Why do people get such unsuitable horses?

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MagicMelon

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Been scrolling through the project horses website. Its so sad to see so many horses on there with various 'issues' even though IMO many of them sound like human-imposed problems.

The amount of Welsh D's on there in particular is pretty worrying, do people not research breeds first before buying them?! Welsh D's can be pretty bolshy, I've had one who was dreadful when I bought him as a 3yo but I knew with buying a Welsh Cob, they could sometimes be like that so I was prepared. I researched the breed thoroughly and decided I could deal with one so got one. Never regretted it. It's amazing how many people seem to buy one thinking they are good first-ponies. And why oh why do inexperienced owners take on 3 / 4yo's?!?!
 
It always baffles me :( Its such a shame aswell because some of these horses are lovely animals and have just been ruined by inexperienced people.

What is even more worrying is the people who are willing to sell these horses to obvious inexperienced owners! Why would you sell a nice 3/4yo to a first time buyer?!? When we sell if we don't like the buyer we won't sell the horse to them, simple.
 
Its cos they is cheap and pritty ;)

Sadly, a lot of people over estimate their ability and therefore end up with a horse that knows full well their capability and take advantage...!

However, I have always had young horses (prefer a clean slate!), but had enough help and experience from others to teach me how to deal with problems, so that I now have some experience, but they are always willing to help me - which I am very lucky to have.

That is probably another reason - most people do not have an experienced helper or friend (guessing from the amount of people that buy young horses) so therefore do not know how to deal with a younger horse :)
 
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I totally agree :D

I would never (even though I have had sinces I was 8 (now 16) and my Mum has had horses all her life) take on a young horse who needs serious work as I dont think I could do it! I wouldnt want to try and end up ruining something that could potentially be very good!

I saw an advert for a horse rising 4 hadnt done anything really and still needs lots of further education described as a perfect choice as a first horse/novice or mother and daughter share!

Surely a total novie wouldnt have the experience unless they were getting lessons every week (im not saying novices dont know what they are doing by any means just it can be difficult to educate a horse!)
 
maybe it's a case of people seeing what on first viewing looks a lovely perfect horse but upon getting it home and working with it find it is not what they expected. Or maybe some people just dont think!

There is an elderly lady at our yard (in her 60's) who retired her old bombproof cob and was looking for another.
She found a lovely 4 year old cob who when she viewed was perfect for her, quiet, easy to handle, bombproof ride etc. So she bought her.
However - she now thinks the cob was drugged as she is not the calm easy cob she saw on first viewing and she has had alot of problems with the cob being bulshy and bad mannered and is having her schooled professionally twice a week so she can eventually ride her.
I feel sorry for the lady as she was duped a bit but atleast she is doing right by the cob.
 
I totally agree. I got my highland because she was sold to a total novice as a 3yr old and ended up cheap.
I remember speaking to my friend (who has a Welsh D) and she was amazed and thought her Welsh was the exception, after having thought them to be quiet. The farrier put her right but she was okay because she is experienced.

As you say Koko, some people care more for money than to ensure the horse is in a suitable home. What of the amount of horses doped etc, to then end up totally unruly and the buyer being unable to cope with what they thought was a sedate horse?
 
Its a difficult one and one I am sure has come from the lack of decent riding schools and ability to have children (or anyone who wanted to learn basic stable management) help out at riding schools. Our culture of litigation and health and safety has meant that this is impossible or ensures that insurance premiums are sky high..

That has in turn meant that there aren't the facilities for people to learn so they have to buy their own horse to learn the basics which leads to unsuitable horses being bought as people dont have the knowledge... and the cycle goes on and on..

Sad times indeed!
 
I don't tend to look on project horse, I hate to see the sheer number of Welsh Cobs that end up on there...I love the breed, and would probably end up taking half of them on :rolleyes:
 
trendybraincell said:
I don't tend to look on project horse, I hate to see the sheer number of Welsh Cobs that end up on there...I love the breed, and would probably end up taking half of them on :rolleyes:
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Same here. There's one in particular on there with wonderful breeding (mother went to HOYS etc.) and looks stunning. Just needs the work put into him. Would buy him in a second if I had spare cash sitting around!
 
