Questions on buying (quite long!)

hhatt336

As someone who's finally in a financial position to buy but has spent all her riding life on school horses, I'm a bit nervous about buying so I'm hoping for advice.
My main worry is that I'll buy and regret, that I'll buy a horse that's unsuitable for me -because they've their own feelings it's not like buying a thing that you can just resell carte blanche.

What I'm looking for is an all rounder, something that will be a forward hunter & cross any country but yet have enough sense to take on the road and brakes enough to take out on a fun ride with kids who are only starting off. Ideally, I'd like to compete in some hunter trials to novice level & maybe the (very) occasional local show at 90cm to work towards 1m in the summer.

I was a bit naive when I started looking (basing pricing off donedeal!) but after talking to people who know a lot more than me, I think I'm looking at very little change, if any, from €5k.

I don't mind spending for experience, seasoning, sense but I don't want to waste either by buying one that's too much for me - I'm never going to be the one at the front of the hunt jumping 5ft walls! I know if you're good enough you can get the most out of a plod & calm a nutcase down but to be realistic about my schooling abilities I think I need to buy one that has had a lot of work done & needs to be kept tipping along rather than starting fresh.


Is my price range realistic (up or down)? What would be people's main warnings ref possible pitfalls to watch for? Does what I'm looking for exist or is there a fundamental mismatch between the forward/sensible ?
When I look, what should I look out for ? ( like in real estate terms, when they say opportunity to put your own mark on property they mean it's basically a shell!)

I've been so lucky, I've got well with almost all the horses I've spent time with so when it comes actually buying I'm hoping to find one that I'll find some special click with. Is this reasonable or am I better to focus on the practical?

Ultimately I'm lucky enough in that I've an instructor I trust and a family friend I can hut up for advice too but I feel a bit that I've spent so long thinking about buying I'm psyching myself out & I've so many bits to ask I'd like as much advice as possible.

Thanks in advance

Babs88

The best advice I can give is vetting, I really have so little trust for dealers. There are some great studs out there but talk to people dont trust whats posted online. It can take over a year to find then perfect horse for you. See if you can get a trial before your buy or loan to buy.

There's some great info on BHS ( http://www.bhs.org.uk/welfare-and-care/buying-and-loaning-horses/advice-on-buying) they have a leaflet on that page which really has great advice.

Have a look at welfare groups youd be surprised that there are some decent horses there. Also youll get a more honest estimation of the horses as they want then best home for the horses (plus your giving a horse a loving home)

Ave Sodalis

Use the facilities you have (ie the instructor etc) to the best advantage. Don't rush into anything, even if it takes a year to find the right horse, it's worth it. On that note, no you're not being unreasonable with your requests. A horse you click with is what most people want, especially for a first horse. If anything, the fussier the better. Go with your gut. Your price seems reasonable but if finance isn't so much an issue, be prepared to vary your price up or down.

monflat

Also if the horse is described as easy to clip load etc get them to turn on clippers . Get them or you to load horse.
If horse is jumpin whatever height get them to show you exactly
Jumpin drains or xc make sure you see it all.


Definitly get it vetted too

hhatt336

Thanks for all the replies.

Will def get the vetting done, I would agree it's something that is well worth it.

Haha, I think my instructor will start to dread seeing me but they've the best idea of my actual ability rather then what I think. I'm like a lot if people, would love to get a bargain, but I think what I'm looking for is what a lot of people are after so any price reduction would be for a reason.

Also, another good idea to get full demo, another thing for my checklist!

Thanks again

monflat

Well if the horse was described as easy in every way easy to catch in field tack up etc.

Id arrange to view horse but i would like to see him in in natural state . Then catch him bring him in etc see what he is like that way a horse that is reluctant to come back in tells a lot.
You could tack him up or view him being tackedup then u would see if he was head shy sore when puttin saddle on any issues rising his legs tail swishin etc.


Lots to think about but thats what id do !!!

hhatt336

Cool, I think I'll try to view with a list and someone with me to play bad cop in case of getting carried away/falling in love with the first one I see & then come back to review with someone in the know for a second view if all goes well.

I'm a funny mix of excited and nervous at the same time!

thanks again for all the input

Babs88

I'm still looking (over two years now), it can be hard to find that perfect horse your right to take your time and get the best match.
Yea it's exciting, and of course the longer I take to find "the one" my "horse pigy bank" keeps getting bigger :P lol

Best of luck! When you do find your dream guy or girl make sure to pop up a photo!

Billiethepup

If its your first definitely bring someone horsey you can trust to help you. Even having another person who can talk the talk with you will help when it comes to dealing with the seller, there are many honest sellers out there but there are also a few slippery characters. Whatever about asking an instructor to help you if your in a position to do so id suggest paying someone to help you, your instructor is a good place to start.

