Would you walk away .....

[Casey76]

Yes, I would walk away.

I've known a few people who have bought their favourite riding school horse and then regretted it - change of food, scenery, routine and workload all added up into their "sweet calm horse" being much more sparky/mardy etc than they were bargaining for.

I would never pay 3k for a riding school pony either. All of the school work is very hard on their joints - and unless they have very experienced riders riding them, they are usually very poorly schooled and a lot greener than you might imagine.

 

[Dougal9]

I'm just doing the letter now, I wouldn't trust a conversation with her to be honest and she is rarely around anyway. Apparently, and I know they could just be saying this, there are a couple of people waiting in the wings to buy him too. Maybe they don't want me to buy him and have a friend or relative who wants him and are just putting obstacles in my way so that I will back off. Who knows - I just wish they would be honest and upfront with me. Hopefully my letter will give them a prod and I'll know one way or the other soon. By the way Tyssandi isn't the owner - but she does know the horse ....

 

[ycbm]

I'm just doing the letter now, I wouldn't trust a conversation with her to be honest and she is rarely around anyway. Apparently, and I know they could just be saying this, there are a couple of people waiting in the wings to buy him too. Maybe they don't want me to buy him and have a friend or relative who wants him and are just putting obstacles in my way so that I will back off. Who knows - I just wish they would be honest and upfront with me. Hopefully my letter will give them a prod and I'll know one way or the other soon. By the way Tyssandi isn't the owner - but she does know the horse ....

Their next story may well be 'xyz' is going to buy him without a vetting, unless you take him first without a vetting.. 'someone else is interested' is one of the oldest sales tricks in the book.

Please do yourself a favour and look around at what else is out there. Truly, however much you like him he is not unique.

 

[ester]

I think essentially we all just don't want the OP being screwed over because of someone taking advantage of her good nature. If it all continues to be cloak and daggers I can just see you getting to March and having even more problems sorting things.
I do believe you get a special feeling for some horses, I have one! But I do think that I would have found it again with another and I certainly hope to too.

 

[ester]

OP I just checked for you as am on some of the dodgy dealer groups on facebook and for your selected all that comes up is very good and honest!
Bert?

 

[Dougal9]

OP I just checked for you as am on some of the dodgy dealer groups on facebook and for your selected all that comes up is very good and honest!

That's great - thank you There's only one on their website that isn't sold 'Bert' - have to admit he does look nice (when he's clipped anyway - but then don't they all !!)

 

[ester]

I've watched his videos on facebook, he looks like a nice chap, not established obviously but nice attitude. My only crit would be that he looks like he might be quite close behind - which is only an issue if that means he brushes and damages himself but he doesn't seem to wear boots. I'd definitely have a sit on him .

It does look like they have nice types in so even if not they might also keep an eye out for you

 

[9tails]

there are a couple of people waiting in the wings to buy him too.

Oh yeah? And will they buy him unvetted and unvaccinated? Don't be fooled, an ex-riding school horse isn't many people's cup of tea. I'm very glad I wasn't swayed into getting the school horse I was learning on, I don't think I learnt anything until I bought my own. I have all my fingers crossed that you prefer Bert!

 

[Starzaan]

Op, I have read the whole thread with interest, and wanted to comment rather than just move on.

I am an instructor in a large and very busy riding school, and if I were you, I would walk away. Riding school horses are lovely on the whole, but I have seen first hand too many times the damage an ex riding school horse can do to someone's confidence.

Now, I love the horses I teach with dearly, but I would never buy any of them. I wouldn't even take them for nothing. They work hard six days a week. By hard I mean up to three hours a day. I ride my own horse for around an hour to an hour and a half, five or six days a week. Maximum. He never does more than 40 mins in the school as he is big, and young and I don't want to knacker his joints. This will increase to an hour when he is fully grown, but the key is that I always warm him up properly.

Last night it was -4C. I had to teach a half hour jump lesson, with a pony who had been used in the morning, and then stood in for the rest of the day. If I had warmed the rider and pony up as I would my own horse, they would have had about five minutes jumping before they had to cool down. So the pony walked one lap on each rein, then we cracked on.

I hate doing this, but this is how riding school horses are used. I wouldn't be confident that this horse will pass a vetting, as the damage done to joints from being poorly warmed up, worked hard, and at times ridden by people who have no clue, could be significant.

Added to that the fact that this will be your first horse. There is no doubt in my mind that Dougal will change significantly once you get him home. I'm sure this is something that could be worked through, but at what cost to your confidence? I would much rather see a first time owner buy a horse who will fill them with confidence. The sort of horse whom you could load up the day after purchase and take to a hunter trial, and come back beaming.

Please think very carefully OP. These are my views about the horse himself, without even touching on the fact that the seller sounds dodgy as hell!

 

[ester]

Excellent points starzaan. They also don't always end up with the best fitting saddles IME, as once they have one they tend to keep it for a long time unchanged.

