Why is it so difficult to buy a horse?

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horsebenny

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Hi,

Just wondering if I'm just having a run of bad luck with it at the moment or if it is always like this? I had my last horse for 16 years until he died at the back end of last summer. From the back end of last year I've felt ready to look for a new one. But as I bought Buster from a friend I've not had a huge amount of horse hunting experience, certainly not since the internet was invented - and I'm finding it really frustrating because either the horses are nothing like the advert or communication is dreadful (eg people don't return calls, texts or emails or keep you hanging on with various excuses). It's not like I'm after anything spectacular, just an allrounder that I can keep for life, like I did Buster...I'm not asking for loans or payment plans or anything else.

So can anyone got any tips on how I can make this process work better for me?

Many thanks

Ben
 
Cast a wider net. Look on everywhere -
adhorse
preloved
horsemart
horse and hound
horsequest
any local facebook groups
the farmers garden (usually 5 or 6 in there for good prices)
adverts in tack shops
ask at riding schools if they know any going?

One will work out eventually! As frustrating as it is I tried to see it as a sign that that particular horse just wasn't meant to be!
 
I feel your pain OP :( I've only plucked up the courage to phone about 1 & it turned out it had health problems (which may not have been mentioned if I hadn't have done some digging)

I wish that fairy would just turn up with the perfect one & leave it in the stable to save me the hassle :) xx
 
Thanks, it actually does help that others have found the same - I was beginning to think some new horse buying rules had been invented:) and no-one had told me! I'll take a look at all the sites and keep going - I believe the right one is out there and the frustration will make finding him or her even sweeter I'm sure!:)
 
A very ordinary good horse is often more expensive and rarer than a potential competition horse. A good horse never needs work, lives on fresh air and is never sick.I may however have 4 feet that do not match, not pass flexsion test and be a b**** to load, or catch.
People hardly ever sell them as they think they are worth more to them than the hassle of every tom dick and harry asking when they see the rubbed mane, 'Does it have sweet itch'.
 
Put a 'Wanted' advert up in local tack shops/feed merchants as that way there is a good chance that locals will know the true condition and character of the horse.
I have a prepared long list of questions which I ask over the phone. This weeds out many of the ones that are not worth looking at.
.
 
Rhodders said:
what sort of horse are you looking for?
Click to expand...

Something 16.2 - 17 hands, maybe an IDx capable of carrying 13 - 14 stone (I'm usually 13ish but I've put on a bit with not riding since Buster went), quiet to hack alone and in company, jumps a bit (but I'd only be doing that for fun and the very occasional jumping/working hunter class at a local show). I'm looking for something around 10 years old but flexible on that and I'm not bothered about looks or blemishes. I know this is probably a lot to ask for. I'm based in Scotland but open to ideas.
 
horsebenny said:
Something 16.2 - 17 hands, maybe an IDx capable of carrying 13 - 14 stone (I'm usually 13ish but I've put on a bit with not riding since Buster went), quiet to hack alone and in company, jumps a bit (but I'd only be doing that for fun and the very occasional jumping/working hunter class at a local show). I'm looking for something around 10 years old but flexible on that and I'm not bothered about looks or blemishes. I know this is probably a lot to ask for. I'm based in Scotland but open to ideas.
Click to expand...

That sort IS hard to find - believe me - I keep getting people ringing me up looking for one (and I VERY rarely have anything past 5, as I breed them - not deal in them.) I HAVE sold 3 and 4 year olds to people who had looked at DOZENS of older horses - none of which were 'as described' and had behavioural or soundness problems.

The PROBLEM is that THAT sort of horse is worth his weight in gold (if he has no problems) and if he DOES come up for sale, someone knows him and knows someone who wants one just like him! I HAVE had a buyer come down from Scotland to buy the 4 year old version - and more than a year on - she remains very glad she made the journey!
 
