Why cant I find a nice horse??

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silverstar

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Ive been looking since September but cant find a nice horse. At the moment there are lots of TBs (theres nothing wrong with TBs) but Im not sure I want one besides the fact that Im too tall and would much rather a TBx. Is it because its getting near Xmas or am I just being fussy? (I dont want a horse from a dealer as have had bad experiences)
 
Same, but I've been looking since Easter!

In my area, nice horses are still fetching a good price as people are willing to pay for a decent horse. A nice non-tb around 16hh all rounder is still fetching about 4-5k in my area, so I have decided to just wait and save up now :(

Though I have seen the most gorgeous 2 year old out of Tinsely Fearie Legend I am trying not to phone up about :)
 
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The lady who massages my horse has the opposite problem, she's got a horse for sale and says no interest. She's decided to wait until February to advertise again, so maybe it's just a bad time of year.
 
Does it have to be perfect in every way - and perfect conformation too?

I only ask, as I was keeping my ears open 'loosely' during late sept, with a view to getting a 15hh by late October, as this is my quiet time of the year & I could give much more time than in the spring or Autumn to a new one.

Looked for a fortnight - location/height/colour etc - saw 3 in the flesh - brought the 3rd.
She ticked many boxes - particularly for riding & temperament, however, conformation left a little to be desired (slightly pin toed on off fore, could be covered by clever shoeing) & is a little 'pushy' but backs off immediately when handled with confidence (she loves taking the pish out of the DIY livery on my yard who brings her in on Mon & Weds eves tho).

Having run my own yard for many years - breaking & producing etc, then a 6 year break (dont even ask on this) I just needed a happy hacker/hunter, and luckily found myself the ideal runabout (I think, over the past 4 weeks she's been with me) :) She's also been schooled at some point, so I am just starting to ask her to do a few mins of gentle muscle work with bending etc at present, each time we toddle out on the get fit & getting to know each other routine most days.

Are you willing to compromise at all?
 
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Post a wanted advert. I did one last week and brought home a super new hunter today (actually from a forum member on here I later discovered). very pleased and a lot easier than trudging through all the ads daily.
 
I actually don't know why people find it harder these days when there are so many different avenues to go down - sooo many websites etc, you actually get to SEE the picture or video of a horse before viewing it. Before that you just had to rely on the ad in the paper and half the time the horse was absolutely nothing like it was described.

Are people fussier these days and looking for perfection or is it cos there's too much choice? Also I wouldn't rule out dealers totally, there are some decent ones out there.

I certainly won't spend stupid money on a horse (I don't have it) and I would have thought it's easier to get a bargain at this time of year as those who are selling REALLY want to sell BUT I guess there may be less ads as people are waiting for spring when they feel they may get a better price.
 
Rully said:
Post a wanted advert. I did one last week and brought home a super new hunter today (actually from a forum member on here I later discovered). very pleased and a lot easier than trudging through all the ads daily.
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Good idea, be aware you will still get plenty of numpties though.

In the summer I put an ad up, stating what I was looking for, my experience and a few pics of me riding so people can get an idea. Basically a nice young 15.2-16.2 all rounder type, no full tb's unless the very chunky type.

I got a few promising replies, but most were from people wanting for me to buy their 14hh BSJA pony, or a 20 year old unbroken TB!!!

I wouldn't rule out dealers, Just ask to see if there are any very good ones near you. You may need to compromise on age, any blemishes, some behaviours etc. I also think although there are so many ads at the moment, many people are saving their good horses in hope they may fetch a good price come next year etc
 
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I'm in the same situation, but been looking for about a year now!
Been to see a nice few ones, and hoping to see some more this Sunday, fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed for you too, your ideal horse is out there somewhere x
 
I too have been looking since September and still not found "the one"

Actually getting quite disheartened tbh

Did think of a wanted ad too but worried if you give too much away about what you want people could tailor their horses ability etc to suit what they know you are after (is that too cynical?)

I am in no desperate hurry as when I do find what I am looking for it will be a horse for life but I want to fill the empty stable now so hopefully the right one will come along sooner rather than later....
 
Where are you based.My nephews girlfriend is selling hers she is based in norfolk.Shes cleveland bay mare big jump good dressage paces and lovely to handle.Let me know if interested Ill try and find the link.
 
Rully said:
Post a wanted advert. I did one last week and brought home a super new hunter today (actually from a forum member on here I later discovered). very pleased and a lot easier than trudging through all the ads daily.
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I have done on horsemart, not had 1 phone call. No the horse doesnt have to be perfect.

sj superstars - no I havent thought about using an agent. Cant really afford to tho.

Cellie - thats too far away from me sorry.
 
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What are you after? Must admit we didn't look for long last tome we bought, trailed through LOADS of ads, shortlisted about 10 to enquire further, whittled that down to 5 to view and bought the first!
But agree with whoever posted above there does have to be an element of compromise as the 'perfect' horse is a bit like a needle in a haystack so we went the route of finding the raw ingredients to make what we wanted.
 
