Where to look for a new horse??

TheEquineOak

TheEquineOak

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There is a high chance I will be moving over to the Lake District in the New Year (yippeeeeeee). My inlaws have about 200acres with stables, sheds, outbuildings etc etc so we will be keeping the horse at home.

I obviously don't want him kept by himself and would like at least one other horse to keep him company.

I know of the obvious places to look however, I am thinking about offering a home to an 'unwanted' horse. Do you really have to go to the sales for these animals? Where else are they advertised?

I would like a horse over 16hh...I have been to York sales and these bigger animals were nowhere to be seen?!

I am just 'window shopping' for the time being. Won't be making a purchase until after winter (when all the prices go up :rolleyes:)

Can anyone tell me where to look?

Thanks :D
 
Well...I'm far from an expert in horse acquiring, but here is my tuppence worth...

Are you looking for a rideable horse? An allrounder? A hack? Or just a companion? This might help other people give you better suggestions than I can.

Horses that are rideable and in good health are rarely just given away. They usually have either physical issues, training issues, or are varying degrees of dangerous.

My instincts say be very wary of a horse that is being sold for a very low price or given away, because there will be a reason. It could be down to change in circumstance or whatever, and I'm sure there are genuinely people out there who are desperate to find a good home. But there are also people out there who are desperate to be rid of a dangerous or broken horse, so be careful.

If you are experienced and confident then you might think about taking on an ex-racehorse. Contact local trainers and see if they have anything looking for a home. However, you will need to invest time, effort and money to turn a racehorse into a normal riding horse. This is something that a good friend of mine has recently done, and though very rewarding, it would have been cheaper and easier to buy a 'ready made' horse in the long run.

Alternatively, if you are able to offer a relaxed lifestyle for an older horse, then that might be a good way to go. Try your local riding clubs, perhaps, and look for something ready to spend a few years as a happy hacker. If you know of any really good local riding schools, some will sell on horses after a few years to private homes offering lighter workloads.

Happy horse shopping!
 
I hadn't thought of riding schools...

There is also a place over in Cumbria called 'Cumbrian Heavy Horses' that loan and sell their big beasts, have ridden with them before and totally overlooked them :(

I currently have a TB eventer (not that I am up to the same standard as he is!) I'm not sure what I want...I'm not experienced enough to take on something that hasn't been broken in but, I don't need a plod either. If I was to take on an ex-racer I would have to pay someone to school it...is this a cop out?!

Money isn't nessessarily an issue...I don't want something 'free to a good home' I just want something that I may be able to help. I'm aware of WHW but I've never known them to have anything big enough.
 
I am saving the pennies to spend a few days next summer at Cumbrian Heavy Horses - they look awesome, especially the beach rides.

RE ex racers - paying someone to help school is not a cop-out at all! Very sensible. My friend's one is turning into a lovely little horse and is slowly winning me over to thoroughbreds in general ;) She bought him directly from his trainer and he is exactly as described, so that was well worth doing and a better option than the sales as you have more idea what you are getting IMO.
 
Steorra said:
I am saving the pennies to spend a few days next summer at Cumbrian Heavy Horses - they look awesome, especially the beach rides.
Click to expand...

Oh really! My OH paid for us to for my birthday in August. Here's a pic of us both! The boy I was riding was fab, very strong though. They are all ridden in Pelhams which filled me with confidence!!!
I used to own a shire horse so my OH wanted to give me something to 'remind' me of him. This trip did the opposite....Shire horses are floaty, Clyesdales are bouncy...very, very bouncy.

Loved every minute of it. The big boy (18.2hh) I'm riding sold for just 3k recently.

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kaylouise67 said:
Oh really! My OH paid for us to for my birthday in August. Here's a pic of us both! The boy I was riding was fab, very strong though. They are all ridden in Pelhams which filled me with confidence!!!
I used to own a shire horse so my OH wanted to give me something to 'remind' me of him. This trip did the opposite....Shire horses are floaty, Clyesdales are bouncy...very, very bouncy.

Loved every minute of it. The big boy (18.2hh) I'm riding sold for just 3k recently.

013.jpg
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

That looks so much fun! Gorgeous horses!! I might have to look into doing this :)
 
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