I think often people like the idea of a particular type of horse. I have seen quite a few nervous / inexperienced riders at local dressage competions who are on horses that they are scared of, just because they think they will look the part / do better. Big warmbloods are quite popular for that reason and not always that easy to ride. People often theink they can go out and win without having to put the hard work in if they buy a particular type of horse.

When I was young, it wasn't uncommon for youngsters to be bought for kids. There used to be the thinking that the two would grow up together. I think back then (25 yrs ago) people just muddled through somehow.

Maybe at times instructors / friends have a part to play in it too. I have been told I could 'do really well at dressage' on a bigger flashier horse - when we do perfectly fine thank you (Me and my little 14.1 pony!)

Another problem is people buying horses that are nice to ride and well mannered when they are in proper work - then taking them home, doing nothing with them and then wondering why they are then difficult to ride. A girl at my old yard was a really nervous rider and ended up buying a TB cross ex-polo pony who was lovely when she tried him out (as he was in work 6 days a week) but became rather different when left in a field for weeks on end and then just hacked around the block.
 
we sadely ended up in this boat from the other side, sold a 9yo sec A as a perfect lead rein/first pony for my 3yo & 2yo.
once home she turned into a beast that bucked the min you put a saddle on her she had me & several others off her & ended up being sold on as a companion to a loving home that just want to pet her.
 
Being on the hunt for my first horse as an adult it is a scary experience and thankfully i am honest about my abilities and have alot of support and advice from friends and family who have a far greater level of knowledge and experience than myself but even so i can see how easy it is for people to be taken for a ride or caught up in the moment. I have heard storys from even knowledgeable people who have been taken for a ride i personally feel due to the amount of variables finding the 'SUITABLE' horse is a difficult experince in its entirety!!

I suppose im lucky im pretty astute and standoffish untill i am 100% sure and i research everything thoroughly before commiting i have found this trait invaluable with horse shopping, Im sticking to a 5 stage process :

1. Send an email enquiry with a list of questions
2. Phone and ask more questions.
3. Arrange to view the horse with a good freind and OH both who have more horsey knowledge than me.
4 Arrange to go back and view with my instructor who knows my abilities and ultimately will be working with me and the horse.
5. Vetting at which i and a friend will be present.

If at any point i am not happy with any of the answers or advised by friends or family then politely i go no further. Suffice to say so far im not having much luck than getting past stage 3 currently!!
 
good question OP- this is one of my huge bug bears about horse people... quite honestly i think that many people overinflate their abilities in their own heads...the people that i know who think they are awesome have always been the 'best' riders on their yards- so they equate this as being brilliant...rather than just being the best out of the particular group of people (who might not be very good at all...)
what really bugs me most is people spending money on young and flashy warmbloods- because they think that everyone will look at them all the time and that they'll win everything. always ends in tears as invariably the quiet and polite 4 year old that has been professionally backed, turns into a monster 5 year old when ridden by inexperienced (and often scared) rider all the time... so yes everyone is looking at them, but in horror, not for the intended reasons :rolleyes::p

i have a sharp young horse but only bought him because i honestly felt i was up to the task. i also have a great support network of friends to help me should i get in trouble- a lot of people don't have this.
 
Lack of knowlege.Lack of a genuinely sensible, knowlegeable person to help them.This last incidently, is very hard to find! The best 2 horses I have ever had is when I have had someone genuine, and genuinely good, to help me.Some sellers really have no conscience at all. I was a genuine buyer with n oillusions about either my nerve or my abilities.I would always ask if the horse was suitable for a nervous novice and you would be suprised at the type of horse that was considered suitable.
 