 

[Dougal9]

Hi Starzaan - thanks for being so honest, your comments have struck a cord with me on top of the uneasy feeling I was beginning to get. I think because he has given me a lot of confidence over the last 8 months or so, I thought he would continue to do so although I knew he would change the RS assured me that he probably wouldn't change that much and would still be the amiable Dougal he is today. They say that because he is used for the RDA once a week he is 'checked' more than the other horses but not sure if this is right. He is only 9 years old. I didn't think for one minute that buying a horse would be so stressful !! So if I don't take him - how do I stop myself worrying about what's happened to him .... I know I shouldn't but it's just the way I am - a complete and utter worrier !!

 

[ester]

Ah you see, once you have a horse too you will still spend all your time worrying about them, they like to keep you in a constant state of concern

 

[Starzaan]

Hi Starzaan - thanks for being so honest, your comments have struck a cord with me on top of the uneasy feeling I was beginning to get. I think because he has given me a lot of confidence over the last 8 months or so, I thought he would continue to do so although I knew he would change the RS assured me that he probably wouldn't change that much and would still be the amiable Dougal he is today. They say that because he is used for the RDA once a week he is 'checked' more than the other horses but not sure if this is right. He is only 9 years old. I didn't think for one minute that buying a horse would be so stressful !! So if I don't take him - how do I stop myself worrying about what's happened to him .... I know I shouldn't but it's just the way I am - a complete and utter worrier !!

I have worked with many horses over the years, and there are those who just have "something". There are horses out there that I have loved and lost touch with when moving to another job or another area. I think of them all still, and wish them well, but I cannot worry about them. If I did I would have ended up with hundreds of the *******!

Instead, I give my own horses, and the horses I look after for work currently, the very best I can. Focusing on them, and making their time with me as happy and wonderful as it can possibly be, is enough for me to think that even if I should never see them again, they will have had a happy and comfortable time whilst in my care.

Good luck OP. Feel free to PM me if you think I can help at all.

 

[Damnation]

Op, I would walk away.

I one had my heart set on a Riding school cob. None of the messing around that you have had but he failed the vetting.

I also know another lady who bought a RS horse. Fab in the riding school but she was so regimented and set in her ways that as a private horse she was a changed little person. Her back was damaged from years of a poorly fitted saddle (They said they had fitted it), her teeth were shocking (again they said they had been done) and on a hack, or in the school she would immidiately nose to tail with the horse infront. She had no sense of independance, poor love.

Aside from that, they are taking the absolute p*ss out of you. The horse is either up for sale with a deposit paid, at a discounted price as you are allowing them to still make money from him until the RS closes, or at £3k they let you take him right now. Dougal is either up for sale or not.

I don't want to see you messed around, I would call their bluff and make little comments like "I wonder if the horse I am seeing on Saturday is as nice as Dougal?" or as someone said above "They only want X for him and he is younger than Dougal with tack, rugs, vetting, and Vaccs up to date, I can take him next weekend too, but I would miss Dougal".

 

[Pippity]

Hi Starzaan - thanks for being so honest, your comments have struck a cord with me on top of the uneasy feeling I was beginning to get. I think because he has given me a lot of confidence over the last 8 months or so, I thought he would continue to do so although I knew he would change the RS assured me that he probably wouldn't change that much and would still be the amiable Dougal he is today. They say that because he is used for the RDA once a week he is 'checked' more than the other horses but not sure if this is right. He is only 9 years old. I didn't think for one minute that buying a horse would be so stressful !! So if I don't take him - how do I stop myself worrying about what's happened to him .... I know I shouldn't but it's just the way I am - a complete and utter worrier !!

To be honest, the fact that he's used for RDA would put me off.

I used to help out at an RDA group and, at this group, the horses worked HARD. It's not just a case of the riders being unbalanced as with most beginners, but, in many cases, actively moving around and constantly shifting the load. It's EXTREMELY tough on the horses' joints.

 

[Penny Less]

Tssandi says he /she is on the other side of the county, where does Dougal9 say where she is ? How does one know the other ?
ETA I have an ex riding school horse and have had dreadful problems getting him to go out on his own so this could possibly be an issue to think about

 

[conniegirl]

OP I do think you are being taken for a fool by the YO and her staff.

I'm anouther one who would never buy an ex riding school horse! they WILL change once not worked hard every day! You will very likely have issues with hacking out alone and very few riding school horses have actualy got good schooling, normaly thier mouths are too dead for that.
There is no harm in going to see what is out there in your price bracket, I think you would be very surprised!

Let me tell you what £3k could get you as that is the price I would put on my lad if I had to sell him (well would have prior to current vet issues, he wont be going anywhere now). my lad is 6 years old, 15.2hh small hunter type so well up to a decent amount of weight. he is very well schooled ready for a ride judge to get on him so will give a balanced, mannerly correct ride in a good uphill outline to any rider! He jumps, he does dressage, he hacks out alone and in company, he has never come home with anything less than a blue rosette at local shows. He has had nervous riders on his back (a friend who had had a fall and was shaking whilst mounting), he has had a rider who hadn't sat on a horse for 4 years on him (my sister), he has had tiny tots (legs didnt come past the saddle flap) and total beginners on him (my OH who has never even handled a horse before dating me) and didnt bat an eye at any of it. He is 100% in traffic and likes to investigate plastic bags, goats, lamas, wooden bridges etc! He is an angel to handle and I can leave him for a month in the field and then climb on board and go on a hack (I've even left him for 2 weeks then taken him to a show and got champion!). Heck he restored my confidence after a series of very very nasty falls from anouther youngster!
He has not been hammered, he has not had his mouth pulled round by uncaring riders!