Best of luck - exciting times

granturismo

hhatt336 wrote: »

Cool, I think I'll try to view with a list and someone with me to play bad cop in case of getting carried away/...t

Maybe you should factor in paying this instructor for their time and travel.

Once you've bought the horse, can you afford the weekly upkeep, how will you get to shows and hunter trials? Will you insure, its a money pit.

hhatt336

Indeed, it's the ongoing expense of the upkeep I had to wait to afford rather than the initial purchase- that will almost certainly end up being the one of the cheapest parts!

My purchase piggy bank can't wait yo be emptied

Initially I'll be able to hire transport, my current jeep will be able to tow but no box of own yet.

Will def insure just in case, better to have send not need than not.

One of my brothers friends is a large animal vet & he's offered one of his mates to come along for viewings also so he's another one whose opinion I can check on. Even like above to run the lingo of ads past.

Before I commit I would like to have someone, like my instructor, who would have a really good idea of my ability and how much I would realistically improve in the near future & what types would match me to view & obviously, none of us work for free! Like the insurance & vetting, I think it's something for me starting off that I'll just have to pay for as the cost saving of not doing it is so much less than the potential cost of getting it wrong.

It's been a while of doing the maths on disposable income; this 4 legged addition will almost be a second mortgage! Still, it's something that will be worth it; once it comes together -hopefully!

Once I find "the one" there will be so many photos of them on the go; one will def find its way on here.

Thanks again to all

marley123

Exciting times ahead OP!!!

If your instructor helps source horses for clients would highly recommend you go down that route... I bought my first horse from my instructor and she sourced my second - IF I had just gone out and looked myself god knows what I would have arrived back to yard with lol... she is really excellent & happy to pass her number to you if you want...

Couple of things -
Always see the horse being ridden by the seller first..
Make sure you have someone with you aswell that can possibly video you when riding the horse.
When you find a horse you like after inital viewing suggest you ask to ride it at a venue that the horse hasn't been at before to give you a good idea on how the horse is in somewhere new to them.
Also make sure you see the horse being hacked out.

hhatt336

I know, so excited it's not funny. I have to keep reminding myself it could take ages to actually find the right one.

Another good point, to make sure to take them somewhere new.

They do source, so I've gone through the list & asked him to start keeping an eye out so hopefully it'll be sooner than later. I don't think I was this excited when I got married.!

ElmW13

If you come across a horse you like, see if the seller is willing to allow you to trial the horse for a week or two. This way, you are able to get to know the horse and pick up on any problems before you splash the cash.

convert

ElmW13 wrote: »

If you come across a horse you like, see if the seller is willing to allow you to trial the horse for a week or two. This way, you are able to get to know the horse and pick up on any problems before you splash the cash.

This has been mentioned a lot in threads, and it seems a lot of people don't allow their horse to go out on trial to someone else due to the bad experiences they've had and the condition of the horse on its return. I'll try dig it out in a bit. That said, if you're buying it's worth a try; nothing to lose by asking.

ElmW13

convert wrote: »

This has been mentioned a lot in threads, and it seems a lot of people don't allow their horse to go out on trial to someone else due to the bad experiences they've had and the condition of the horse on its return. I'll try dig it out in a bit. That said, if you're buying it's worth a try; nothing to lose by asking.

I was lucky enough to get my Haflinger on loan for a week and half. Though this may have been partially because my cousin worked for the person who was selling her.

sleepyboots

Hi
My advise is stay away from dealers. I had a very bad experience last year when i bought a horse from one. Im convinced they had the horse doped when i went to view her twice!
I would have a good knowledge of horses myself but i still brought my cousin along with me. I had been out of the saddle for a few years and like yourself became in the position to buy one of my own. I was looking for the same as you as i had lost my nerve so needed something so build my confidence again. When i rang regarding the advert for a 'large sections on cobs and horses' i explained my situation and that i needed something quite. They said they had something perfect for me so i traveled 2 hours to look at the horse. Everything seemed great and the horse done everything. Very good on the flat and jumped 1.10. I even brought it into the fields and jumped around the cross country course. The horse seemed perfect. (they even told me there 11yr old daughter hunted the horse)
Now i was dealing with the yard manager as the Boss was abroad at the time. The asking price was more then i had planned on spending so i haggled. The manager told me he would have to ask the boss as he has the final say. So he goy back to me the next day and said they would drop the price to what i would spend. I arranged my vetting (with my vet) i even got her x-rayed. She passed with flying colors.
I brought her home and the next day i took her out for a ride and she buried me in the field. Then she got a flu so had to bring her to the vet the second day i had her. she was off for a week with that. Next time i rode her i decided to bring her to the local riding club lessons. Again she buried me. My instructor suggested we change her saddle as it might not suit her so tried several different saddles on her and still no change. i got the dentist to look at her and 2 equine back specialist. Nothing changed. I rang the dealer back with in 2 weeks and explained that thing were not working out and i wanted my money back and return the horse. The manager said he would get back to me but never did. I eventually tracked down the 'BOSS' number and he denied the sale. Saying it was the manager that sold the horse and not him. i explained that the manager was dealing with him the Boss and you the 'boss' were there the day i got the horse vetted and the day i bought the horse. I asked him why was he happy to take my envelope full of cash for a horse 'he was not sell' and his answer was 'ah the manager my not have been able to count'. I threatened solicitors but she just told me i would not get a penny from him and hung up. Then refused to take or return my calls. I did speak to a solicitor about it but even if i did way the case against him the hardest part would be getting him to pay me back! i decided to send the horse to a yard to get it schooled with a more experienced rider and she was sent back to me after two week as every time they tried to mount her she reared up and tried to turn over. She was getting worse. In the end i brought her to a mart and sold her 'as seen' to another dealer.

