What do you all think?

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Doggylicious

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Hi everyone. I dont know what to do.Looking for a horse for life something safe (after having a crazy TB) something what will lead my daughters pony on hacks, something easy to handle etc...
I am very nervous as my Tb mare knocked my confidence completely , so now i feel scared on every horse near enough.
Went to see this dealer and i didnt even want a cob in the first place but as i was walking aroud her yard i seen this mare on the field so went to have a look. She got it out for me when i asked, she wasnt even pushi. I got on her and she was like a dream, i wasnt scared or nervous not for a bit. I did not believe howcan she be this good at 4 years old but felt amazing riding her with full of confidence and trust. Even My 6 years old daughter jumped on her..
I have never ridden an irish cob before so dont have experience if they are good or ba, but some people say they are very placid.
A couple of days later i went back with my friend because she is very experience with horses and she didnt like her at all, she said she oesnt know what but something doesnt look right.
I know she is underweight and need a good worming treatment probably i just wanted to see what others think.
Since i went to see a few more horse and as soon as i got on them i wanted to get off... With this cob i didnt want to get off her just wanted to take her home to feed her, brush her, love her....


I cant stop thinking about her but now i am scared to buy her because what if my friend is right as she has got more experience???:confused::confused::confused://www.midlandshorsesforsale.co.uk/product_15hh_irish_x_skewbald_mare_20.htm
 
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What did she mean by 'something doesn't look right'?
Would it be something a vet could pick up? In which case you could buy her sbject to vetting?
Or is it something conformational? If you have some pics I am sure people on here could give advice on that.
Sounds like she has won you over and it is difficult not to follow your heart!
Good luck!
 
edited the first post and tried to add the website with a picture of her. I was thinking to get the vet out its just a lots of money but i suppose its worth it.
 
It is not a good photo to be honest, her back legs look too long to me but that could just be the angle.

I am also not a fan of the website - it puts some horses ages on but not others, some have prices, others dont. One horse just has a load of photos of her head in a stable!!!
It comes across as unprofessional (just MY opinion, I don't want to start a war!!!)
Given the prices that are up there, I think your one is over priced (sorry).
 
Her confo isnt great maybe thats what she means but she isnt a full cob and she isnt fully developed - you dont want to use her competition riding so I cant see that it will matter that much.
 
I don't think she is 4 years old. I think she looks more like a 2 year old. She's leggy and spindly and VERY bum-high. I would say she is quiet and calm because she's half-starved and hasn't got the energy to do anything else. I know lots of horses look poor coming out winter, but she really doesn't look right to me.

I would definitely have her vetted before you part with a penny for her!
 
Vetting will tell you lots including her true age.Quite honestly if you are happy on her,and you can hack her down the road alone,then vet her.She will look entirely different with condition and will be sharper,but by that time you will have your confidence in her.
Been exactly there myself twice before ..so go for it.

And BTW they were both Irish cob mares too.
 
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i would be cautious of anything that is quiet when underweight and run down,
she is a cob cross, there is some blood in her somewhere, is she going to be as quiet when she is up to weight and feels better?
if i was looking to build my confidence, i would not be buying an under weight 4yo.
 
Thank you so much for all your oppinions. very much appretiated.
My friend said it looks like she might have liver problem or something she just doesnt look right...

I wasnt looking for a 4 years old either.
Although my current horse is 19 when i bought her i was riding her around the menage, she was very nice , kind so i thought oldish horse with experience thats what i need. 1 year down the line i am scared to get on her...
2 weeks ago she backed into a bin lorry on the road on the corner because she decided to nap and take my home... she is extremely nappy and cant handle it anymore.she is a TB never been raced.
They say that irish cobs are very calm normally and they quiet..
Well this horse was very quiet but when i was riding her in the menage she didnt mind it, she did what i wanted her to do, happily jumped cantered...
i know i am kind of sticking up for her and i shouldnt as my friend said it as well i am not there to save a horse i am there to find my horse for life....
but its so weird when i got my dog from the rescue in spain he was the same and you know what you cant get a better dog then him, had him for 6 years now....
I know its a lot of money for this horse i just felt so safe on her..
ill ring the vet today and see what he says.
thanks everyone..
 
ncarter said:
It is not a good photo to be honest, her back legs look too long to me but that could just be the angle.

