What do I do (horse shopping) can't decide between 2

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diana1991

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Horse number 1:

5yo Connemara, 14.1hh but slightly croup high still. He is £2,500. No injections, teeth check or back check which I usually like to know has been done with a horse. (Vaccinations are obviously not a concern as can do them at mine) but I like the thought that they’ve had their back and teeth checked whilst in work.

He is for sale at a yard that backs and produces horses for mainly showing. They say he has been with them since 2 years old. He was backed end of summer as 4yo and been off work since March up until 3 days ago.

No trial was offered which is understandable (not a fan of trials myself but ask now after catching so many sellers out lately)… No harm in trying!!! But there is no proof they have had him since a 2yo or much history as his breeder has passed away. They also at first refused to get his feet trimmed before a vetting and said they’re not spending another penny on him and he will just go back out in the field? The girl competes at HOYS and you’d think with him being quality, they’d have him out at the big show ground down the road from them, asking more money mid-summer with a bit of work. I do not see why he is going to get chucked back in the field and not worth another foot trim?

They advertised him before xmas and said only had one person out to see him who was too big and they didn't bother again (we didn't go ahead with seeing him as family member fell very ill) but contacted them last week now things have smoothed out and he is still for sale.
Maybe I am over looking it though.

He put his back up when saddle went on, but was very calm tied up and is quality stamp of a conny. Ridden in a Wilkie snaffle (would have to change as not dressage legal). Girl rode lovely and popped little jump, more or less consistent in his work and seemed very established (was expecting head tossing, unbalanced baby) so was a dream to ride.

His back braced up against me twice. Once I sat a little deep to bring him back to walk and second time can't remember why but I'd expect it with a sensitive and well-schooled, green horse that's not been in work for so long.

I jumped him and very calm and easy, lovely bend, easy to canter compared to many youngsters and seemed sweet. Scared him to death when gave him a pat though (silly me) and when dismounting and feet touched the floor it gave him a panic and he ran back and looked very worried (Just being a baby I guess).

I was not shocked with his hacking at all when he walked back and didn't want to leave drive, stopped and got a bit tense with first car that went past and got up tight and backwards with a parked tractor as he is so green... We went out alone with his usual rider walking on foot.

I would get a 5 stage vetting but when I have described him to any friends, they all pulled a face and gave it the 'ohh got your work cut out' talk.

I thought he was faultless for a green and sensitive little thing, but obviously he is more sensitive than some and I do feel a risk there but there is a risk with anything and I didn't see it as maybe having my work cut out? Just worrying about his history for some reason? :S Why? No idea.



Horse number 2:
Lady has a 4yo conny, sadly 14.3hh so would have to do over height classes and unregistered. Another good stamp of a Connemara though and very shaped head which was lovely.
She was tacked up and sat on last year but lady keeps on own and thinks she will be too much to back herself. She has been lunged and has a good bronk round but I'd say that's totally normal.

She is now going away soon for 2 weeks backing. Lady said I can come and watch her be backed over the 2 weeks. She can then come to me on loan for however long and we will write a contract to fix a price after the loan. She is £2950 ONO and 5 mins down road from me.

She also has tissue damage due to a barbed wire accident on right fore and has an over reach boot on all the time so she does not open up where the stitches were. The mare has a bit about her but I feel a huge difference between the two so finding it hard with where to go from here.



Any help will be great thanks. I wanted something to bring on and keep for hunting, dressage, showing and a bit of showjumping. pref a conny as I am small myself and like the breed for showing, thanks ever so much for reading.
 
No words of wisdom or advice I'm afraid, but is there the chance that if you don't feel particularly enthusiastic or excited about either, despite identifying areas which gives you a little pause for thought; that neither are right?

Although you seemed to have a lot more to say, in a chattier way, about the gelding (?) compared to the mare...

:)
 
Ladydragon said:
No words of wisdom or advice I'm afraid, but is there the chance that if you don't feel particularly enthusiastic or excited about either, despite identifying areas which gives you a little pause for thought; that neither are right?

Although you seemed to have a lot more to say, in a chattier way, about the gelding (?) compared to the mare...

