would you buy, [not an advert]

K

kateknights

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 March 2006
Messages
1,246
Location
Lincolnshire
Visit site
If you were looking to buy a new horse, would you buy one that was no good in big traffic? Ok with cars, but not much else? Just a query? Also how much do you think this would affect its value?

Thanks in advance
 
I'm sure if the horse was young and was being sold at a 'green-ish' price OR if someone lived in the middle of nowhere etc then yes.
Obviously a novice near a town centre wouldn't :)
 
depends on the individuals circumstances as to whether they want to put the time in to school it and on how bad the horse reacts. Im currently giving my youngster his feeds by the road side to try and desensitise him.
 
Having bought a nine year old who was terrified of 'large' traffic, many years ago, I would not willingly do so again :( She was only any good if out with one of the bombproof mares and I could put her down the inside of them. It made no difference how much desensetising we did, she remained terrified.
 
I guess a lot depends on context, if it was a good competition horse and I lived in a rural area I'd look at it more differently than if it was a happy hacker
 
I probably would, I have one who is terrible with big traffic has tried to jump climb over a wall to get away from it. He dances spins tries to run away from it but I like him he has other faults also but he is a good horse.

I would not ever take him on a busy road too dangerous so I guess if I was in a position where I had to go on busy roads lot's it would be a problem.

It will make the horse less valuable and it will also depend on what the horse actually does when it meets the traffic.
 
Wouldn't put me off right away..... We have the ultimate bomb proofing yard for that - we're on the road to a tip and the fields all over look rattly trucks 6 days a week. My mare was hopeless in traffic, now she walks past trucks louder and far taller then her! :)
I know some might also have yards like that too. But it would depend on how bad her phobia is.
 
If it was a good comp horse & I had direct access to off road hacking, then yes, but for a drop in price. Or if I was certain I could safely get it over its fear, such as if previous longterm rider was very nervy & anticipating it, therefore causing it. Or if it was just young & green & hadn't been introduced to it properly. Buying an older allrounder from a competent rider though, no.
 
I would as I have a gelding that is not good even with cars, his 9 now had him for 6 years and his only slightly better, I nearly had a nasty accident on the road with him when he was 5 and decided to not ride him on the road anymore, I only keep him where I can hack off road its not been a problem, I often ride along a very quiet lane for about 100 yards to get to the woods and thats it now its not worth the risk, I think some horses will never get used to it and I think he is one of them but we manage.
Funny thing is my other horse is brilliant on the road will go past anything, I would feel safe riding along any road with her.
 
No sorry I wouldn't consider it. I have to ride on the roads to access bridleways and it's dangerous enough with a non spooky 100% bombproof in traffic horse. Depends what a purchaser wants out of a horse if for competition then not so important, but you still have to deal with lorries at shows!
 
No, as where i live large tractors and trucks use the single track roads so a sensible Horse is a must, if i had access to off road hacking then maybe but if i ever had to move the horse to a different livery yard etc it would make suitable places like trying to find hens teeth.
 
No, afraid I wouldn't consider a horse that wasn't good in traffic. Even the quietest roads nowadays can attract all sorts of traffic and as I enjoy hacking and think its an important part of a horse's workload, I wouldn't buy a horse that was known to be traffic shy. Now if I had a country estate .... That would be a different matter!! You do however have people who never hack
 
Would depend on the circumstances. If it was a young novice horse who just needed a bit of training then that would be ok

If it was an older horse who had previous bad experiences then unlikely
 
No,I wouldn't consider it.In fact,we saw a lovely pony recently,that was advertised as 100% in traffic,but where she was in livery,there were only quiet lanes and bridleways.The owner wouldn't let me have her on trial or come back and hack her to the nearest village to try her in traffic,so I walked away.My girls hack on the road a lot,and although it is very rural,there are tractors,buses,combines,bin lorries ect going past and it is really important to me that the ponies are as traffic proof as possible.I've even come home from work at lunchtime to walk nervy ponies around the block to desensitize them before now.
 
kateknights said:
If you were looking to buy a new horse, would you buy one that was no good in big traffic? Ok with cars, but not much else? Just a query? Also how much do you think this would affect its value?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Depends on what no good was.

I don't do road hacking in general and everything is directly off-road so wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me however...

If it was a case of a tractor in a field would end with an uncontrolled bolt, not a chance in hell.

If it was a case of 'my world is going to end' on the spot and then getting over themselves I'd not worry.

Price depends on what the horse is being sold as and a myriad of other things
 
yes as i dont hack! even when my youngsters broken i wont be doing the hacking i will ask someone else too...

were all off road hacking anyhow but even if we didnt i hate hacking!! bad experience a long time ago
 
I bought one. However, he was an 8 year old, unbroken stallion who had lived in a stable all his life and never seen traffic before. He was terrified of cars. I placed him in a field beside the lane so he could see and hear vehicles. It progressed from there and now, as long as you allow him to turn and face the really noisy motorbikes, he is fine. The rest he is good with too. He will lead out on hacks along the roads and past cars.
 
Depends how old it is for me. I bought a 5yo from a rural area that was mostly ok around cars but not bigger traffic, I have taken her out in hand lots and she has improved loads. Also if a comp horse being sold to someone with a box then probably not much of a problem for that sort of person (as long as the horse isn't scared of the box!).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top