I think a lot of people want to look good so buy something that will make people think they are a good rider and then end up being afraid of the horse and then go around saying how bad the horse is to others but if you put a decent rider on the horse it is fine. It is sad and I have seen it happen several times and seen people do the same thing several times but they cant be told that they would be better off getting something diffrent to biuld their confidense that may not look as flashy :( its a shame for the horses
 
The worst example I have ever seen was a teenage girl who had a small 'bombproof' coloured cob gelding and 'outgrew' it. For this read 'wanted something flashier' The cob was sold to the local district nurse - a grown normal sized woman. The teenager and her (non-horsey) mother went to try a finely built TB type mare about 15.2hh and brought it home. The mare was a nervous wreck, and teenager could do nothing with it. The local well-known low-level eventer /instructor came to ride, it bucked her off.
When asked why mother had bought this horse for teenager she replied 'Oh she looked lovely on it'. We then found out that the mare had bucked the teenager off at the viewing. Presumably she looked lovely sitting on the ground.
I am pleased to say that the mare was soon sold on - I hope she found a suitable, experienced home.
 
When I was much (much!) younger and hunting down south, we had a Master who couldn't have been much more than 5ft tall! He always insisted on having 16.2hh plus, ex pointers, which he struggled to get enough leg around to steer, never mind jump! This was because it was more "fitting" to his position. Without fail, he would be given two attempts at a fence, then asked if perhaps he would like a lead, which he always accepted politely. Everyone always pretended that it was just a "blip" on that particular day - but it was every bloomin' jump, near enough!
On the other hand, the lady secretary of a VERY smart Shires pack is more than happy to hunt, collect caps, and do all her duties from the back of a 14.2 pony, if that is what is "on duty" that day! Which goes to prove - it's not what you have between your legs, it's what you do with it! ;)
 
I completely agree with this original post.....I have 2 welsh cobs I am reschooling due to bad handling and yesturday I had to take on a 4 yr old who had dumped his novice owner quite rightly, as he had never been on a hack and never broke out of trot. The poor boy was having a melt down and did it on his back legs
 
There was one dealer I met. A genuine one, who told me the following story.Young girl had a very quiet beginners cob.Was getting ready to move on, say one step up.They asked the dealer about a very good riding club horse that was up for sale (they liveried at the dealers).She said, no too sharp, not ready for that one for 1 or 2 years BUT ask your instructor as well.Instructor said the same.They went ahead and bought anyway and it terrorized the child.
 
I have to say though, that my two best purchases have been a TBx and a Welsh Cob.Both were about 9 or ten, well handled and been out and about a fair bit.Genuine schoolmaster types.
 
Even an experienced person can make a mistake because there are lots of people in the horse world who just want/need to sell and don't mind particularly WHO buys the animal just so long as it goes. Even asking all the right questions and riding it regularly before purchase doesn't always bring up every potential problem.

But in general I agree about far too many people buying the sort of horse they would like to be able to ride, rather than the sort they can. A younger horse is going to be less expensive and they think that the will have a "clean slate" and then come up against problems they weren't expecting and can't deal with. Also a horse isn't grateful when it is rescued from a dealers or whatever, they just deal with the situation on the day and what they have already experienced and this might open up many cans of worms for new owners.
 
I'm not saying my horse is unsuitable for me, but he has changed slightly in character (a bit more feisty etc, when being ridden), but its clear this is because I don't work him how he was worked before I brought him. Before me he was at a riding school and being competed at a reasonable level. Now I school him 3 - 4 times a week and hack about once a week. However, in my defense I took my riding instructor with me when I went to the dealer looking for a 12 year old plus pony who's been there and done it all for a novice. I ended up leaving with a 6 year old Selle Francais competition horse. He was very calm when I rode him at the dealer, even though there were strong winds and stormy, so I did infact feel more comfortable with him then the other ponies I saw there. I know I am a competent rider, just not very confident. He has a lovely nature, so no probs handling and everyone loves him. He is a slight handful when riding, when not turned out enough or ridden enough. My YO also rides him but not very often, just so he doen't go off the rails!!!
 
The first thing that every Horsey must understand is - when you are buying a horse, lords, ladies and vicars will lie through their teeth to sell you one! It's considered part of the game.

