Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Aimee you’ve always been an idiot nice to see you haven’t changed
And to write something like that just shows what a horrible person you are.
Would you buy unseen from Ireland?
- Thread starter Hormonal Filly
- Start date
And to write something like that just shows what a horrible person you are.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Of course I had to look for Zygmunt youngsters now that I had thought about it. Look what I found but cannot have...
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/arabian-fillies/21280639
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/arabian-fillies/21280639
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
I'd love to go and meet Mickey and their horses and talk about the breed.
Maybe one day.
Maybe one day.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
Fiona
Well-Known Member
You're not the only one on here OP to make assumptions about Irish horses, Irish sellers/dealers and the way we ride and bring on horses...
Sorry if I sounded curt, you just touched a nerve...
To answer your question, no I wouldn't buy unseen unless someone I trusted knew and vouched for the horse.
Fiona
Sorry if I sounded curt, you just touched a nerve...
To answer your question, no I wouldn't buy unseen unless someone I trusted knew and vouched for the horse.
Fiona
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Apologies Fiona, it was more the unseen part I was concerned about!
Maybe in the future I’ll be doing a trip to Ireland for my next one!
Summit
Well-Known Member
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
^^ This all day long!
GTRJazz
Well-Known Member
I would not buy a horse that I had sat on if of riding age
Pippity
Well-Known Member
Mine was imported by the same dealer (but not bought from them) and, after your experience, I was a bit worried when I saw their name in her passport. Thankfully, I was luckier with my purchase, despite there being, when I look back, several possible red flags.
The only time I've taken on a horse unseen was when a friend needed a loan home for her cob. It was a disaster in many ways, and I'd never do it again.
Myloubylou
Well-Known Member
Like most I need to meet pony/horse to see what they are like on the ground and how they feel ridden. Found even with videos & photos you can’t get good enough sense whether you’d like own said animal, afterall tend to be sent the clips & photos where they are going nicely for someone.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
It really doesn't have to be expensive. When looking for mine this time I did 2 trips.
The first was expensive and not successful. I used an agent that came recommended and she promised 6-8 horses in my spec. (older and more experienced, with hunting and comp experience and easy going personality). I saw one in my spec, but it was 'wrong' IMO, as soon as the owner sat on she went behind a lorry, there was much clattering, then it was trotted hard up and down the yard, trotted to the school, worked hard and when I asked (numerous times) for the horse to be walked on a loose rein it was not done. So, I got on and went slower, loosened the rein and it was not long before the head disappeared between the front legs!
Other than that I was shown 2 horses which were a lot greener than I said I was interested in, although one was lovely, but it had only been backed 6 weeks previously (and it had been hunting and to a show already!). That one had been beautifully backed, but I did not want one so green. The other had been backed for longer, but had just had several weeks off, so had about the same number of actual rides on it (it had also been hunting!) and was so nervy that you could not do your girth, blow your nose or move in the saddle. I was charged 600 for finding these horses, plus hotel for 2 nights (thinking I was seeing 6-8 horses). So, yes, that trip did work out expensive, especially as I went with OH, so 2 sets of flights at £80, airport car parking, plus a house sitter for the animals we left behind.
The second time was simply a private seller, I did that in a day trip. The flights were around £40 and the seller met me at the airport, even gave me lunch, we had a great day out. Sadly that horse was simply not my cup of tea when I sat on (so I was glad I spent my £40 on flights to go and view) but it was not a wasted trip to me.
No, I would not buy unseen from Ireland. But visiting the second time cost the grand total of £40 and I had a lovely social day.
