Where to look for a horse nowadays

[zoon]

It looks like my horse is going to be retired from ridden work so I’m going to be looking for another horse. I last bought a horse 15 years ago so a lot has changed since then! So where are the best places to look?

 

[JenJ]

Well, you could start a thread on a horse forum, state what you're looking for, and let loose a whole load of forumites who love a bit of virtual horse shopping!

I'm joking but also serious.

 

[JenJ]

I apologise, I seem to have given you dud advice!

 

[dixie]

Horsequest
Equestrian Noticeboard

I put a wanted on Facebook, which was fun (maybe not) but I did actually find my current horse through this and it was before he hit the market.

 

[blitznbobs]

Horse quest or Facebook

 

[zoon]

I apologise, I seem to have given you dud advice!

What do you mean? Is it not allowed?

 

[zoon]

Didn’t think horse advertising was allowed on FB anymore. At least it’s not in any of the groups I am in

 

[JenJ]

What do you mean? Is it not allowed?

No, it's allowed! I meant that no one had yet posted to offer to help!

What is it that you're looking for?

 

[Horseysheepy]

Preloved and NFED are worth a look.

 

[zoon]

What is it that you're looking for?

A 4/5/6 year old, unbacked, 14.2hh-16hh.

 

[Spotherisk]

And where in the country, type, sex, and what might you want to do with the horse…

 

[spacefaer]

And approx budget

And where in the country, type, sex, and what might you want to do with the horse…

 

[sollimum]

I put up a horse wanted post on a popular fb group and someone I knew contacted me about my lovely lad and I viewed him before he was advertised. I was inundated with horses.

 

[blodwyn1]

I put an advert up on a Facebook group for cobs stating exactly what I needed. I was contacted by a lovely lady miles away. After several videos I agreed to buy on a one month trial and that's how I got my wonderful Bramble.

 

[zoon]

And where in the country, type, sex, and what might you want to do with the horse…

I’m in the south east, but I’m willing to travel within England

Not fussed about gelding (or even stallion, but it would be gelded) or mare

Flexible on type - I just want a nice all rounder. I am completely non competitive, but really enjoy the training. Beach rides, jumping up to 90/100, xc, working equitation - I like to try a bit of everything! Most types are capable of that

Love working with young horses so I always buy unstarted.

My only deal breaker is I will never consider a grey

 

[Sarys]

Preloved and NFED are worth a look.

Can I ask what NFED is please.

 

[Birker2020]

 

[Birker2020]

It looks like my horse is going to be retired from ridden work so I’m going to be looking for another horse. I last bought a horse 15 years ago so a lot has changed since then! So where are the best places to look?

Just make sure you look on both Whickr and Horsequest as people often have the same horse on both, there is one I've noticed which is £10,750 on Whickr and £12.5K on HQ.
Just seen a very unlevel looking one on HQ in the £12 - £14K range

 

[MatHalTed]

I’m in the south east, but I’m willing to travel within England

Not fussed about gelding (or even stallion, but it would be gelded) or mare

Flexible on type - I just want a nice all rounder. I am completely non competitive, but really enjoy the training. Beach rides, jumping up to 90/100, xc, working equitation - I like to try a bit of everything! Most types are capable of that

Love working with young horses so I always buy unstarted.

My only deal breaker is I will never consider a grey

Not sure how sporty of a type you're looking for but Bosanko Sport Horses always have some nice, unbacked 3-4 year olds in. They're continental warmblood types but tend to be well priced as they're quite raw. I've not bought one from them (yet lol), but friends of mine have bought and produced quite a few youngsters from them and they seem honest and reputable. I think they're Devon based so a bit of a trek from the South East but doable.

 

[kchgax]

I've had the best luck by posting wanted ads, which are quite detailed in terms of what you're looking for, what sort of home you can offer etc. It seems to attract those who aren't desperate to sell and/or haven't yet advertised, those who are looking for a specific type of home, or those who aren't 100% sure on selling (so likely holding on to a good horse) but can be persuaded by the home you're offering. I've posted these on Facebook groups, Preloved etc.

Facebook seems to be quite a popular place to advertise, but you do see many known unscrupulous sellers under aliases. The "Dodgy Dealers" group is helpful to check who you're buying from, but some of the posters do seem to have a personal vendetta in some cases, so you have to take what's said with a bit of a pinch of salt in my experience.

If I'm browsing I quite like the following, I think the cost of advertising on these seems to put some of the dodgier people off (but not all, obviously!):

Hunting Classifieds
Equestrian Noticeboard
HorseQuest

If you're willing to take a bit of a gamble (or if you can get on a plane/boat to go and view) you can get some absolutely fantastic horses from Ireland. I've done this for the past few years. You quite often see horses for sale in the UK that've come over from Ireland (often Goresbridge sales) a few weeks ago with a whopping great £ margin added.