Just wondering if I'm just having a run of bad luck with it at the moment or if it is always like this? I had my last horse for 16 years until he died at the back end of last summer. From the back end of last year I've felt ready to look for a new one. But as I bought Buster from a friend I've not had a huge amount of horse hunting experience, certainly not since the internet was invented - and I'm finding it really frustrating because either the horses are nothing like the advert or communication is dreadful (eg people don't return calls, texts or emails or keep you hanging on with various excuses). It's not like I'm after anything spectacular, just an allrounder that I can keep for life, like I did Buster...I'm not asking for loans or payment plans or anything else.

So can anyone got any tips on how I can make this process work better for me?

Sorry I agree with you. I think I was lucky about 10+ years ago. I dont think they make them like they use to(or some of the more modern owners are not all rounders). People seem to be specialised in one area of equestrian or another and menage to death. To find a genuine all rounder is hard. I looked high and low and 21 horses later gave up(I met one or two genuine horses that were too small for me). I think keep looking and just be patient and if your gut instinct tells you porkers you are right etc. Good luck you are not the first to be in this situation.
Its a needle in a hay stack
 
Ah but the thing is, the right horse will always find you if you take your time. I know that sounds crazy, but he/she will. Don't get too worried about it, go with the flow, and maybe look at something you wouldn't normally look at occasionally. ;)
 
JanetGeorge is so right. That sort of paragon of virtue will be sold without being advertised...unless you are very, very lucky and happen to be in the right place at the right time.

Have to say, I don't look anymore when we want one. I just wait for them to come...and they do everytime.

Our recent purchase was not what we were looking for at all. Our current 2 hunters are 16.3 hh full ID but when one was not right I borrowed a 16 hh Irish cob mare for a days hunting. She was awesome, so we bought her just like that on the Weds and I took her to the opening meet on the Sat. :D
 
I can completely agree with Janet – I was looking for a 7-9 yo ID - something to do a bit of everything on but not looking for a competition prospect or anything flashy, good to hack, handle etc, etc.. I spent a year looking, had 4 failed vettings, wasted trips as horse not as advertised etc etc and ended up buying a just backed rising 4 yo full ID gelding!!!!

I moved him onto a yard where my fab and very experienced yard owner has done all his basic schooling and given him a sound basic knowledge of everything, taking him to competitions etc etc. A year and a bit later he is a fab 5 yo who I can do anything with and is better behaved than a lot of the older horses on the yard. So if you can find a yard with the sort of support that I found don’t rule out a younger model Irish Draught.
Good luck with your search.
:)
 
I am having exactly the same problem. Looking for exactly the same thing but a bit younger, ideally 5-7 but have a max budget of around £4k. I share your pain!

PS I can confirm that Janet George does indeed have some amazing horses! :)
 
Thanks everyone, it's good to know that there are people here who have seen it from both sides. I am happy to compromise on most things and I agree that we usually end up with something we didn't set out to find - I always said I didn't want a grey (Buster was fleabitten grey!), that I wanted something good to hack (Buster was hopeless and once ended up sitting on a landrover when I tried to hack him alone!), had good manners (Buster did, when he felt like it, but you couldn't tie him up because he knew he could just pull back and get away, couldn't be left on the box at shows either) I could go on but the bottom line is that despite all that, I wouldn't have changed him for the world.

I'll keep looking - your kind support has given me renewed hope!
 
I am sure you are doing this already but network, network, network. Negotiate an introduction to your local hunt secretary. Track down as may instructors / livery yard owners in the area as possible. Offer to help out at your local riding club / pony club events.

As others have said, this sort is rarely advertised but they do come up through word of mouth.

It is particularly worth looking out for ex-eventers looking for an easier life if your plan isn't too much galloping / jumping - you might get a fantastic horse very cheap / free.
 
Good luck and some good advice. JGeorge did tell me to look at other "types" as I was looking for a replacement cob which I could not find! So I do agree look at other options perhaps. I realise how lucky I was previously as the young girl selling wanted a dressage type horse and her cob was not up to it. So he became mine. I was soooo lucky to be in right place at right time.They even contacted me afterwards saying they would have him back. He was sound as a pound. Lucky I guess.But others round my way have had exactly the same bad long haul experience (and kept telling me it was ME until it was their turn).
 
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