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
I have done - hell, I did it with the most expensive horse I've ever purchased. She was a 3yo ID filly by Grey Macha, unbacked and ungraded and she cost me £10,000. I also bought her 10 yo mother (for rather less.) Of course, they were from a very reputable breeder, and the filly had been 2nd at Dublin. I was happy with both of them. I then thought it would be a good idea to buy some cheaper horses - to school and sell on. That wasn't quite as 'satisfactory. 7 arrived - the best of them was a 4yo WB, skin and bone. He was 2nd at his first ODE - but had some ongoing soundness issues. A couple of the others were SO wild it took months to teach them basic manners. I would NOT do it again.
meleeka
Well-Known Member
Me neither, largely because I don’t sell horses on so it has to be right. A friend bought one and it’s far too much horse for her. Nothing else wrong with it, but if she’d tried it first she’d probably have come to the same conclusion without all the upset.
Templebar
Well-Known Member
Yes i agree and i think that in Ireland you get it pretty rough as you get tarred with a brush of a few, which is unfair.
I also meant to add that now having grown up i now know that this is a generalization and that it is by no means right and the rule. I think there will certainly be ones like this but i believe that of horses here and they are the exception not the rule. I know of a hunt down the road where a few blokes got together for a day not typical riders and took a bunch of cobs out who were three only just backed, they were perfect so i was told but i suspect through shock more than anything.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
This is a bit how I feel as well, I only know of one person that bought unseen from Ireland granted they were not at all knowledgeable, he was 17.3 and was possibly the most evil horse I have ever seen, he kicked and would bite and he meant it they couldn't get anyone to shoe it, it put several people in hospital in a matter of months and it's one horse I could honestly say was a lost cause and completely dangerous and needed to be shot, that was enough to put me off from ever buying from anyone or anywhere unseen.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Aimee you’ve always been an idiot nice to see you haven’t changed
You don't sound that clever yourself!
tristar
Well-Known Member
no.
having seen some of the worst sights of neglect i have ever seen i would not
however buying from a reputable breeder just might be different, but i would say it is so easy to get to ireland why not spend a few days looking before yo decide, so you can enjoy the next 15 years seems like a small price compared to buying trouble
i would interrogate any potential horses seller about worming,hoof care and sus out if they know what they are doing, and i would not believe a word anyone tells me!!!!!!!!!!!
there are some very good vets in kildare, and around here and there, but there are totally rubbish ones,and i mean rubbish.
i always look in england first for horses mainly youngsters because the breeding is multi generational, at top class studs with people who have high management standards, because he first few years of a horses life are critical in my opinion and i want horses that are going to last, start with a bang and deliver the goods year in year out without conking because i want an easy life.
having seen some of the worst sights of neglect i have ever seen i would not
however buying from a reputable breeder just might be different, but i would say it is so easy to get to ireland why not spend a few days looking before yo decide, so you can enjoy the next 15 years seems like a small price compared to buying trouble
i would interrogate any potential horses seller about worming,hoof care and sus out if they know what they are doing, and i would not believe a word anyone tells me!!!!!!!!!!!
there are some very good vets in kildare, and around here and there, but there are totally rubbish ones,and i mean rubbish.
i always look in england first for horses mainly youngsters because the breeding is multi generational, at top class studs with people who have high management standards, because he first few years of a horses life are critical in my opinion and i want horses that are going to last, start with a bang and deliver the goods year in year out without conking because i want an easy life.
tristar
Well-Known Member
example, our irish rescue, i started to lunge him last year, this year i have started again,lungng , longreining feet general handling, saddle etc, an irish farmer racehorse breeder said one day `that horse will have died of old age by the time he gets trained up`` after last year saying he should be hunting by now, warrior is just 3 years 9 months now and growing rapidly
sportsmansB
Well-Known Member
There are a couple of things which probably need clarified here
Tristars post is perhaps not that helpful, given that you are interested because it is CHEAPER
There are excellent establishments in Ireland who treat their horses very well, and they have every possible care - those ones are not cheaper.
There are shoddy establishments in mainland UK who do not give their horse every possible care - those ones are CHEAPER.
