Where have all the good horses gone?

Buying and selling horses is such a nightmare! It's a lottery really.

18 months ago I wanted a 7/8 yr old quality but safe allrounder for low level affiliated, budget 5k. What I found was loads of unsuitable horses being sold by people who just wanted the money. I basically wasted the money buying something awful. It was a really bad experience! I got done over by 2 different dealers, tried loads of unschooled horses.

I came to the conclusion that I was super super picky! The horse I wanted didn't exist in my budget basically. Im so fussy, and I think it's because the horses I had in the past were real stars, owned by my family for the whole of their life. My other horse was a youngster I had brought on and she highlighted how awful the ones I was trying were.

In the end I decided to get another youngster. It was the only way I could get the quality and temp that I wanted. He is super duper. It's not easy bringing on a 4/5 yr old but I can hopefully make him perfect for me and he should last forever. It's nice starting with a blank canvas that has no issues. They take consistent work though.

I feel for you! Word of mouth is usually the best way to find horses. Try your local riding clubs. Problem is once people find a 'star' they often want to keep them forever! That's how I feel about my youngster now, after the work I have put in I wouldn't sell him.. Not for all the tea in china and if he was sold I could never afford to replace him.

It's tough. Otherwise have u thought about loaning? Maybe a nice schoolmaster you could loan while the owners at uni or something?

Good luck, I'm sure you will find your perfect partner eventually :).
 
firewell said:
Buying and selling horses is such a nightmare! It's a lottery really.

18 months ago I wanted a 7/8 yr old quality but safe allrounder for low level affiliated, budget 5k. What I found was loads of unsuitable horses being sold by people who just wanted the money. I basically wasted the money buying something awful. It was a really bad experience! I got done over by 2 different dealers, tried loads of unschooled horses.

I came to the conclusion that I was super super picky! The horse I wanted didn't exist in my budget basically. Im so fussy, and I think it's because the horses I had in the past were real stars, owned by my family for the whole of their life. My other horse was a youngster I had brought on and she highlighted how awful the ones I was trying were.

In the end I decided to get another youngster. It was the only way I could get the quality and temp that I wanted. He is super duper. It's not easy bringing on a 4/5 yr old but I can hopefully make him perfect for me and he should last forever. It's nice starting with a blank canvas that has no issues. They take consistent work though.
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See this is my problem, my last 2 horses have both been youngsters and I would love another one, but...

One was easily the most talented horse I'll ever have but turned out to be chronically nappy and a dangerous rearer to the point where I decided I couldn't sell her to anyone else. After two years of blood (not a lot fortunately) buckets of sweat and even more tears, I pretty much gave her to a friend of mine who knew exactly what she was like and kept her as a pet.

The second one had a massive buck and I just couldn't stay on him - not helped by the fact that he grew far bigger than I expected him to. Culminated in a broken arm in plaster for six months. Had him out on loan and then due to my personal circumstances at the time, ended up selling him out of a field for nothing.

After 3 years break, I'm desperate to try again, but am terrified of making another mistake. Buying an older horse feels a bit more like a known quantity whereas IMHO it feels like you don't know what sort of temperament they're going to have when they're so green. But, as you say you have to put up with all of the bad habits created over their lives rather than start them from scratch.

Perhaps I need some tips on what to look for in a young horse so you know what they're going to be like as a stroppy teenager? Maybe its just me, maybe I have a talent for turning nice horses into monsters in which case I definitely shouldn't have another youngster!

Sorry for the long tale.
 
Well I've got a superstar horse, I haven't advertised him much at all but even so I've had about 5 calls about him - all sound really keen on the phone and say he's just what they're looking for so they'll phone me back with when they can view but then I never hear from them again! I've given up and turned the horse away on his winter break. Will try again in the spring - best time to sell anyway.
 
I was desperatley trying to sell my horse

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-for-sale/allrounder-horse/Smart-Allrounder__2-10-10-611428

I dont really know anybody I am new to the area so work of mouth doesnt help so he went in Horse and Hound 4 times and horse deals once and I have had hardly any calls and of what I did half were looking for a BE or BSJA prospect and he is just far too quiet for all that. I really don't know why I have had no interest, I think the price is right? Due to lack of interest so now I'm thinking of taking him off the market untill the spring not that I have the time or the money to look after him properly which I really HATE! but my friend is interested in sharing him which helps me out BIG time. I think lots of people are like me have spent lots of time advertising with no results
 
painted ponies said:
I was desperatley trying to sell my horse

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-for-sale/allrounder-horse/Smart-Allrounder__2-10-10-611428

