Went to see horsey at weekend. Thoughts pls.

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Peanot

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We found an advert with a horse that ticked most of my boxes and looked quite impressive so I rang the number and spoke with owner for over half an hour. She sounded pretty genuine and I liked what I was told, so I booked a visit.
Got there to find horse in stable, fine, looked a bit hairy (lots of cat hairs) and I couldnt see her shoes on her front feet due to her feet growing over them slightly. She was a little overweight and unfit and we were told that she had only been ridden twice in the last month!
I was all ready to say to my friend that it wasnt what I was looking for and lets not waste any of the sellers time but remembered the chat on the phone and thought I`d give her a go.
I watched the owner ride her and jump her and she looked genuine and honest as the girl was just riding her hit and miss and the mare, bless her, just jumped.
I got on her and she was sweet but not forward off my leg and kept breaking down to trot whilst in the canter. Taking into consideration that she wasnt fit, I only rode her for 5 mins in the menage then went into the field and jumped her over about 4 jumps.
I liked her.
But I didnt expect her to be unfit and in that condition as she is advertised at the top end of the middle market, tho she has an impressive but short BE record.
I am indecisive about her and I`ve got another horse to go look at this week. She was sweet but definately not worth the money she was being advertsied at. I think if they are unfit, it is a gamble as when they are fittened up, will they be more lively, more quirky etc, for want of a better word. IMHO, there are a lot of horses for sale out there, and other genuine ones, so why sell her now in an unfit state as it doesnt state this in her advert and I thought that horses were quite hard to sell at the minute.
Just wondering on your thoughts if you`re bored lol. Thanks
 
I would be asking WHY? is she unfit/not been ridden for a month/is she for sale??
Was she in full work prior to the month off,if so she should not be so unfit really.
How long has she owned her?
Did she do the BE with her?
Lots of questions,link to ad would be interesting.
 
She might be a completely different ride once fit.

If I were you I would just bear her in mind and go and see the next horse next weekend. You can always go back and rider her again. Perhaps if you really like her you could negotiate a loan with view to buy and arragne to either return her or buy her in 4 months time. That should give you plenty of time to get her reasonably fit and see how she is.

If they won't agree to that then I guess you will just have to take a punt and offer what you think she is worth, pointing out the slow market, coming into winter, not fit etc.
 
I'd be concerned as to why she's had time off and would question her BE record, has she had in injury and been turned away for example, could be simply that they just have not had time for her but you'd of thought they would of kept up with her feet, leaving them to over grow the shoe is pretty bad IMO.

If your undecided then you ask if you could view her again but at the end of the day (to save potential worry) you are better off trying a horse that is fit and ready to do it's job and if your into competing (at any level that is) then viewing a horse that has been out and about up to date would be a safer bet as well.
 
I would be tempted to make a ridiculously low offer subject to vetting and see how they react. Even though it is coming into winter if they jump at it with no debate, or try to talk you out of vetting, then there may be something they're not telling you.
 
be positive said:
I would be asking WHY? is she unfit/not been ridden for a month/is she for sale??
Was she in full work prior to the month off,if so she should not be so unfit really.
How long has she owned her?
Did she do the BE with her?
Lots of questions,link to ad would be interesting.
Click to expand...


Rider has had exams, last BE event was about 5-6 wks ago. Rider starting UNI very soon.
Owned a couple of years, not done a lot.
 
Kenso, they just said that with exams etc, they had little time with other ponies and other commitments.
Thanks :)

S77, I am having any horse I`m thinking of buying vetted. And also I wouldn`t pay full asking price for this horse.
Obviously I have to be very careful what I say about it all as she might be a member on here :o :)
 
If she has a good record despite a not so good rider,lacking in fitness etc,as I still feel that she should still be fit enough after a short break,to work fairly well at the moment.We bought a horse in Jan. that had done no real work since the end of Oct.as had a break then missed work due to the freeze,he still managed to go well and was fit enough to try properly.The bonus being that he got fitter as we got to know him so built up together.
She could be a really good buy at the right price,as long as there is no problem at the vetting.
If they are off to uni. I would go in with a low offer.
 
My first thoughts?

If you came to see one of mine and called it a horsey I'd show you the door.

And yes, I am a grumpy old witch!
 
EVERY horse is a gamble. Make 'em an offer if you like her, or go and see something else if you want a "ready made" item. Depends what you want really, I tend to like to DIY my horses (in the training end of things), and LOOOVE a bargain that turns out well.
 
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