Where have all the good horses gone?

K

krushby

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2004
Messages
71
Location
Kent
Visit site
Is it just me that gets fed up with looking for a horse to buy? Surely this should be exciting, but everyone time I get my hopes up having arranged a viewing, I end up getting disappointed. So far I have had a lame horse, one that bit me whilst being tacked up, one I suspect was doped, several that I couldn't stop even in trot, despite being 'extremely soft in the mouth', little angels that have bronced in the school ('she's not normally like this'), have heard several times 'they've never done that before' etc etc I could go on.

I'm quite open-minded (I think) and am not looking for a superstar. Surely it shouldn't be this difficult!!!!

End of rant.

Despondent horse-buyer
 
I totally know what you mean :(

I'm looking for something safe but will do a decent dressage test a bit of jumping and have a bit of fun on and we have a fairly good budget yet there seems to be nothing even worth ringing about!

However, went to see one today who was lovely but want to see some more for a comparison but there is nothing I think is even worth going to look at. Mehh I hate horse hunting :(
 
I'm looking for a native/cobby type and I agree there is nothing out there atm. Things that are available to buy are reasonable prices, but some for good reason.

Chin up, keep looking - places like NFED and horsequest tend to have some good ones. Failing that try a reputable local dealer.
 
No one seems to believe the time and petrol i have spent trying to find 'the one'! I am now patiently letting a tried and trusted dealer find him for me and not trying anymore elsewhere, its just way too much like hard work - totally agree wit you!
 
Kokopelli said:
I totally know what you mean :(

I'm looking for something safe but will do a decent dressage test a bit of jumping and have a bit of fun on and we have a fairly good budget yet there seems to be nothing even worth ringing about!

However, went to see one today who was lovely but want to see some more for a comparison but there is nothing I think is even worth going to look at. Mehh I hate horse hunting :(
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're looking for something similar to me. I just want something fairly sensible that would be competitive at unaff eventing and prelim/Nov dressage. Don't mind putting a bit of schooling work in if it had potential. Wanted something older as have a very full-time job that wouldn't matter if it was only ridden one night during the week. Wondering whether the only way forward is to have a youngster and bring it on myself but not sure this is really the way to go.

Having had a break from having a horse for 3-4 years, I just want to go out and have some fun. The more I read about what everyone else is up to on here at weekends, the more I want to be out there too!
 
I know exactly what you mean... looking for a pony with dressage capabilities that doesn't cost the earth! So far people have cancelled, or dont seem to want to sell, don't want to send pics/videos.

Like you say this should be an exciting time, but I am becoming gradually dispondent!

I am sure if shouldn't be this hard, I know I was very forunate with my old chap as he was super talented, safe and genuine.... but surely there are others out there?!?!?
 
krushby said:
Sounds like you're looking for something similar to me. I just want something fairly sensible that would be competitive at unaff eventing and prelim/Nov dressage. Don't mind putting a bit of schooling work in if it had potential. Wanted something older as have a very full-time job that wouldn't matter if it was only ridden one night during the week. Wondering whether the only way forward is to have a youngster and bring it on myself but not sure this is really the way to go.

Having had a break from having a horse for 3-4 years, I just want to go out and have some fun. The more I read about what everyone else is up to on here at weekends, the more I want to be out there too!
Click to expand...

We have a rule when were looking now, if the horse is further away then 45mins we ask for a video befor we go and look, it has saved a lot of time.

They seem very rare, were looking between 13hh and 14hh though and the amount that have been advertised as kids ponies which are nuts is frightening!
 
golddustsara said:
I'm looking for a native/cobby type and I agree there is nothing out there atm. Things that are available to buy are reasonable prices, but some for good reason.

Chin up, keep looking - places like NFED and horsequest tend to have some good ones. Failing that try a reputable local dealer.
Click to expand...

If I were looking for a native my starting point would be breed society websites.
 
I don't know where shouts in the country you all are, but I know of loads of nice horses for sale... Not just ours either haha! Please pm me if you'd like and I can let you know

Happy horse hunting

Xxx
 
I know what you mean. I have been looking since about easter and thought I had a sensible budget for a decent horse I can work on a bit and just do some general all rounder stuff and hacking. As it turns out everyone wants that sort of horse and my budget has not been big enough...but that is if I have even found them! The whole time I have been looking, I would have been very lucky to find a decent horse around my area.

Now given up to focus on my career and hope in a year or two the decent horses will start popping up again :)
 
Good horses usually sell by word of mouth - every horse ive bought have been through wom!

Try asking your local saddlers if they know of any horses for sale.
 
You should get in touch with an Equine Agent - they do the work of looking for the horses for you and only if they think it is suitable, do they ask you to come along too and try it. It saves you a lot of time and hassle.
 
Sounds like I'm not the only one feeling despondent. Beginning to wonder whether I was just being unrealistic, or whether it's just my riding ability that nothing I try goes well!

EFS - I'm in Kent too so I'll PM you.
 
I've got 4 of the good ones, but unfortunately for the rest of the world, none are for sale :D:D:D:D:D:D

I know what you mean though, lot of rubbish out there and very few good ones worth buying, I think the reality is people hang on to good horses, they are so hard to find x
 
There are loads of good horses on market at the moment and I have one of them but have had such little interest I assumed noone was looking, He is the right height, age, breed and is very, very cheap for what he is (registered connemara) but I had to drop the price as had no interest whatsoever so I do not know what the problem is.
 