I dont really know anybody I am new to the area so work of mouth doesnt help so he went in Horse and Hound 4 times and horse deals once and I have had hardly any calls and of what I did half were looking for a BE or BSJA prospect and he is just far too quiet for all that. I really don't know why I have had no interest, I think the price is right? Due to lack of interest so now I'm thinking of taking him off the market untill the spring not that I have the time or the money to look after him properly which I really HATE! but my friend is interested in sharing him which helps me out BIG time. I think lots of people are like me have spent lots of time advertising with no results
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Hi
I might be wrong but I think your boy may be too cheap! Personally I would expect to pay quite a bit more him as you have described him, so you may find that is putting people off?
Maybe try again in the spring anyway when more people are looking. :)
 
I've got one!! She's going in the paper tomorrow, sad sale as I would love to keep her but not enough time:(

I'm not expecting to sell her tbh as the market is pretty dead at the moment, but giving it a go anyway. Hopefully there will be a lovely person out there just perfect for her:).

Keep looking, I'm sure your perfect horse is out there, just sometimes takes time.
 
I know. I had 2 fail the vetting. The most recent failed vetting was the perfect horse as well. My dream horse who I didn't think I would find, but the results were too bad for me to take him on. I've already got one (young) retiree living with me, and don't want another anytime soon.

I've viewed so many now, and the majority have depressed me, and are either not as described, or have done too much, too young and their legs are blemished and even I could see in my own trial they would not pass a vetting. (I currently have a 17.2, 9 yr old who was jumped far too hard at the age of 4, and he's totally worn out now, which is why I am sensitive to this)

I got online yesterday afternoon, and after discounted lots I rang 7 up - all had been sold! I have a huge Budget and all I want is a sensible allrounder who hacks alone and will do me proud in the dressage ring .... oh and is sound!
 
I have just found one - early days yet but so far he has been exactly as described and the seller has offered me a 2mnth warranty, depite being a private seller, as wants the horse and myself to be happy.

Prior to this in the last few weeks I have had only bad experiences trying horses - had one buck me off over an 18'' x pole, another tank off around the arena pulling my stomach muscles, one that was lame, and one that was a different horse to photo in ad! It got to the stage that I started to doubt my own riding ability and judgement......

One day I phoned to enquire about 12 horses that on paper ticked all the boxes, but on further enquiries all had a 'but'. There are a lot of horses for sale atm which makes it harder to sift through.

I had got to the stage of giving up and waiting until spring, but touch wood may have found the right one,

Good Luck!!
 
painted ponies said:
I was desperatley trying to sell my horse

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-for-sale/allrounder-horse/Smart-Allrounder__2-10-10-611428

I dont really know anybody I am new to the area so work of mouth doesnt help so he went in Horse and Hound 4 times and horse deals once and I have had hardly any calls and of what I did half were looking for a BE or BSJA prospect and he is just far too quiet for all that. I really don't know why I have had no interest, I think the price is right? Due to lack of interest so now I'm thinking of taking him off the market untill the spring not that I have the time or the money to look after him properly which I really HATE! but my friend is interested in sharing him which helps me out BIG time. I think lots of people are like me have spent lots of time advertising with no results
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Damn too small - I need 16.2 upwards. I agree that he is too cheap, so you might be missing out on people who may be interested.
 
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I have a super 16hh 6yo ISH gelding for sale who is established on the flat, jumping BN happily and a sensible price. I would expect to sell him through word of mouth as he is so nice and often good horses do go that way.

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You're post really interested me.

I am currently selling one of my mares who is an absolute dream to ride despite being a young TB.

You could stick a child on her and she'd plod around like a Blackpool Beach Donkey.

Ive had 2 different sets of people come to see her and both agreed she was as laidback as I had said after watching me faff with her in the stable, tack her up, work her in and ride her in a nice little outline.
However when they came to ride her she became upset and seriously agitated. Both sets of people were "handsy" and even though i explained that this little mare works off the seat and not the hand, they refused to listen and so the mare appeared to them naughty, nappy and intent on getting rid of them. From the ground it was obvious to me they were "socking" her in the chops and she was just trying to get away from such a harsh contact.

This horse im selling is going to make someone a brilliant little horse but so far everyone who's come to see her have not given her any opportunity to show them what she's really like.