I've been to the dealer you talked about earlier whilst looking for horse for a client and the horse was exactly as described, did exatly what they said and was lovely! When I took the client down for a viewing the client didnt click with the horse but that was not the fault of the horse or the dealer!

Go and see the other horse on Saturday, and whatever he is like, tell your instructor, in a chatty sort of way, that he is really nice, £1800 with saddle and 2 rugs, and you could have him in two weeks. But you do still quite like Dougal.

If you are set on Dougal then definatly do ^

Op, I have read the whole thread with interest, and wanted to comment rather than just move on.

I am an instructor in a large and very busy riding school, and if I were you, I would walk away. Riding school horses are lovely on the whole, but I have seen first hand too many times the damage an ex riding school horse can do to someone's confidence.

Now, I love the horses I teach with dearly, but I would never buy any of them. I wouldn't even take them for nothing. They work hard six days a week. By hard I mean up to three hours a day. I ride my own horse for around an hour to an hour and a half, five or six days a week. Maximum. He never does more than 40 mins in the school as he is big, and young and I don't want to knacker his joints. This will increase to an hour when he is fully grown, but the key is that I always warm him up properly.

Last night it was -4C. I had to teach a half hour jump lesson, with a pony who had been used in the morning, and then stood in for the rest of the day. If I had warmed the rider and pony up as I would my own horse, they would have had about five minutes jumping before they had to cool down. So the pony walked one lap on each rein, then we cracked on.

I hate doing this, but this is how riding school horses are used. I wouldn't be confident that this horse will pass a vetting, as the damage done to joints from being poorly warmed up, worked hard, and at times ridden by people who have no clue, could be significant.

Added to that the fact that this will be your first horse. There is no doubt in my mind that Dougal will change significantly once you get him home. I'm sure this is something that could be worked through, but at what cost to your confidence? I would much rather see a first time owner buy a horse who will fill them with confidence. The sort of horse whom you could load up the day after purchase and take to a hunter trial, and come back beaming.

Please think very carefully OP. These are my views about the horse himself, without even touching on the fact that the seller sounds dodgy as hell!

^Very very good post

 

[Dougal9]

I'm off to see the other horse tomorrow .... brought it forward as also just found out that now they may not be closing the RS end of March so I'm assuming (could be wrong) they would want to keep him for even longer...... enough is enough I'll deliver my letter next week - if indeed its needed !!

 

[ycbm]

I'm off to see the other horse tomorrow .... brought it forward as also just found out that now they may not be closing the RS end of March so I'm assuming (could be wrong) they would want to keep him for even longer...... enough is enough I'll deliver my letter next week - if indeed its needed !!

Brilliant news I think we are all hoping you love the horse tomorrow and he's perfect.

I know I'll be on tenterhooks waiting for your report, for one!

Don't worry, either, if you feel you want to buy the first one you see. I've done it lots of times and never been disappointed. If it feels right, it's right

 

[Dougal9]

Unfortunately Dougal feels 'right' but I am going with a very open mind I'll let you know what happens ...... watch this space !!

 

[ester]

HHO is always up for a bit of horse shopping too

 

[Dougal9]

Yes, been having a look around - a lot of mare's for sale ?? .....

 

[C1airey]

just found out that now they may not be closing the RS end of March

I suspect this is why they have kept you hanging on.

Good luck with the other horse!

 

[ycbm]

Unfortunately Dougal feels 'right' but I am going with a very open mind I'll let you know what happens ...... watch this space !!

Yes, but remember, the horse you ride tomorrow is what he is on the day (as long as the sellers are genuine). You won't know until Dougal has been in a private home for three to six months what his true character is.

Good luck!

 

[Damnation]

Yes, been having a look around - a lot of mare's for sale ?? .....

I've only ever had mares, slightly more complicated, but once you sussed them they are incredibly loyal and kind, don't write them off

 

[zigzag]

Good luck with the horse tomorrow! Go with an open mind

 

[claracanter]

If Dougal has some issues at the vetting, will you be able to get the price down accordingly? What if he fails?

Besides that,I think they are just messing you around and if they don't sell the RS, they won't want to sell him either.

Have a look at horses for sale now, you could have your own horse within a few weeks instead of waiting until March.

 

[Dougal9]

Hi - the RS has been sold, they want to keep him until the very last though which may/or may not be as I found out today the end of March.

 

[Damnation]

Hi - the RS has been sold, they want to keep him until the very last though which may/or may not be as I found out today the end of March.

That simply isn't fair. Hiking up the price then making you wait 5 months. He is either for sale or not.

 

[Dougal9]

Yup - but then I thought I could use the time to get prepared, have lessons and stable management lessons too and really get to know him but now 4 + months on and still no confirmed date ..... !!