Penfold - what do you want? Give me your dream list :D

I have bought and sold plenty of horses and am proud to say I am pretty good at pairing horses to owners. I don't have anything to sell myself ATM, but I do have free time, and really don't mind trawling ads and having a look at what is around :)
 
It is a rubbish time of year! A lot of people may wait untill the spring before they put their horse on the Market.
Also are you sure you are being realistic? There's no such thing as the 'perfect' horse. There will always be some compromise and you need to find just as near to perfect for you. E.g I love my bf, I didn't want a big, ginger haired American but he's as near perfect for me as anyone could be... Its the same with my horse! I didn't want a 4yr old TB when I got him but it just so happens that he is the right horse for me. Doesn't mean he never pee's me off, some days he's a pain but mostly he's fab.
Just saying that whatever horse you buy will involve a small leap of faith. You are never going to 100% know if a horse you buy is right untill you start living with it. Careful you are not missing good ones by overthinking x
 
Weezy - Just a nice allrounder that hacks & jumps, 16.1-16.3 (no tbs or cobs), 4-10 yrs. N.West/Midlands area, 3k ish budget.

There are lots of nice horses down south but thats too far from me. Im thinking of leaving the search till the New Year.
 
How about this girl:

http://www.everhorse.co.uk/hest_detail.aspx?id=29330&soegeid=4c14c08d-262c-4b61-aa34-1ca48997b54b


She is 8 years old, graded in Danish Warmblood Studbook, by Cape Town S/Lucky Light both of whom produce stunning, intelligent, kind and well-moving/-jumping horses. She does Elementary dressage, jumps 1m - 1.10m classes, is advertised as suitable for eventing.
The price? Approximately £3,500.

Or this coloured chap:

http://www.everhorse.co.uk/hest_detail.aspx?id=29241&soegeid=4c14c08d-262c-4b61-aa34-1ca48997b54b

6 years old, Novice dressage, jumps 1m classes, has loose-jumped 1.30. Good in traffic, stable, field, shoe, box... Half Danish Pinto, 1/4 trakehner, 1/4 thoroughbred. Also priced around £3,500

Or this well-jumping chap, also priced £3,500:

http://www.everhorse.co.uk/hest_detail.aspx?id=28976&soegeid=4c14c08d-262c-4b61-aa34-1ca48997b54b
 
Without sounding rude though - is your budget correct for what you are looking for? While everyone likes a bargain, someone with a good all rounder who is geniune is not going to put them in for poor money. I am at the opposite end as will be looking to sell purely so I can get back to eventing (mine does everything well except for XC - he tries to SJ round). However, mine has been a good lad, well proven and sound so there will no firesales!
 
I wouldn't totally rule out TBs as there are some really chunky ones. My girl is a full reg TB measured at 16.2. Not sure how tall you are but here's a couple of photos of her with me at 5'4 and then one of my friend's on her who is 5'9 poss 5'10.
pheebdaresbury8810.jpg

DSCF1877.jpg
 
Personally I`d never rule out a certain breed... I never used to like arabs, I never used to like TB`s I never wanted a youngster, last year my oh bought me an unbroken 3yo arab x tb , she`s the best thing thats ever happened to me! I also swore i`d never ever own any sort of welshie again, a month ago we bought a welsh x tb...

It`s always the ones you dont expect to that impress you...

I always see lots of wanted ads on horsequest, could try there.

marinitagsd - I love your mare!
 
If you're in the SW I know of a friend who always has some nice ones for sale here, most of them come from over from Ireland generally I think...they'll usually have done a bit of everything [flatwork/jumping/hacking/eventing/hunting/etc], uncomplicated rides, etc.

He usually has a few in so might have one suitable?

Can pass on his number if of any interest, just PM me :)
 
penfold said:
Ive been looking since September but cant find a nice horse. At the moment there are lots of TBs (theres nothing wrong with TBs) but Im not sure I want one besides the fact that Im too tall and would much rather a TBx. Is it because its getting near Xmas or am I just being fussy? (I dont want a horse from a dealer as have had bad experiences)
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I've had similar experience, and have been looking since September too. However this week, there seems to be a lot of nice ones all of a sudden :) It's like busses; For weeks and months all I was viewing was rubbish, and all of a sudden I have just viewed 2 cracking horses and now I've got to chose between the two! (I want them both!!!, but can't have!)

Before today though, I was on the verge of losing the will to live. I have actually viewed unsound horses, horses with sore backs due to criminally ill fitting saddles, horses that bear no resemblance whatsoever to the description, and I've had 3 fail the vet. I missed out on countless perfect sounding horses, as they sold before the nearest weekend, which is why I've started to have to take days off work!

Keep looking. There are new horses coming up for sale every day! You need to be on the ball though as the good ones, which are accurately priced are selling within the first viewing.
 
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