good reputation, I look at adverts and think “ just words.” Anyone can - and does- write anything to sell. It’s so unfair on genuine sellers - how on earth can the genuine ads be sorted out? It seems so much worse now than it used to be- or is it my imagination??

No, its definitely worse!

 

[onemoretime]

@Wizpop yep 'just words' is how I read all ads now! I'm actually no longer interested in the 'story' - tell me age/breeding/experience and provide evidence.
@Bonnie Allie that;s always a red flag too - expensive looking horses going for peanuts coz owners can;t ride makes no sense. That's what sales livery is for! Not saying it never happens - but sifting though the genuine field ornmaments because Life, and the 'lets hope they are sound enough to pass a 2 stage vetting after 6 months in a field' ones is not a game I'm going to play.
@Patterdale it's awful. Some were friends! (Not anymore. Makes me sick that you'd put a poor child through the distress and risk of their new perfect pony turning out to be dangerous/unreliable. The view seems to be 'well I was missold so I'm just advertising him for what they told me he was!"
@Tiddlypom I am definitely taking a very close look at OBOS quality horses. I got as far as asking for video from an OBOS / Cruising 4 year old who looked lovely. But got no reply so either they don't want to send video or horse has gone already. I absolutely want video first to weed out obvious lameness before travelling. My vet physio is going to screen for me. She's got a great eye. I have not seen the one you mention though. I'll try and find her. I do think 16hh and up though. And more go than woah. I love bold and brave.

To those recommending young and professionally produced - that is where my mind is going to now. Or a trip to Ireland to recommended dealers/producers. Or word of mouth with full history known.

I’m not seriously looking yet as can’t afford to buy and won’t waste sellers time till I’ve got the cash to hand. So I’m just looking at ads to try and work out what a realistic budget is going to need to be. Plus if The Perfect Horse appeared on my feed, I can borrow. Like that OBOS mare - I'd have bought her if she checked out.

Feels like there is not much risk of that right now, though!

My current wish list is 4/5 next year (Ie 2020/2021 foals), if rising 4 unbacked or lightly backed, nothing that’s BSed at 4. If 5, seen a bit of the world.

Nice breeding. Temperament is key. Brave and bold. Safe, sane. And Sound!!

Full history known ideally.

I would not rule out private sellers with a credible story, which checks out thoroughly!

You could contact Lorraine Keith in Ireland. She has some good contacts. She has a page book page if you dont know her.