:)
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I think thats because shes not yet been backed though so didn't ride her. only looked poked and prodded at her in a field so far haha.
You're right but at same time I don't want to miss out on a cracking horse just because I over analyse it all
 
I agree with Ladydragon - perhaps neither are right for you? I get the feeling you want to prefer the gelding but you're suspicious of the owner/the horse's background, and from what you've said something does sound like it might be amiss. It might have nothing to do with the horse at all but I don't think you're getting the full story about the situation (foot trimming etc). I wonder if you could get his passport or equine number and check him out, put your mind at ease?

Did they give the impression he'd been worked consistently from backing until March?

The mare sounds like a safer bet but you really don't seem so keen on her out of the two.
 
pookie said:
I agree with Ladydragon - perhaps neither are right for you? I get the feeling you want to prefer the gelding but you're suspicious of the owner/the horse's background, and from what you've said something does sound like it might be amiss. It might have nothing to do with the horse at all but I don't think you're getting the full story about the situation (foot trimming etc). I wonder if you could get his passport or equine number and check him out, put your mind at ease?

Did they give the impression he'd been worked consistently from backing until March?

The mare sounds like a safer bet but you really don't seem so keen on her out of the two.
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I think the height gets me with the mare too!
Yes, I guess he had time off with the snow but was ridden until March. Must have been with the schooling he had acheived though as was very balanced with good use from behind.

I would love to take the risk on him but I am totally worried about there being a hitch to it somewhere.

But it's soooo hard to find a horse at the moment! I want anything, be it an arab, maxi cob, gypsy cob, conny, fell, fresian, highland :S
Just something sane and chance to be an all rounder along with showing!

He is passported but needs to be sent off to connemara society. Nothing much in there though and as no injections, no give away. If he had injections I could have seen if his been done locally and same home with them.
 
diana1991 said:
I think the height gets me with the mare too!
Yes, I guess he had time off with the snow but was ridden until March. Must have been with the schooling he had acheived though as was very balanced with good use from behind.

I would love to take the risk on him but I am totally worried about there being a hitch to it somewhere.

But it's soooo hard to find a horse at the moment! I want anything, be it an arab, maxi cob, gypsy cob, conny, fell, fresian, highland :S
Just something sane and chance to be an all rounder along with showing!

He is passported but needs to be sent off to connemara society. Nothing much in there though and as no injections, no give away. If he had injections I could have seen if his been done locally and same home with them.
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Of the two most recent I tried, I rode one (and fell in love) and when she surprisingly failed the vetting I found another I didn't ride ('backed', not at all broken). Even after the vetting I still couldn't shake the first one for a while and logically wanted to love the second but didn't feel it, if you know what I mean. But she ticked a lot of boxes and I bought her...there's something about not riding something older than foal that, for me, makes it difficult to get excited until they're actually with you.

Whereabouts are you? I'm always more than happy to engage in a spot of horse shopping :D

If you can get his passport number you can check him out on NED :)
 
pookie said:
Of the two most recent I tried, I rode one (and fell in love) and when she surprisingly failed the vetting I found another I didn't ride ('backed', not at all broken). Even after the vetting I still couldn't shake the first one for a while and logically wanted to love the second but didn't feel it, if you know what I mean. But she ticked a lot of boxes and I bought her...there's something about not riding something older than foal that, for me, makes it difficult to get excited until they're actually with you.

Whereabouts are you? I'm always more than happy to engage in a spot of horse shopping :D

If you can get his passport number you can check him out on NED :)
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eastern/hertfordshire/cambridge.

Would be easy shop if I had £8000 as could then have a choice out of all the maxi cobs on horse quest haha
 
Cobs seem to be one of the few types that're holding their value...not so much a buyers' market for cob lovers :) How young is too young?
 
I find the foot trim thing really odd, I mean she could add the £20 or whatever onto the asking price is she wants, jeez! I don't think it's a very good idea to demonstrate how tight you are with a buyer :-/

I think there seems to be a bit too much going on for the first one, but it might all be perfectly explainable, the mare sounds less complicated and the seller sounds more open but the overreach boot on all the time would be a bit weird if you wanted to do showing!