I am also not a fan of the website - it puts some horses ages on but not others, some have prices, others dont. One horse just has a load of photos of her head in a stable!!!
It comes across as unprofessional (just MY opinion, I don't want to start a war!!!)
Given the prices that are up there, I think your one is over priced (sorry).
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Yes, it's the look of the back legs, and the dark patch on the back of the mare doesn't help it makes her back look wierd, but her back legs definately look a bit wrong (again can't quite put my finger on it but think she is too long in the femur (from the hip to the point of the hock) but, If she gives you the right feeling, takes care of you and your daughter and gives you that much needed confidence, I would have her vetted. A horse is worth what someone is willing to pay.
 
gwenllian said:
i would be cautious of anything that is quiet when underweight and run down,
she is a cob cross, there is some blood in her somewhere, is she going to be as quiet when she is up to weight and feels better?
if i was looking to build my confidence, i would not be buying an under weight 4yo.
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I agree with this, I bought myself a second horse in January, I already own a 20yr old TB and decided to buy a 4yr old TB. He was underweight, riddled with lice and had scabby legs. 9wks on he is definately a different kettle of fish and very hard work. If you are after a confidence giver I would not buy a 4 yr old
 
I wouldn't buy a 4 year old either! Don't be thinking that cobs don't nap, they can be as nappy as anything. They are not all placid either! She will need confident handling and riding to teach her that she needs to learn at this age, and you will probably need to have lessons to overcome your loss of confidence.
I bought a 9 year old schoolmaster and he ruined my confidence completely! We have worked through it all now though, but it has been a hell of a struggle. If you have lost your confidence I would suggest working on fixing that before rushing out and getting a new horse. Or buy one you know is going to be suitable.
 
Well, she's croup high, and herr hind legs are very long and straight. Shes also very underweight.
From the pictures I would say she is either under 4, or over 15, and has had a hard life whatever her age! Personally I'd walk away, especially at that price, but if you are sure she is the 'one' then have a 5 stage vetting, they arent "that" expensive, and will save you thousands in the long run
This is the link for those who cant find it http://www.midlandshorsesforsale.co.uk/product_15hh_irish_x_skewbald_mare_20.htm

Good luck x
 
Google the phone numbers to find the other names these dealers trade under.

Anyone got a spare bargepole?

Ditto to the conformation comments and what is the betting she has been exposed to the colts around the place?
 
The mare doesnt have the best conformation TBH but otherwise looks ok. for a horse for hacking and just to love. I cant see how anyone could say about liverdamage without bloods being taken. If you have ridden the mare and like her then what others think is irrelevant.have a 5 stage vetting done and bloods taken to check for whatever you think necessary including tranquiliser and pregnancy. Just give your vet a call on Monday and discuss the mare with her/him.
 
the photo doesnt do the horse justice what so ever, its taken at a forty five degree angle away from the camera which i think is what makes her back legs look very strange, she is underweight but dealers dont keep horses for long so she may havent been there for long and probably wont be on the best feed if any either, if you like her go for the vetting as you will no doubt just say oh but what if, if you decide not too
 
gwenllian said:
i would be cautious of anything that is quiet when underweight and run down,
she is a cob cross, there is some blood in her somewhere, is she going to be as quiet when she is up to weight and feels better?
if i was looking to build my confidence, i would not be buying an under weight 4yo.
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Sorry I too agree with gwenllian. I went down the route of an agent as I needed a confidence giver that I could safely hack out with my 10 year old daugther and didn't want to get it wrong. Can highly recommend the lady I used as she really worked hard to find my horse and I'm 100% happy with him. PM me if you want her contact details. I did, however, have a much bigger budget than £1,500.
 
If your friends got good experience id go with her gut instict. Doesnt mean you cant try other cobs. Also you could ask for a trial, if the seller has nothing to hide this shouldn't be a problem, then you can see how you get on with them for a little longer.
i have an irish cob, got him when he was 4 (now had him 6years) i can ride and lead off him & trust him with my life. i do have to ride him with a whip an spurs alot of the time and when i want to do a little more, i give him comp mix and he will jump anything- taken him hunting and done up to pre novice on him ! (he just struggles with the times).
Although alot of people think theyre just plods, i think theyre worth their weight in gold :D. Good luck
 
Very interesting others thought the age was different as my first thought was that horse looked young for 4.

I'm not sure of your riding history but TBH /any/ horse will nap/spook sometimes at some things. Some just do it more than others.

Have you tried having a few lessons (much cheaper than a new horse!) to build your confidence on your tb? I always think I've been lucky to ride a spooky horse because ALL horses will spook/nap sometimes and now I've had more practice at dealing with it :-)
 
Doesn't look 4 to me either. I would be very cautious of buying something poor as a confidence giver, they can be totally different with some condition on. I would keep looking if I was you.
 
Tickles said:
Very interesting others thought the age was different as my first thought was that horse looked young for 4.