I love phrases such as - "lightly backed." It's perfectly true of course because the one time that they did throw a blanket over its back it bolted off and no one's been able to catch it since - the only way it was standing when you arrived was because they'd dart gunned it just before you came.

"will excell in every field" .... and indeed, any areas of grass not contained by hedges - in fact we have seen anything that can keep him in.

"not a novice ride" .... the thing is evil and in league with the devil - it's for sale to settle the estate of his late owner.... muha,haha!
 
why do people buy such unsuitable horses?

In my experience it's because there are so many sellers out there, both private and dealers, who will lie and lie and lie about the horse they are selling.

I'm an experienced rider & owner, have had horses for over 25years, worked with racehorses, broken in youngsters and have my AI but I was still duped with the last horse I bought. He was a native that behaved perfectly when I went to view him. I had plenty of experienced back up and spent lots of money on vet/saddlers/physios/lessons etc but still ended up selling him at a huge loss to someone who was aware of his issues and was willing to take him on.

Please don't assume it's always the buyer' fault
 
I think the horse world is full of liars, both sellers and buyers.
Through the years i have been stuck with many ponies/horses that were not as advertised, or transformed into demons as soon as you get them home. It's just disheartening when you think you've found your new horse and it just doesn't work out.
The worst part would be when people refuse to take back their horse even when the new owner is absolutely petrified of it.
Also just to add we have refused to sell horses to certain people as we thought they lacked experience. 15 year old tb CHESTNUT mare with tendon injury, although we advertised as not a novice ride, the amount of people thinking she would be suitable as a first horse and to get them jumping!
 
Thank Jesus Christ on ice skates that there are people who can and do "fix" these horses.

I'd say, 99% of problem horses are just that because of douchey people over estimating their *ahem* "abilities".
 
I just wanted to add:

those of you who are placing the blame squarely on the buyers are very, very lucky to have never bought a horse from someone who doesn't give a monkey's about the horse or the poor people who they've now passed the problem on to. It can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced you are, and it is a horrible situation to be in for both horse and new owner. These people would probably appreciate help, advice and support. It's not an easy thing to admit you are out of your depth!
 
there is no such thing as the perfect horse, animals can and do behave unpredictably. people's expectations are often too high either of themselves or their horse and inpatient. combine this with some very good sales people who are sometimes not as honest as they could be and buying a suitable horse becomes very hard.

i am surprised more people do not have problems to be honest.

As for breed stereotypes I don't think welsh ponies and cobs are any worse than others - there are a lot of them bred compared to other breeds so perhaps that is why there seem to be more for sale on the project horse website - there also seem to be quite a few TB's.

I have a New Forest a breed known for being docile, easy to train and nice natured which he is 99% of the time. However sometimes even he has a mad moment, it is part of being a living animal! I have learnt that no horse or pony is going to be trouble free if you keep it long enough and that is perhaps something first time owners do not realise.

People who end up with unsuitable horses often are people who want a horse that is 100% safe and also a good all rounder and looker and young etc possibly something very hard to get or they have taken a risk and not had a horse vetted or at least a blood test and the problem has turned out to be physical or the horse has been doped. When i was looking a few years ago when I mentioned 5 star vetting with bloods on the phone there were people who suddenly felt the pony was no longer suitable!
 
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I think too often the horse is blamed for the shortcomings of the rider.

We had a sharer who just quit and then called our pony nasty on FB, he isn't nasty but he needed competent handling, sharer wouldn't listen to advice and let him get away with things, thinking it cute one minute and not so cute the next. So he was often naughty for her (putting head down to eat, pulling faces, not standing still to tack up, power walking toward home on hacks) not for one second did the sharer think "oh maybe I should be more consistent"

Now the sharer is just a kid really so we let it go but part of me thinks if you could project forward a few years then no doubt they'd be a bit like another person I know who had a great pony that was blamed for everything that went on, then got a horse which lo and behold ended up the same.
 
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