1) Would you buy unseen anywhere in UK? I know I wouldn't, but thats because I like to have a connection with the horse, some reason why I like them. I'm no pro, they are my friend / counsellor / companion as well as a competition animal. If you wouldn't buy unseen from say, Aberdeen, then don't do it from Ireland either
2) When it says in an ad that a just turned 4yo has 'been hunted' its unlikely that it did a whole season. It might have been taken out for a couple of days as that is seen as part of their education over here, getting them going forward in a group and learning to scramble over the odd drain or whatever. It doesn't equate to a full season with the Quorn over enormous hedges. Some more old fashioned horse people will back a horse and take it out hunting within 6-8 weeks, it is not necessarily a problem.
3) The 'cheap' horses in Ireland can still be cheap for a reason. Yes you'll probably get a better price on a rough looking Connie than one that has been spotted and imported and polished in England, but your average safe honest riding horse or potential eventer as a 4yo is unlikely to be much less without a reason for that. There is a misconception that there are a load of farmers breeding top ISH's and not knowing what they have - but the reality is that they do know, and the top producers know them and take the cream of the crop (thats how Cooley and Fernhill make their ££) - whats left can still be a nice horse but don't be fooled that the seller doesn't have a clue about what they have and that you'll get a bargain.
4) You still need to be sensible and engage your own vet, exactly as you would elsewhere. You can get recommendations on here, or elsewhere. There are good vets all over Ireland, not just in Kildare (!) but equally, just like England, there are chancy ones who have an arrangement with the seller. It is common sense.
Tristars post is perhaps not that helpful, given that you are interested because it is CHEAPER
There are excellent establishments in Ireland who treat their horses very well, and they have every possible care - those ones are not cheaper.
There are shoddy establishments in mainland UK who do not give their horse every possible care - those ones are CHEAPER.
1) Would you buy unseen anywhere in UK? I know I wouldn't, but thats because I like to have a connection with the horse, some reason why I like them. I'm no pro, they are my friend / counsellor / companion as well as a competition animal. If you wouldn't buy unseen from say, Aberdeen, then don't do it from Ireland either
2) When it says in an ad that a just turned 4yo has 'been hunted' its unlikely that it did a whole season. It might have been taken out for a couple of days as that is seen as part of their education over here, getting them going forward in a group and learning to scramble over the odd drain or whatever. It doesn't equate to a full season with the Quorn over enormous hedges. Some more old fashioned horse people will back a horse and take it out hunting within 6-8 weeks, it is not necessarily a problem.
3) The 'cheap' horses in Ireland can still be cheap for a reason. Yes you'll probably get a better price on a rough looking Connie than one that has been spotted and imported and polished in England, but your average safe honest riding horse or potential eventer as a 4yo is unlikely to be much less without a reason for that. There is a misconception that there are a load of farmers breeding top ISH's and not knowing what they have - but the reality is that they do know, and the top producers know them and take the cream of the crop (thats how Cooley and Fernhill make their ££) - whats left can still be a nice horse but don't be fooled that the seller doesn't have a clue about what they have and that you'll get a bargain.
4) You still need to be sensible and engage your own vet, exactly as you would elsewhere. You can get recommendations on here, or elsewhere. There are good vets all over Ireland, not just in Kildare (!) but equally, just like England, there are chancy ones who have an arrangement with the seller. It is common sense.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
This in a nutshell.
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Big informative post, thank you for taking the time in writing that.
Said friend who buys from Ireland tends to buy in Connies, quite a few nice ones as well. She bought her previous unseen for £2,000 and sold 3 months later for £4999, and he was a real sweetheart. She knows the seller though.I did find a rising 4yr old, a lovely grey mare, that was described as 'hunted all season with 15yr old' and photos of said horse jumping a rather meaty ditch and hedges looking rather leggy.
I suppose you have to include transport to UK, not sure how much that would cost.. so would add to the price.
I rather like something like this in the future, which isn't 'cheap' but looks a nice stamp.