I'm not sure of your riding history but TBH /any/ horse will nap/spook sometimes at some things. Some just do it more than others.

Have you tried having a few lessons (much cheaper than a new horse!) to build your confidence on your tb? I always think I've been lucky to ride a spooky horse because ALL horses will spook/nap sometimes and now I've had more practice at dealing with it :-)
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Hi, my Tb is not spooky she is brill that way she just extremely nappy. she has been like this all her lifes so she has not really been hacked out alone, i thought i can do it but its an every day struggle and i dont have time to fight with her for 30mins-2hours every time i want to take her out. she will just nap whenever she decides she wants to go home, she scared me because she is not scared to back in to a lorry or anything when she doesnt want to go forward... thats why i want a horse which is not nappy in any way. i dont mind the odd spook etc . obviously they all have feelings they are not machines but my horse puts me in danger all the time. i have 7.5 miles off road riding but to get there i have to go through a very busy bendy narrow road where cars are going fast and when she decides to nap on the corner its very dangerous. also she wont lead my daughters pony , she rather push them down the ditch then go in front. i had enough of the fighting and she should go to a teenage girl who wants to compete , hack out with friends...
and i need a calm , quiet sensible horse.:)
 
I think you really want this horse and you are wanting some one to say yes buy her, but every one is saying no. I can't advise you but i can tell you that last year i bought a 4 year old irish cob who is the origional dope on a rope. He did cost a lot of money, came from a reputable dealer and was fully vetted. Get your horse vetted, even just a three part vetting will give you more facts to base your decision on. Good luck.
 
From some of the comments i was expecting something worse than the pic its a rubbish pic and horse isnt turned out very well, not the best condition but not that terrible would look a different horse with tlc.

If you are suffering from confidence issues a 4 year old probably isnt the best choice i back a few youngsters bring them on and young horses can often nap or be unsure until they get there confidence and if you are nervous it is not a good combination.

There is no reason even for 1500 you couldnt get something wouldnt be a world beater but you should be able to get a sensible type maybe go for something older.

If you saved a little bit more it would open up your options alot,what i would say is once horses have condition on and are fit they can be very different cobs arent always easy.

I bring on to sell a few i like to have them fit well fed in good condition then you get a true picture of how the horse is going to be i would always take a horse back as i invest alot of time in them so best to sell to the right person, i would always wonder about anyone who sells a horse unkempt in need of tlc.

It doesnt say alot about them i wont sell my youngsters until they are experienced in most normal situations in good condition and have been out to a few shows rides etc then you know what kind of ride they will be,go for something with a bit more experience and in better condition then you are unlikely to have so may surprises thrown at you.
 
Hi,

It would be worth considering that she is in awful condition at the moment and with good grass and hopefully an attempt to get her into condition this may change her behaviour entirely. She will possibly liven up alot! Worth considering because at the moment she looks tired and probably just behaves well as she has no energy.

A suggestion which might not interest you is an ex polo pony. If you find the right one you can get them for virtually nothing (free- £1000), the good ones are excellent to hack, do not bat an eyelid at leading another pony as they do this daily, they are exceptionally well mannered, and in my opinion just what you want.

I have older polo ponies which I bought cheaply and I have also found friends ponies for free, they hack on the beach, take jumping, the kids ride them.

If you were interested pm me and I could keep an eye out.

PS: the ex high goal polo ponies are not what I mean as they are speedy!
 
Doggylicious said:
edited the first post and tried to add the website with a picture of her. I was thinking to get the vet out its just a lots of money but i suppose its worth it.
Click to expand...

trust me, getting the horse vetted is not 'lots of money' compared to the money you will spend if she isnt right and you end up having to pay money for xrays/operations/medication etc...to face the heartbreak of having to have the horse PTS. Im only saying this because it happened to me. Go with your heart and let the vet assess her. If your friend is not a vet then shes not worth listening to IMO
 
This little mare has touched you, hasn't she ? The photo's are not good, but I totally understand why you like her. Get her vetted- be there when its done (very important, so vet can discuss his impressions more fully).
Is your friend really an authority on horses or does she just talk a good talk ?
Its always a gamble buying a new horse and going for an older horse really means nothing when it comes down to it. My 4 yr old mare is a total star, non spooky, pretty bombproof,and with brakes, while friends 11yr old is a complete baby who prefers reversing to walking forwards.
I once bought a young mare very much like yours. Looking at the for sale photo's, I laugh at how awful she looked then.She became my horse of a lifetime. A loved, cared for, fit horse is what this mare will be in a few months if the vet thinks she's suitable and healthy.
Really hope everything goes well for you. A horse you feel safe on is worth its weight in gold.
 
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