I have been on the other side of this - trying to sell my mare this year.

She is a really lovely, but isn't for a novice rider, only due to the fact that she will take the pee if allowed to, but if someone rides her with half a brain (well I have managed up til now, and I am no wonderful rider at all...) she is lovely, good on the flat, super jump, fun out hacking, always ridden in a snaffle etc etc (I could go on and bore everyone to tears!!!)

The only people who have been interested in her have been absolutely numpty riders - one who came to view her just slid out of the side door going round the corner - and my mare literally didn't do anything other than trotting around the corner!! And TBH she was about the best of the bunch that came to view her :eek: :eek:

I have now taken her off the market and my friend has had her for over the winter - which is frustrating - but mainly for the time and effort gone into having her ready for each viewing, time & money spent advertising etc etc

Why couldn't I find a decent buyer?!?!?! :D :D
 
They are definitely out there you just have to keep a beady eye out. My boy is a superstar and am so pleased with him. He is a baby though (4) but there must be older ones out there too.
 
Maybe a lot of people are hanging on because of the supposedly "poor" market at the moment? Why don't you try a wanted ad? Sometimes you have to be very careful about who responds to them but as long as you do your homework before purchasing you should be ok.

Someone else mentioned an agent, I used a brilliant one when I was looking for my boy and I wouldn't hesitate in using her again should I need to buy another (hopefully not for a while). Worth every penny and she foiled a few dodgy sellers too. PM me if you want details.
 
krushby said:
Sounds like you're looking for something similar to me. I just want something fairly sensible that would be competitive at unaff eventing and prelim/Nov dressage. Don't mind putting a bit of schooling work in if it had potential. Wanted something older as have a very full-time job that wouldn't matter if it was only ridden one night during the week. Wondering whether the only way forward is to have a youngster and bring it on myself but not sure this is really the way to go.

Having had a break from having a horse for 3-4 years, I just want to go out and have some fun. The more I read about what everyone else is up to on here at weekends, the more I want to be out there too!
Click to expand...

Without raining on your parade - there are very very few horses who can manage competing with only being worked once in the week. I also have a full time job so am at a yard which does have lights in the school.
 
I was looking this time last year and did over 1200miles!!!!

In the end I realised it was a complete waste of time going to see horses that had been advertised more than a week. Both times I have been looking I came to the same conclusion


First time I saw horse advertised late one night, I bought him the next day.

Then this last time when I got Micah he was advertised in the morning and I viewed him in the evening. 5 yr old WB exc temperament!! not fizzy, perfect type ideal to train for RC with nice movement and a good pop but a bit green especially jumping. Only paid £2500 too

I know people say the market is bad right now, but to be honest I don't think it is that bad I think decent horses will always sell at a good price, because there are so many not so good ones out there.

Previous time when I was looking for one for hubby a nervous novice, which I stressed when enquiring, I was bolted with, reared with, and nearly bucked off !!! good god if hubby had even seen these he would never have gone near a horse. Some of these were for loan too
 
Last edited:
soulfull said:
I was looking this time last year and did over 1200miles!!!!

In the end I realised it was a complete waste of time going to see horses that had been advertised more than a week. Both times I have been looking I came to the same conclusion


First time I saw horse advertised late one night, I bought him the next day.

Then this last time when I got Micah he was advertised in the morning and I viewed him in the evening. 5 yr old WB exc temperament!! not fizzy, perfect type ideal to train for RC with nice movement and a good pop but a bit green especially jumping. Only paid £2500 too

I know people say the market is bad right now, but to be honest I don't think it is that bad I think decent horses will always sell at a good price, because there are so many not so good ones out there.

Previous time when I was looking for one for hubby a nervous novice, which I stressed when enquiring, I was bolted with, reared with, and nearly bucked off !!! good god if hubby had even seen these he would never have gone near a horse. Some of these were for loan too
Click to expand...

Agree with all above - good horses are few and far between but do seem to sell quickly - been pipped to the post twice of late and I'm on the case quickly too!
 
I could say - where have all the good buyers gone?

One woman came to see mine after numerous detailed phone conversations and photos and said they were exactly as described (phew!) but not at all what she was looking for.... ??

Why come and see them then???

Got straightforward nice easy well schooled hunter for sale, works nicely on the flat (changes, half pass etc), jumps anything XC, careful SJ - had him sold twice, passed the vet, deposit paid etc etc and then both people changed their minds......

words fail me TBH!
 
Luci07 said:
Without raining on your parade - there are very very few horses who can manage competing with only being worked once in the week. I also have a full time job so am at a yard which does have lights in the school.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that I'd ride once during the week and then pull it out for a competition that weekend, just that if I had a bad week at work, it wouldn't be a complete loony if it hadn't been ridden for a couple of days.

Jayney - can you PM me some more details or send me a link to the ad?
 
I have 2 nice horses that will be for sale - i havnt advertised them yet though for several reasons.
Mainly im in no rush to sell them and i refuse to have people look, waste my time by being late / not turn up at all and then after that offer me £xxx below the asking price.

Im not the only one that feels like this either - i know several people holding onto nice horses for the same reason.
 
I have some fab horses. 2 youngsters were bred to be sold, but at the moment people think they can buy them for peanuts (it's a buyers market.....). I'd rather wait, continue working with them & then sell them when they will go for something reflecting what they are worth. They are real quality from the very best lines, & aren't being advertised at the moment as too many buyers think they can force you to a rediculous price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top