What to do? Private sellers, dealers, importing?

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april89

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I'm looking for a straightfowards and safe allrounder to go out and have lots of fun with doing a bit of everything. I don't think that I am being too fussy (6-18ys, 14.2-17hh, mare or gelding, any breed or colour, easy to handle, safe to ride, correct flatwork [although basic is fine] and confidence giving over an easy 3ft course) but my budget is fairly limited with an upper limit of £4k and I have struggled to find suitable horses inside of this.

What would you do/where would you look/recommend looking if you were trying to find a horse that fitted this bill? So far I have been looking at horses from private sellers within a 1.5hr drive but I think that I must meet/know the wrong people as so far this has proven fruitless.

As a result I am considering going to a dealer (but horror stories have made me wary) or I am toying with the idea of importing a horse. Possibly from mainland Europe but probably Ireland. Although, again I'm aware that there can be pitfalls and dishonest people here too.

Please help! If anyone can recommend any reputable and suitable dealers in the South East or any reputable importers or agents that it might be worth contacting in my search it would be greatly appreciated. Please PM if you'd prefer.

Stories, experiences and opinions from anyone who's gone through any of these before would also be more than welcome.

Thank you! :)
 
Surely you'd have even less to spend if you then also had to pay for the importing of the animal too?

There's no harm in looking at dealers :)
 
Have you tried wanted ads? Have you contacted local pony club/ riding club leaders, put the word around local farriers, dentists, instructors etc. for nice allrounders word of mouth is almost always the best - they rarely make it as far as an advert (probably why you haven't had much job with ads)
Your budget looks fair for the upper age range - the right one will be out there.
If you import firstly you won't be able to try as much as you might with a local horse and secondly a chunk of your budget will go on importing. I'd try word of mouth first.
 
It's definatly worth pming snorkey.
And I would open up your search area and drive further.
And keep looking vets boards tack shop feed merchants everywhere.
I would not go to Europe and while it's possible in Ireland the costs will eat into your budget and you will find one .
 
Thanks everyone. I have got a couple of wanted ads up which have led to a couple of horses which were close to the mark but unfortunately nothing as yet. I have been considering putting one on horsequest, I don't know if that might be more successful?

I do understand the extra cost that importing a horse would eat out of my budget but I wasn't sure if it might work out more cost effective if I could view a few in a weekend?I'm more than happy to travel in the UK but it gets expensive doing 3hr round trips in various directions if they're unsuccessful. Buying from a dealer might save the travelling but they generally have already added the import costs on themselves etc which is why I was wondering about going straight to the source? I'm more than happy to look at reputable dealers though so thanks Maxine1985 for the recommendation. :)
 
One of mine I imported from Belgium. The other I bought from a dealer. Both have been wonderful. Ask around your area for a well thought of dealer. Don't forget they have a reputation to maintain so it's not in their interests to con you.
 
In the SE area, Southgate Farm, Clip Clop and Prestwood Farm seem to get good mentions on here.

Prestwood is a bit pricey and when I went there both them and CC basically have a fair few Irish horses that you could get a lot cheaper over there, but they've imported them, tidied them up and done a bit of work on them, so you do pay for that to an extent. I found them both pretty straightforward, particularly Emma from Clip Clop, although I didn't buy from either in the end. The younger ones will be a little on the green side in schooling terms but they seem to have some older and more established types.

I'd def see what comes up from this forum as personal recomm def the way forward in my view!

I'd prefer private sellers as you should get more history on the horse, although there are dodgy versions of everyone out there whether dealers or private, so I'd have a healthy level of caution for any of 'em.
 
I do both private and dealers there's great bargains to be had private if you know what you are looking for and have the facilities at home, I always buy projects and am probally best unpicking problem underperforming horses I have great fun it the last few years with a couple odd older projects they are fun you just crack on and sort out rather than waiting for them to mature.
I am suprised that OP can't find an alrounder for her budget near her home .
 
I used to be hugely dealer phobic, and I still am over a ones I don't know but since starting work with a horse agent I've realised they're not all bad.

I've sent you a pm with some videos and info don't want to get told off for advertising on here.
 
Both my last two (that I bought - not the freebys) came from dealers, I went with friend who was 'known' in the dealer world - so was someone they wouldn't mess about! and was very very picky.

If you can try multiple times, get full independent vetting and the dealer has a long estabilished reputation which they value - there's not much more risk really than buying privately. Do your homework !
 
If you're looking for an all round pleasure horse and are willing to go as old as 18 I am surprised you haven't found anything suitable. My boy is exactly as what you describe I have had him since he was 14 and he is now 24, I would never have put a value of more than £2k on him at any point.

There are lots of horses advertised claiming to be exactly what you are looking for and they start from £1k including tack - now is not a good time for selling as prices are low right now, it is a buyers market. I have just bought a 9yr old Dutch Warmblood for £750 including tack, he is very sweet but a little green hence his price, to be honest he worth much more but in the current market I was able to push the price right down.
 
BacollisMum, I think the problem is I've managed to find the people *claiming* to have what I'm looking for. Unfortunately I have turned up to suspicious 8 year gaps in their history and no registered name (on an imported WB), the 'very occasional' bucker bucking 9 times in 25 minutes... :o

Other than that I'm either being too fussy or looking in the wrong places? Your WB sounds lovely!

Thanks everyone for all of your help so far. :)
 
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