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/16-1-irish-bred-hunter/21041930
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/153cms-traditional-irish-mare/21804764
Thats a lovely little horse
I found a cracking gelding yesterday at a very low price, but must of sold as can't find the advert anywhere!
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/15-1hh-quiet-riding-mare-/21791424
I'd say that was cheap?
Not the best on this days horse prices, I am amazed local to me how a newly broken youngster can fetch 6k thats nothing special!
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tristar
Well-Known Member
none of those horses appeal to me, to each his own!
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Big informative post, thank you for taking the time in writing that.
I did find a rising 4yr old, a lovely grey mare, that was described as 'hunted all season with 15yr old' and photos of said horse jumping a rather meaty ditch and hedges looking rather leggy. I suppose you have to include transport to UK, not sure how much that would cost?
I rather like something like this in the future, which isn't 'cheap' but looks a nice stamp.
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/16-1-irish-bred-hunter/21041930
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/153cms-traditional-irish-mare/21804764
Thats a lovely little horse
I found a cracking gelding yesterday at a very low price, but must of sold as can't find the advert anywhere!
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/horses-for-sale/15-1hh-quiet-riding-mare-/21791424
I'd say that was cheap?
All of those you could find equivalent adverts for in the UK. What the advert says and what the horse actually is, the same applies in both the UK and Ireland.
But for the type you want in the 4/5k budget for sure Ireland might be a good source. A not to big, not too blood allrounder - there will be plenty.
But I’d honestly not buy unseen. Factor in a trip over - flights for £50, car hire for £50, cheap hotel and you are probably talking £200-250 for the trip and £300-400 for transport back.
The exchange rate at the time will also play a part. A few years back it was very attractive. These days not so much.
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Not looking to buy anything as of now, possibly next year, just was having a wonder and my friend mentioned buying unseen so asked the question.
I'd be getting a 5* vetting and full x-rays on my next one thats for sure!
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Not looking to buy anything as of now, possibly next year, just was having a wonder and my friend mentioned buying unseen so asked the question.
I'd be getting a 5* vetting and full x-rays on my next one thats for sure!
So you are xraying a 5k horse yet taking about buying unseen.
That is a mixed message on your attitude to risk.
Bernster
Well-Known Member
I think a trip over would be fun. I know a few people who’ve done and bought good horses. Def wouldn’t buy unseen as I also need to ride the horses as I tend to know quickly if we seem to suit. Plus wouldn’t take the extra risk as I tend to only have one riding horse and on full livery so can’t afford expensive mistakes!
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Very true, and I don't think i'd trust buying unseen and getting a 5* and x-rays on it, you don't know what x-rays they're showing you. Knowing my luck it would be dodgy. Said friend says vettings aren't worth it, but after looking through adverts I probably would vet and x-ray for piece of mind and the thought of buying unseen freaks me out if I am honest! I'll be sure to post every advert on the forum when the time comes.. H&H all know more about conformation than me!
Ah yes, met a lovely lady on camp who went over for a 2 day trip to Ireland. This dealer had horses lined up to view, she rode 3 and fell in love with the 3rd. He is a absolute diamond of a horse, top chap who took to camp like a angel!
Think i'll avoid unseen in the future, glad others agree with me!
tristar
Well-Known Member
sensible,and the cost of coming over could be nothing compared to vet bills and heartacheNot looking to buy anything as of now, possibly next year, just was having a wonder and my friend mentioned buying unseen so asked the question.
I'd be getting a 5* vetting and full x-rays on my next one thats for sure!
i always do lots of looking around
ihatework
Well-Known Member
And just to expand on that - the last (attempted) Irish purchase for me (higher value young sporthorses)
Full Xrays
Top Irish Vet - Ah to be sure, those xrays are just grand
Our top UK vet - Hmmm, there is this & that, but clinical significance not clear, I think they are okay but see what insurance says
Insurance - we are excluding hocks and stifles based on those xrays