Ive asked less experienced riders to work her for me to try and get her to accept a slightly heavier hand but I dont in all honesty think its fair and I always end up giving the riders a little lesson and getting them to work her the way she likes.

Next time someone comes to view I might be tempted to sort of show them how to push her buttons but I always feel like the potential buyers want to go in the school and just sort of have a play on their own.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do?

I really want this little mare to go off and do a decent job with somebody as she's going to be lovely but I cant seem to get the right riders to view her
 
Kokopelli said:
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!
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Have you had a look on the PC website? :)
 
pip6 said:
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.
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That is so true. I have a nicely bred, home bred 3 year old for sale who has done all basic groundwork including lungeing, long-reining and has been sat on. I advertised her all over the place as ready for someone to bring on etc and not had one sensible enquiry. In fact the only enquiries have been a text message saying they were interested if she was under £1000 - er, I don't think so, and an email asking if I would part-exchange! I emailed back asking "part-exchange for what?" . . . needless to say I've had no reply. She was bred to be sold but, like you, she will now be brought on and sold for a price commensurate with her value in the fullness of time
 
krushby said:
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
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Oh my goodness I could have written this post!

I've been looking for a year now, and have gone from excited to thoroughly fed up with the whole thing.

I've also been to see horses not as described, not sound, that bronced, that could barely manage a canter transition, covered in unexplained scars, that the owner was clearly scared of etc etc etc

I just want a nice sensible all rounder that is up to decent level RC competitions and 16hh or more (DH is tall, otherwise we'd happily look at smaller). We have a decent budget but haven't seen anything that has made us want to part with our cash yet.
 
but it isn't all bad owners misrepresenting their horses. I am looking to sell my boy, which I never thought I would do, because something else has come out of the blue who we really think will event, and he won't. Does a great test, showjumps, will follow over fixed fences but with all the work, will never go XC properly - he always tries to SJ them and I decided I didn't want to scare him off or cause an accident. I had hung onto him because he is so much fun but will try the market BUT I have asked a friend to sell him on my behalf with certain conditions attached. If I can't find the right home, he doesn't go and neither am I going to have a firesale as I dont' need to sell him - and seeing as he has (touch wood) stayed clear of the vet except for flu and tet I know he is sound! But last time when I seriously did think about selling him, I was completely up front that he would not event properly and all the would be buyers thought they could get to do this. I would not put my horse through that, we have tried for a very long time!. He is out competing now at dressage and showjumping, so if I can't find him a nice geniune home, then I will keep him, affiliate him and put money/points on! so it does work both ways. He is very straightforward ride with a cheeky streak and big character so we will see!
 
Katt said:
Oh my goodness I could have written this post!

I've been looking for a year now, and have gone from excited to thoroughly fed up with the whole thing.

QUOTE]

Me too! I have only been looking for 2 - 3 months now but despite asking lots and lots of questions on the phone, specifically saying what I wanted the horse for and what was important to me, I have been to see horses that have ended up being totally unsuitable, had knees the size of footballs, bucked purposefully everytime you ask for canter (and the owner looked suprised when I didn't want to jump it!!! :eek: ) and had such bad confirmation faults there is no way they would be sound after a year of full work.... :(

I am also finding that the good ones are going before I get to them! (working full time not ideal when horse hunting in winter!) I saw the most wonderful horse advertised this week, spent an hour on the phone to the owner, sounded just perfect, arranged to view this weekend, me all excited and now it has been sold already. Not the owners fault obviously but still disheartening.

I am at the point where I am struggling to find the enthusiasm to even go and look. Was really excited when I 1st started looking but now feel thoroughly fed up.....

I understand people hanging on to good horses until the spring rather than selling at a reduced price but I was really hoping to find a nice youngster to spend the winter bonding with and schooling on ready to have some fun next year but am now feeling I will have to wait until spring when the good ones go back on the market....
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Flo_Bell said:
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
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I know just how you feel, we are in the same boat.Lovely 6 yr old novice eventer, genuine but not a numpty's ride. So we get a numpty who fell off (maybe the same one who came to see yours). We had a 64 yr old too. why do people who think they ride better than they can come to see totally unsuitable horses?
We also had someone who's own 6 yr old horse had arthritis asking about him but said he hadn't done enough (i think 7 novices is plenty). I pointed out he was only 6 and maybe they had done a little too much with theirs resulting in arthritis! (it had had over 29 runs as a 5 yr old)
the other thing is, what is a reasonable budget? People seem to expect some amazing perfect horse for £3000
 
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