Sigh, I'm finding it hard to find a horse too even though there are loads for sale! Think my budget and the fact I don't really want a TB or a massive cob is restricting me! I found a nice one but I think they're asking too much really. Have you been on thehorseexchange.com I hadn't been on there before and there are a few I haven't seen on other sites, I guess because it is free :-)
 
diana1991 said:
I think thats because shes not yet been backed though so didn't ride her. only looked poked and prodded at her in a field so far haha.
You're right but at same time I don't want to miss out on a cracking horse just because I over analyse it all
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:D As an analysing control freaky type person I understand that one... :D

But...you either have to stop thinking and get distracted by something else and let your unconscious mull it over - or bite the bullet and make a decision knowing it's the right one for you at this time... You'll keep talking yourself around in circles otherwise... If neither have really lit your fire, I'd walk away...

Biggest problem the gelding seems to have is his owners atm... If that's the area of concern, just go with your gut on how he felt to ride/handle and whether he makes you feel a bit gushy or pretty detached... Would you be pretty devastated if you found out either/both had been sold tomorrow? :)
 
w1bbler said:
always go with gut instinct. If something feels wrong walk away, there's a lot of good horses out there.
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Totally agree, go with your gut feeling, dont try and talk yourself/convince yourself into making a "sensible" decision.

Perhaps look at a few more, then you might find something that really stands out, or it might make you realise that you preferred one of the others...

Good luck (im a bit jealous that you are horse shopping!) x
 
If the first one was a show quality Connie it would be up and showing from a pro yard or sold by now at that money, it would be very cheap for a straight, genuine show or allround prospect, I find it strange that they are not prepared to put ant time or money into it.
I like the sound of him but there are too many questions, I would want to go back at least once more before committing to his purchase, if they, and he, is genuine it should not be too much trouble for them to let you do this.
 
I can't help but think i'd be better buying from a blo**dy dealer than private.
It's really niggling me why they are not pushing him when he could be worth £5000 by the end of summer with ease.
 
Second one but...

First one there sounds like far to many complications. If the owners are trying to sell the horse they are making it far too difficult and don't sound totally honest.

However, number 2 has an old injury. If its healed I'm not sure why it should re-open up but I would be concerned over it.

I honestly would say keep looking - for your budget there are plenty of genuine owners with good, clean limbed, vice free ponies for sale.

That's just my view but my gut instinct on what you've wrote says continue shopping. See a variety of different breeds/sizes as you might just prefer something totally different to what you set of to look for.

I wanted a 16hh+ gelding chestnut or grey, pref warmblood... I ended up with a 15.3hh dark bay (I hated bays but now love them!) Irish sport horse.

I wouldn't sell him for any amount :)
 
You are right in my view there must be a reason for leaving him, good Connies are still very sought after and he really should be worth good money with experience and work, they dont seem to want to do this.
Keep looking the right one is out there:)
 
diana1991 said:
But it's soooo hard to find a horse at the moment! I want anything, be it an arab, maxi cob, gypsy cob, conny, fell, fresian, highland :S
Just something sane and chance to be an all rounder along with showing!
Click to expand...

You can have mine if you want, can't promise he's sane though... ;)
It is strange with the first one- seems really good but then as others have said, why haven't they done more with him and why are they so keen to get rid of him without even spending £20 on a foot trim? I would be a little wary.
 
Def odd they haven't at least taken the 1st to a small local show or 2. It makes no sense as even a win or placing locally would add to his value. Have you tried googling his name (or the riders). There's a reason there somewhere I think.

The 2nd sounds sweet but the over height is a shame for showing
 
Personal feelings but v hard as I have seen neither....

Go for the gelding. He may be green but he is the correct height and broken. At least you could have a go at showing him to a high level - and he is cheaper!

If you really like the mare get them to drop the price considerably then you could use the money to send her away to be professionally backed and brought on.

I would say from what you have written that the gelding has only just been backed this year. He is still green but showing he is a good boy deep down.
 
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