So the moral of the story is stay clear of dealers. (some may be good but im yet to find one) all they want is there horses sold and your money. They don't care about what your looking for.
I know lots of people wont give a trial but its defo worth the ask. It would be a good idea to offer to stable it in an established riding school for the trial.
Always get it vetted. and i personally recommend get it x-rayed as you may find the onset of nuvicular or side bone.
im lucky enough to have been offered my friends horse to help me build back up my confidence again so hopefully i will be looking again next year.

Best of luck horse hunting.

ElmW13

Before I bought her my horse hadn't been ridden in over a year. Someone rode her before I did and she was as calm as anything, unlike the day we had to catch her. Over 50 horses running around a hill... I came back the next day and rode her before taking back to my place. She's an absolute dream, picks up the vet, responds to voice commands when lunging. Get to see someone else ride the horse you are looking to buy and if you get it on trial ask a few different people to ride her to see how she behaves.

sleepyboots

Oh yes always ask to see it been ridden before you get up.
Don't be fooled by a good horse on the ground tho. That horse was a dream to go anything with. She loaded herself, fell asleep when been clipped, stood for the farrier without been held or tied up. She would lunge perfect. You just couldn't ride her!
But you live an learn. I'm jealous of the people with the perfect horse!! But some day i will find mine!
I am a true believer in the saying 'What for you wont pass you'

hhatt336

I would have thought I'd be somewhat safer with a dealer in that they would be concerned with their reputation - will need to be v suspicious. Sorry to hear of your difficulty sleeoyboots.
I'd love to get a loan with view to buy as a buyer but I can see from the sellers point there's very little upside for the risk.
I've asked my instructor to start keeping an eye out, and I'll give it a few weeks to see what comes out of that
Thanks again to everyone, I feel a bit more prepared now!

monflat

Depends i know ONE great dealer. Great reputation horses in top notch they are what they are described as


Some other dodgy dealers out there

Kovu

:eek: I'm starting to think I was very lucky when I got my new horse on Easter Saturday. Had only viewed one other before him but instantly liked this guy, had a lovely head and excellent manners in the stable. Trotted out clean and I took him on a few days trial straight away as he's by Guidam and I wanted something with a bit of a jump.
Been riding him for over a week now and he's hands down a perfect gentleman (except for his Houdini escapes from the stall be I have that fixed now)

I'll be on the lookout now for some major issue with him that I've missed!

byhookorbycrook

Reputation and dealers aren't two words I'd put together. I got fleeced by a guy who sold me a horse that passed vet (probably drugged as it turned out to be chronically lame)despite letting dealer know I am slightly disabled and needed a bombproof 100% sound horse.

mystika121

Would it be of value to have a blood test included as standard as part of a vetting process?

It would hopefully deter sellers from doping and there would be peace of mind for the buyer.

monflat

mystika121 wrote: »

Would it be of value to have a blood test included as standard as part of a vetting process?

It would hopefully deter sellers from doping and there would be peace of mind for the buyer.

Id say potential buyers would like it as standard to detect anti inflammatories etcbut id say the vets would not like it included.
That would be a good bit extra.

gozunda

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Reputation and dealers aren't two words I'd put together. I got fleeced by a guy who sold me a horse that passed vet (probably drugged as it turned out to be chronically lame)despite letting dealer know I am slightly disabled and needed a bombproof 100% sound horse.

monflat wrote: »

Id say potential buyers would like it as standard to detect anti inflammatories etcbut id say the vets would not like it included.
That would be a good bit extra.

I have had to do this in the past where I suspected a horse was likely to be doped - it wasn't that much more as far as I remember and more than amply paid off.

The vet normally takes the blood sample and tests it only if required.